JP2024064232A - Image reading device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an image reading device that is less likely to shift the position of an original during an image reading operation, and that can more accurately position an image to be read in a desired position. [Solution] An image forming device 100 includes an original reading section 122 that reads images 11a-15a of a photograph 11 and receipts 12-15, and an openable and closable original table cover 124 that covers a reading surface 122a of the original reading section 122, the original table cover 124 being disposed opposite the reading surface 122a when closed and having an adsorption surface 125 capable of adsorbing the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15, and the operation of reading the images 11a-15a of the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 is performed when the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 are adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 and disposed opposite the reading surface 122a. [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

This disclosure relates to an image reading device that reads an image on a document and an image forming device.

Image forming devices such as scanners with the function of reading images from documents, copiers that copy images from documents, facsimile machines that transfer images from documents, and all-in-one machines are generally equipped with a reading surface on which a document is placed and the image is read, and a document stand cover that can cover this reading surface. The document stand cover is supported so that it can rotate between a closed position that covers the reading surface, and an open position that opens upward from the closed position to expose the reading surface.

To read an image on a document, the document cover is opened to the open position, the document is placed on the reading surface, and then the document cover is closed to the closed position to execute the image reading operation. This allows the image to be read and converted into image data or copied onto paper.

For example, if the document is warped or bent, when the document is placed on the reading surface and the document platen cover is closed, the document may move on the reading surface and become displaced from its original position when placed on the reading surface. This can cause problems such as an inclined image being read or only part of the image being read.

To solve this problem, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, an image forming device has been proposed that has a charge control means, and that uses the charge control means to charge a reading surface (platen glass) on which a document is placed with static electricity, thereby attracting the document to the reading surface.

According to the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the document is attracted to the reading surface, so the document placed on the reading surface is less likely to shift position, and problems such as the document image being read being tilted or partial can be prevented.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-292662

As described above, the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the effect of preventing the document to be read from shifting position, thereby enabling the image to be read in a correctly positioned state. However, when a document is generally placed on the reading surface of an image forming device, the image is placed on the reading surface side, which creates the problem that the operator cannot visually check the image and is therefore unable to accurately confirm the positioning of the image.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an image reading device and an image forming device that are less likely to shift the position of the document during image reading operations and that can more accurately position the image to be read in the desired position.

An image reading device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a document reading unit that reads an image of a document, and a cover that covers a reading surface of the document reading unit and can be opened and closed. The cover is disposed opposite the reading surface when the cover is closed, and has an adsorption surface that can adsorb the document, and an operation of reading the image of the document is performed when the document is adsorbed to the adsorption surface and disposed opposite the reading surface.

This allows the operator to easily prepare for reading in the desired state, such as by adjusting the layout while visually checking the image, with the document from which the image is to be read adhered to the adhesive surface of the cover, so that the image to be read can be more accurately arranged as desired. Also, because the document is adhered to the adhesive surface, the document is less likely to shift position during the reading operation. Also, because the document is adhered to the adhesive surface of the cover, an adhesive mechanism is added to this adhesive surface, so there is less disruption to the image reading operation.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, in the operation of reading the image of the original, it is possible to select either a normal mode in which the reading operation is performed with the original placed on the reading surface, or an adsorption mode in which the reading operation is performed with the adsorption surface adsorbing the original, and when the adsorption mode is selected, the adsorption surface may adsorb the original.

This allows the operator to select between normal mode and suction mode depending on their operating style, without reducing operational efficiency.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, the orientation of the image of the document relative to the reading surface during the reading operation may be different when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected.

Here, if the orientation of the image of the document relative to the reading surface during the reading operation is the same whether the normal mode is selected or the adsorption mode is selected, the image may not be visible in its original state when the document is adsorbed to the adsorption surface before the reading operation. In contrast, with the above configuration, when the adsorption mode is selected, the image can be viewed in its original correct state, and the image can be more accurately positioned as desired.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, the reference position that serves as the reference for the reading range of the reading surface read by the document reading unit may be different when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected.

If the reference position that serves as the reference for the reading range of the reading surface is the same when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected, the image may not be visible in its original state when the document is attached to the suction surface before the reading operation. In contrast, with the above configuration, when the suction mode is selected, the image can be viewed in its original correct state, and the image can be more accurately positioned as desired.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, the reading range of the reading surface read by the document reading unit may be different when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected.

Here, if the reading range of the reading surface is the same when normal mode is selected and when suction mode is selected, it may not be possible to view the image in its original state when the document is suctioned to the suction surface before the reading operation. In contrast, with the above configuration, when suction mode is selected, the image can be viewed in its original correct state, and the image can be positioned more accurately as desired.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, when the suction mode is selected, when outputting image data of the read image, the image data may be output in a state in which the image is rotated by a predetermined angle.

As a result, even when the suction mode is selected, the orientation and layout of the output image data can be restored to its original state, eliminating the need for the operator to perform any conversions, and ensuring no decrease in work efficiency.

In the above-mentioned image reading device, the predetermined angle may be 180 degrees.

As a result, even when the suction mode is selected, the orientation and layout of the output image data can be restored to its original state, eliminating the need for the operator to perform any conversions, and ensuring no decrease in work efficiency.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image reading device, a reference mark indicating a position on the suction surface corresponding to the reference position of the document when the suction mode is selected, and a placement range mark for the document on the suction surface according to the size of the document may be formed on the suction surface.

This makes operation easy because the operator can adsorb the document to the adsorption surface in the correct position by aligning it with the reference markings and installation range markings formed on the adsorption surface.

In the above-mentioned image reading device, the suction surface may be made of a low-friction material.

This allows the operator to easily change the position or orientation of the document while it is attached to the attachment surface. This allows the layout of the image being scanned to be easily changed while viewing the image, enabling the desired arrangement to be achieved more accurately.

An image forming device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by being equipped with the image reading device described above.

This allows the image to be read to be positioned more accurately as desired, resulting in an image forming device in which the document position is less likely to shift during the reading operation. It also allows for an image forming device in which the image reading operation is less likely to be hindered.

The present disclosure provides an image reading device and an image forming device that are less likely to shift the position of a document during image reading operations and can more accurately position the image to be read in the desired position.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a platen cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the platen cover is open; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of electrodes arranged on the inner side of an attraction surface of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining a method of using the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a platen cover of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the platen cover is open. FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a platen cover of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the platen cover is open. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of electrodes arranged on the inner side of an attraction surface of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a platen cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the platen cover is opened. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of electrodes arranged on the inside of the adsorption surface of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 100 includes an image forming device main body 110 and a document reading device 120.

The document reading device 120 is provided on the top of the image forming apparatus main body 110, and includes a document table cover 124 having a document table 121, a document reading section 122, and an automatic document feeder 123. The document reading device 120 reads an image of a document placed on the document table 121 (reading surface 122a) with the document reading section 122, or reads an image of a document automatically fed by the automatic document feeder 123 with the document reading section 122, and transmits image data of the read document to the image forming apparatus main body 110. The document reading device 120 discharges the document transported by the automatic document feeder 123 and read by the document reading section 122 to the document discharge tray 123a.

The document platen cover 124 is integrated with the automatic document feeder 123, and is rotatable and can be opened and closed vertically. In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the document platen cover 124 is in a closed state. When the document platen cover 124 is in a closed state, it covers the reading surface 122a (see FIG. 2) of the document reading unit 122 described below, and the reading surface 122a is not exposed to the outside.

The image forming device main body 110 has a sheet storage section 111, a sheet conveying section 112, an image forming section 113, a sheet discharge section 114, and an operation section 115. The image forming device main body 110 stores recording sheets such as recording paper in the sheet storage section 111, conveys the recording sheets stored in the sheet storage section 111 by the sheet conveying section 112, forms a color image or a monochrome image on the recording sheets conveyed by the sheet conveying section 112 by the image forming section 113 based on image data transmitted from the document reading device 120 or an external device, and discharges the recording sheets on which the images have been formed by the image forming section 113 to a sheet discharge tray 114a in the sheet discharge section 114.

The operation unit 115 includes a display unit 161 and an operation member 165. The display unit 161 is a touch panel display that not only displays images related to operations, but also allows input by touching the screen of the display unit 161. The operation member 165 is also provided with switches such as buttons (not shown), which can be operated to operate the image forming device 100. In other words, the operator operates the operation unit 115, which includes the display unit 161 and the operation member 165, to operate the image forming device 100. For example, the operator operates the operation unit 115 to select which operation process to perform from among copy, print, fax, and scanner, and then selects detailed conditions and executes the operation.

As described above, when the platen cover 124 is closed, the reading surface 122a is not exposed. However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the platen cover 124 is open, the reading surface 122a is exposed to the outside and can be seen by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen cover 124 is located on the platen 121 and is connected to the platen 121 so as to be rotatable up and down around a rotation shaft 124a. Note that while the platen cover 124 is in a closed state in the state shown in FIG. 1, the platen cover 124 is in an open state in the state shown in FIG. 2.

When reading an image of a document, the document is usually placed on the reading surface 122a, which is made of glass. At this time, the document is placed on the reading surface 122a so that the image faces the reading surface 122a. Then, the document table cover 124 is closed, and the operation unit 115 is operated to perform, for example, a scanner process, whereby the image of the document is read. Although not shown, specifically, the document reading unit 122 has an optical unit that integrates a light source that shines light on a document on which an image is formed, a lens that captures reflected light, and an image sensor that converts the light captured by the lens into a digital signal. This optical unit scans the image of the document to read the image. In the scanner process, the image is converted into a digital signal and output, but in the copy process, the image read is formed on paper based on this digital signal. The reading surface 122a is made of glass, and light from the reading surface 122a passes through the reading surface 122a and is irradiated onto the document. In addition, the reading surface 122a is arranged to be approximately horizontal.

The adsorption surface 125 may utilize, for example, an adsorption action due to static electricity (electrostatic adsorption action). For example, on the inside (back side) of the adsorption surface 125, the positive electrodes 130a and negative electrodes 130b shown in FIG. 3 are alternately arranged along a certain direction and are arranged so as to spread over the entire surface of the adsorption surface 125, and by applying positive and negative voltages to these, respectively, the document or the like is adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125. The adsorption surface 125 may be made of a material with a low friction coefficient, for example, fluororesin (Teflon (registered trademark)). This allows the position of the document on the adsorption surface 125 to be changed or the document to be rotated while the document is still adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125. The adsorption principle of the document on the adsorption surface 125 may be any commonly used principle, and may not be based on the above-mentioned static electricity. For example, a plurality of pores may be formed on the entire surface of the adsorption surface 125, and the document may be adsorbed by air pressure by sucking in air through the pores. Furthermore, even when electrostatic adsorption is used, the arrangement of the positive electrode 130a and the negative electrode 130b as described above is not necessary.

The operation of reading a document by an operator in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 4, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (horizontal direction) when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front, and the positive and negative X-axis directions represent the right and left sides, respectively. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the X-axis, which is the left-right direction, and the positive and negative Y-axis directions represent the back side and operation side, which are opposite to the operation side (front side). In other words, when the operator operates the image forming apparatus 100, the positive and negative X-axis directions are the right and left sides, respectively, and the positive and negative Y-axis directions are the back and front sides, respectively.

First, when performing an image reading operation such as copying or scanning in the image forming apparatus 100, the operator operates the operation unit 115 to select either the "normal mode" or the "adsorption mode." Note that the image forming apparatus 100 is usually set to the "normal mode" in advance, and the "adsorption mode" selection operation is only required when the "adsorption mode" is desired, and no special selection operation is required when the "normal mode" is desired.

When the operator selects the "adsorption mode", the electrostatic adsorption mechanism operates to perform an adsorption operation so that the adsorption surface 125 can adsorb the document or the like. Specifically, positive and negative voltages are applied to the electrodes 130a and 130b, respectively. The operator then adsorbs the document or the like on which the image to be read is formed to the adsorption surface 125. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the photograph 11 on which the image 11a is formed and the receipts 12 to 15 on which the images 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a are written are adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125. The surfaces to be adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 are the backs of the photograph 11 and the receipts 12 to 15, and these images 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a may be arranged so that they face the front side and are visible to the operator. In other words, when the operator sees the photograph 11 and the receipts 12 to 15, the photograph 11 and the receipts 12 to 15 are adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 in a state in which they are normally seen. Then, the operator leaves the document in this state and closes the document platen cover 124 to the closed state. This brings the images 11a to 15a into a state facing the reading surface 122a, and when the reading operation is performed, the images 11a to 15a are read by the document reading unit 122.

When the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 are to be attached to the suction surface 125, the operator can simply attach the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 to the suction surface 125 in the orientation that they would normally be viewed when viewing the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15. In other words, the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 can be attached to the suction surface 125 in the normal orientation, such as up and down. In addition, the backs of the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 are attached to the suction surface 125, and these images 11a-15a are facing forward and visible to the operator. This allows the operator to place the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 on the suction surface 125 while viewing the images 11a-15a, preventing the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 from being placed at an angle or being placed upside down by mistake.

In addition, receipts 12-15 may be curled or warped, but by being attracted to the attraction surface 125, they are flattened out without curling or warping, and the image can be reliably read in the subsequent reading operation.

Also, if the operator does not select "suction mode" and instead selects "normal mode," the suction surface 125 does not attract documents, and the operator places the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 face down on the reading surface 122a so that the images 11a-15a are on the reading surface 122a side, and then performs the reading operation. Note that in this case, because the images 11a-15a are on the reading surface 122a side, the operator cannot directly see the images 11a-15a.

In addition, in the "normal mode", when placing documents such as photo 11 and receipts 12-15 on the reading surface 122a, the top of the document (image) is placed at the back and the bottom of the document (image) is placed at the front. In other words, the document is placed so that the positive Y-axis side is the top of the image and the negative Y-axis side is the bottom of the image. In this case, the document is placed on the reading surface 122a so that the right side of the image is the negative X-axis side and the left side of the image is the positive X-axis side. In other words, the left back side of the reading surface 122a corresponds to the upper right of the image as seen by the operator. For example, when placing an A4-sized document on the reading surface 122a, the reading operation is performed by aligning the upper right corner of the front side of the document with the normal reference point 126a. In this way, in the "normal mode", the image is read with the positive Y-axis side being the top of the image and the negative Y-axis side being the bottom of the image on the reading surface 122a. In addition, the normal reference point 126a serves as the reference for the reading range on the reading surface 122a.

In contrast, in "adsorption mode," the document is adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 facing upward as shown in FIG. 4 so that the document adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 is oriented in a way that makes it easy to view for an operator standing in front of the image forming device. When the document platen cover 124 is closed from the state shown in FIG. 4, the images 11a-15a of the photograph 11 and receipts 12-15 are positioned opposite the reading surface 122a so that the negative Y-axis side is the upper side and the positive Y-axis side is the lower side with respect to the reading surface 122a. In this case, the right side of the images 11a-15a is positioned on the reading surface 122a so that the right side of the images is the positive X-axis side, and the left side of the images is positioned on the negative X-axis side. In other words, the left front side of the reading surface 122a corresponds to the upper left side of the image as seen by the operator. For example, when an A4-sized document is attached to the suction surface 125 and the document platen cover 124 is closed, the reading operation is performed after the upper left corner of the front side of the document is aligned with the suction reference point 126b. Also, since the vicinity of the negative Y-axis side of the boundary between the reading surface 122a and the frame surrounding the reading surface 122a is often an unreadable area, the suction reference point 126b may be positioned with a gap on the positive Y-axis side from the frame on the negative Y-axis side so that it is within the readable area. The suction reference point 126b serves as the reference for the reading range on the reading surface 122a.

In this way, in "adsorption mode", the image is read with the negative Y-axis side being the top of the image and the positive Y-axis side being the bottom of the image on the reading surface 122a, so the orientation of the image read on the reading surface 122a differs between "normal mode" and "adsorption mode". In other words, in "adsorption mode", an image of a predetermined size is read and acquired with the adsorption reference point 126b as the origin, and then an image that is rotated 180 degrees compared to "normal mode" may be output.

As described above, the image cut-out position (origin position) on the reading surface 122a and the up-down orientation of the document when placed on the reading surface 122a differ by 180 degrees between the "normal mode" and the "adsorption mode". In addition, the reference for the reading range on the reading surface 122a (normal reference point 126a, adsorption reference point 126b) also differs between the "normal mode" and the "adsorption mode". Furthermore, the reading range on the reading surface 122a also differs between the "normal mode" and the "adsorption mode".

In "adsorption mode", the orientation of the document relative to the reading surface is 180 degrees different from "normal mode", so the top, bottom, left and right of the image data created from the images read are reversed, and therefore in "adsorption mode" an image is output that has been rotated 180 degrees compared to the image in "normal mode".

Here, in "normal mode", the positive Y-axis side is the top of the image on the reading surface 122a, the negative Y-axis side is the bottom of the image, the negative X-axis side is the right side of the image, and the positive X-axis side is the left side of the image. In contrast, when "adsorption mode" is selected, the negative Y-axis side is the top of the image on the reading surface 122a, the positive Y-axis side is the bottom of the image, the positive X-axis side is the right side of the image, and the negative X-axis side is the left side of the image. Therefore, when "adsorption mode" is selected, the image arrangement in the image data created by reading the image may be converted to image data rotated 180 degrees and output. As a result, the image data that is output is the same whether the image is read in "normal mode" or "adsorption mode".

Depending on the configuration of the image forming device 100, the normal reference point 126a and the suction reference point 126b may be at a position other than the left rear side or the left front side of the reading surface 122a, as described above. In this case, when the "suction mode" is selected, the image arrangement in the image data created by reading the image may be converted to image data rotated by a predetermined angle and output according to the arrangement of the document in each mode. For example, if the image arrangement on the reading surface 122a differs by 90 degrees or 270 degrees between the "suction mode" and the "normal mode", the predetermined angle may be 90 degrees or 270 degrees instead of 180 degrees. The predetermined angle may be set to any angle by the operator operating the operation unit 115.

For example, when the document cover 124 is fixed in a 180-degree open position and the suction surface 125 is horizontal and facing upward, when a document is to be suctioned onto the suction surface 125 from the right side other than the front, the document is placed so that the positive Y-axis side faces upward. In this case, it is necessary to output an image that has been rotated 270 degrees clockwise from the "normal mode" after reading, with the positive X-axis side and the vicinity of the positive Y-axis side end of the reading surface 122a as the origin. For this reason, the placement direction on the suction surface 125 may be set in advance and the rotation angle of the image may be changed based on the setting, or the orientation of the document may be determined by using character recognition or the like to determine the orientation of the document from the read image, and the rotation angle may be changed based on the determination result.

This ensures that image data is output with the top, bottom, left and right sides of the image correctly recognized, whether in "normal mode" or "adsorption mode."

Next, the control configuration of the image forming device 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows an outline of the control configuration of the image forming device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming device 100 further includes a control unit 180 that controls the entire image forming device 100. As described above, the image forming device 100 has functions such as copying, printing, faxing, and scanning, and the control unit 180 controls the operation of each of these functions, and also controls the operation of the document reading device 120 and the image forming unit 113.

The control unit 180 includes a processing unit 185 and a memory unit 184.

The control unit 180 includes a microcomputer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory unit 184, which is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a rewritable non-volatile memory.

The processing unit 185 controls the operation of various components by loading a control program prestored in the ROM of the storage unit 184 onto the RAM of the storage unit 184 and executing it. The RAM of the storage unit 184 provides the processing unit 185 with a work area for operation and an area serving as an image memory for storing image data.

Furthermore, the processing unit 185 determines whether or not the "adsorption mode" has been selected by the operation unit 115, and if the "adsorption mode" has been selected, controls the adsorption surface 125 of the document table cover 124 to perform an adsorption operation. Furthermore, the image data of the image read by the document reading device 120 is stored in the memory unit 184 and then output. Furthermore, if the "adsorption mode" has been selected, the processing unit 185 converts the image data stored in the memory unit 184 into image data in which the image is rotated 180 degrees, and then outputs the image.

In such an image forming device 100, when the operator selects the "adsorption mode" using the operation unit 115, the adsorption operation is started by electrostatic adsorption on the adsorption surface 125, and when an image reading operation is performed, the read image data is converted into data in which the image is rotated 180 degrees and output.

Above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has been described. As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the document, etc. is attracted to the attraction surface 125 of the document table cover 124, rather than to the glass reading surface 122a. This allows the placement of the document to be determined while checking the image, which has the effect of allowing the desired image to be read more accurately. Furthermore, even when multiple documents are placed and images are read, the layout of the documents can be adjusted while visually checking the image of each document, so that the images can be read after checking whether the image layout is as desired.

In addition, if the reading surface 122a were provided with a function for adsorbing documents, there would be a possibility that the reading function would be impaired, but with the image forming device 100 according to the first embodiment, such a problem does not arise.

Second Embodiment
An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that a reference mark and a reference frame indicating the position where the document is to be placed are formed on the suction surface 125 of the document table cover 124, but is otherwise similar to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted. Also, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same members as in the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the area around the platen cover of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, with the platen cover in an open state.

As shown in FIG. 6, the suction surface 125 displays a reference frame 127b which indicates the position where the document on which the image to be read is formed should be suctioned when the document is A4, A3, or B5 in size. In other words, the reference frame 127b marks the placement range of the document on the suction surface 125 according to the size of the document. Also, a reference mark 127a, which is the location for placing the upper left corner of the document (the reference position of the document) in this case, is also formed on the suction surface 125. The operator can place the document on the suction surface 125 so that it is correctly positioned when the image is read, by placing the document so that it aligns with the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b and suctioning it onto the suction surface 125.

In addition, in order to prevent the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b from being read during the reading operation, it is preferable that the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b are formed on the adsorption surface 125 in a color that is difficult to read, such as fluorescent yellow.

The reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b may be displayed at a location away from the image reading position so that the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b are not read when the image is read. Also, other forms may be used as long as the operator can recognize the position where the document is to be placed using the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b.

Also, for example, the suction surface 125 may be a display device, and the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b may be displayed on the suction surface 125, which is a display screen. In this case, when the document cover 124 is open and a document is placed on the suction surface 125, the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b are displayed, and when the document cover 124 is closed, the display of the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b is stopped. This makes it possible to prevent the images of the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b from being read.

In this way, according to the image forming device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference mark 127a and the reference frame 127b are formed on the suction surface 125, so that the operator can easily position the document to be suctioned onto the suction surface 125.

Third Embodiment
An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with a camera that detects the position and size of a document adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 of the document table cover 124 and that the adsorption operation is partially possible on the adsorption surface 125, but is otherwise similar to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted. Also, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same members as in the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the platen cover of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, with the platen cover in an open state. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of electrodes arranged on the inside of the adsorption surface of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is equipped with a camera 128. When the "adsorption mode" is selected and the adsorption surface 125 is performing an adsorption operation, the camera 128 can capture an image of the adsorption surface 125 to obtain captured data (image data). An original 16 on which an image 16a is formed is adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125, and this captured data is image-processed and analyzed in the processing unit 185 to identify the range in which the original 16 is positioned on the adsorption surface 125. In other words, the camera 128 can detect the range in which the original 16 adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 is positioned.

As a result, when the "adsorption mode" is selected, initially, the adsorption operation is performed on the entire surface of the adsorption surface 125, but the range in which the original 16 is placed is identified by the camera 128, and the adsorption operation is performed around the area in which the original 16 is placed on the adsorption surface 125. In this way, by not performing the adsorption operation on other areas of the adsorption surface 125, the amount of electricity consumed is reduced, which makes it possible to reduce power consumption and achieve energy conservation.

Here, in order to enable partial adsorption on the adsorption surface 125, instead of the positive electrode 130a and the negative electrode 130b arranged on the inside (back side) of the adsorption surface 125 in the first embodiment, a positive electrode 131a and a negative electrode 131b can be arranged as shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of positive electrodes 131a extending in a predetermined direction are arranged in parallel to each other, and a plurality of negative electrodes 131b are arranged in parallel to each other so as to be perpendicular to the electrodes 131a. By selectively applying a voltage to each of the positive electrodes 131a and the negative electrodes 131b, it is possible to perform a partial adsorption operation on the adsorption surface 125. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to perform an adsorption operation around a position corresponding to the position where the document 16 is placed, a positive voltage is applied to three electrodes 132a arranged in a row among the electrodes 131a, a negative voltage is applied to four electrodes 132b arranged in a row among the electrodes 131b, and no voltage is applied to the other electrodes 131a and electrodes 131b.

In this way, according to the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera 128 can detect the range on the suction surface 125 where the document 16 is suctioned, and the suction operation can be stopped outside that range, thereby reducing power consumption.

Other Embodiments
In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is described in which the suction surface 125 is a display device. However, for example, when performing an image reading operation with the document platen cover 124 in a closed state, a background image desired by the operator may be displayed on the suction surface 125, which is a display device, and image data may be created in which the background is combined with an image of a document or the like. Even if the suction surface 125 is not a display device, the processing unit 185 may output the background image data after combining it with the read image data. These background images may be stored in the storage unit 184 in advance.

In the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is described as being equipped with the camera 128. However, for example, based on the photographed data obtained by the camera 128, image data of the image 16a of the document 16 read by the document reading device 120 may be rotated by a predetermined angle to create and output image data. In other words, based on the photographed data obtained by the camera 128, the orientation, position, and other conditions of the document 16 adsorbed to the adsorption surface 125 may be detected, and the read image data may be converted accordingly so that the orientation and position of the image data are in a preferable state before being output.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, such embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure.

11. Photographs (manuscript)
12-15 Receipt (manuscript)
16 Originals 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a Image 100 Image forming apparatus (image reading apparatus)
110 Image forming apparatus main body 111 Sheet storage section 112 Sheet transport section 113 Image forming section 114 Sheet discharge section 114a Sheet discharge tray 115 Operation section 120 Document reading device 121 Document table 122 Document reading section 122a Reading surface 123 Automatic document feeder 123a Document discharge tray 124 Document table cover (cover)
124a Rotation axis 125 Adsorption surface 126a Normal reference point (reference position)
126b Adsorption reference point (reference position)
127a Reference mark 127b Reference frame (installation range mark)
128 Camera (Document range detection section, Document state detection section)
130a, 130b, 131a, 131b, 132a, 132b Electrode 161 Display unit 165 Operation member 180 Control unit 184 Storage unit 185 Processing unit

Claims (10)

a document reading unit that reads an image of a document;
a cover that covers a reading surface of the document reading unit and is openable and closable;
the cover has an adsorption surface that is disposed opposite the reading surface when the cover is closed and is capable of adsorbing the document;
an image reading device, characterized in that an operation of reading an image on the original is executed in a state in which the original is attracted to the attraction surface and disposed opposite the reading surface. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1,
In the reading operation of the image of the document, it is possible to select either a normal mode in which the reading operation is performed with the document placed on the reading surface, or an adsorption mode in which the reading operation is performed with the adsorption surface adsorbing the document,
When the suction mode is selected, the suction surface suctions the document. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2,
an image reading device, characterized in that a direction in which an image of the document is arranged relative to the reading surface during a reading operation differs between when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2,
An image reading device characterized in that a reference position that serves as the basis for the reading range of the reading surface read by the document reading unit is different when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2,
an image reading device, characterized in that a reading range of the reading surface read by the document reading unit differs between when the normal mode is selected and when the suction mode is selected. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2,
When the suction mode is selected, the image reading device outputs image data of the read image in a state in which the image of the original is rotated by a predetermined angle. 7. The image reading device according to claim 6,
2. An image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is 180 degrees. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2,
An image reading device characterized in that a reference mark indicating a position on the suction surface corresponding to a reference position of the document when the suction mode is selected, and a placement range mark for the document on the suction surface corresponding to the size of the document are formed on the suction surface. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1,
2. An image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the attraction surface is made of a low-friction material. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to claim 1.

Images