JP2013093675A - Image reader and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably determine whether an original is left behind or not, without an influence of external light caused by opening and closing of an original cover.SOLUTION: An image reader comprises: an original platen to set an original thereon; an openable/closable original pressing cover for pressing the original set on the original platen; and a reading unit which is disposed under the original platen and reads an original image while moving and irradiating the original set on the original platen with light from a light source. When a predetermined time passes after the reading unit reads the original image, the reading unit reads the original image again and determines whether the original is left behind, on the basis of whether there is a shadow of an end of the read original image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a function of automatically determining whether a document is forgotten to be taken, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

Some conventional image forming apparatuses are disclosed in, for example, the following documents. In this image forming apparatus, determination is made as follows forgetting to remove a document.
First, when copying a document, the reading unit (CCD sensor) is moved to a position outside the document set on the document table, the reading illumination is turned off at that position, and the reading unit reads the document. Go to get non-lighting reference data.

After that, the illumination is turned on, the reading unit is moved, the original image is read, the reading is returned to the original position, the illumination is turned off, and the non-illumination comparison data is acquired by the reading unit. The lighting comparison data is compared with the non-lighting reference data.
As a result, when there is a significant difference between the non-lighting comparison data and the non-lighting reference data, that is, when the reading unit is waiting at a position off the original, the document pressing cover on the document table is opened. When the reading unit detects external light, it is determined that the document has been removed, and when there is no significant difference, it is determined that the document has been forgotten when a predetermined time has passed in that state.

JP2010-021946

However, in the conventional technology described above, if the image forming apparatus is installed in a relatively dark place, the reading unit may not be able to detect external light even if the document pressing cover is opened. There is a problem that it is impossible to judge accurately.
An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

  For this reason, the image reading apparatus of the present invention is disposed on the lower side of the original document table, an original document table on which an original document is set, an openable / closable original document pressing cover for pressing the original document set on the original document table, A reading unit that reads the document by irradiating the document set on the document table while irradiating light from a light source, and reads the document image by the reading unit, and then the reading unit Then, the document image is read again, and it is determined whether or not the document has been forgotten to be taken based on the presence or absence of a shadow at the edge of the read document image.

  In the present invention, the original image is read again after the first original image is read, and the detection of the edge of the original in the read image is performed depending on whether the edge is detected or not. Since the presence / absence is determined, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably determine whether or not to forget to remove the document without being affected by external light due to opening and closing of the document pressing cover.

  In addition, the amount of memory used is smaller than when comparing document image data, and the determination based on the comparison of document image data varies in the time until image detection at the position of the image on the document. However, since the present embodiment uses the edge of the document that can be detected immediately to determine whether or not to forget to remove the document, the processing time can be shortened.

Block diagram showing the first embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows the mechanical structure of 1st Example. Plan view of the document table Flow chart showing the operation of the first embodiment The principal part side view which shows the 2nd Example of this invention Flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment Block diagram showing a third embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows the mechanical structure of 3rd Example. Flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment

  Embodiments of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment. An image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described by taking an MFP or a copier as an example. The image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit 21, an image reading unit (image reading device) 30 that is a scanner, and a display unit (operation panel) 32.

  The image forming unit 21 includes a CPU 22, RAMs 23 and 24, a flash memory 24, an I / F port 25, a high-voltage power supply unit 26, an LED head 27, a drive motor 28, and a clutch 29. A CPU 31, a RAM 33, a flash memory 34, a reading unit 35, and a motor 36 are provided. The CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 and the CPU 31 of the image reading unit 30 are connected by a scanner I / F.

Here, the image forming unit 21 will be described. The CPU 22 in the image forming unit 21 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming unit 21, and the display unit 32 is also controlled by the CPU 22.
The RAM 23 is used as a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores information input from various operation buttons and the like provided around the display unit 32, and the flash memory 24 stores a control program and setting information for the CPU 22 to control. In addition, it is used as a storage unit for storing image data.

  The I / F port 25 is a connection interface such as a LAN or USB, and the image forming unit 21 is connected to the host computer via the I / F port 25. The high-voltage power supply unit 26 generates a transfer voltage and the like, and the LED head 27 is an image writing unit for writing an image as a latent image on an image drum (not shown).

  The driving motor 28 is a driving source for driving a conveying means such as a conveying roller and a conveying belt for conveying a recording medium such as paper. A clutch 29 records the driving force of the driving motor 28 when conveying the recording medium. It is a driving force transmission means for transmitting to the medium conveying means.

  The operation of the image forming unit 21 having such a configuration will be briefly described. First, when image data is sent from the image reading unit 30, the CPU 22 drives the drive motor 28 and the clutch 29 to store a medium (not shown). The recording medium is fed out from the section, and the recording medium is conveyed to the image transfer position by the conveying means. The CPU 22 drives the LED head 27 at a predetermined timing and writes an image based on the image data as a latent image on an image drum (not shown).

  Thereafter, the latent image on the image drum is converted into a toner image by a developing unit (not shown), and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium by a transfer unit (not shown) at a transfer position. This transfer is performed by generating a transfer means transfer voltage or the like by the high voltage power supply unit 26. Then, the recording medium after the transfer of the toner image is conveyed to a fixing unit (not shown). After the toner image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit, the recording medium is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

  Next, the image reading unit 30 will be described. The CPU 31 of the image reading unit 30 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the entire image reading unit 30 and a determination unit that determines whether or not a document has been forgotten. The RAM 33 is a temporary storage unit. A signal output from the reading unit 35 at the time of image reading is developed as an image and functions as a working memory for creating image data. The flash memory 34 is used as a storage unit for storing a control program for the CPU 31 to perform control and for storing image data.

  The reading unit 35 includes a light emitting unit as a light source for irradiating light to a reading document and a reading sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor that reads a document image. A flatbed scanning stepping motor 36 is a drive source for moving the reading unit 35.

  2A and 2B are explanatory views showing the mechanical configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view showing a schematic appearance, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the main part, and FIG. It is a top view. As shown in FIG. 2A, an openable / closable document pressing cover 4 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable, and a glass document table is provided below the document pressing cover 4. Further, an image reading unit 30 is disposed below the document table 11 and an image forming unit 21 is disposed below the image reading unit 11, and a display unit 32 is provided at a predetermined position on the front side of the apparatus.

  The reading unit 35 of the image reading unit 30 is provided so as to be movable along the guide rail 6 disposed below the document placing table 11 as shown in FIG. A belt 10 is stretched between a driving pulley 8 provided on a rotating shaft of a stepping motor 36 for moving the reading unit 35 and a pulley 9 disposed at a predetermined interval from the driving pulley 8. Is coupled to the reading unit 35.

  As a result, when the stepping motor 36 is rotated in one direction, the belt 10 travels in one direction via the driving pulley 8 by the driving force, and the reading unit 35 is guided by the guide rail 6 and is shown in FIG. It moves in the direction of arrow A which is the document reading direction shown. When the stepping motor 36 is rotated in the reverse direction, the belt 10 travels in the reverse direction, and the reading unit 35 moves in the arrow B direction opposite to the arrow A direction.

  When reading the document 12, the document 12 is placed on the current table 11 as shown in FIG. At this time, for example, one corner of the document 12 is aligned with a position P at one corner of the current mounting table 11. When reading is started in this state, the reading unit 35 is moved by the stepping motor 36 via the belt 10 to read the image of the document 12.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the following description, the operation of the image forming unit 21 is controlled by the CPU 22 based on the control program stored in the flash memory 24, and the operation of the image reading unit 30 is stored in the flash memory 34. It is assumed that the CPU 31 is controlled based on the control program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, and will be described in accordance with the step indicated by S in the figure.
First, the user opens the document pressing cover 4 and sets the document 12 on the glass surface of the document table 11 as shown in FIG. 3, closes the document pressing cover 4 and starts a copy, scan, fax transmission, etc. button (not shown). When is pressed, the document is scanned (S1). That is, while the reading unit 35 of the image reading unit 30 at the home position is moved in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2, the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit. The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing of converting it into image data using the RAM 33 and stores it in the flash memory 34.

When the document scanning is completed, the reading unit 35 moves in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. As a result, when the reading unit 35 returns to the home position and enters a standby state, the CPU 31 performs time monitoring with a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S2). Continue monitoring time until
When the predetermined time has elapsed, a scan forgetting to perform is performed (S3). Also in this case, as in the document scanning, the reading unit 35 at the home position is moved, and the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit.

  The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing for converting the image data into image data using the RAM 33, and performs processing for detecting the edge of the document 12 (the end of the document 12) in the reading direction (S4). ). In this case, since the size of the document 12 is already known by scanning the document, if the document 12 exists on the glass surface of the document table 11, the CPU 31 generates a reading value of the edge of the document 12 due to the edge step. Edge detection can be performed based on the shadow.

Based on the result of the edge detection process, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the edge of the document 12 has been detected (S5). If the edge is not detected, the process is terminated assuming that the document has not been forgotten. When the edge of the document 12 is detected by the edge detection process, it is assumed that the document has been forgotten to be removed, and a document forgetting command that is information to that effect is sent to the image forming unit 21 via the scanner I / F. It transmits to CPU22.
When the CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 receives a document forgetting to remove document command, the CPU 22 displays a message for notifying that the document has been forgotten on the display unit 32 and blinks the alarm lamp (S6).

As described above, in the first embodiment, after reading the first original image, the original image is read again, and the edge detection process of the original is performed based on whether or not the edge is detected in the read image. Since it is determined whether or not to forget to remove the document, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not to forget to remove the document without being affected by external light due to the opening and closing of the document pressing cover.
In addition, the amount of memory used is smaller than when comparing document image data, and the determination based on the comparison of document image data varies in the time until image detection at the position of the image on the document. However, since the present embodiment uses the edge of the document that can be detected immediately to determine whether or not to forget to remove the document, the processing time can be shortened.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a locking portion 42 is provided at one end of the document pressing cover 4 as a locking means for the document pressing cover 4 that can be opened and closed. At the same time, a protrusion 43 that can be fitted to the lock part 42 is provided at one end of the reading part 35. When the reading part 35 moves from the home position HP in the direction of arrow B, the protrusion 43 is fitted to the lock part 42. By doing so, the document pressing cover 4 is locked so as not to open. In this embodiment, the document placement table 11 is provided with a hole for entering and exiting the lock unit 42 so that the lock unit 42 can enter and exit the image reading unit 30 as the document pressing cover 4 is opened and closed. Yes. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the operation of the image forming unit 21 is controlled by the CPU 22 based on the control program stored in the flash memory 24, and the operation of the image reading unit 30 is stored in the flash memory 34. It is assumed that the CPU 31 is controlled based on the stored control program.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, and will be described in accordance with the step indicated by S in the figure.

  First, the user opens the document pressing cover 4 and sets the document 12 on the glass surface of the document table 11 as shown in FIG. 3, closes the document pressing cover 4 and starts a copy, scan, fax transmission, etc. button (not shown). When is pressed, the document is scanned (S11). That is, while the reading unit 35 of the image reading unit 30 at the home position is moved in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2, the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit. The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing of converting it into image data using the RAM 33 and stores it in the flash memory 34.

When the document scanning is completed, the reading unit 35 moves in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. As a result, when the reading unit 35 returns to the home position and enters a standby state, the CPU 31 performs time monitoring with a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S12). Continue monitoring time until
If the predetermined time has elapsed, a forgetting scan is performed (S13). Also in this case, as in the document scanning, the reading unit 35 at the home position is moved, and the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit.

  The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing for converting the image data into image data using the RAM 33, and performs processing for detecting the edge of the document 12 (the end of the document 12) in the reading direction (S14). ). In this case, since the size of the document 12 is already known by scanning the document, if the document 12 exists on the glass surface of the document table 11, the CPU 31 generates a reading value of the edge of the document 12 due to the edge step. Edge detection can be performed based on the shadow.

  Based on the result of the edge detection process, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the edge of the document 12 has been detected (S15). If the edge is not detected, the process is terminated assuming that the document has not been forgotten. When the edge of the document 12 is detected by the edge detection process, it is assumed that the document has been forgotten to be removed, and the stepping motor 36 is driven a predetermined number of steps to prevent others from taking the document 12 away. By moving the reading unit 35 waiting at the position in the direction of arrow B, the projection 43 provided on the reading unit 35 is fitted into the lock unit 42 provided on the document pressing cover 4, thereby The document pressing cover 4 is locked so as not to open (S16).

  Thereafter, the CPU 31 transmits a forgetting to remove document command to the CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 via the scanner I / F as information for notifying that forgetting to remove the document, and the CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 forgets to remove the document. When the command is received, a message for notifying that the document has been forgotten is displayed on the display unit 32, and the alarm lamp is blinked (S17).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after the first original image is read, the original image is read again, and the edge detection of the original is performed using the read image. Whether or not the document has been forgotten is determined based on whether or not it has been detected, so it can be reliably determined whether or not the document has been forgotten without being affected by external light due to the opening and closing of the document pressing cover. An effect is obtained.

  In addition, the amount of memory used is smaller than when comparing document image data, and the determination based on the comparison of document image data varies in the time until image detection at the position of the image on the document. However, since the present embodiment uses the edge of the document that can be detected immediately to determine whether or not to forget to remove the document, the processing time can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, after it is determined that the document is forgotten after the forgetting scan, the projection provided on the reading unit is fitted into the lock provided on the document pressing cover, Since the document holding cover is locked so as not to open, the document can be prevented from being taken away by others, and a lock function can be realized without providing a drive source such as a solenoid for locking. The effect is also obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the mechanical configuration of the third embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2B is a side view of the main part, and FIG. 2C is a side view of the main part with the document pressing cover open.

  In this third embodiment, as a means for locking the openable / closable document pressing cover 4, as shown in FIG. 8, an electromagnet 38 and an iron piece 39 are integrally embedded in the document placing table 11, and an openable / closable document pressing cover is provided. A permanent magnet 40 is embedded at a position corresponding to the iron piece 39 of the cover 4, and the electromagnet 38 is connected to the CPU 31 of the image reading unit 30 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8C, the magnet 40 is provided at the free end of the document pressing cover 4, that is, the end opposite to the rotation fulcrum of the document pressing cover 4 that opens and closes by rotation. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the operation of the image forming unit 21 is controlled by the CPU 22 based on the control program stored in the flash memory 24, and the operation of the image reading unit 30 is stored in the flash memory 34. It is assumed that the CPU 31 is controlled based on the stored control program.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration. The following description will be made according to steps indicated by S in the figure.

  First, the user opens the document pressing cover 4 and sets the document 12 on the glass surface of the document table 11 as shown in FIG. 3, closes the document pressing cover 4 and starts a copy, scan, fax transmission, etc. button (not shown). When is pressed, the document is scanned (S21). That is, while the reading unit 35 of the image reading unit 30 at the home position is moved in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2, the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit. The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing of converting it into image data using the RAM 33 and stores it in the flash memory 34.

When the document scanning is completed, the reading unit 35 moves in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. As a result, when the reading unit 35 returns to the home position and enters a standby state, the CPU 31 performs time monitoring with a timer (not shown) to determine whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S22). Continue monitoring time until
If the predetermined time has elapsed, a forgetting scan is performed (S23). Also in this case, as in the document scanning, the reading unit 35 at the home position is moved, and the image of the document 12 is read by the reading sensor while irradiating the document 12 with the light emitting unit.

  The read image (signal) is sent to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 performs processing to convert it into image data using the RAM 33, but performs detection processing of the edge of the document 12 (end of the document 12) in the reading direction (S24). ). In this case, since the size of the document 12 is already known by scanning the document, if the document 12 exists on the glass surface of the document table 11, the CPU 31 generates a reading value of the edge of the document 12 due to the edge step. Edge detection can be performed based on the shadow.

  Based on the result of the edge detection process, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the edge of the document 12 has been detected (S25), and if the edge is not detected, the process is terminated assuming that the document has not been forgotten. If the edge of the document 12 is detected by the edge detection process, it is assumed that the document has been forgotten to be removed, and the CPU 31 is provided with an electromagnet 38 provided on the document table 11 in order to prevent others from taking the document 12 away. Energize the coil. In this case, if the N pole of the permanent magnet 40 on the side of the document pressing cover 4 is opposed to the iron piece 39 on the electromagnet 38 side, a current is passed through the coil of the electromagnet 38 so that the iron piece 39 becomes the S pole. As a result, the permanent magnet 40 is attracted to the iron piece 39 and locked so that the document pressing cover 4 is not opened (S26).

  Thereafter, the CPU 31 transmits a forgetting to remove document command to the CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 via the scanner I / F as information for notifying that forgetting to remove the document, and the CPU 22 of the image forming unit 21 forgets to remove the document. When the command is received, a message notifying that the document has been forgotten is displayed on the display unit 32, and the alarm lamp is blinked (S27).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after reading the first document image, the document image is read again, and the edge detection processing of the document is performed using the read image. Whether or not the document has been forgotten is determined based on whether or not it has been detected, so it can be reliably determined whether or not the document has been forgotten without being affected by external light due to the opening and closing of the document pressing cover. An effect is obtained.

  In addition, the amount of memory used is smaller than when comparing document image data, and the determination based on the comparison of document image data varies in the time until image detection at the position of the image on the document. However, since the present embodiment uses the edge of the document that can be detected immediately to determine whether or not to forget to remove the document, the processing time can be shortened.

Further, in the third embodiment, after it is determined that the document has been forgotten after the forgetting scan,
By passing an electric current through the coil of the electromagnet provided on the document table, the permanent magnet on the document pressing cover side is attracted to the iron piece on the electromagnet side so that the document pressing cover is not opened. Since the document can be prevented from being taken away by others, and the electromagnet, iron piece and permanent magnet for locking are embedded in the document table and the document pressing cover, the document pressing cover may protrude. There is also an effect that the safety during the opening / closing operation is improved.

  The first to third embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the first to third embodiments described above, the image forming apparatus such as an MFP or a copier has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to an image reading apparatus such as a scanner. In this case, the display unit is controlled by the CPU of the image reading apparatus.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the occurrence of forgetting to take a document is displayed on the display unit and the alarm lamp blinks to notify the user. If the user's personal e-mail address is registered in the reading apparatus and a personal authentication function using a password or a card is provided on the apparatus side, a message forgetting to take a document can be transmitted to the user's mobile phone by e-mail.

  Further, in the second embodiment described above, when the document is forgotten to be removed, the protrusion provided on the reading unit is fitted to the lock provided on the document pressing cover, thereby the document pressing cover. By locking so that the document cannot be opened, other people cannot hold the document, but if the user who forgot to remove the document enters the unlock password on the operation panel (display), the document holding cover It can also be configured to release the lock.

  In the third embodiment described above, when a document is forgotten to be removed, the electromagnet is energized to lock the document pressing cover so that no other person can hold the document. In addition, the user who has forgotten to take the document can input the lock release password through the operation panel to release the lock of the document pressing cover.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 4 Document pressing cover 6 Guide rail 8 Drive pulley 9 Pulley 10 Belt 11 Document placing table 12 Document 21 Image forming unit 22 CPU
23 RAM
24 Flash memory 25 I / F port 26 High voltage power supply unit 27 LED head 28 Drive motor 29 Clutch 30 Image reading unit 31 CPU
32 display unit 33 RAM
34 Flash memory 35 Reading part 36 Stepping motor 38 Electromagnet 39 Iron piece 40 Permanent magnet 42 Lock part 43 Projection part

Claims (5)

A document placing table for setting a document, an openable / closable document pressing cover for pressing a document set on the document placing table, and a document placed on the document placing table and disposed below the document placing table Has a reading unit that reads the original image by moving while irradiating the light from the light source,
After the document image is read by the reading unit, the document image is read again by the reading unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the document is forgotten to be removed based on the presence or absence of a shadow at the edge of the read document image. An image reading apparatus characterized by determining whether or not. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
A locking means for locking the document pressing cover;
An image reading apparatus that locks the document pressing cover so that the document pressing cover is not opened by the locking means when it is determined that the document has been forgotten to be removed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
As the locking means, a lock portion is provided on the document pressing cover, and a protrusion is provided on the reading portion.
An image reading apparatus, wherein the document pressing cover is locked by fitting the protruding portion to the lock portion by the movement of the reading portion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
As the locking means, an electromagnet is provided on the document table, and a permanent magnet is provided on the holding cover,
An image reading apparatus that locks the document pressing cover by attracting the permanent magnet by energizing the electromagnet. A document placing table for setting a document, an openable / closable document pressing cover for pressing a document set on the document placing table, and a document placed on the document placing table and disposed below the document placing table Has a reading unit that reads the original image by moving while irradiating the light from the light source,
After the document image is read by the reading unit, the document image is read again by the reading unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the document is forgotten to be removed based on the presence or absence of a shadow at the edge of the read document image. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading device that determines whether or not the image is read.

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