JP2010226618A - Image reader, method of controlling image reading, and image read control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speed up read of a plurality of documents with a simple configuration in image readers including ADFs. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader including ADFs executes paper feed and initial setting of a second document (the next document) following discharge of a first document (previous document). Then, when the amount of data in an image memory for temporarily storing read image data becomes not more than a prescribed near empty value, the second document starts to be scanned immediately. The paper feed and the initial setting may be integral operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading technique using an automatic document feeder (ADF).

  Examples of the image reading apparatus include an ADF, such as an image scanner, a copier, and a multifunction machine. Such an image reading apparatus reads image data of a document by a stationary reading unit such as an image sensor while conveying the document by ADF (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, the image reading apparatus temporarily stores the read image data in the image memory. The image data stored in the image memory is transmitted to, for example, a host computer, hard disk, printer or the like.

JP 2002-118724 A

  Incidentally, the image reading apparatus is configured so that the image memory does not become full when a plurality of documents are read continuously. Specifically, the image reading apparatus, after the discharge of the previous document by the ADF is completed, after the capacity for starting the storage of the image data of the next document is free in the image memory, the next document by the ADF Starts feeding.

  However, since the feeding of the next document is started after a predetermined amount of image memory capacity is available, reading of the image data of the next document is not started immediately after the discharge of the previous document is finished. That is, the reading of the next document is started after waiting for the end of the paper feeding operation, and the start of the paper feeding operation is delayed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for speeding up reading of a plurality of documents with a simple configuration in an image reading apparatus provided with an ADF.

  A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is an image reading apparatus including an automatic paper feeding device. The image reading device feeds a document, and feeds the document by the paper feed control unit. After the end of the paper, the reading control means for conveying and reading the original, the storage means for temporarily storing the image data of the original read by the reading control means, and after the reading of the original by the reading control means A paper discharge control means for discharging the original, and the paper feed control means starts feeding the next original after the paper discharge by the paper discharge control means is completed. The reading control means determines whether or not the data amount of the storage means is equal to or less than a predetermined value after completion of feeding of the document by the paper feed control means, and when the data amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value, Open the document To, characterized in that.

  Here, in the above-described image reading apparatus, the paper feed may include a cueing for conveying the original to a predetermined position where the original can be read by the reading control unit.

  The image reading apparatus includes mode setting means for setting a first mode and a second mode in accordance with the read image quality. When the first mode is set, the paper feed control is performed. The means determines whether or not the data amount of the storage means is equal to or less than the predetermined value after the discharge of the original by the paper discharge control means, and if the data amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value, When the second mode is set, the reading control means starts reading the original continuously after the paper feeding control means finishes feeding the original. The paper feed control means starts feeding the next original document after the paper discharge control means finishes discharging the original, and the reading control means feeds the original by the paper feed control means. After the completion of the process, the data amount of the storage means is the predetermined amount It determines whether less or is, when the data amount is less than the predetermined value, starting the reading of the document, may be characterized in that.

  In the image reading apparatus described above, the first mode may be a mode in which image quality is emphasized, and the second mode may be a mode in which image reading speed is emphasized. Good.

  A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is an image reading control method in an image reading apparatus provided with an automatic paper feeding device, wherein the image reading device includes a paper feeding step for feeding a document. A reading step for conveying and reading the original after the completion of paper feeding in the paper feeding step, a storage step for temporarily storing image data of the original read in the reading step, and a reading step in the reading step. A discharge step of discharging the original after the reading of the original is executed, and the paper feed step continues to feed the next original after the discharge of the original in the discharge step. The reading step starts with the amount of data stored in the storing step being equal to or less than a predetermined value after completion of document feeding in the feeding step. Determines whether Luke, when the data amount is less than the predetermined value, starting the reading of the document, characterized in that.

  A third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is an image reading control program executed in an image reading apparatus provided with an automatic paper feeding device, the paper feeding control means for feeding a document, After completion of feeding of the original by the paper feed control means, a read control means for conveying and reading the original, a storage means for temporarily storing image data of the original read by the read control means, and the read control After the reading of the original by the means, the image reading device is caused to function as a discharge control means for discharging the original, and the paper feed control means, after the discharge of the original by the discharge control means, Subsequently, the feeding of the next document is started, and after the feeding of the document by the feeding control unit is completed, the reading control unit determines whether the data amount of the storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. , When the data amount is less than the predetermined value, starting the reading of the document, characterized in that.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a scanner 1 that is an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control unit 35 of the scanner 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for reading a plurality of documents in the scanner. The figure explaining the relationship between each period of paper feeding, cueing, scanning, and paper ejection.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a scanner 1 which is an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  The scanner 1 is a so-called flatbed image scanner having a document table on the upper surface of a housing. The scanner 1 scans the image sensor 11 to illuminate a document fixed on a document table having a transparent plate from below, and reads an image.

  The scanner 1 includes an upward document table 50 on which a document as a medium to be read is placed, and a cover 52 that covers the document placement surface (board surface) 51 and the image reading window 53 of the document table 50 from above. The lid 52 is coupled to the document table 50 via a hinge mechanism and can be opened and closed.

  In addition, an ADF 40 is provided integrally with the lid 52 on the left side of the panel surface 51 in the drawing, that is, on the upper side of the image reading window 53. The ADF 40 transports a paper feed tray 41 on which a document to be read is placed, a document sensor 42 that detects the presence of a document on the paper feed tray 41, and a document on the paper feed tray 41 to a transport path inside the ADF 40. A paper feeding roller 43 that detects the leading edge (upper end) of the conveyed document, a conveying roller 45 that conveys the document, a paper discharge roller 46 that discharges the document to the paper discharge tray 47, A discharge tray 47 for placing the discharged document and a drive motor (not shown) for rotating each of the rollers are provided.

  With the above-described configuration, the ADF 40 can transport the document placed on the paper feed tray 41 along the transport path, pass the upper surface of the image reading window 53, and discharge it onto the paper discharge tray 47. In the present embodiment, the paper feed roller 43, the transport roller 45, and the paper discharge roller 46 start rotating at the same timing, rotate at the same rotational speed, and rotate at the same timing by one common drive motor. To stop.

  In the present embodiment, the ADF 40 transports the document includes a paper feed period, a cueing period, a reading period, and a paper discharge period.

  The paper feed period means that the original moves from the first position (position where the front end of the original starts to pass through the paper feed roller 43) to the second position (position where the front end of the original is detected by the front end sensor 44). It is a period to do.

  The cueing period is a period during which the document moves from the second position to the third position (a position where the leading end of the reading target area in the document reaches the reading position of the image sensor 11).

  The reading period is a period during which the document moves from the third position to the fourth position (the position where the leading end of the reading target area in the document has been moved by reading the document for the designated number of lines by the image sensor 11). .

  The paper discharge period is a period during which the original moves from the fourth position to the fifth position (position where the rear end of the original passes through the paper discharge roller 46).

  The operation of the ADF 40 is not limited to the above. For example, the paper feeding operation and the cueing operation may be integrated. In this case, the operation in which the ADF 40 transports the document is divided into a paper feed period, a reading period, and a paper discharge period.

  Further, the scanner 1 includes a carriage 10 on which the image sensor 11 is mounted, a carriage driving mechanism 20 that controls the reciprocation of the carriage 10, and a main board 30 that controls the entire scanner 1, under the document table 50. ing.

  The carriage 10 carries the image sensor 11 in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage 10 is slidably attached to a guide shaft or the like parallel to the surface 51 of the document table 50 and the image reading window 53, and is pulled and reciprocated by a belt rotated by a motor 21 of the carriage drive mechanism 20. do. When reading is performed while the original is conveyed by the ADF 40, the carriage 10 is fixed at a predetermined position below the image reading window 53.

  The carriage drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 21 for rotating a belt attached to the carriage 10 and an encoder 22 that outputs a pulse according to the rotation amount of the motor 21.

  The main board 30 includes an A / D converter 31, a buffer 32, a memory 33, an output unit 34, and a control unit 35.

  The A / D converter 31 converts the analog signal from the image sensor 11 into a digital signal.

  The buffer 32 temporarily stores the data output from the A / D converter 31 in a first-in first-out FIFO format, and sends the data to the memory 33 in order from the previously stored data.

  The memory 33 temporarily stores the data output from the buffer 32 and sends it to the output unit 34. The memory 33 can store the read image data, for example, for one page of a document. The memory 33 performs parallel storage of the image data output from the buffer 32 and transfer to the output unit 34, and stores the image data of the next document until the data amount reaches a predetermined data amount (near empty). Not accepted. The near empty value is a lower limit value of a data amount indicating a reference for starting storage of image data of the next original.

  The output unit 34 sends the image data in the memory 33 to a host computer such as a personal computer at a transfer speed according to the processing capability of the host. Of course, the output destination of the image data is not limited to the host computer, and may be a portable storage medium such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like. Further, when the scanner 1 is a part of a copier or a multifunction machine, the output destination of the image data may be a printer, a facsimile, or the like.

  The control unit 35 controls the ADF 40, the carriage drive mechanism 20, and the image sensor 11. For example, the control unit 35 controls the driving motor of the ADF 40 to control the conveyance of the document during the paper feeding period, the cueing period, the reading period, and the paper discharging period. Further, the rotation of the motor 21 of the carriage drive mechanism 20 is controlled, and the movement of the carriage 10 is controlled. Further, the position and moving speed of the carriage 10 are obtained from the output pulse of the encoder 22.

  The control unit 35 controls the start and stop of the image reading operation of the image sensor 11 during the reading period. Further, input / output of image data read by the image sensor 11 to the buffer 32 and the memory 33 is controlled. Further, the amount of data in the memory 33 is monitored, and, for example, when it is below a predetermined near empty value, the drive motor of the ADF 40 and the image sensor 11 are controlled to start reading a document.

  The control unit 35 can be configured by a computer including a CPU that is a main control device, a ROM that stores programs and the like, and a RAM that temporarily stores data and the like as a main memory. In addition, you may be comprised by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed so that each process may be performed exclusively. The memory 33 may be used as a main memory for the control unit 35. In addition, the memory 33 may be provided in the control unit 35.

  The above is the configuration of the scanner 1. However, this configuration is not limited to the above configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the present invention. In addition, other configurations included in a general scanner are not excluded. For example, an operation panel for accepting user operations, an interface dedicated to a portable storage medium such as a flash memory, a USB interface, and the like may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 35 of the scanner 1.

  As shown in the figure, the control unit 35 includes a paper feed control unit 100, a cueing control unit 110, a scan control unit 120, and a paper discharge control unit 130. These functional units are realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program loaded from the ROM to the RAM. The predetermined program may be installable or updateable from a network such as the Internet.

  The paper feed control unit 100 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to control the paper feed operation. The paper feed control unit 100 continues the paper feed operation for the next document after the paper discharge operation of the previous document by the paper discharge control unit 130 is completed.

  The cue control unit 110 controls the driving motor of the ADF 40 to control the cue operation of the document. The cue control unit 110 continues the cue operation after the paper feed operation by the paper feed control unit 100 ends.

  The scan control unit 120 controls the driving motor of the ADF 40 to convey the document and controls the image sensor 11 to control reading of image data of the document. The scan control unit 120 monitors the data amount in the memory 33 after the document cueing operation by the cueing control unit 110 is completed, and starts the document reading operation when the data amount is equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value.

  The paper discharge control unit 130 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to control the paper discharge operation. The paper discharge control unit 130 continues the paper discharge operation after the document reading operation by the scan control unit 120 is completed.

  Each component described above is classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the scanner 1. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configuration of the scanner 1 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  Next, a characteristic operation of the scanner 1 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for reading a plurality of documents in the scanner 1. This flow is started when the control unit 35 detects a document by the document sensor 42 and receives a document read request from the user, for example, via the operation panel or from the host computer.

  In S10, the paper feed control unit 100 feeds the first original. Specifically, the paper feed control unit 100 feeds the first original from the paper feed tray 41 by controlling the drive motor of the ADF 40. Then, the process proceeds to S20.

  In S20, the cueing control unit 110 performs cueing of the first document. Specifically, the cue control unit 110 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to cue the first document fed in S10. Then, the process proceeds to S30.

  In S <b> 30, the scan control unit 120 scans the first or second and subsequent documents. Specifically, the scan control unit 120 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to convey the document cued in S20 or S70, and controls the image sensor 11 to read the image data of the document. Then, the process proceeds to S40. The read image data is temporarily stored in the memory 33 and read by the output unit 34.

  In S <b> 40, the paper discharge control unit 130 executes discharge of the first or second and subsequent originals. Specifically, the paper discharge control unit 130 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to discharge the document scanned in S30. Then, the process proceeds to S50.

  In S50, the paper feed control unit 100 determines whether there is a next original. Specifically, the paper feed control unit 100 determines the presence or absence of a document by the document sensor 42. If there is no next original (S50: NO), this flow ends. If there is a next original (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S60.

  In S <b> 60, the paper feed control unit 100 feeds the second and subsequent originals (next originals). Specifically, the paper feed control unit 100 feeds the next document from the paper feed tray 41 by controlling the drive motor of the ADF 40. Then, the process proceeds to S70.

  In S70, the cueing control unit 110 cues the second and subsequent originals. Specifically, the cue control unit 110 controls the drive motor of the ADF 40 to cue the document fed in S60. Then, the process proceeds to S80.

  In S80, the scan control unit 120 monitors whether the data amount in the memory 33 is equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value. If the amount of data is not less than or equal to the near empty value (S80: NO), monitoring is continued. If the data amount is less than or equal to the near empty value (S80: YES), the process returns to S30.

  The above is the flow of reading processing of a plurality of documents in the scanner 1. As shown in this flow, in this embodiment, when scanning (S30) is started for the second and subsequent documents, document feeding (S60) and cueing (S70) are already executed.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the feeding and cueing of the second document (next document) are executed following the discharge of the first document (previous document). The When the data amount in the memory 33 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value, scanning of the second original is immediately started.

  On the other hand, in the conventional scanner, as shown in FIG. 4, when the amount of data in the memory becomes equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value, feeding of the second document is started. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the start of the next document scan is accelerated by the time (A) in the figure, the total reading time of a plurality of documents becomes shorter, and the reading of a plurality of documents can be performed. Faster.

  When the paper feeding operation and the cueing operation of the ADF 40 are integrated, S10 and S20 are executed as a unit. Further, S60 and S70 are executed as a unit.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, in an image reading apparatus provided with an ADF, it is possible to speed up reading of a plurality of documents with a simple configuration.

  The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate the gist and scope of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, according to the scanner 1 and the setting content of reading, the above-described reading process of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “high-speed mode”) and the above-described conventional reading process (hereinafter referred to as “low-speed mode”). ) May be switched.

  Specifically, the control unit 35 is provided with a mode setting unit. The mode setting unit acquires reading settings such as reading resolution, document type (for example, photo, document, etc.), color / monochrome, and the like. These settings are stored in the control unit 35, for example. These settings can be changed by the user, for example, via the operation panel or from the host computer.

  The mode setting unit sets either the high speed mode or the low speed mode according to a predetermined condition. For example, when the high resolution scan, the photo scan, or the color scan is set, the low speed mode is set. When the low resolution scan, the document scan, or the monochrome scan is set, the high speed mode is set.

  As described above, by switching the reading process in accordance with the reading setting content, for example, it is possible to increase the speed for a low-quality scan, or to deteriorate the image quality for a high-quality scan (for example, until the start of the reading period, The document that has been put out remains in the ADF, so that the document may be bent and affect the image quality. Of course, the user may be able to directly specify either the high speed mode or the low speed mode. In this way, it is possible to meet a wide variety of user demands for scan image quality and scan speed.

  Note that the present invention can be applied not only to a scanner but also to an apparatus such as a copier, a multifunction machine, and a facsimile machine that includes the scanner.

1: Scanner, 10: Carriage, 11: Image sensor, 20: Carriage drive mechanism, 21: Motor, 22: Encoder, 30: Main board, 31: A / D converter, 32: Buffer, 33: Memory, 34: Output unit 35: control unit 41: paper feed tray 42: document sensor 43: paper feed roller 44: leading edge sensor 45: transport roller 46: paper discharge roller 47: paper discharge tray 50: document 51: Board surface, 52: Cover, 53: Image reading window, 100: Paper feed control unit, 110: Cue control unit, 120: Scan control unit, 130: Paper discharge control unit

Claims (6)

An image reading apparatus provided with an automatic paper feeder,
A paper feed control means for feeding a document;
A reading control means for conveying and reading the original after completion of paper feeding by the paper feeding control means;
Storage means for temporarily storing image data of a document read by the reading control means;
Paper discharge control means for discharging the original after the reading of the original by the reading control means,
The paper feed control means
After the document discharge by the discharge control means is finished, the next document supply is started,
The reading control means includes
After the feeding of the document by the feeding control unit, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the storage unit is less than a predetermined value. If the data amount is less than the predetermined value, the document is read. Start,
An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The paper feed includes a cueing that transports a document to a predetermined position where it can be read by the reading control means.
An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
Mode setting means for setting the first mode and the second mode according to the read image quality;
When the first mode is set,
The paper feed control means determines whether or not the data amount of the storage means is equal to or less than the predetermined value after completion of paper discharge by the paper discharge control means, and the data amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value. Start feeding the next document,
The reading control unit starts reading the document continuously after the document feeding by the sheet feeding control unit is completed,
When the second mode is set,
The paper feed control means starts feeding the next original after the completion of the paper discharge by the paper discharge control means,
The reading control unit determines whether or not the data amount of the storage unit is equal to or less than the predetermined value after completion of feeding of the document by the paper feed control unit, and the data amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value. Start reading the document,
An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3,
The first mode is a mode in which image quality is emphasized,
The second mode is a mode that places importance on the speed of image reading.
An image reading apparatus. An image reading control method in an image reading apparatus provided with an automatic paper feeder,
The image reading device includes:
A paper feeding step for feeding a document;
A reading step of conveying and reading the original after completion of feeding of the original in the paper feeding step;
A storage step of temporarily storing image data of the original read in the reading step;
A paper discharge step for discharging the original after completion of reading of the original in the reading step;
The paper feeding step includes
After the completion of the document ejection in the paper ejection step, the next document feeding is started,
The reading step includes
After the feeding of the document in the feeding step, it is determined whether the amount of data stored in the storing step is less than a predetermined value. If the amount of data is less than the predetermined value, Start reading,
An image reading control method. An image reading control program executed in an image reading apparatus provided with an automatic paper feeder,
A paper feed control means for feeding a document;
A reading control means for conveying and reading the original after completion of paper feeding by the paper feeding control means;
Storage means for temporarily storing image data of a document read by the reading control means;
After the reading of the original by the reading control means, the image reading apparatus is made to function as a paper discharge control means for discharging the original,
The paper feed control means
After the document discharge by the discharge control means is finished, the next document supply is started,
The reading control means includes
After the feeding of the document by the feeding control unit, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the storage unit is less than a predetermined value. If the data amount is less than the predetermined value, the document is read. Start,
An image reading control program.

Images