JP2011023792A - Image reader and image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent documents from being left behind without adding any new configuration. <P>SOLUTION: An image reader presses a document placed on a document platen by a document pressing plate 4-2, and includes an image read section 1-1 for irradiating the document with light from a light source to read information of the document. The image reader also includes: a document pressing plate open/close detection sensor 4-7 for detecting whether the document pressing plate 4-2 is opened or closed; and a CPU1-3c for starting control for blinking a light source 1-8 after the image read section 1-1 completes reading the document (S-13). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner and a copying machine, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for preventing a document placed on a document table from being left behind.

  An image reading apparatus such as an image scanner places a document on a contact glass, scans the document from below, and optically reads the document. In the case of a digital system, the read document data is converted into an electrical signal by a CCD and further converted into digital data. In the case of an image forming apparatus provided with such an image reading apparatus, various image processes are performed using the converted digital data, and a laser modulated by document data is irradiated onto the photoconductor to form a latent image.

  A problem with the image reading apparatus is that, for example, in an office environment, the previous user may have left the original after reading the original, so that the next user has not finished reading by the previous user, and the next user May delay the usage time. Further, there is an information security problem that information written on the manuscript leaks when the user misplaces the manuscript.

  Also, for example, in the case of an image forming apparatus having an image reading apparatus that is used by an unspecified number of users represented by convenience stores, for example, a previous user forgets to place a document, information is sent to the next user. It may be seen. In such a case, the user must return the misplaced document, which is not desirable for the user.

  In view of this, a technique is disclosed in which, after a document image is read, if a scanned document remains on the document placement unit, a message indicating that the document is to be removed is displayed on a display or the like of the operation unit (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In this proposal, the user does not always look at the display, but the frequency of forgetting to place a manuscript has been reduced.

  Further, there are the following proposals for reducing the misplacement of the manuscript. That is, a document pressing plate that detects the opening / closing of a cover material (hereinafter referred to as a document pressing plate) that can be opened and closed with respect to a contact glass of an image reading surface provided for placing a document on the image reading device. It is a structure provided with an open / close detection and a document pressing plate automatic opening mechanism. With such a configuration, a configuration is disclosed in which when the document pressing plate is not opened within a predetermined time after the document reading and copying are finished, the document pressing plate is automatically opened and a warning sound is emitted (for example, patents). Reference 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-308390 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-027493

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to enlarge the display as a possible means for causing the user to pay attention to the display. However, increasing the display may cause an increase in cost. In Patent Document 2, a mechanism for automatically opening the document pressing plate is necessary, and this mechanism must take into account that the user places a hand or an object on the document pressing plate portion. However, there was a risk that the cost would increase.

  The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the misplacement of an original without adding a new configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  (1) An image reading apparatus including a reading unit that reads information on the document by pressing a document placed on a document table with a pressing unit and irradiating light from a light source on the document. Detection means for detecting whether it is in an open state or a closed state; and a control means for starting control to change the light quantity of the light source at a predetermined cycle after the reading of the document by the reading means is completed. An image reading apparatus comprising:

  (2) Based on the information of the original read by the reading means that reads the information on the original by pressing the original placed on the original table by the pressing means and irradiating the original with light from the light source. An image forming apparatus that forms an image, a detection unit that detects whether the pressing unit is in an open state or a closed state, and the reading unit starts reading the document. Control for changing the light quantity of the light source at a predetermined cycle after the predetermined time elapses when the detection means does not detect the open state of the pressing means during a period of time after the elapse of a predetermined time. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that starts;

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce document misplacement without adding a new configuration.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of Example 1,2. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the image formation part of Example 1,2. Sectional drawing and perspective view which show the structure of the image reading part of Example 1,2. The figure which shows the structure of the image reading part using the 1x optical system of Example 1,2. Flowchart showing the control processing operation of the first embodiment. Flowchart showing control processing operation of the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited only to them unless otherwise specified.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the digital copying machine of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, a digital copying machine that is an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes an image reading apparatus and an image forming unit 1-5. The image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit 1-1, an image processing circuit 1-2, a controller 1-3, and a control operation unit 1-4.

  First, the copying operation by the digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. The image reading unit 1-1 is placed on a document table, reads information on a document pressed by the platen and the document table with a CCD, converts the information into an electrical signal, and converts it into an image signal as an image processing circuit (IPU (IPU)). Image Processing Unit)) is sent to 1-2. The image processing circuit 1-2 that has received the first format image data performs various processes on the received first format image data, generates second format image data, and generates an image forming unit (here, Printer) 1-5. The image forming unit 1-5 can perform a copying operation by performing image formation based on the received image data in the second format.

  The controller 1-3 includes a ROM 1-3a and a RAM 1-3b for storing programs and data therein. The controller 1-3 includes a CPU 1-3c, and the CPU 1-3c drives and controls the light amount control circuit 1-7 based on the light amount condition set by the control operation unit 1-4. The light amount control circuit 1-7 is driven and controlled by the CPU 1-3c, and controls the light amount of the light source 1-8. Reference numeral 4-7 denotes a document pressing plate open / close detection sensor that detects an open state and a closed state of a document pressing plate 4-2, which will be described later, and transmits the detection result to the controller 1-3. The document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 transmits, for example, an ON signal to the controller 1-3 when the document pressing plate 4-2 is open, and an OFF signal when the document pressing plate 4-2 is closed. Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming unit 1-5 and the configuration of the image reading unit 1-1 will be described.

<Image forming unit>
The image forming unit 1-5 used in the digital copying machine forms an image image sent by an electric signal on plain paper, thermal paper, or the like by means of electrophotography, thermal sensitivity, thermal transfer, inkjet, or the like. In this embodiment, as a specific example, an electrophotographic image forming unit 1-5 using a laser beam exposure method will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 7-1 denotes a photosensitive drum on which an optical semiconductor layer whose electrical characteristics change by light irradiation is formed, and rotates at a constant speed during an image forming operation.

  The image forming operation is performed as follows. A charger (charging roller) 7-2 uniformly charges the optical semiconductor layer of the photosensitive drum 7-1. The laser optical system 7-3 reflects the laser beam output from the semiconductor laser 7-3a by the mirror 7-3b and irradiates an image pattern (electrostatic latent image) toward the photosensitive drum 7-1 (laser exposure). ). The developing device 7-4 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7-1 to form a toner image as a developer image on the photosensitive drum 7-1. The transfer roller 7-5 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7-1 onto a recording material (hereinafter referred to as recording paper). A fixing device 7-6 heats and pressurizes the recording paper, and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper subjected to the fixing process is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 7-7. The blade 7-8 scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7-1 without being transferred onto the recording paper, and the scraped toner is accumulated in the waste toner container 7-9 (cleaning). The recording paper is stacked on the paper feed cassette 7-10 or the manual feed tray 7-11, and is conveyed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 7-1 by the paper feed roller 7-12.

<Image reading unit>
The configuration and operation of the image reading unit 1-1 and the first format image data will be described with reference to FIG. The image reading unit 1-1 is a platen glass 4-1 on which a document is placed, a document holding plate 4-2 that can be opened and closed by pressing the document platen glass 4-1, an optical scanning system unit 4-5, a frame. 4-6 and an operation unit 4-9. As will be described later, the optical scanning system unit 4-5 includes a light source 1-8, a lens array 4-3, and a light receiving sensor unit 4-4. A document holding plate opening / closing detection sensor 4-7 for detecting opening / closing of the document pressing plate 4-2 is provided on the surface of the frame 4-6 where the document table glass 4-1 is installed. The frame 4-6 is a housing that houses the optical scanning system unit 4-5 therein, and a hole 4-8 that is an opening is formed on the side surface. The hole 4-8 is used to keep the temperature inside the frame 4-6 in the image reading unit 1-1 uniform and to emit light emitted from the light source 1-8 to the outside of the image reading unit 1-1. The holes 4-8 are opened with an optimal shape, size, and number that do not affect the image reading light quantity.

  A flat bed scanner using the equal magnification optical system will be described with reference to FIG. A contact image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CIS (contact image sensor)) will be described as an example of the equal magnification optical system. In the CIS, a light source 1-8 and a light receiving sensor unit 4-4 (hereinafter referred to as a CCD 4-4) are integrally configured by a frame. The reflected light of the original enters the lens array 4-3 at the same magnification, is read by the CCD 4-4 mounted in the original width size in the frame, and is converted into an electric signal (analog signal). The CCD 4-4 can read the document image by sliding along the document table glass 4-1 (see the arrow in FIG. 4). The document width size is the length of the document in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the CCD 4-4 moves. The image signal output from the CCD 4-4 is an analog signal representing the density of each pixel of the CCD 4-4, and this analog signal is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter (ADC). More specifically, each pixel is converted into multi-value (two or more values) data. This multi-value data is assumed to be image data in the first format. The image data in the first format will be described by taking typical monochrome 8-level data as an example. When all 8 bits are “1”, it is completely white (or black), and when all 8 bits are “0”. Is completely black (or white), gray in the middle, and has a gradation proportional to the numerical value.

<Control processing operation for preventing document misplacement according to this embodiment>
Next, the control processing operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 performs control based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 based on the detection result of the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7. This control processing operation is executed by an instruction from the CPU 1-3c based on a program stored in the ROM 1-3a.

  In step 11 (hereinafter referred to as S-11), when the user presses the start key 1-4a (see FIG. 1) (turns on), the CPU 1-3c causes the image reading unit 1- 1 starts the reading operation of the original placed on the original table glass 4-1. In S-12, when the document reading operation by the image reading unit 1-1 is completed, the image reading unit 1-1 transmits the read first format image data to the image processing circuit 1-2. Then, the image processing circuit 1-2 performs image processing on the received first format image data and transmits the second format image data to the image forming unit 1-5. Further, the image reading unit 1-1 notifies the CPU 1-3c of the end of reading of the document by transmitting, for example, an end signal. In step S-13, the image forming unit 1-5 forms an image based on the image data transmitted from the image reading apparatus, and discharges the recording material on which the product image is formed to the discharge tray 7-7. After (output), the image forming job is terminated.

  On the other hand, immediately after the image reading of the document by the image reading unit 1-1 is finished, the CPU 1-3c starts blinking control of the light source 1-8 via the light amount control circuit 1-7. The blinking light emitted from the light source 1-8 leaks from a slight gap between the image reading unit 1-1 and the document pressing plate 4-2, and the user can recognize the blinking of the light source 1-8. In this way, since the user can recognize the blinking of the light source 1-8, it can be recognized that the state is different before and after the user uses the image reading unit 1-1. Since the user can recognize in this way, the user can be alerted, which leads to a review of the work performed by the user and to the user thinking about what to do. In order to alert the user, in this embodiment, a hole (opening) 4-8 is further provided in the frame 4-6 to make it easier for the user to recognize the blinking of the light source 1-8.

  In S-14, the CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 monitors the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 provided in the image reading unit 1-1. That is, the CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 determines whether or not the user has opened and closed the document pressing plate 4-2 based on the detection result of the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7. In S-14, if the CPU 1-3c determines that the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 is not detected to be on, that is, if the document pressing plate 4-2 is not opened and the document is placed, the processing of S-15 is performed. Proceed to processing. In S-15, the CPU 1-3c alerts the user by continuing to blink the light source 1-8, and waits for the user to notice that the document has been misplaced. In S-14, when the CPU 1-3c determines that the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 is detected to be on, that is, it is considered that the document pressing plate 4-2 is opened and the document is removed or replaced. In the state, the process proceeds to S-16. In S-16, the CPU 1-3c stops the blinking of the light source 1-8.

  Here, although not described in the flowchart, the CPU 1-3c displays a word prompting the user to forget to remove the document on the control operation unit 1-4 together with the blinking of the light source 1-8 started in S-13. Or may be configured to sound a warning sound. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to further reduce forgetting to remove the original by the user.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the misplacement of a document without adding a new configuration.

  A control processing operation according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The configuration of the control system, the operation of the image forming unit, and the configuration of the image reading unit shown in the first embodiment will not be described because of the same contents, and will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIGS.

<Control processing operation for preventing document misplacement according to this embodiment>
The CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 performs control based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 based on the detection result of the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7.

  Since S-21 is the same process as S-11 of FIG. 5, description is abbreviate | omitted. In step S-22, the image forming unit 1-5 forms an image based on the image data transmitted from the image reading apparatus, discharges the recording material, and ends the image forming job by the image forming unit 1-5. .

  In S-23, the CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 reads the image between the time when the user presses the start key 1-4a and the end of the image forming operation (from the process of S-21 to S-22). The document holding plate opening / closing detection sensor 4-7 provided in the section 1-1 is monitored. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has opened and closed the document pressing plate 4-2 before the image formation is completed by pressing the start key 1-4a. In S-23, when the CPU 1-3c determines that the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 does not detect ON, that is, in a state where the document pressing plate 4-2 is not opened and the document is placed, S-24. Proceed to the process. In S-24, the CPU 1-3c starts blinking of the light source 1-8. If the CPU 1-3c determines in S-23 that the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 has been detected as ON, the process proceeds to S-25. Here, when the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 is detected to be on, the document pressing plate 4-2 is opened between the start of the operation of the image forming unit 1-5 and the end of the image forming job. The document is considered to have been removed or replaced. In such a case, in S-25, the image reading unit 1-1 and the image forming unit 1-5 are in a standby state as they are. Note that when the user presses the start key 1-4a when the image reading unit 1-1 and the image forming unit 1-5 are in the standby state in S-25, the CPU 1-3c starts the processing from S-21 again. To do.

  In S-26, the CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 monitors the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 provided in the image reading unit 1-1 while the light source 1-8 continues to blink. Do. In S-26, when the CPU 1-3c determines that the document pressing plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 does not detect ON, that is, in a state where the document pressing plate 4-2 is not opened and the document is placed. In S-27, the blinking of the light source 1-8 is continued. In S-26, if the CPU 1-3c determines that the document holding plate opening / closing detection sensor 4-7 is turned on, the CPU 1-3c stops blinking of the light source 1-8 in S-28. Here, the state in which the document holding plate open / close detection sensor 4-7 is turned on means that the document holding plate 4-2 has been opened and the document has been removed or replaced from the end of the image forming job to the present. It is a state considered to have been done. About the effect of the blinking light which the light sources 1-8 emit, it is the same effect as Example 1.

  In the first embodiment, the light source 1-8 starts blinking immediately after the end of image reading, whereas in the second embodiment, the document holding plate is opened and closed using a job end signal (job end signal) of the image forming unit 1-5 as a trigger. Blinking starts based on the detection result of the detection sensor 4-7. As an apparatus, in order to respond to various needs of users, it is preferable that the first and second embodiments can be selected.

  Here, the job end signal of the image forming unit 1-5 is not particularly specified, and it is conceivable to use a certain timing sensor provided in the image forming unit 1-5, for example, a recording material discharge completion sensor. . Alternatively, a timer from the start of the job may be set, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light source 1-8 may start blinking based on the detection result of the document pressing plate opening / closing detection sensor 4-7. Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, a job end signal that triggers blinking of the light source 1-8 is transmitted from the image forming unit 1-5 to the CPU 1-3c of the controller 1-3 of the image reading apparatus. To do.

  Here, as in the first embodiment, the light source 1-8 may blink, and the operation unit 4-9 may display a word prompting that the user has forgotten to take a document or may sound a warning sound.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the light source 1-8 blinked. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light amount control circuit 1-7 changes the light amount of the light source at a predetermined cycle. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention. In addition, when changing a light quantity, it changes with an amplitude and a period of a grade which a user can recognize the change of a light quantity.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the document pressing plate 4-2 is exemplified as the document pressing means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an automatic document feeder may be used. By applying the present invention, the same effect can be obtained.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the misplacement of a document without adding a new configuration.

1-1 Image Reading Unit 1-3 Controller 1-5 Image Forming Unit 1-8 Light Source 4-2 Document Holding Plate 4-7 Document Holding Plate Open / Close Detection Sensor

Claims (9)

An image reading apparatus comprising reading means for reading information on the original by pressing the original placed on the original table with a pressing means and irradiating the original with light from a light source,
Detecting means for detecting whether the pressing means is open or closed;
An image reading apparatus comprising: control means for starting control of changing the light amount of the light source at a predetermined cycle after reading of the original by the reading means is completed.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues the control until the detection unit detects an open state of the pressing unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control by the control unit includes a control of blinking the light source. A housing that houses the light source and the reading means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an opening that guides light from the light source to the outside of the casing is formed in the casing. The document placed on the document table is pressed by a pressing unit, and the document is read by irradiating light from a light source to the document, and image formation is performed based on the document information read by the reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising:
Detecting means for detecting whether the pressing means is open or closed;
If the detection means does not detect the open state of the pressing means until the predetermined time elapses after the reading means starts reading the original, the light source is emitted after the predetermined time has elapsed. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for starting control to change the amount of light at a predetermined cycle.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit continues the control until the detection unit detects an open state of the pressing unit.   When the detection unit does not detect the open state of the pressing unit between the reading unit starting reading of the original and the end of image formation by the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control is started after image formation by the image forming unit is completed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control by the control unit includes control of blinking the light source. A housing that houses the light source and the reading means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an opening that guides light from the light source to the outside of the casing is formed in the casing.

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