JP2010161700A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus in which, when it is difficult to clean the inside of a scanner cabinet while detaching the scanner cabinet in a product state, a user is enabled to remove contamination such as trash or dust entering the inside of the scanner cabinet and rising on cover glass of a reading module, without being conscious of cleaning and further, any contamination hardly rides on the cover glass. <P>SOLUTION: An image reading apparatus 1 includes a reading module 33 for reading an image, and the reading module 33 and a bracket 34 being located at a home position can be turned at 90° around a turning shaft 35. By tilting a cover surface to an attitude in parallel with a perpendicular direction, the contamination such as trash or dust being mixed from the outside of the image reading apparatus 1 and riding on the cover surface can be dropped and the contamination riding on the cover surface can be suppressed from degrading accuracy in image reading. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

  In scanners or copiers, dust and dirt are found on the ADF contact glass surface (document transport surface) and back surface in an automatic document feeder (ADF), as well as on the optical system such as the cover glass surface and mirror surface of the reading module. Such foreign matter may adhere.

  It is known that when such foreign matters such as dust and dust are present on the CCD reading line, a so-called “vertical streak” is formed in the document conveying direction when the document is read. The vertical streak does not exist in the original image on the original, and therefore the scan output image or the copy image having the vertical streak is an abnormal image for the user.

  In order to eliminate this abnormality, a conventional example in which the degree of streaks is reduced by detecting dust and dirt and applying reverse correction to data is known in terms of electrical and software. However, these are corrections of the read data and cannot be completely removed. Also, there is no effect when the detection of dust and dust is incomplete.

  Further, as in the following patent document, there is a direct solution method of removing dust and dust that cause an abnormality by a technique of cleaning glass or making a dust and dust reservoir. In the following Patent Document 1, a dust removing device having a felt-like cleaner mounted on the upper part of the reference reflector in the ADF unit is rotated each time a document is conveyed, and the reading glass on the optical path is cleaned. However, this is a cleaning technique on the side of the original passage surface of glass.

  Moreover, in the following Patent Document 2, foreign substances such as paper dust are accommodated, and the ADF platen glass can be removed and cleaned at an arbitrary time. In this method, the glass is removed and cleaned at a certain time when a trash box for collecting trash carried by the document passing is provided in the paper path.

JP-A-6-164863 JP 2002-165059 A

  However, these are measures against dust and dust on the surface of the ADF contact glass (original passage surface). The majority of conventional intermediate scanners and copiers have a structure that allows the ADF contact glass to be removed. If dust or dirt adheres to the back of the ADF contact glass, the ADF contact glass can be removed and cleaned. ing.

  However, in recent low-price scanners and scanner printer integrated types, there are many structures in which the ADF contact glass cannot be removed. In such an apparatus, if dust or dust enters the scanner casing and adheres to the cover glass of the reading module, there is no way to clean it by a simple procedure, and there is no way for market users to deal with it.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when it is difficult to remove the product in the product state and clean the inside of the scanner housing, it enters the scanner housing and gets on the cover glass of the reading module. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that allows a user to remove foreign matters such as dust and dust without being conscious of cleaning, and further prevents foreign matters from getting on a cover glass.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an image formed on a surface of a sheet disposed above, and the reading unit in a state in which the reading unit executes a reading process. It is located at a first position between the sheet and the sheet and is arranged so as to cover the reading unit from above with the upper surface as a cover surface, and the reading unit can read the image formed on the sheet A cover member formed of a translucent material, and a second cover member that is inclined from the first position where the cover surface faces the sheet to the inverted or near the inverted state. And a rotation mechanism that is rotatably supported to a position.

  Accordingly, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the cover member that covers the reading unit from above can be rotated to an angle at which foreign matter is prevented from getting on the cover surface. It is possible to suppress foreign matters such as dust and dust from getting on the cover surface and to remove foreign matters such as dust and dust on the cover surface. Further, since the rotation of the cover member can be achieved with a simple structure, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the read image becomes abnormal by preventing the foreign matter from getting on the cover surface only by constructing the simple structure.

  In addition, a drive unit that drives the rotation mechanism so that the cover member rotates, and the drive unit drives the rotation mechanism during a period when the reading unit is not performing a reading process, so that the cover A control unit that rotates the member from the first position to the second position may be provided.

  Accordingly, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the cover member that covers the reading unit from above is driven by the driving unit during a period in which the reading unit is not executing the reading process, and foreign matter riding on the cover surface falls. Since the cover member is controlled so as to be rotated to an angle that allows this, the foreign matter on the cover surface can be automatically dropped. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform a cleaning action, which is convenient for the user. Further, since the reading is performed during a period when the reading unit is not executing the reading process, the rotation of the cover member does not affect the reading process, and the period during which the reading unit is not executing the reading process is effectively used. .

  In addition, a feeding unit that automatically feeds the sheet is detachably mounted, and the control unit is equipped with the feeding unit and waits for reading of an image by the reading unit. It is good also as providing the 1st control means which controls so that the position of the said cover member may become said 2nd position in the state which exists.

  As a result, it is possible to construct a system that rotates the reading unit in a standby state when the feeding unit is mounted. Therefore, it has been pointed out that paper dust may be mixed in the device during image reading using the feeding unit when the feeding unit is installed. It can suppress that a foreign material gets on.

  A copy unit that uses the reading of the image by the reading unit as part of a copy process; and the control unit executes the copy process, and the read unit stands by for reading the image. In the state, a second control unit may be provided for controlling the position of the cover member to be the second position.

  As a result, it is possible to construct a system that rotates the reading unit in the standby state in a state where the copying process is executed. Therefore, in the case of copying processing, it is impossible to store image data and correct the data later, for example, as in scanner processing. Although important, a system suitable for this problem can be constructed.

  Further, a lock portion may be provided that fixes the position of the cover member at the second position.

  Thus, if the reading unit is fixed by the lock unit while the image reading apparatus is being moved, problems such as the reading unit moving and being damaged during the movement of the image reading apparatus can be avoided, and the cover surface can be moved during the movement. It is possible to prevent foreign objects from getting on.

  The control unit may include an input unit that receives an input for selecting whether or not to control the cover member to rotate from the first position to the second position.

  As a result, a system that can select whether or not to rotate the cover member can be constructed. Therefore, for example, when it is required to start reading quickly and it is not desirable to take some time to recover the position from the position where the foreign matter on the cover surface is dropped to the position at the time of reading, It is possible to construct a system that can be selected and started quickly.

  Further, the platen unit is disposed at a position facing the reading unit and has a function of pressing the sheet in the direction of the reading unit, and the surface is formed with a single color, and without feeding the sheet. A platen reading unit for causing the reading unit to read the surface of the platen unit, and analyzing color information in an image obtained by causing the reading unit to read the surface of the platen unit by the platen reading unit; Detecting means for detecting that there is a region different from the single color, and when the detection unit detects that there is a region different from the single color in the image, Command means for issuing a command so that the position of the cover member becomes the second position.

  As a result, the platen part, not the sheet, is read to analyze the color information and when it is determined that the foreign object is on the cover surface, the cover surface is rotated, so it is accurate whether or not the foreign object is on the cover surface. It is possible to construct a system that detects well and rotates the cover surface when foreign matter is on the cover surface.

  The reading unit may be equipped with a CCD sensor and a series of optical members for reading an image by the CCD sensor.

  As a result, with respect to an image reading apparatus in which a reading unit is configured by a series of CCD sensors and optical members that are widely used, a cover surface covering the reading unit is rotated to remove foreign matters on the cover surface. A system can be constructed.

  The reading unit may be equipped with a contact image sensor.

  This makes it possible to construct a system that removes the foreign matter on the cover surface by rotating the cover member that covers the reading unit with respect to the image reading apparatus in which the reading unit is configured by a widely used contact image sensor. .

1 is a configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows a rotating shaft. The figure which shows the example of a reading module. The figure which shows another example of a reading module. The flowchart which shows a foreign material detection and a cover surface rotation process. The figure which shows the example of the waveform of white output. The figure which shows the detail of a control part. The figure which shows rotation of a reading module.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus 1 (scanner, copier, etc.) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image reading apparatus 1 is assumed to be a multi-function peripheral (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral or All In One Peripheral) having a plurality of functions. An ADF 2 is arranged at the top of the image reading apparatus 1 in the figure, an image reading unit 3 is arranged below the ADF 2 in the figure, and a printer unit 4 is arranged further below.

  The ADF 2 is assumed to be detachable. The upper and lower parts in FIG. 1 correspond to the upper and lower parts in the vertical direction, respectively. It is assumed that the user can set various modes of the image reading apparatus 1 such as a printer mode, a copy mode, a scanner mode, and a FAX mode using an input unit 390 or 51 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ADF 2 includes a paper feed tray 20, a paper discharge tray 21, and a white platen roller 23, and the image reading unit 3 includes an ADF contact glass 31. A document transport path 22 is formed from the paper feed tray 20 through a portion sandwiched between the white platen roller 23 and the ADF contact glass 31 to the paper discharge tray 21. It suffices that conveyance rollers (not shown) are arranged in various places on the document conveyance path.

  The originals P are sequentially transported one by one from a plurality of normal documents placed on the paper feed tray 20, and along the original transport path 22 by transport rollers disposed in various places driven by a motor (not shown) or the like. Then, the sheet is conveyed to a portion sandwiched between the white platen roller 23 and the ADF contact glass 31 and further conveyed to the sheet discharge tray 21 and discharged.

  In a portion sandwiched between the white platen roller 23 and the ADF contact glass 31, the original P is conveyed by the rotation of the white platen roller 23, while the white platen roller 23 presses downward in the figure so that the original P contacts with the ADF. Pressed against the glass 31.

  In addition to the ADF contact glass 31, the image reading unit 3 includes a flat bed contact glass 32, a reading module 33, a bracket 34, a rotation shaft 35, a rail 36, a motor 37, a lock unit 38, and a control unit 39. The flat bed contact glass 32 is equipped to read an image by placing a document or the like on the flat bed contact glass 32 without using the ADF 2 and moving the reading module 33.

  The reading module 33 is fixed on a bracket 34, and when the motor 37 is driven, the bracket 34 moves on the rail 36, so that the reading module 33 moves in parallel with the bracket 34. The position of the reading module 33 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 is the leftmost position where the reading module 33 is located, and this position is the home position (standby position) of the reading module 33.

  The reading module 33 is located at the home position when reading an image through the ADF contact glass 31. The reading module 33 returns to the home position and waits when the reading of the image on the flat bed contact glass 32 is completed.

  FIG. 7 shows the structure of the control unit 39. The control unit 39 has the same structure as an ordinary computer and has an information processing function. The control unit 39 includes a CPU 391 that executes various operations, a RAM 392 as a work area for the operation, a ROM 393 as a storage unit, and the like, which are connected by a bus. Then, information is exchanged. The driving of the motor 37 is commanded and controlled by the control unit 39.

  An image on the surface of the document P (the surface in contact with the ADF contact glass 31) is read by the reading module 33 positioned below the ADF contact glass 30. An example of the reading module 33 is shown in FIGS. In the example of FIG. 3, the reading module 33 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 332. In the example of FIG. 4, the reading module 33 includes a contact image sensor 337 (CIS: Contact Image Sensor).

  In FIG. 3, a CCD sensor 332, a plurality of mirrors 330, a lens 331, and a light source 335 are accommodated in a housing 333. The light source 335 may be a white fluorescent lamp, for example. The upper part of the housing 333 in the figure is a cover glass 334, and the upper surface of the cover glass 334 in the figure is a cover surface 334a. Reading by the reading module 33 is performed through the cover glass 334. For this purpose, the cover glass 334 is made of glass and has translucency. Here, it may be particularly colorless and transparent.

  Light L including image information of the original P obtained by the light source 335 irradiating the original P passes through the cover glass 334 and is reflected by the plurality of mirrors 330 and then reduced by the lens 331 and is applied onto the CCD sensor 332. Form an image. The imaged light L is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor 332 and becomes image data.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 4, a light source 335, a lens 336, and a CIS 337 are accommodated in the housing 333. For example, the light source 335 may be a type in which LEDs (light emitting diodes) of three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are alternately irradiated at high speed.

  Light L including an image of the original P obtained by irradiating the original P with the light source 335 passes through the cover glass 334 and further passes through the lens 336 and forms an image on the CIS 337. The imaged light L is converted into an electrical signal by the CIS 337 and becomes image data.

  The main feature of the present invention is that the reading module 33 and the bracket 34 in the state of being in the home position are rotatable about the rotation shaft 35. In this rotation, it is assumed that the cover surface 334a of the reading module 33 can be rotated to a position parallel to the vertical direction, that is, 90 degrees. The rotation shaft 35 (the axial direction thereof) may be a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rail 36 and the vertical direction.

  FIG. 8 shows details of rotation of the reading module 33 and the bracket 34. FIG. 8A shows the position when the reading module 33 executes the reading process, and FIG. 8B shows the position where the reading module 33 and the bracket 34 are rotated about the rotation axis 35 by 90 degrees. The position of the reading module 33 (and the bracket 34) in FIG. 8A is a first position, and the position of the reading module 33 (and the bracket 34) in FIG. 8B is a second position. In the first position, the cover surface 334a is parallel to the horizontal plane, and in the second position, the cover surface 334a is parallel to the vertical direction.

  By rotating the reading module 33 (and the bracket 34) to the second position so that the cover surface 334a is in a posture parallel to the vertical direction, the reading module 33 (and the bracket 34) is mixed from the outside of the image reading apparatus 1 and rides on the cover surface 334a. Foreign matter such as dust and dirt can be dropped. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the foreign matter on the cover surface 334a from degrading the accuracy of image reading. The reading module 33 is driven by a motor 37 and rotates around a rotation shaft 35. This rotation is commanded and controlled by the control unit 39.

  The period during which the reading module 33 is rotated by 90 degrees may be a period during which the reading module 33 does not read an image. The rotation of the reading module 33 may be executed only when the reading module 33 is at the home position. The rail 36 is arranged at a position where it does not become an obstacle when the reading module 33 is rotated 90 degrees.

  As can be easily understood from FIG. 1, in order to prevent the reading module 33 from coming into contact with the ADF contact glass 31 when the reading module 33 is rotated 90 degrees, the rotation shaft 35 is shifted from the center of the bracket 35. It is preferable to arrange so as to be. Here, the center is a position in a direction parallel to the rail 36.

  When the ADF 2 is mounted, the control unit 39 always rotates the reading module 33 by 90 degrees in the state where the reading module 33 is located at the home position, that is, in the standby state, so that the cover surface 334a is in the vertical direction. You may control so that it may become a parallel attitude | position. This control may be programmed and stored in the ROM 393 as a program 394 as shown in FIG. 7 and automatically executed by the CPU 391. Since it has been pointed out that dust and dirt such as paper dust may be mixed in the image reading apparatus 1 during reading by the ADF 2, the above-described control can suppress a problem that they get on the cover surface 334a.

  In the standby state where the reading module 33 is located at the home position while the copy mode is set, the control unit 39 always rotates the reading module 33 by 90 degrees so that the cover surface 334a is parallel to the vertical direction. You may control to become. This control may be programmed, stored in the ROM 393 as a program 395 as shown in FIG. 7, and automatically executed by the CPU 391.

  In the copy mode, since the printer unit 4 prints the image immediately after the image reading unit 3 reads the image, it is impossible to store the image data and correct the data later like a scanner operation. Therefore, in the copy mode, it is extremely important to prevent foreign matters from getting on the cover surface 334a. By the above control, foreign matters are prevented from getting on the cover surface 334a in the copy mode.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the rotating shaft 35. The rotating shaft 35 is supported by a bearing 351, and the bearing 351 is fixed to the bracket 34. Thereby, the bracket 34 can be rotated around the rotation shaft 35. A convex portion 352 as shown in FIG. 2 is formed on the rotating shaft 35, and two concave portions 353 and 354 are formed on the bearing 351.

  The interval (center angle) between the recesses 353 and 354 may be 90 degrees. When the bracket 34 rotates, the position of the bracket 34 can be fixed by engaging the convex portion 352 with the concave portion 353 or the concave portion 354. Accordingly, the posture (first position) where the cover surface 334a is parallel to the horizontal direction and the posture (second position) parallel to the vertical direction can be stably fixed by a simple method.

  Further, the image reading unit 3 is equipped with a lock unit 38 as shown in FIG. The lock unit 38 can be moved in parallel in the vertical direction, and the user can move the lock unit 38 up and down by holding a knob protruding outside the image reading unit 3. When the user pushes the lock portion 38 upward when the cover surface 334a is in a posture parallel to the horizontal direction, the convex portion of the lock portion 38 engages with the concave portion (not shown) of the bracket 34, and the cover surface 334a is moved. Can be fixed in that position. Similarly, when the user pushes up the lock portion 38 upward when the cover surface 334a is in a posture parallel to the vertical direction, the convex portion of the lock portion 38 engages with the concave portion (not shown) of the housing 33, and the cover The surface 334a can be fixed in that position.

  Accordingly, if the posture of the reading module 33 is fixed by the lock portion while the image reading apparatus 1 is moved, problems such as the reading module 33 moving and being damaged during the movement can be avoided, and the cover surface can be moved during the movement. It is also possible to prevent foreign matter from getting on 334a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 39 includes an input unit 390. Further, the control unit 39 can be connected to an external personal computer 5 (PC). By using the input unit 390 or the input unit 51 of the PC 5, the user selects whether the reading module 33 in the standby state at the home position is always rotated by 90 degrees when the ADF 2 is mounted or in the copy mode. It may be possible.

  The reason for making such a selection is that it may not be desired to rotate the reading module 33 by 90 degrees. As an example of the case where it is not desired to rotate 90 degrees, there is a case where a quick reading start is required. This is because if it is rotated 90 degrees in the standby state, it takes some time for the posture to recover from the posture.

  In the present embodiment, a function of determining whether there is a foreign object on the cover surface 334a by reading and analyzing the white platen roller 23 may be added. Specifically, this process is executed as shown in FIG. In the processing procedure of FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 10, the user instructs the white platen roller reading execution using the input unit 390 or 51. In response to this, the reading module 33 reads the surface of the white platen roller 23 without feeding the document P.

  In step S20, the image data obtained by reading is sent to the control unit 39, and the color information is analyzed. By this analysis, for example, the white output waveform shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. The vertical axis in FIG. 6 is a white detection value in the pixel of the sensor 332 or 337. The surface of the white platen roller 23 is a single white color. If there is a foreign object on the cover surface 334a of the reading module 33, an output reduction portion is generated in the waveform of white output as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 39 measures the numerical value of the output decrease Vc, and when this numerical value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it determines that there is a foreign object on the cover surface 334a of the reading module 33 in S30. When it is determined that there is a foreign object on the cover surface 334a (S30: YES), the process proceeds to S40, and when it is determined that there is no foreign object (S30: NO), the process of FIG. In S40, the reading module 33 is rotated 90 degrees so that the cover surface 334a is in a posture parallel to the vertical direction, and foreign matter on the cover surface 334a is dropped. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  In addition, the rotation angle set to 90 degrees in the above embodiment is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be an angle at which the foreign matter riding on the cover surface 334a can fall. For this purpose, angles in the range of 60 degrees, 70 degrees, or 80 degrees to 90 degrees, 100 degrees, or 110 degrees are also suitable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mirror 330, the lens 331, the CCD sensor 332, the light source 335, and the housing 333 in FIG. 3 constitute the reading unit. The lens 336, the CIS 337, the light source 335, and the housing 333 in FIG. The bracket 34, the rotation shaft 35, and the housing 333 constitute a rotation mechanism. The image reading unit 3 and the printer unit 4 constitute a copying unit. The procedure of S10 constitutes a platen reading unit. The procedure of S20 constitutes detection means. S40 constitutes command means. The mirror 330 and the lens 331 constitute an optical member.

1 Image reader 2 ADF (feeding unit)
3 Image reading unit 4 Printer unit 23 White platen roller (platen unit)
31 ADF contact glass 33 Reading module 34 Bracket 35 Rotating shaft 37 Motor (drive unit)
38 Lock part 39 Control part 332 CCD sensor 334 Cover glass (cover member)
334a Cover surface 337 Contact-type image sensor 394 Program (first control means)
395 program (second control means)
P Original (sheet)

Claims (9)

A reading unit that reads an image formed on the surface of the sheet disposed above;
In a state in which the reading unit executes a reading process, the reading unit is disposed at a first position between the reading unit and the sheet so as to cover the reading unit from above with an upper surface as a cover surface. A cover member formed of a translucent material so that the image formed on the sheet can be read;
A rotation mechanism that rotatably supports the cover member from the first position where the cover surface opposes the seat to a second position where the cover surface is inverted or inclined to the vicinity of the inverted state;
An image reading apparatus comprising: A drive unit that drives the rotation mechanism so that the cover member rotates;
And a control unit configured to cause the driving unit to drive the rotation mechanism and rotate the cover member from the first position to the second position during a period in which the reading unit is not performing a reading process. Item 2. The image reading apparatus according to Item 1. A feeding unit that automatically feeds the sheet is detachably mounted,
The control unit controls the position of the cover member to be the second position in a state where the feeding unit is mounted and waiting for reading of an image by the reading unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit. A copying unit that uses reading of an image by the reading unit as part of a copying process;
The control unit controls the position of the cover member to be the second position in a state where the copying unit executes a copying process and the reading unit is on standby for reading an image. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock portion that fixes a position of the cover member at the second position.   5. The input unit according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit configured to receive an input for selecting whether or not the control unit controls the cover member to rotate from the first position to the second position. The image reading apparatus described in 1. A platen unit disposed at a position facing the reading unit and having a function of pressing the sheet in the direction of the reading unit, the surface of which is formed in a single color;
Platen reading means for causing the reading unit to read the surface of the platen unit without feeding the sheet;
Detecting means for analyzing color information in an image obtained by causing the reading unit to read the surface of the platen unit by the platen reading unit, and detecting that the image has a region different from the single color;
Command means for issuing a command to the control unit so that the position of the cover member becomes the second position when the detection means detects that the image has a region different from the single color. When,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is equipped with a CCD sensor and a series of optical members for reading an image by the CCD sensor.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is equipped with a contact image sensor.

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