JP2017024847A - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that when a user reads images of a document comprising a number of sheets equal to or more than an ejected sheet loading upper limit, the user may perform plural times of image reading with an ADF without removing the ejected document sheets; in this case, if sheets are supplied from the ADF without removing the ejected document sheets of the ADF, paper jamming is likely to occur due to interference between the ejected document sheets and the document sheets from which images have been read.SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus comprises: a sheet supply tray 30 on which sheets are loaded; an optical scanner unit 202 for reading an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet supply tray 30; an ejected sheet tray 13 loaded with sheets from which an image has been read by the optical scanner unit 202; and an ejected sheet tray LED 40 for making a notification to a user. A CPU 801, when full loading of the ejected sheet tray is supposed, causes the ejected sheet tray LED 40 to notify the user that the ejected sheet tray is fully loaded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of digitization of books and documents, image reading apparatuses provided in image forming apparatuses and facsimiles are configured to include an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) so that a plurality of originals can be read by one operation. Often becomes. In order to reduce the size of the ADF in the front-rear and left-right directions, a configuration in which the space below the paper feed tray is a paper discharge tray is common.

  In the image reading apparatus provided with such an ADF, the discharge tray becomes a lower part of the paper feed tray, so that it becomes dark and it is difficult for the user to know whether or not a discharged document exists.

  For this reason, a technique (Patent Document 1) that makes it easy to understand a document on the discharge tray by providing illumination that illuminates the discharge tray, and a technique related to an illumination control method that notifies that there is a document on the discharge tray. (Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

JP-A-8-339107 JP 2013-106109 A

  The original set on the paper feed tray is conveyed to the image reading unit, read the image, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray. If the ADF is used while leaving the document on the paper discharge tray, the user's convenience may be impaired. For example, the original on the paper discharge tray and the original on which the image was read later are mixed and the order is incorrect, or the paper on the paper output tray is caught by the leading edge of the paper conveyed from the transport path. It is possible to become. In particular, such a problem becomes conspicuous when a large number of originals exist on the paper discharge tray (when the read originals are full on the paper discharge tray).

  Each of the paper feed tray and the paper discharge tray has a physical upper limit stacking number, and generally the upper limit stacking number of the paper discharge tray is designed to be the same as or slightly larger than the upper limit stacking number of the paper feeding tray. . When the user scans a document that exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded in the paper feed tray, the user divides the document that the user wants to scan the image into two, and scans the image twice. After the first image reading, a large amount of originals on which images have been read are discharged to the paper discharge tray. If the image reading of the original is further performed without removing the original on the paper discharge tray, the upper limit number of sheets on the paper discharge tray is exceeded, and there is a high possibility that the above-mentioned problem of the mixing of the originals and the paper jam will occur. In the prior art, in order to make it easy for the user to notice the original on the paper discharge tray, when the original is on the paper discharge tray, the light on the paper discharge tray is illuminated. However, the user cannot know whether there are many originals on the paper discharge tray. Therefore, depending on the user, there is a possibility that the illumination is determined to notify the presence / absence of a document on the paper discharge tray. As described above, when the document is read in two parts, the original on the output tray is the user's own original, so the user does not remove the original from the output tray and the second image. There is a possibility of reading.

  An image reading apparatus for solving the above problems includes a first sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, an image reading unit that reads an image of a sheet conveyed from the first sheet stacking unit, A second sheet stacking unit on which the sheets whose images have been read by the image reading unit are stacked, a notification unit for notifying a user, and an estimate of the number of sheets stacked on the second sheet stacking unit And a control means for controlling the notification means based on the estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation means, the control means based on the number of sheets estimated by the estimation means. The control means is controlled to change the notification.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily estimate the number of sheets (originals) stacked on the second sheet stacking unit (discharge tray) or the number of sheets (originals) to be stacked in the future. Therefore, it is easy for the user to notice that the sheet must be removed from the second sheet stacking means, and the occurrence of a state that impairs the user's convenience can be reduced.

Sectional drawing which shows the example of the image reading apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for counting the number of discharged document sheets according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing of the ADF image reading part which shows the example of the original document reading apparatus concerning Embodiment 1. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a discharged document full notification when documents are stacked according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the operation unit according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing of ADF and image reading part which shows the example of the original document reading apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the example of the original document reading apparatus concerning Embodiment 2. Sectional drawing which shows the example of the original document reading apparatus concerning Embodiment 2. Sectional drawing which shows the example of the prediction method of the paper feed number which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a discharged document full notification when documents are stacked according to the second embodiment. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a discharged document full notification at the time of image reading according to the second embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the example of the image reading apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a discharged document full notification after image reading according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lighting pattern of the paper discharge unit illumination.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, configuration examples of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image reading apparatus including an ADF according to the present embodiment. An image reading apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 200 that reads an image of a document and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 100, and a controller unit (not shown) is connected to FIG. ing.

  An image forming unit 1100 that forms an image by a known electrophotographic method is disposed below the image reading apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1200 includes an image reading apparatus 1000 and an image forming unit 1100. The image forming unit 1100 includes a photoconductor, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The exposure apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor based on the image information acquired by the image reading apparatus 1000. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image into a developer image with toner. The transfer device transfers the developer image to the recording medium that has been conveyed. The fixing device fixes the developer image on the recording medium to the recording medium.

<Configuration Example of Image Reading Unit 200>
This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image reading unit 200 scans the optical scanner unit 202 (image reading unit) at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow a in FIG. 1 for a document (sheet) placed on the platen glass 209. The image information recorded on the original is read line by line (fixed reading). The document placed on the paper feed tray 30 is conveyed by the ADF 100 and read by the optical scanner unit 202 at the center position of the read roller 6 (flow-reading).

<Configuration Example of Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 100>
The operation of the ADF 100 will be described with reference to FIG. An ADF 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a paper feed tray 30 (first sheet stacking unit), a separation pad 21, a separation roller 2, and a paper feed roller 1.

  The paper feed tray 30 stacks a bundle of documents S composed of one or more documents. The separation pad 21 and the separation roller 2 prevent a plurality of documents from being conveyed (multiple feeding) when the document is conveyed by the paper feed roller 1.

  The paper feed tray 30 includes a document presence / absence detection sensor 14 (first sheet detection means). The paper feed tray document presence / absence detection sensor 14 is a sensor for determining the presence / absence of a document on the paper feed tray 30. The document presence / absence detection sensor 14 can use a known optical sensor or photo interrupter. For example, an original sensor may be detected directly by an optical sensor, or a detection flag that can be swung so as to protrude on the document conveyance path is arranged, and a change in the transmission state of the photo interrupter due to the swing of the detection flag is used. The original may be detected. An optical sensor or the like can also be used for sensors other than the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 used in the present embodiment. The paper feed tray 30 can stack up to 100 plain papers. The paper feed roller 1 can be rotated by dropping onto the uppermost document of the document bundle S stacked on the paper feed tray 30.

  An explanation will be given of the scanning operation.

  The uppermost original of the original bundle S is fed by the rotation of the paper supply roller 1. The original fed by the paper feed roller 1 is separated into one sheet by the action of the separation roller 2 and the separation pad 21. This separation is realized by a known separation technique.

  The document separated into one sheet by the separation roller 2 and the separation pad 21 is conveyed to the registration roller 4 by the drawing roller 3, and the leading edge of the document is abutted against the registration roller 4. As a result, a loop-like deflection is formed on the original, and the skew in the conveyance of the original is eliminated. A paper feed path is provided downstream of the registration roller 4 in the conveyance direction of the original to guide the original that has passed through the registration roller 4 toward the reading glass 201.

  The document sent to the paper feed path is conveyed to the image reading position by the reading upstream roller 5. The image reading position is a position between the flow reading glass 201 and the lead roller 6. When passing through the image reading position, the document irradiation LEDs 203a and 203b irradiate the surface of the document with light. The reflected light of the light irradiated on the document is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 204 a, 204 b and 204 c and enters the image reading sensor 208. The image reading sensor 208 converts the surface image of the document into image data by performing photoelectric conversion on the received light, and performs reading. When only the surface image of the original is read, the original conveyed by the reading downstream roller 7 is conveyed by the discharge roller 12 to the discharge tray 13 (second sheet stacking unit). When there are a plurality of documents on the paper feed tray 30, the above-described processing is repeated until the reading of the final document and the paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 13 are completed.

  When reading the back image of the document, the document whose front image has been read is stopped before the trailing edge of the document passes through the paper discharge sensor 11 (discharge detection means) and then passes through the paper discharge roller 12. Then, by rotating the paper discharge roller 12 in the reverse direction, the document is conveyed toward the registration roller 4. Then, the original is conveyed again to the image reading position, and the back side of the original is read. Further, the document for which reading of the back image has been completed is stopped before the trailing edge of the document passes through the paper discharge sensor 11 and before the paper discharge roller 12 is removed. Then, by rotating the paper discharge roller 12 in the reverse direction, the original is conveyed again toward the registration roller 4, conveyed to the paper discharge tray 13 without being read, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 13. When there are a plurality of documents on the paper feed tray 30, the above-described processing is repeated until the reading of the final document and the paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 13 are completed. The paper discharge tray 13 includes a paper discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19. The paper discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 is a sensor for determining the presence or absence of a document on the paper discharge tray 13.

  After reading all the original images, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on for 10 seconds with pattern 1 (lighted) or pattern 2 (repeatedly turned on and off at intervals of 0.5 seconds), thereby allowing the user to place on the paper discharge tray 13. Notify that there is a manuscript. Switching between pattern 1 (first notification) and pattern 2 (second notification) is performed based on the estimation of the number of sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray 13 by the CPU 801 (estimating means). The CPU 801 (time measuring means) measures the time of 10 seconds. If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 is in the absence of a document within 10 seconds, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off as if the user removed the document. A maximum of 100 sheets of plain paper can be stacked on the paper discharge tray 13. Specific control will be described later.

<Explanation of block diagram>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. The reader ADF control unit 310 includes a CPU 801 for the reader ADF control unit 310 that is a central processing unit, a ROM 802 that is a read-only memory, and a RAM 803 that is a random access memory. The ROM 802 stores a control program for the CPU 801, and the RAM 803 stores input data and work data used by the CPU 801.

  The CPU 801 is connected to a separation motor 820 and a reading motor 821 in order to realize a document conveying function. The separation motor 820 rotates the paper feed roller 1, the separation roller 2, the drawing roller 3, and the registration roller 4. The reading motor 821 drives the reading upstream roller 5, the reading roller 6, the reading downstream roller 7, and the paper discharge roller 12. A part of the roller is connected to a separation motor 820 or a reading motor 821 via a solenoid 811 and a clutch 812. The CPU 801 can rotate the paper feed roller 1, the separation roller 2, the drawing roller 3, and the registration roller 4 in a direction to send the document downstream in the conveyance direction by rotating the separation motor 820 in the normal direction. Further, the CPU 801 can lift the paper feed roller 1 upward by reversing the separation motor 820. The CPU 801 is connected to a document presence / absence detection sensor 14, a post-separation sensor 15, a pull-out sensor 16, a registration sensor 17, a lead sensor 18, and a paper discharge sensor 11. The post-separation sensor 15, the pull-out sensor 16, the registration sensor 17, the lead sensor 18, and the paper discharge sensor 11 are arranged on the document conveyance path in FIG. 1, and detect the document edge at the position where each sensor is placed.

  The separation motor 820 and the reading motor 821 are pulse motors. The CPU 801 manages the number of drive pulses of each motor, and relates to the state of document detection by the sensor on the transport path, thereby monitoring the position of the document being transported and controlling each motor. When the original is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13 by the above control, the paper discharge tray original presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects the presence of the original. When the user removes the original from the paper discharge tray 13, the paper discharge tray original presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects the absence of the original. The paper feed tray lifting sensor 24 detects whether or not the paper feed tray 30 is lifted. The paper feed tray 30 can be lifted in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 1, and the paper feed tray lifting sensor 24 detects ON when the paper feed tray 30 is not lifted. Detects OFF when lifted.

  The CPU 801 is connected to the document irradiation LED 203 and the image reading sensor 208 in order to realize an image reading function. Image data read by the image reading sensor 208 is directly sent to the controller via the image processing unit 833. The CPU 801 transmits the read image data to the controller unit 300 via the image line 353. Further, the CPU 801 takes a timing and notifies the controller unit 300 through the controller IF unit 354 of the vertical synchronizing signal serving as the reference of the leading end of the document image data and the horizontal synchronizing signal serving as the reference of the pixel leading end of one line.

  The controller unit 300 includes a CPU 901, a ROM 902, and a RAM 903. The CPU 901 exchanges data regarding image reading control with the CPU 801 via the controller IF unit 354. The image data is performed via an image line 353 between the image processing unit 833 and the image processing unit 905, and the data received from the image reading unit 200 is stored in the image memory 906. The controller unit 300 is connected to the operation unit 904. Interface control with the user is performed by the CPU 901 via the operation unit 904.

<Notification of ejecting ejected document at the end of image reading>
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, a display of the operation unit 904 of FIG. 6, and a discharge tray LED 40 of FIG. 16. This will be described with reference to the lighting pattern diagram. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the user loads the document on the sheet feeding tray 30 of the ADF 100 and then operates the operation unit 904 to perform the above-described scanning. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where 100 originals are discharged to the paper discharge tray 13 and are full. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display on the operation unit 904 that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are diagrams showing examples of lighting patterns of the discharge tray LED 40 that are changed according to the number of discharged documents on the discharge tray 13. FIG.

  When the user operates the operation unit 904 to start an image reading operation, the CPU 901 detects this and notifies the CPU 801 of the start of an image reading job. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 801 after the CPU 801 receives the image reading job start notification. Upon receiving the image reading job start notification, the CPU 801 first refers to the detection value of the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S101).

  When the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document (NO in S101), the CPU 801 sets the value of the discharged sheet counter and the full discharge flag in the RAM 803 (storage means) to 0 (S102). . If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 has detected the presence of a document (YES in S101), or after the value of the discharged sheet counter is set to 0 in S102, the CPU 801 uses the above-described method to set the maximum number on the sheet feed tray 30. Paper is fed one by one from the top document (S103). Thereafter, the image of the document that has reached the image reading position is read (S104), and the document that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 13 (S105). The CPU 801 discharges one document, and then adds 1 to the value of the discharged sheet counter (S106). Based on the detection by the document presence / absence detection sensor 14, whether the reading has been completed up to the last document on the paper feed tray 30 is completed. Confirm (S107). If there is an original on the paper feed tray 30, the CPU 801 determines that the reading of the final original has not been completed (YES in S107), and performs the control from S101 to S106 again. Here, the presence or absence of the document on the paper discharge tray 13 in S101 is reflected when the user performs an operation to remove the document from the paper discharge tray 13 during document conveyance and reading, which is reflected in the value of the sheet discharge counter. This is to make it happen.

  If it is determined in S107 that there is no document on the paper feed tray 30 and reading has been completed up to the final document (NO in S107), the CPU 801 determines the value of the number of discharged sheets counter and a preset discharge threshold value that is a preset value. Are compared (S108). The full discharge threshold is a reference for the CPU 801 to determine whether or not the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In the present embodiment, the full discharge threshold is 100, which is the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the discharge tray 13. This threshold value may be changeable by the user according to the paper type of the document on which the image is read. For example, an item “normally used original paper” is prepared in the operation unit 904. When “plain paper” is input, the full discharge threshold is set to 100, and when “thick paper” is input, the full discharge threshold is set to 70. A method of setting is conceivable. Further, it may be set individually by the user or a service person according to the usage of the user.

In S108, when the relationship of the number of discharged sheets counter ≧ the full discharge threshold is satisfied (YES in S108), that is, when the CPU 801 determines that the value of the discharged sheet counter is 100 or more, which is the full discharge threshold, the CPU 801 stores in the RAM 803. Is set to 1 (S109). Then, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on with a lighting pattern 1 (always on) as shown in FIG. 16A (S110). As a result, the user is notified that the document is full on the paper discharge tray 13 as shown in FIG. When the CPU 801 determines in S108 that the value of the discharged sheet counter is smaller than the full discharge threshold (NO in S108), the CPU 801 sets the full discharge flag provided in the RAM 803 to 0 (S111). Then, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on with a lighting pattern 2 (turned on / off at intervals of 0.5 seconds) as shown in FIG. 16B (S112). This notifies the user that there is a document on the paper discharge tray 13. In this embodiment, the control is divided depending on whether or not the discharged document is fully loaded on the discharge tray 13, but the notification may be performed in other ways. For example, the threshold value may be divided into 100 or more, 80 or more, and the other three. In this case, the CPU 801 determines that the full load, the full load are close, or the load is not full for a while. In the case of full load, the CPU 801 performs control to turn on the discharge tray LED 40 with the lighting pattern 1 (always on) as shown in FIG. When the full load is close, the CPU 801 performs control to light up with a lighting pattern 3 (lighted / turned off at intervals of 1 second) as shown in FIG. If the load does not become full for a while, the CPU 801 performs control to turn on with a lighting pattern 2 (turned on / off at 0.5 second intervals) as shown in FIG.

  After turning on the paper discharge tray LED 40 in S110 or S112, the CPU 801 determines whether or not the original on the paper discharge tray 13 has been removed. Specifically, the CPU 801 refers to the detection result of the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 (removal detection means) to determine the presence / absence of documents on the discharge tray 13 (S113). If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document (NO in S113), it is determined that the document on the discharge tray 13 has been removed, and the discharge number counter and the full discharge flag are set to 0 (S115). ), The discharge tray LED 40 is turned off (S116), and the process ends. If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects the presence of a document (YES in S113), the CPU 801 determines that the document on the discharge tray 13 has not been removed, and then turns on the discharge tray LED 40. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S114). As an example, when 10 seconds or more have elapsed since the discharge tray LED 40 was turned on in S114, it is determined that a predetermined time has passed (S114 YES), the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off (S116), and the process ends. If 10 seconds have not elapsed since the discharge tray LED 40 was turned on in S114, it is determined that a predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S114), and the presence / absence of documents on the discharge tray 13 is determined again (S113). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the lighting method of the discharge tray LED 40 can be changed in a state where the original is full on the discharge tray 13 and in a state where the original is not full, and a trigger for making the user aware of the full load can be created.

  In this embodiment, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off 10 seconds after the start of lighting, but the time-out time is not limited to this. For example, there may be no time-out when the document is full on the paper discharge tray 13, and time-out may be set at 5 seconds when the document is not full. Further, when the document is full, an indication to remove the document may be displayed on the operation unit 904. FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation unit 904 display that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. As a result, when the original is full on the paper discharge tray 13 as shown in FIG. 4, the notification by the operation unit 904 or the paper discharge tray LED 40 can be continued.

  In addition, the control may be performed in consideration of the case where the user removes only his / her original without taking out all the originals. Specifically, the paper feed tray lifting sensor 24 is monitored, and if there is a document on the paper discharge tray 13 even though the paper feed tray 30 is lifted, it is determined that the user has taken away only his / her own document. Then, the CPU 801 subtracts only the number of discharged sheets at the time of execution of the immediately preceding image reading job from the discharged sheet number counter, and clears the discharged paper full flag to 0.

  According to the above-described flow, after the job is completed, the full discharge flag can be set to 1 when the original is full on the discharge tray 13 as shown in FIG.

<Notification of taking out the discharged document when documents are loaded on the paper feed tray>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, a flowchart of FIG. 5, an operation unit 904 display of FIG. This will be described with reference to a lighting pattern diagram of the discharge tray LED 40. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where 100 originals are discharged to the paper discharge tray 13 and are full. The flowchart in FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the user stacks documents on the sheet feeding tray 30. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display on the operation unit 904 that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are diagrams showing examples of lighting patterns of the discharge tray LED 40 that are changed according to the number of discharged documents on the discharge tray 13. FIG.

  The CPU 801 monitors the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 and determines whether there is a document on the paper feed tray 30 (S201). In S201, when the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document, the discharge sheet counter and the full discharge flag are set to zero. The CPU 801 continues monitoring when there is no document in the paper feed tray 30 (S201 NO), and when there is a document (S201 YES), it is determined whether the value of the full discharge flag provided in the RAM 803 is 1 or not. A determination is made (S202). If the full discharge flag is 0 (NO in S202), the CPU 801 determines that the original is not full on the discharge tray 13, and terminates without performing notification to the user. Here, although it is not in a state where the originals are fully loaded on the paper discharge tray 13, when it is determined that there are a predetermined number of originals on the paper discharge tray 13, the paper discharge tray LED 40 is turned on as shown in FIG. The pattern 2 (turned on / off at 0.5 second intervals) may be turned on to notify the user that there is a document that is not fully loaded.

  When the full discharge flag is 1 in S202 (YES in S202), the CPU 801 determines that the original is full on the discharge tray 13 as shown in FIG. Since the CPU 801 is full of the discharged documents on the discharge tray 13, the CPU 901 notifies the CPU 901 of the discharged document take-out screen display (S203), and the CPU 901 that receives the notification sends the notification to the operation unit 904 as shown in FIG. A screen that prompts the user to take out the proper discharged document is displayed. Subsequently, the CPU 801 turns on the paper discharge tray LED 40 with the lighting pattern 1 (always on) as shown in FIG. 16A (S204). Through the above-described S203 and S204, the user can be notified of taking out the full discharged document on the discharge tray 13 by using the operation unit 904 and the discharge tray LED 40. Note that although notification by the operation unit 904 (display unit) and notification by the paper discharge tray LED 40 (light emission unit) are described here as notification units to the user, notification may be performed using other methods. . For example, a notification method in which a speaker 50 (sound output means) for outputting sound is provided and notification by sound and voice, or the load of the paper feed roller 1 or the like is operated for a certain time to attract the user's attention may be used. Moreover, you may comprise so that a user or a service person can switch the notification presence or absence for every notification method. Besides the method of changing the light emission pattern of the paper discharge tray LED 40, the user's attention may be drawn by causing the paper discharge tray LED 40 to emit light in different colors.

  Subsequently, the CPU 801 monitors the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S205). If there is a document (YES in S205), the CPU 801 continues monitoring and continues to send notifications via the operation unit 904, the discharge tray LED 40, and the like. If there is no document (NO in S205), the CPU 801 determines that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 has been removed, and sets the discharged sheet counter and the discharged sheet full flag (S206). Thereafter, the CPU 801 notifies the CPU 901 that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 is taken out and erased (S207). Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 901 erases the screen prompting the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 801 turns off the paper discharge tray LED 40 (S208). Thus, the notification using the operation unit 904 and the discharge tray LED 40 to the user is ended.

  According to the flow described above, it is possible to perform notification of taking out the discharged document when the user stacks the documents using the full discharge flag.

  This embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which both a discharged document take-out notification at the end of image reading and a discharged document take-out notification when a document is stacked on the paper feed tray are described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. Either one of the discharged document takeout notifications may be issued.

[Embodiment 2]
<Configuration of Embodiment 2>
A configuration example of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted. In the second embodiment, it is possible to estimate the number of documents to be fed from the drive amount of the lifter motor 822. In the second embodiment, based on the number of documents that will be fed and the number of documents that were originally stacked on the discharge tray 13, the number of sheets that will be stacked on the discharge tray 13 from now on. It is possible to guess.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an image reading apparatus including the ADF. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the image reading apparatus including the ADF according to the present embodiment.

  Compared with the configuration of the first embodiment, a lift-up member 26, a paper feed roller sensor 27, a lifter lower limit sensor 28, and a lifter motor 822 are added, and the original stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 (stacking unit) is raised (lifted up). And it is configured so that it can be lowered (lifted down). The lifter motor 822 is a pulse motor, and the CPU 801 can know the amount of movement of the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 by managing the number of drive pulses of the lifter motor 822. In the present embodiment, the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the paper discharge tray 13 is 110 sheets. In the present embodiment, there are two types of thresholds as thresholds for determining whether or not a document is fully loaded on the paper discharge tray 13. Specifically, there are a full discharge threshold value 1 (100 sheets) used at times other than when the image reading job is executed, and a full discharge threshold value 2 (110 sheets) used when the image reading job is executed. In this embodiment, the threshold value is lowered except when the image reading job is considered to be relatively free for the user, but the threshold value may be changed from another viewpoint. For example, when executing an image reading job, the threshold may be set to 90 sheets from the viewpoint of reducing the risk of paper jam in the paper discharge unit as much as possible.

  The configuration of the image reading unit 200, the automatic document feeding unit (ADF) 100, the configuration of the block diagram, and the configuration of the feeding tray 30 unit are the lift-up member 26, the feeding roller sensor 27, the lifter lower limit sensor 28, and the lifter motor. Except for 822, the same as Example 1.

<Lift-up / lift-down operation and paper feed prediction>
The CPU 801 can rotate the lift-up member 26 by reversing the lifter motor 822 to lower the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 (lift-down). At the time of the lowering, the CPU 801 monitors the lifter lower limit sensor 28 and lowers it until the lifter lower limit sensor 28 detects ON, whereby the document stacking surface on the paper feed tray 30 can be stopped at the lower limit position. FIG. 7 shows a state where the paper feed tray 30 is stopped at the lower limit position.

  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are cross-sectional views illustrating the process of raising the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 of the image reading apparatus including the ADF of the present embodiment. The CPU 801 can rotate the lift-up member 26 by rotating the lifter motor 822 in the normal direction to raise the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 (lift-up). Before the lift-up, the CPU 801 rotates the separation motor 820 in the normal direction and lowers the paper feed roller 1 so that the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects OFF. FIG. 9A shows this state. When lift-up control is performed, the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 rises in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 9A, and the documents stacked on the paper feed tray 30 also rise together. As the upper surface of the document rises, the paper feed roller 1 also rises. The CPU 801 monitors the paper feed roller sensor 27 and causes the lifter motor 822 to rotate normally until it detects ON. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the uppermost document on the paper feed tray 30 can be stopped at a position where it can be fed.

  Further, in the process of sequentially transporting the document on the sheet feed tray 30 and reading the image, the sheet feed roller 1 is lowered to the top surface of the document. When the number of documents decreases, as shown in FIG. 9C, the sheet feed roller sensor 27 detects OFF when the sheet feed roller 1 is lowered. In this case, the CPU 801 rotates the lifter motor 822 again in the normal direction and stops it at a position where the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects ON. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9D, the document on the sheet feed tray 30 can be moved to a position where it can be fed. By repeating the above, it is possible to always keep the uppermost document on the paper feed tray 30 at a position where paper can be fed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which 100 originals are stacked on the paper feed tray 30 and are fully loaded in the image reading apparatus including the ADF 100 according to the present embodiment. As a supplement to the lift-up operation, when the lift-up operation is performed, the CPU 801 may detect that the paper feed roller sensor 27 is ON even when the paper feed roller 1 is lowered with the lifter lower limit sensor 28 turned on. is there. In this case, the CPU 801 determines that the originals are fully loaded on the paper feed tray 30 as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 801 determines that it is not necessary to raise the document stacking surface, and controls the lifter motor 822 not to raise the document stacking surface by rotating the lifter motor 822 by 10 pulses corresponding to the backlash. Thereby, it is possible to smoothly lift up when performing lift-up during subsequent document conveyance control. Note that the lifter motor 822 may be controlled not to move even when the lift-up operation is performed when the load is full.

  Further, the CPU 801 can measure the amount of increase of the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 from the number of pulses from the start of driving the lifter motor 822 to the stop of driving at the time of lift up. The amount of increase varies depending on the amount of documents stacked on the sheet feeding tray 30. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when 100 sheets of plain paper, which is the upper limit number of sheets, is stacked on the paper feed tray 30, the paper feed roller sensor 27 is turned on, so Only 10 pulses drive the lifter motor 822. However, when there is only one document on the sheet feed tray 30, the lifter motor 822 needs to be driven about 1000 pulses in order to move the document stacking surface of the sheet feed tray 30 from the lower limit to the upper limit. From this relationship, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to predict how many originals are fed in terms of plain paper.

  In other words, in this embodiment, the CPU 801, the sheet feeding roller 1, the lift-up member 26, the sheet feeding roller sensor 27, the lifter lower limit sensor 28, and the sheet feeding tray 30 estimate the sheet stacking on the sheet on the sheet feeding tray 30. Means.

  Here, the number of fed originals is predicted from the drive amount of the lifter motor 822, but the prediction may be performed using a method other than this. For example, even if there is no lifter motor 822, if the paper feed roller sensor 27 is turned on when the paper feed roller 1 is lowered at the start of paper feed, the number of documents is 100 sheets in which the paper feed tray 30 is fully loaded. Can be predicted.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 801 performs lift-up control when the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 changes from the document absence detection state to the document presence detection state. When the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 changes from the document presence detection state to the document absence detection state, lift-down control is performed. Thereby, compared with the case where the job is started from the lift-down state as shown in FIG. 9A, the time until the start of image reading can be shortened.

  In this embodiment, when the CPU 801 detects the presence of a document on the paper feed tray 30, the CPU 801 immediately performs a lift-up operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. The time measurement may be started when it is detected that there is a document on the paper feed tray 30, and the lift-up operation may be performed when a predetermined time or more has passed with the document being present.

  In the present embodiment, the lift-up is performed when a document is stacked on the paper feed tray 30. However, the lift-up may be performed before the job starts using another condition. For example, when the user operates the operation unit 904 and presses an image reading setting (for example, color mode or magnification setting) other than the job start key, the CPU 901 notifies the CPU 801 and the CPU 801 performs lift-up. It is good to do.

<Notification of ejecting a discharged document based on the estimated number of paper feed before image reading>
A discharge document take-out notification flow based on the estimated number of paper feed will be described with reference to the display of the operation unit 904 in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional view in FIG. 9, the flowchart in FIG. 12, and the lighting pattern diagram of the discharge tray LED 40 in FIG. . FIG. 6 shows an example of a display on the operation unit 904 that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are cross-sectional views illustrating the process of raising the document stacking surface of the paper feed tray 30 of the image reading apparatus including the ADF of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flow from when the user sets an original on the paper feed tray 30 or on the original platen glass 209 and starts image reading. FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are diagrams showing examples of lighting patterns of the discharge tray LED 40 that are changed according to the number of discharged documents on the discharge tray 13. FIG.

  The CPU 801 performs the above-described lift-down when the power is turned on or after the image reading is completed (S501). Thereafter, with reference to the value of the document presence / absence detection sensor 14, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the paper feed tray 30 (S502). In S502, if the paper discharge tray original presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no original, the number of discharged paper counter is set to zero. If there is no document on the paper feed tray 30 (NO in S502), the CPU 801 checks whether an image reading job has been started (S503). When the user operates the operation unit 904 to start an image reading operation, the CPU 901 detects this and notifies the CPU 801 of the start of an image reading job. When the CPU 801 receives the image reading job start notification, the CPU 801 determines that the job is started (YES in S503), and since there is no document in the paper feed tray 30, the CPU 801 starts fixed reading to read the document image on the platen glass 209 (S517). ). If the CPU 801 has not received the image reading job start notification (NO in S503), the CPU 801 determines again whether there is a document on the paper feed tray 30 (S502).

  When the user sets a document on the paper feed tray 30, the CPU 801 determines that there is a document on the paper feed tray 30 in S502 because the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 detects the presence of the document (YES in S502). After determining that there is an original, the CPU 801 rotates the separation motor 820 in the normal direction so that the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects OFF (S504). Then, a lift-up operation is performed, and the number of drive pulses of the lifter motor 822 is counted (S505), and the estimated number of sheets fed using the number of drive pulses of the lifter motor 822 is calculated (S506).

  Subsequently, the CPU 801 compares the predicted number of paper feeds with the paper discharge number counter prepared in the RAM 803 and the full discharge threshold 1 (S507). The sheet discharge number counter counts up each time a document is discharged and counts the number of documents on the discharge tray 13. The count-up flow will be described later. In this embodiment, the full discharge threshold value 1 is set to 100 as described above. Although the full discharge threshold value 1 is a fixed value here, it may be set by a serviceman or a user. Moreover, you may adjust a threshold value in factory adjustment. Furthermore, the estimated number of sheets fed may be compared with the number of sheets actually fed to correct the full discharge threshold 1. Specifically, when it is found that there are only 50 originals when all the originals are supplied even though the estimated number of paper supply is 100, it is considered that the paper thickness is twice that of plain paper. Therefore, a method of setting the full discharge threshold value 1 to 50, which is half, can be considered.

  In other words, in this embodiment, the CPU 801, the paper feed roller 1, the lift-up member 26, the paper feed roller sensor 27, the lifter lower limit sensor 28, and the paper feed tray 30 estimate the sheet thickness on the paper feed tray 30. It constitutes sheet thickness estimation means.

  As another correction method, a method may be used in which the thickness of the original is estimated by counting the number of sheets until lift-up is performed while the original is being fed, and reflected in the count-up value. As described above, when the number of originals decreases, the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects OFF when the paper feed roller 1 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 9C. In this case, the CPU 801 rotates the lifter motor 822 again in the forward direction and stops it at a position where the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects ON, and places the originals on the paper feed tray 30 into a position where paper can be fed as shown in FIG. Moving. For this reason, for example, a lift-up operation is performed after feeding 10 sheets of plain paper, but if the lift-up operation is performed with 20 sheets, the thickness of the original is estimated to be half that of plain paper. In this case, a method of correcting the count-up value to 0.5 can be considered.

In the comparison of S507,
(Predicted number of sheets supplied + Number of discharged sheets counter) ≧ Full discharge threshold 1
(S507 YES), it is determined that the discharged document is full on the discharge tray 13 before all the document images are read, and the user is notified. The notification to the user is turned on with the discharge tray LED pattern 1 (always lit) as shown in FIG. 16A (S508), and the operation unit 904 prompts the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. It is a display. In this screen display, the CPU 801 notifies the CPU 901 of a discharge document take-out screen display notification based on the full sheet discharge prediction prediction determination on the discharge tray 13 (S509). A screen display prompting the user to take out the discharged document is displayed. Subsequently, the CPU 801 monitors the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S510). If there is a document (YES in S510), the CPU 801 continues monitoring and continues to give notifications via the operation unit 904 and the discharge tray LED 40. If there is no document (NO in S510), the CPU 801 determines that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 has been removed, and clears the discharged sheet counter to 0 (S511). Thereafter, the CPU 801 notifies the CPU 901 that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 is taken out and deleted (S512). Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 901 erases the screen prompting the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 801 turns off the paper discharge tray LED 40 (S513).

In the comparison of S507,
(Predicted number of sheets supplied + Number of discharged sheets counter) ≧ Full discharge threshold 1
(S507 NO), that is, (predicted sheet feed number + discharge sheet counter) <discharge full threshold 1
In this case, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 13 does not become full even if the document on the paper feed tray 30 is read, and the user is not notified.

  After the execution of S512 or in the case of NO in S507, the CPU 801 again refers to the value of the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 to confirm the presence / absence of the document on the paper feed tray 30 (S514). The reason for checking whether or not there is a document is to determine whether or not the document on the paper feed tray 30 has been removed by the user. If the CPU 801 determines that there is no document on the paper feed tray 30 in S514 (NO in S514), lift-down is performed in preparation for setting the document on the paper feed tray 30 again (S501). If it is determined in S514 that there is a document on the paper feed tray 30 (YES in S514), the CPU 801 determines job start (S515).

  If the CPU 801 determines in S515 that there is no job start (S515 NO), the CPU 801 continues to monitor the presence or absence of a document on the paper feed tray 30 (S514). If the CPU 801 determines that the job has started in S515 (YES in S515), since there is a document in the paper feed tray 30, the scanning is started (S516).

  According to the above-described flow, before the user stacks the originals and starts image reading, the user can be notified of taking out the discharged originals in consideration of the estimated number of sheets to be fed.

<Notification of ejecting discharged document during image reading>
A detection flow of a full document state on the paper discharge tray 13 will be described with reference to the display of the operation unit 904 in FIG. 6, the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display on the operation unit 904 that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. The flowchart in FIG. 13 is a flowchart when the user has loaded the original on the paper feed tray 30 and then operated the operation unit 904 to perform the scanning. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which the user lifts the paper feed tray 30 in order to remove the original on the paper discharge tray 13.

  When the user operates the operation unit 904 to start an image reading operation, the CPU 901 detects this and notifies the CPU 801 of the start of an image reading job. Upon receiving the image reading job start notification, the CPU 801 first refers to the detection value of the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S601).

  If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document in S601 (NO in S601), the CPU 801 sets the value of the discharged sheet counter provided in the RAM 803 to 0 (S602). When the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects the presence of a document (YES in S601), and after setting the value of the discharged sheet counter to 0 in S602, the CPU 801 uses the above-described method to set the maximum number on the sheet feed tray 30. Paper is fed one by one from the top document (S603). Thereafter, the image of the document that has reached the image reading position is read (S604), and the document that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 13 (S605). After the CPU 801 discharges one original, the CPU 801 adds 1 to the value of the paper discharge counter and counts up (S606). The count-up value may be dynamically changed by estimating the thickness according to the execution interval of the lift-up operation during paper feeding.

Here, the CPU 801 determines whether or not the number of discharged documents exceeds the full discharge threshold 2 of the discharge tray 13 (S607). The full discharge threshold value 2 is 110 as described above.
Paper discharge counter ≥ paper discharge full threshold 2
(S607 YES), it is determined that the discharged tray 13 is full of discharged documents, and the user is notified that the discharged tray 13 is full and an image. Perform reading interruption. Prior to the notification, the CPU 801 performs lift-down (S608). This is to make it easier for the user to lift the paper feed tray 30 when taking out the discharged document. In the configuration of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the user lifts the paper feed tray 30 in the lift-down state, it can be lifted from the horizontal position by the accuracy of θ1. As shown in FIG. 14B, when the user tries to lift the paper feed tray 30 in the lift-up state where the paper feed roller 1 is in contact with the document, the paper feed tray 30 is moved from the horizontal position by an angle θ2. At the stage of lifting, resistance is felt due to interference between the paper feed roller 1 and the upper surface of the document. The relationship between the above θ1 and θ2 is θ1> θ2. For this reason, the user feels that it is difficult to lift the paper feed tray 30 in the lift-up state, and as a result, it is difficult to pick up the original from the paper discharge tray 13.

  After the lift-down in S608, as a notification to the user, the discharge tray LED is turned on in pattern 1 (always on) as shown in FIG. 16A (S609), and the operation unit 904 is discharged as shown in FIG. Displays a screen prompting the user to remove the paper document. In this screen display, the CPU 801 issues a discharge document take-out screen display notification to the CPU 901 based on the determination of the full discharge document on the discharge tray 13 (S610), and the CPU 901 that has received the notification displays the operation unit 904 in FIG. This is realized by displaying a display prompting the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 801 monitors the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S611). If there is a document (YES in S611), the CPU 801 continues monitoring and continues to give notifications via the operation unit 904 and the paper discharge tray LED 40. If the user removes the discharged document in S611 and the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document, the CPU 801 determines that there is no discharged document on the discharge tray 13 (NO in S611), and determines the number of discharged sheets counter. Is set to 0 (S612). Thereafter, the CPU 801 notifies the CPU 901 that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 is taken out and deleted (S613). Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 901 erases the screen prompting the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 801 turns off the paper discharge tray LED 40 (S614). Thereafter, the separation motor 820 is rotated forward to lower the paper feed roller 1 so that the paper feed roller sensor 27 detects OFF (S615), and a lift-up operation is performed (S616). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the document being conveyed is fed so that there is only one sheet in the machine. If the discharged tray 13 is full of discharged documents, the next document is fed. The image reading job is interrupted. However, the document being conveyed may be designed in consideration of the case where the document is fed so that there are two or more documents in the machine. For example, when the number of originals scheduled to be discharged at the time of paper feeding is counted and it is determined that the paper output tray 13 is full when the supplied originals are discharged even if the originals are not yet discharged May control to interrupt the image reading job without feeding the next document.

In the comparison of S607, the discharge counter ≧ the discharge full threshold 2
(S607 NO), that is, discharge counter <discharge full threshold 2
In this case, it is determined that the discharged document is not fully loaded on the discharge tray 13, and the user is not notified and the image reading is not interrupted.

  In the case of S607 NO and after S616, it is confirmed whether reading has been completed up to the final document on the paper feed tray 30 (S617). When the document presence / absence detection sensor 14 detects the presence of a document and it is determined that there is a document on the paper feed tray 30, the CPU 801 determines that reading has not been completed up to the final document, and controls S601 and S603 again. A paper discharge tray. The reason for checking the presence or absence of the document on the paper discharge tray 13 is to reflect the value on the value of the paper discharge counter when the user performs an operation to remove the document from the paper discharge tray 13 during document conveyance and reading.

  If it is determined in S617 that there is no document on the paper feed tray 30 and the reading has been completed up to the final document (NO in S617), the CPU 801 lifts down (S618) and ends the image reading.

  According to the flow described above, when the user performs the document image reading, when the sheet discharge tray 13 becomes full due to the addition of the document while the document image is being read, a notification of taking out the discharged document is performed. be able to.

<Notification of ejecting ejected document at the end of image reading>
The detection flow of the document full state on the discharge tray 13 will be described with reference to the display of the operation unit 904 in FIG. 6, the flowchart in FIG. 15, and the lighting pattern diagram of the discharge tray LED 40 in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display on the operation unit 904 that prompts the user to take out the discharged document. The flowchart of FIG. 15 is a flowchart when the scanning reading is performed and the image reading of all the originals is finished. FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are diagrams showing examples of lighting patterns of the discharge tray LED 40 that are changed according to the number of discharged documents on the discharge tray 13. FIG. The CPU 801 compares the value of the number of discharged sheets counter with the discharge full threshold 1 which is a preset value (S701). In S701, if the paper discharge tray original presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no original, the number of discharged paper counter is set to zero.

  The full discharge threshold value 1 in this embodiment is 100 as described above.

In S701, the number of discharged sheets counter ≧ the full discharge threshold value 1
(S701: YES), that is, when the CPU 801 determines that the value of the number of discharged sheets counter is equal to or greater than the full discharge threshold, the user is notified and the image reading is interrupted. The notification to the user is a discharge tray LED pattern 1 (always on) as shown in FIG. 16A (S702), and the operation unit 904 prompts the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. It is a display. This screen display is realized when a discharged document take-out screen display notification is made based on the determination of the full number of discharged document on the discharge tray 13 (S703), and the CPU 901 that receives the notification displays it on the operation unit 904. . Subsequently, the CPU 801 monitors the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not there is a document on the discharge tray 13 (S704). If there is a document (YES in S704), the CPU 801 continues monitoring and continues to give notifications via the operation unit 904 and the discharge tray LED 40. If the user removes the discharged document in S704 and the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document, the CPU 801 determines that there is no discharged document on the discharge tray 13 (NO in S704). The CPU 801 notifies the CPU 901 that the discharged document on the discharge tray 13 is taken out and deleted (S705). Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 901 erases the screen prompting the user to take out the discharged document as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the sheet discharge counter is cleared to 0 (S706), the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off (S707), and the process is terminated.

  When the CPU 801 determines in S701 that the value of the number of discharged sheets counter is smaller than the full discharge threshold (NO in S701), the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on in the lighting pattern 2 as shown in FIG. Turn on (S708). This notifies the user that there is a document on the paper discharge tray 13.

  After the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on in S110 or S112, the CPU 801 refers to the detection result of the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 to determine whether or not the document on the discharge tray 13 has been removed. The presence / absence of documents on the tray 13 is determined (S709). If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects that there is no document (NO in S709), it is determined that the document on the discharge tray 13 has been removed, the discharge sheet counter is cleared to 0 (S706), and the discharge is performed. The tray LED 40 is turned off (S707), and the process ends.

  If the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 detects the presence of a document in S709 (YES in S709), the CPU 801 determines that the document on the discharge tray 13 has not been removed, and continues to display the discharge tray LED 40. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the lighting (S710). If 10 seconds or more have elapsed since the discharge tray LED 40 was turned on in S710, it is determined that a predetermined time has passed (S710 YES), the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off (S707), and the process is terminated. If 10 seconds have not elapsed since the discharge tray LED 40 was turned on in S710, it is determined that a predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S710), and the presence / absence of documents on the discharge tray 13 is determined again (S709). As a result, the lighting method of the discharge tray LED 40 can be changed between a state where the original is full on the paper discharge tray 13 and a state where the original is not full, so that the user can notice the full load. In this embodiment, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned off 10 seconds after the start of lighting, but the time-out time is not limited to this.

  According to the flow described above, when the discharge tray 13 becomes full after completion of the document image reading, the user can be notified of the discharge of the discharged document.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, an example in which a discharge document take-out notification based on the estimated number of paper feeds before image reading, a discharge document take-out notification at the time of image reading, and a discharge document take-out notification at the end of image reading has been described. Is not limited to this. Either one of the discharged document takeout notifications may be issued.

  As described in the first and second embodiments, the CPU 801 (estimating unit / control unit) determines the number of sheets stacked on the discharge tray 13 (or the number of sheets stacked on the discharge tray 13 from now on). Estimate and change the notification means to the user based on the estimated number of sheets.

  As the notification means, the paper discharge tray LED 40, the operation unit 90, and the speaker 50 can be considered. For example, when the estimated number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (threshold), the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on with the lighting pattern 1, and when the estimated number is less than the predetermined number, the discharge tray LED 40 is turned on with the lighting pattern 2. Turn on with. This notification ends when the CPU 801 (time measuring means) determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification was started. As another method, the notification ends when the discharge tray document presence / absence detection sensor 19 (removal detection means) detects that there is no document on the discharge tray 13.

The notification timing is
Before a sheet is stacked on the sheet feeding tray 30 and conveyed to the optical scanner unit 202,
While a plurality of documents are stacked on the paper feed tray 30 and the documents are conveyed to the scanner unit 202,
A case may be considered in which all the sheets stacked on the paper feed tray 30 have been read by the optical scanner unit 202.

  The CPU 801 determines the number of originals discharged by the paper discharge sensor 11 (discharge detection means), the sheet stacking estimation means for estimating the number of originals on the paper feed tray 30, and the thickness of the original on the paper feed tray 30. Based on the sheet thickness estimation means to be estimated, the number of documents on the sheet discharge tray 13 is estimated.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to an ink jet image forming apparatus that protrudes ink to form an image on a recording medium.

1000 Image reader 100 ADF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Image reading part 300 Controller 310 Reader ADF control part S Document bundle 11 Paper discharge sensor 13 Paper discharge tray 14 Document presence detection sensor 19 Paper discharge tray document presence detection sensor 30 Paper feed tray 40 Paper discharge tray LED
201 Surface-reading glass 202 Optical scanner unit 801, 901 CPU

Claims (22)

A first sheet stacking means on which sheets are stacked;
Image reading means for reading an image of a sheet conveyed from the first sheet stacking means;
A second sheet stacking unit on which a sheet whose image has been read by the image reading unit is stacked;
A notification means for notifying the user;
Guessing means for guessing the number of sheets stacked on the second sheet stacking means;
Control means for controlling the notification means based on the estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation means,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the notification of the notification unit based on the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit. A discharge detecting means for detecting the sheet discharged to the second sheet stacking means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the number of sheets stacked on the second sheet stacking unit based on detection by the discharge detection unit. A first sheet stacking means on which sheets are stacked;
Image reading means for reading an image of a sheet conveyed from the first sheet stacking means;
A second sheet stacking unit on which a sheet whose image has been read by the image reading unit is stacked;
A notification means for notifying the user;
An estimation means for estimating the number of sheets stacked on the second sheet stacking means;
Control means for controlling the notification means based on the estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation means,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the notification of the notification unit based on the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit. A discharge detecting means for detecting the sheet discharged to the second sheet stacking means;
A sheet stacking estimation unit that estimates the number of sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking unit;
4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the estimation unit estimates the number of sheets to be stacked on the second sheet stacking unit based on the discharge detection unit and the sheet stacking estimation unit. Reader.   The first sheet stacking unit includes a stacking unit capable of ascending, and estimates the number of sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking unit based on an ascending amount of the stacking unit. Item 5. The image reading apparatus according to Item 4.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a pulse motor that raises the stacking unit, and estimating the amount of increase based on a drive pulse of the pulse motor. A sheet thickness estimating means for estimating the thickness of the sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking means;
The estimation unit estimates the number of sheets to be stacked on the second sheet stacking unit based on the discharge detection unit, the sheet stacking estimation unit, and the sheet thickness estimation unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4.   Storage means for storing information relating to the number of sheets, and changes information stored in the storage means when a sheet is discharged to the second sheet stacking means, and the estimation means is stored in the storage means. 8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of sheets stacked on the second sheet stacking unit is estimated based on the received information. The control unit controls the notification unit to perform a first notification when the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit is a predetermined number or more;
9. The notification unit according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled to perform a second notification when the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit is smaller than a predetermined number. Image reading device. The control unit controls the notification unit to perform a first notification when the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit is a predetermined number or more;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled not to perform notification when the number of sheets estimated by the estimation unit is less than a predetermined number. apparatus.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of sheets can be changed according to a paper type of the sheet.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a light emitting unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display unit that performs display for a user.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a sound output unit.   The control unit executes the control of the notification unit based on the estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation unit before the sheet is stacked on the first sheet stacking unit and the sheet is conveyed to the image reading unit. Item 15. The image reading apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 14. Comprising first sheet detecting means for detecting the sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, when a sheet is detected by the first sheet detection unit, the control unit executes control of the notification unit based on estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation unit.   While the plurality of sheets are stacked on the first sheet stacking unit and the plurality of sheets are conveyed to the image reading unit, the control unit is configured to notify the number of sheets based on the estimation unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is executed.   After the sheets are stacked on the first sheet stacking unit and the sheet has been conveyed to the image reading unit, the control unit executes the control of the notification unit based on the estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus. Comprising first sheet detecting means for detecting the sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking means;
19. The image reading apparatus according to claim 18, wherein when the first sheet detection unit stops detecting a sheet, the control unit executes control of the notification unit based on estimation of the number of sheets of the estimation unit. Having time measuring means for measuring time,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit terminates the notification by the notification unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification by the notification unit was started based on the time measurement by the time measurement unit. 20. The image reading device according to any one of items 19. A removal detecting means for detecting that the sheet has been removed from the second sheet stacking means;
21. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the removal detection unit determines that the sheet is removed from the second sheet stacking unit, the control unit ends the notification of the notification unit. The image reading apparatus described in 1. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 21,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images