JP2019102875A - Image reading device, image forming apparatus, and notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image reading device, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method that can prevent a user from leaving a document after reading uncollected.SOLUTION: An image reading device executes reading processing for reading image data of a document (step S11), notifies a user that the document after reading is uncollected after the end of the reading processing (Yes in step S12, step S16), and until collection of the document after reading from the image reading device is detected (No in step S24), switches a method for notifying the user that the document after reading is uncollected every time a predetermined reference time elapses (Yes in step S17, step S18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading image data of a document, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method executed by the image reading apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine capable of reading image data of a document is known. In this type of image forming apparatus, the user may forget the presence of the document after reading, and the user may leave the document after being read while leaving the document on the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, a configuration is known in which a message indicating that the document has not been recovered after reading is displayed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2016-48868, A

  By the way, when there is only one notification method of uncollected documents after reading by the image forming apparatus, the user may not notice the notification and may forget to take out the documents after reading.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method capable of suppressing forgetting of a document after reading by a user.

  An image reading apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reading processing unit, a detection processing unit, and a notification processing unit. The reading processing unit executes a reading process of reading image data of a document. The detection processing unit detects collection of a read document from its own device after the end of the reading process. The notification processing unit sequentially determines that the read document has not been read according to a plurality of notification methods according to a predetermined condition from when the reading processing ends until the collection of the read document is detected by the detection processing unit. Report the recovery.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the image reading apparatus.

  A notification method according to another aspect of the present invention includes: performing a reading process of reading image data of a document; detecting collection of a document after reading from an image reading apparatus after the reading process is completed; And C. notification of non-collection of the read document in order by a plurality of notification methods in accordance with a predetermined condition from the end of the process until the collection of the read document is detected.

  According to the present invention, an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a notification method capable of suppressing forgetting of a document after reading by a user are realized.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing the configuration of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of notification control processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation display unit 6.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral having a scan function for reading image data from a document, a print function for forming an image based on image data, and a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function and a copy function.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a sheet feeding unit 4, a control unit 5, an operation display unit 6, The communication unit 7, the storage unit 8, and the human sensor 9 are provided.

  The image forming unit 3 forms an image by electrophotography based on the image data. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and a discharge tray. The sheet feeding unit 4 includes a sheet feeding cassette, a sheet conveyance path, and a plurality of conveyance rollers, and supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 3. The image forming unit 3 forms an image based on image data on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4. The sheet after image formation by the image forming unit 3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray. The image forming unit 3 may form an image by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

  The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM (registered trademark) (not shown). The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile storage device, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage device. The RAM and the EEPROM are used as temporary storage memories (work areas) of various processes executed by the CPU. In the control unit 5, the CPU executes various control programs stored in advance in the ROM. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 is integrally controlled by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 may be configured by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like, and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that generally controls the image forming apparatus 10. May be

  The operation display unit 6 is a user interface used to operate the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation display unit 6 includes a hard key 61, a display unit 62, a warning lamp 63, and a speaker 64.

  The hard key 61 inputs various information to the control unit 5 according to the operation of the user. The display unit 62 displays a screen such as an operation screen used for the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the display unit 62 is a liquid crystal display. The warning lamp 63 is used to notify of an abnormality that has occurred in the image forming apparatus 10 or the like. For example, the warning lamp 63 is a red LED light source. The speaker 64 is used to emit a warning sound and output audio data.

  The communication unit 7 is a communication interface that can execute wired or wireless data communication with an external communication device such as a portable terminal 20 (see FIG. 2) possessed by the user. For example, the communication unit 7 performs wireless data communication with the portable terminal 20 according to a predetermined communication protocol defined by Bluetooth (registered trademark). For example, the communication unit 7 can execute wireless communication by Bluetooth with a portable terminal 20 existing in a range of about 10 m from the image forming apparatus 10 with a radio wave intensity (2.5 mW) called class 2 . The communication unit 7 executes wired or wireless data communication with an external communication device via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, pairing, which is an authentication procedure of a communication partner in Bluetooth communication, is executed in advance with the portable terminal 20. In the pairing, devices that perform Bluetooth communication exchange a pairing ID that is required for authentication of a communication partner. Then, the pairing ID of the portable terminal 20 acquired by the image forming apparatus 10 by the pairing is stored in the storage unit 8. Thereby, wireless communication by Bluetooth is possible between the image forming apparatus 10 and the portable terminal 20 thereafter.

  The storage unit 8 is a storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 8 stores the pairing ID of the mobile terminal 20. In addition, the storage unit 8 stores authentication information of the user. For example, the authentication information is a username and a password. The storage unit 8 may be the EEPROM or the like of the control unit 5.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, the authentication information of the user is associated with the pairing ID of the portable terminal 20 possessed by the user. Specifically, the storage unit 8 stores the authentication information and the pairing ID in association with each other. Instead of the pairing ID, the IP address or MAC address of the portable terminal 20 may be stored in the storage unit 8 in association with the authentication information.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, the authentication information of the user is associated with the e-mail address of the user. Specifically, in the storage unit 8, the authentication information and the e-mail address are stored in association with each other.

  The human sensor 9 can detect the presence or absence of a person on the front side of the casing of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the human sensor 9 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person in a predetermined range based on the presence or absence of detection of infrared rays emitted from the human body.

  The ADF 1 conveys a document placed on the document placement unit 11 shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the ADF 1 includes a document placement unit 11, a plurality of conveyance rollers 12, a document guide 13, a paper discharge unit 14, a document sensor 15, and a document sensor 16. Further, the ADF 1 is supported openably and closably with respect to a document table 21 described later, and also serves as a document cover for a document placed on the contact glass 211 of the document table 21.

  A document is placed on the document placement unit 11. Each of the transport rollers 12 is driven by a motor (not shown) to transport the document placed on the document placement unit 11 to the paper discharge unit 14 via the inside of the ADF 1. The document guide 13 guides the document conveyed by each of the conveyance rollers 12 onto the contact glass 211 of the document table 21. A document whose image data has been read by the image reading unit 2 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 14. The document sensor 15 can detect a document placed on the document placement unit 11. The document sensor 16 can detect a document discharged to the discharge unit 14. For example, the document sensor 15 and the document sensor 16 are reflection-type light sensors.

  The image reading unit 2 reads an image from a document conveyed by the ADF 1 and a document placed on the contact glass 211. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 2 includes a document table 21, a reading unit 22, a mirror 23, a mirror 24, an optical lens 25, a CCD 26, and a document sensor 27.

  The document table 21 is provided on the upper surface of the case of the image forming apparatus 10. The document table 21 is provided with a contact glass 211, as shown in FIG. A document is placed on the contact glass 211.

  The reading unit 22 is provided below the contact glass 211 as shown in FIG. The reading unit 22 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) by a moving mechanism (not shown) having a drive unit such as a stepping motor. The reading unit 22 includes a light source 221 and a mirror 222, as shown in FIG.

  The light sources 221 are a plurality of white LEDs arranged along the main scanning direction (the paper surface depth direction in FIG. 1). The light source 221 emits white light for one line in the main scanning direction toward the contact glass 211. The light emitted from the light source 221 is transmitted through the contact glass 211 and irradiated to the original placed on the contact glass 211 or the original conveyed by the ADF 1. The mirror 222 reflects the light emitted from the light source 221 and reflected by the document to the mirror 23.

  In the image reading unit 2, when the image data is read from the document placed on the contact glass 211, the reading unit 22 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the moving mechanism. Thus, the light emitted from the light source 221 and applied to the document is scanned in the sub-scanning direction. Further, in the image reading unit 2, when the image data is read from the document conveyed by the ADF 1, the reading unit 22 is moved by the moving mechanism to a position facing the document guide 13 of the ADF 1. Thus, the light emitted from the light source 221 and transmitted through the contact glass 211 is irradiated on the document conveyed by the ADF 1.

  The mirror 23 reflects the light reflected by the mirror 222 of the reading unit 22 to the mirror 24. The mirror 24 reflects the light reflected by the mirror 23 to the optical lens 25. The optical lens 25 condenses the light reflected by the mirror 24 and causes the light to be incident on the CCD 26.

  The CCD 26 is an image sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged along the main scanning direction. The CCD 26 outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received. In the image reading unit 2, the light emitted from the light source 221 and reflected by the document is incident on the CCD 26 via the mirror 222, the mirror 23, the mirror 24 and the optical lens 25. Thus, an analog electrical signal corresponding to the image of the document is output from the CCD 26. An analog electric signal output from the CCD 26 is converted into a digital electric signal (image data) by an analog front end circuit (not shown) and input to the control unit 5.

  The document sensor 27 can detect a document placed on the contact glass 211. For example, the document sensor 27 is a reflective light sensor provided below the contact glass 211.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus 10, the user forgets the existence of the read document after the image data is read by the image reading unit 2, and the read document is read by the paper discharge unit 14 of the ADF 1 or the image reading unit 2. In some cases, the user may leave the place while remaining on the contact glass 211. On the other hand, a configuration is known in which a message indicating that the document after reading has not been collected is displayed.

  However, in the case where there is only one notification method of non-collection of the document after reading by the image forming apparatus 10, the user may not notice the notification and may forget to take out the document after reading. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described below, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to take the document after reading.

  Specifically, a notification control program for causing the CPU to execute notification control processing (see the flowchart of FIG. 4) described later is stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 5. The notification control program may be recorded in a computer readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, a flash memory, etc., and may be read from the recording medium and installed in the storage unit 8.

  The control unit 5 is, as shown in FIG. 2, an authentication processing unit 51, a reading processing unit 52, a printing processing unit 53, an acquisition processing unit 54, a detection processing unit 55, a notification processing unit 56, a setting processing unit 57, A human detection unit 58 and a determination processing unit 59 are included. Specifically, the control unit 5 executes the notification control program stored in the ROM using the CPU. Thus, the control unit 5 performs the authentication processing unit 51, the reading processing unit 52, the printing processing unit 53, the acquisition processing unit 54, the detection processing unit 55, the notification processing unit 56, the setting processing unit 57, the person detection unit 58, and the determination. It functions as the processing unit 59. Here, an apparatus including the image reading unit 2, the control unit 5, and the operation display unit 6 is an example of the image reading apparatus in the present invention. The present invention is applicable to an image reading apparatus such as a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a copier, or an image forming apparatus.

  The authentication processing unit 51 executes login processing for authenticating the user according to a predetermined authentication operation.

  For example, the authentication processing unit 51 causes the operation display unit 6 to display an authentication screen capable of performing the authentication operation as necessary. Then, the authentication processing unit 51 receives the authentication operation by the user on the authentication screen. For example, the authentication operation is an input operation of login information such as a user name and a password.

  Thereafter, when the login information input from the operation display unit 6 is included in the authentication information stored in the storage unit 8, the authentication processing unit 51 determines that the authentication is completed, and the user is identified by the image forming apparatus 10. Login to When the logout operation is performed on the operation display unit 6, the authentication processing unit 51 logs out the user who is currently logged in when the preset time elapses or when the other user is logged in. Execute the process

  The reading processing unit 52 executes a reading process of reading image data of a document.

  Specifically, when the document is detected by the document sensor 15 of the ADF 1, the reading processing unit 52 uses the ADF 1 and the image reading unit 2 to read image data from the document placed on the document placement unit 11. read. When the document is not detected by the document sensor 15 of the ADF 1, the reading processing unit 52 uses the image reading unit 2 to read image data from the document placed on the contact glass 211.

  The print processing unit 53 executes print processing based on the image data read by the read processing.

  Specifically, the print processing unit 53 uses the image forming unit 3 and the sheet feeding unit 4 to form an image based on the image data read by the reading process on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 4.

  The acquisition processing unit 54 acquires a waiting time from the end of the reading process to the end of the printing process.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, when a plurality of originals placed on the original placement unit 11 of the ADF 1 are copied, the reading process is first performed. Then, after the reading process is completed, the execution of the printing process is started. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 54 sets the number of documents read in the reading process, the number of copies of the printed matter to be printed in the printing process, the printing speed in the image forming apparatus 10, etc. Based on the processing time (the waiting time) from the start to the end of the printing process is calculated.

  When a plurality of documents placed on the document placement unit 11 of the ADF 1 are copied in the image forming apparatus 10, the printing process may be performed in parallel with the reading process. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 54 sets the number of documents read in the reading process, the number of copies of the printed matter to be printed in the printing process, the printing speed in the image forming apparatus 10, etc. Based on the processing time, the processing time from the start to the end of the print processing is calculated. Then, the acquisition processing unit 54 calculates the waiting time by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of the printing process to the end of the reading process from the calculated processing time.

  The detection processing unit 55 detects the collection of the read document from the own device after the end of the reading process.

  For example, when image data is read from the document placed on the document placement unit 11 in the reading process, the detection processing unit 55 detects collection of the read document after using the document sensor 16. Specifically, when the document on the discharge unit 14 detected by the document sensor 16 is no longer detected, the detection processing unit 55 determines that the document after reading is collected.

  Further, when the image data is read from the document placed on the contact glass 211 in the reading process, the detection processing unit 55 uses the document sensor 27 to detect the collection of the read document. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the open / close state of the ADF 1 with respect to the document table 21. Then, after the detection processing unit 55 detects that the ADF 1 is opened to the document table 21 by the sensor, the document on the contact glass 211 detected by the document sensor 27 is no longer detected. It is determined that the document has been collected after the reading.

  The notification processing unit 56 sequentially determines whether the read document has not been read according to a plurality of notification methods in accordance with a predetermined condition until the detection processing unit 55 detects collection of the read document after the end of the reading process. Report the recovery.

  For example, the notification processing unit 56 switches the notification method of the uncollected document after the reading every time a predetermined reference time elapses.

  For example, the notification processing unit 56 displays a message on the display unit 62, turns on or blinks the warning lamp 63, outputs voice data to the speaker 64, sounds a warning sound at the speaker 64, and sends to a preset transmission destination. The non-collection of the document after the reading can be notified by any one or a plurality of combinations of transmission of the e-mail.

  Note that the notification method of the non-collection of the document after reading by the notification processing unit 56 is not limited to the above-described one, and another method may be included.

  For example, the notification processing unit 56 causes the display unit 62 to display a message to the effect that the document after the reading is not collected from the end of the reading process to the time when the first reference time elapses. Notifies that the document has not been collected after reading.

  Further, the notification processing unit 56 causes the display unit 62 to display a message indicating that the document after reading has not been collected from the time when the first reference time has elapsed to the time when the second reference time has elapsed. At the same time, the warning lamp 63 is turned on or blinks to notify that the document has not been collected after the reading.

  Further, the notification processing unit 56 is a speaker 64 for transmitting voice data including a message indicating that the document after reading has not been collected from the time when the second reference time has elapsed to the time when the third reference time has elapsed. Output to notify that the document has not been collected after reading. The notification processing unit 56 may increase the volume of the audio data step by step each time the reference time elapses.

  Further, when the third reference time has elapsed, the notification processing unit 56 transmits the e-mail including a message indicating that the read document has not been collected to the transmission destination. Report uncollected. For example, when the login process is performed, the authentication processing unit 51 sets an email address corresponding to the authentication information of the authenticated user as the transmission destination.

  The number of switching stages of the notification method by the notification processing unit 56 and the notification method in each step may be different from those described above. It is desirable that the notification method by the notification processing unit 56 be switched to a method with high transferability in stages according to the increase in the number of switching stages so that the user does not feel uncomfortable for the notification.

  The setting processing unit 57 sets the reference time according to the waiting time acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54.

  For example, when the waiting time acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54 is less than a predetermined first time, the setting processing unit 57 sets the reference time to the predetermined second time. In addition, when the waiting time acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54 is equal to or longer than the first time, the setting processing unit 57 determines the reference time from the second time specified according to the length of the waiting time. Set to a long third time.

  Note that the notification processing unit 56 may reduce the number of switching stages of the notification method when the waiting time acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54 is less than the first time or the fourth time shorter than the first time. . For example, the notification processing unit 56 outputs, to the speaker 64, audio data including a message indicating that the post-reading document has not been collected since the first reference time has elapsed, and the post-reading document is not collected. May be notified.

  The person detection unit 58 detects a person existing in front of the own device.

  For example, the human detection unit 58 detects the human using the human sensor 9. The image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with an imaging unit capable of imaging the front side of the own apparatus. In this case, the person detection unit 58 may detect a person existing in front of the own device using the imaging unit.

  Here, the notification processing unit 56 interrupts the counting of the lapse of the reference time while the person detection unit 58 does not detect the person.

  Note that the notification processing unit 56 sends an e-mail including a message indicating that the read document has not been collected, when the time during which the reference time has elapsed has been interrupted exceeds the predetermined allowable time. It may be sent to the destination.

  Further, the notification processing unit 56 may switch the notification method of the uncollected document after the reading in accordance with the presence or absence of the detection of the person by the person detection unit 58. For example, the notification processing unit 56 notifies that the post-reading document has not been collected by displaying a message on the display unit 62 until the person detection unit 58 detects that the person is not detected. Then, the notification processing unit 56 outputs the audio data to the speaker 64, sounds a warning sound in the speaker 64, or transmits an e-mail to the transmission destination when the person detection unit 58 does not detect the person. The non-collection of the document after the reading is informed by

  The determination processing unit 59 determines whether the detected person is an authenticated user when the person detection unit 58 detects the person after the notification processing unit 56 interrupts the clocking of the reference time. It is determined whether or not.

  For example, the determination processing unit 59 uses the communication unit 7 to detect the portable terminal 20 capable of executing wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 10 by Bluetooth. Then, the determination processing unit 59 is detected by the person detection unit 58 when the detected pairing ID of the portable terminal 20 matches the pairing ID corresponding to the authentication information of the authenticated user. It is determined that the person is an authenticated user.

  When the imaging unit is provided in the image forming apparatus 10, the determination processing unit 59 detects the person detected by the person detection unit 58 based on the face image of the person imaged by the imaging unit. It may be determined whether or not the user is authenticated. For example, based on the presence / absence of identity between the face image of the person captured by the imaging unit and the face image of the user associated with the authentication information of the authenticated user in advance, the determination processing unit 59 It is conceivable to determine whether the person is an authorized user.

  Here, when it is determined by the determination processing unit 59 that the person is the authenticated user, the notification processing unit 56 restarts counting of the elapsed reference time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the determination processing unit 59 that the person is not the authenticated user, the notification processing unit 56 sends an e-mail including the message indicating that the read document has not been recovered to the transmission destination. Send. When the determination processing unit 59 determines that the person is not a user who has been authenticated, the notification processing unit 56 transmits an e-mail including a message indicating that the document after reading is not recovered. It may be sent to the administrator's email address etc.

  The control unit 5 may not include the authentication processing unit 51 and the determination processing unit 59. In addition, the control unit 5 may not include the authentication processing unit 51, the human detection unit 58, and the determination processing unit 59. In addition, the control unit 5 may not include the print processing unit 53, the acquisition processing unit 54, and the setting processing unit 57.

[Notification control process]
Hereinafter, the notification method in the present invention will be described together with an example of the procedure of notification control processing executed by the control unit 5 in the image forming apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. 4. Here, steps S11, S12,... Indicate the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 5. The notification control process is executed when execution of the print process is instructed by a user operation on the operation display unit 6. In the image forming apparatus 10, only the user authenticated by the authentication processing unit 51 can operate the operation display unit 6 to input the print processing execution instruction.

<Step S11>
First, in step S11, the control unit 5 starts the execution of the reading process. Here, the process of step S11 is executed by the reading processing unit 52 of the control unit 5.

  Specifically, when a document is detected by document sensor 15 of ADF 1, control unit 5 reads image data from the document placed on document placement unit 11 using ADF 1 and image reading unit 2. . Further, when the document is not detected by the document sensor 15 of the ADF 1, the control unit 5 reads image data from the document placed on the contact glass 211 using the image reading unit 2. Note that the control unit 5 may cause the display unit 62 to display a message to call attention to the omission of the document after the reading while the reading process is being performed.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 5 determines whether the reading process started in step S11 is completed.

  For example, when image data is read from the document placed on document placement unit 11, control unit 5 detects the absence of the next document to be read by document sensor 15 after the document is transported by ADF 1 In this case, it is determined that the reading process has ended. When the image data is read from the document placed on the contact glass 211, the control unit 5 determines that the reading process is completed when the movement of the reading unit 22 in the sub-scanning direction is completed. Do.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the reading process is completed (Yes in S12), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S13. If the reading process is not completed (No in S12), the control unit 5 waits for the end of the reading process in step S12.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 5 starts the execution of the printing process. Here, the process of step S13 is executed by the print processing unit 53 of the control unit 5.

  Specifically, the control unit 5 uses the image forming unit 3 and the paper feeding unit 4 to form an image based on the image data read by the reading process on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 5 acquires a waiting time from the end of the reading process to the end of the printing process. Here, the process of step S14 is executed by the acquisition processing unit 54 of the control unit 5.

  For example, based on the number of originals read in the reading process, the number of copies of the printed matter printed in the printing process, the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 10, and the like at the timing when the reading process ends. A processing time (the waiting time) from the start to the end of the print processing is calculated.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 5 sets the reference time according to the waiting time acquired in step S14. Here, the process of step S15 is executed by the setting processing unit 57 of the control unit 5.

  For example, when the waiting time acquired in step S14 is less than the first time, the control unit 5 sets the reference time to the second time. In addition, when the waiting time acquired in step S14 is equal to or longer than the first time, the control unit 5 sets the reference time to the third time specified according to the length of the waiting time. Thereby, when the waiting time is short, it is possible to accelerate the switching interval of the notification method by the notification processing unit 56.

<Step S16>
In step S16, the control unit 5 reports that the document has not been collected after the reading. Here, the process of step S16 is executed by the notification processing unit 56 of the control unit 5.

  For example, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 62 to display a message indicating that the read-out document has not been collected, and notifies that the read-out document has not been collected. In addition, the control unit 5 starts counting time of the reference time.

<Step S17>
In step S17, the control unit 5 determines whether the reference time has elapsed.

  Here, when determining that the reference time has elapsed (Yes in S17), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S18. Moreover, if the said reference time has not passed (No side of S17), the control part 5 will transfer a process to step S19.

<Step S18>
In step S18, the control unit 5 switches the notification method of the uncollected document after the reading. Further, the control unit 5 resets the counting of the lapse of the reference time. Here, the process of step S <b> 18 is performed by the notification processing unit 56 of the control unit 5.

  For example, when the process of step S18 is first executed, the control unit 5 displays on the display unit 62 a notification method indicating that the read-out document has not been collected and a message indicating that the read-out document is not collected. And the warning lamp 63 is switched on or off.

  In addition, when the process of step S18 is executed for the second time, the control unit 5 notifies the method of notifying the non-collection of the document after reading and the voice data including a message indicating that the document after reading is not collected. Switch to the method of outputting to the speaker 64.

  Further, when the process of step S18 is executed for the third time, the control unit 5 notifies the non-collection of the document after the reading, and an electronic mail including a message indicating that the document after the reading is not collected. Switch to the method of sending to the destination. The transmission destination is an electronic mail address corresponding to the authentication information of the user authenticated by the authentication processing unit 51.

<Step S19>
In step S19, the control unit 5 determines whether the person existing in front of the own device has been detected. For example, the control unit 5 uses the human sensor 9 to determine whether the person has been detected. Here, the process of step S19 is executed by the human detection unit 58 of the control unit 5.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the person is detected (Yes in S19), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S24. Moreover, if the said person is not detected (No side of S19), the control part 5 will transfer a process to step S20.

<Step S20>
In step S20, the control unit 5 interrupts the counting of the lapse of the reference time.

<Step S21>
In step S21, the control unit 5 determines whether the person has been detected, as in step S19.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the person is detected (Yes in S21), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S22. Moreover, if the said person is not detected (No side of S21), the control part 5 will wait for the said person to be detected by step S21.

<Step S22>
In step S22, the control unit 5 determines whether the person detected in step S21 is an authenticated user. Here, the process of step S22 is executed by the determination processing unit 59 of the control unit 5.

  For example, the control unit 5 uses the communication unit 7 to detect the portable terminal 20 capable of executing wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 10 by Bluetooth. Then, when the detected pairing ID of the portable terminal 20 matches the pairing ID corresponding to the authentication information of the authenticated user, the control unit 5 authenticates the detected person. Determine that you are a user.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the person detected in step S21 is an authenticated user (Yes in S22), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S23. If the person detected in step S21 is not an authenticated user (No in S22), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S221.

<Step S221>
In step S221, the control unit 5 transmits an electronic mail including a message indicating that the document after reading is not collected yet to the transmission destination. This makes it possible to immediately notify the user who is away from the image forming apparatus 10 that the read-out original document is not collected when there is a risk that the original document will be removed by the other person after the reading.

<Step S23>
In step S23, the control unit 5 restarts counting of the lapse of the reference time. This prevents the number of switching stages of the notification method from increasing while the user is not near the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, when the user returns to the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10, it can be avoided that the user feels uncomfortable about the notification.

<Step S24>
In step S24, the control unit 5 determines whether the collection of the read document from the own apparatus has been detected. Here, the process of step S24 is executed by the detection processing unit 55 of the control unit 5.

  For example, when the image data is read from the document placed on the document placement unit 11 in the reading process, the control unit 5 uses the document sensor 16 to detect the collection of the read document. When the image data is read from the document placed on the contact glass 211 in the reading process, the control unit 5 uses the document sensor 27 to detect collection of the read document.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the collection of the read document from the own apparatus is detected (Yes in S24), the control unit 5 ends the notification control process. Further, if the collection of the document after reading from the own apparatus is not detected (No in S24), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S17.

  In the notification control process, the processes of steps S14 and S15 may be omitted. Moreover, in the said alerting | reporting control process, the process of step S19-step S23 and step S221 may be abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, in the said alerting | reporting control process, the process of step S22, step S23, and step S221 may be abbreviate | omitted. In step S13, processing for transmitting the image data read in step S11 to a preset transmission destination or processing for storing the image data in the storage unit 8 may be executed. Further, in step S221, processing may be performed to cause the display unit 62 to display a message indicating that the document remains after being read by another user.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the notification method of non-collection of the document after reading is performed each time the reference time elapses from the end of the reading process to the time when collection of the document after reading is detected. It is switched. This increases the possibility that the user recognizes the uncollected document after the reading, as compared with the configuration in which the uncollected notification method of the document after the reading is one. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to pick up the document after reading.

1 ADF
Reference Signs List 2 image reading unit 3 image forming unit 4 sheet feeding unit 5 control unit 6 operation display unit 7 communication unit 8 storage unit 9 human sensor 10 image forming apparatus 20 mobile terminal 51 authentication processing unit 52 reading processing unit 53 acquisition of printing processing unit 54 Processing unit 55 Detection processing unit 56 Notification processing unit 57 Setting processing unit 58 Person detection unit 59 Determination processing unit

Claims (9)

A reading processing unit that executes a reading process of reading image data of a document;
A detection processing unit that detects collection of a document after reading from the own device after the end of the reading process;
A notification process for notifying the non-collection of the read document in order by a plurality of notification methods according to a predetermined condition from the end of the reading process to the detection of the collection of the read document by the detection processing unit Department,
An image reading apparatus comprising: The notification processing unit switches the notification method each time a predetermined reference time elapses.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. It has a person detection unit that detects a person existing in front of the own device,
The notification processing unit interrupts the counting of the lapse of the reference time while the person detection unit does not detect the person.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2. An authentication processing unit that authenticates the user according to a predetermined authentication operation;
In the case where the person detection unit detects the person after the notification processing unit interrupts the clocking of the reference time, it is determined whether the detected person is a user under authentication And a processing unit,
The notification processing unit resumes counting time of the reference time when it is determined by the determination processing unit that the person is a user under authentication.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 3. When the determination processing unit determines that the person is not the authenticating user, the notification processing unit supports the user who is authenticating the electronic mail including the message indicating that the read document is not collected. Send to attached destination,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 4. The notification processing unit may be configured by any one or a combination of display of a message, lighting of a warning lamp, output of voice data, ringing of a warning sound, and transmission of an e-mail to a preset transmission destination. It is possible to notify that the document has not been collected after reading.
The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
A print processing unit that executes a printing process based on the image data read by the reading process;
An acquisition processing unit that acquires a waiting time from the end of the reading process to the end of the printing process;
A setting processing unit configured to set the reference time according to the waiting time acquired by the acquisition processing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Executing a reading process of reading image data of a document;
Detecting collection of a document after reading from an image reading apparatus after completion of the reading process;
Informing notification of non-collection of the read document in order by a plurality of notification methods according to predetermined conditions from the end of the reading process to detection of the collection of the document after reading.
Informing method including.

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