JP2503644Y2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for outputting information obtained by scanning an original as a digital signal, and particularly, to shorten the time for making a copy of the first copy. Related to the device.

(Prior Art) In an image forming apparatus configured by combining a digital copying machine or a facsimile and a digital copying machine, an image of a document is scanned by a scanning device, and the scanned light is converted by a photoelectric conversion unit such as a CCD. A means for outputting as a digital signal is used.

Then, the digital signal is transmitted to another facsimile via the transmission circuit of the facsimile, and is used as a means for writing an image on the photosensitive drum in the image forming section of the electronic copying machine. .

In the image forming apparatus as described above, the image reading apparatus is constructed as shown in FIG. In the conventional image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the platen 7 is arranged on the upper part of the main body 5, and the conveyor belt device 6 for conveying the document D on the platen 7 is provided.

Further, scanning devices 8 and 8a are provided below the platen 7, and the scanning device 8 is configured by an illumination lamp, a reflection mirror, and the like, and further, the scanning device 8a is configured by combining a plurality of mirrors. are doing.

Then, the image of the document stopped on the platen 7 is scanned while moving the scanning device 8 and the like, the scanning light is input to the reading device 10 through the lens 9, and the photoelectric conversion provided in the reading device 10 is performed. A digital signal is output by means.

A document tray 2 and a sheet feeding device 3 are arranged above the image forming apparatus, and a document D set on the document tray 2 is separated by a retard roller 3a and a feed belt 3b of the sheet feeding device 3. The originals are separated by one, and the originals are separated one by one, and are sent out toward the platen 7 via the guide plate 4, and are conveyed by the conveyor belt device 6 on the platen 7.

In the above-described conventional image reading apparatus 1, the scanning range of the scanning device 8 is set between the positions 11 and 12 set by the two sensors, for example, and the original D sent from the original tray 2 is placed on the platen. After being positioned on 7, the scanning device 8 scans.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional apparatus as described above, when scanning a large number of originals continuously, there is a problem that the scanning time for the first original is delayed. is there. That is, in the image forming apparatus, when the first copy of the original is scanned, the original is fed from the original tray, the sensor 13 detects the leading edge of the original, and the conveyor belt device is driven to move the original on the platen. After the document is conveyed and the rear end of the document is detected by the sensor 12, the rear end is moved to the position 11, the conveyance belt device is stopped, and scanning is performed while moving the scanning device 8.

Therefore, in the case of reading a large number of originals one by one in succession, the reading time can be extended by using a means for scanning each original after positioning it on the platen. There are problems such as need.

On the other hand, in order to shorten the reading time, it is necessary to use a means for moving the scanning device at high speed. However, when trying to move the optical system device at a high speed, it is necessary to make each mechanism of the drive motor and drive transmission system large in size corresponding to the moment of inertia when moving the scanning device. There is also a problem such as noise when moving these drive mechanisms.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventionally used apparatus. It is possible to perform the conventional scanning, and the scanning apparatus is set at a fixed position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows the user to freely set the scanning mode by moving the.

(Means and Actions for Solving Problems) According to the present invention, an image of a document placed on a platen is scanned by a scanning device which is moved along the lower surface of the platen, and read information is converted into a digital signal. The present invention relates to a device configured to output.

In the present invention, the mode of scanning the image of the document set on the platen while moving it along the lower surface of the platen, and the mode of moving the document while being stopped at a fixed position at the upstream part of the platen in the moving direction of the document. A scanning device configured to be able to set two reading modes including a scanning mode, a paper feeding device for taking out a document from a document tray and feeding it toward a platen, and a document feeding device for moving the document on the platen, A control device for setting the reading mode by the scanning device according to the number of copies set on the control panel is provided. In the control device, when the number of copies input through the control panel is one, the scanning device is held at a fixed position to read a moving original document, and a plurality of copies are copied. In this case, the scanning device is set to a fixed position for the first copy, the moving original is read, and the scanning device is moved for the originals stopped on the platen after the second copy. While doing so, the reading operation is performed.

Therefore, in the image reading device of the present invention, the scanning device is fixed to the first copy when obtaining one copy from a large number of originals or when making a large number of copies from one original. Since it is possible to scan while moving the document while stopping at the position, it is possible to shorten the time for making the first copy.

When making copies for the second and subsequent copies, the original set on the platen is scanned while moving the scanning device in the same manner as in the conventional method, so that the copy making efficiency can be improved. .

(Example) The structure of the image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example.

In the image reading apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the original feeding mechanism from the original tray, the original feeding system on the platen, and the like are the same as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. It is configured.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the platen 7 is arranged on the upper portion of the main body 5 of the image reading apparatus 1, and the conveyor belt device 6 for conveying the document D on the platen 7 is provided. In addition, below the platen 7, scanning devices 8 and 8a are provided.
Is provided, the scanning device 8 is configured by an illumination lamp, a reflection mirror, and the like, and the scanning device 8a is configured by combining a plurality of mirrors.

Then, the image of the document stopped on the platen 7 is scanned while moving the scanning device 8 and the like, the scanning light is input to the reading device 10 through the lens 9, and the photoelectric conversion provided in the reading device 10 is performed. A digital signal is output by means.

A document tray 2 and a sheet feeding device 3 are arranged above the image forming apparatus, and a document D set on the document tray 2 is fed by a retard roller 3a of the sheet feeding device 3 and a feed belt 3b. By performing a sorting operation, the originals are separated one by one and sent out toward the platen 7 via the guide plate 4, and the carrying belt device 6 carries the paper on the platen 7.

In the conventional image reading apparatus 1 described above, the scanning range of the scanning device 8 is set between the positions 11 and 12, and the document D fed from the document tray 2 is set to the platen 7 by the platen 7.
After being positioned above, scanning is performed by the scanning device 8.

Then, when the number of copies is 1, or when a large number of copies are made from one original, the scanning device 8 is first used.
Is fixedly held at position 11. When the sensor 13 detects the leading edge of the document D sent out from the document tray 2, a timer provided in the controller of the apparatus is activated to start counting, and when the document leading edge is moved to the scanning position 11. Then, the reading can be started immediately. In addition,
The count number of the timer is set to be the same as the time taken for the document to move from the sensor 13 to the reading position depending on the document transportation speed of the document transportation device.

Further, as described above, the document is read while moving, and after a lapse of a predetermined time (the same time as the number counted by the timer) from the time when the trailing edge of the document has finished passing through the sensor 13, The reading by the reader is completed.

On the other hand, when making a large number of copies from one original, move the original as described above,
The operation of making the first copy is performed, and at the time when the reading is completed, the conveyor belt device is stopped and the original is made to stand still on the platen.

Then, with respect to the document D1 positioned on the platen 7, the scanning device 8 is moved from the left side to the right end of the document, and then the image is scanned while moving from the left to the right. The scanning device 8 is a full-rate carriage, and the mirror device 8a which is moved in accordance with the movement of the scanning device 8 is half of the scanning device 8 in the same manner as a general half-rate carriage. Will move at the speed of. The above-described scanning of the document is performed according to the number of copies to be made. After scanning the document by reciprocating the scanning device by one copy less than the number of copies set through the control panel or the like. Then, the document D1 is discharged toward the discharge tray by the transport belt device 6.

As described above, after the trailing edge of the first document passes through the sensor 13, the paper feeding device 3 is operated,
The second original is unloaded from the original tray, and is stopped when the leading edge of the second original reaches the position of the sensor 13.

Then, in accordance with the operation of ejecting the first document D1 from the platen, the feed belt 3b is driven to convey the second document toward the platen, and the scanning stopped at the position 11 is performed. The operation of reading the image of the original is performed by the device 8.

When a large number of originals are set on the original tray, the same operations as those for the second original as described above are sequentially repeated.

In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the above-mentioned operation is performed according to the flow chart shown in FIG. That is, the original is placed on the original tray, the number of copies N to be created is set by an operation such as pressing a button provided on the control panel, and the paper feed device is operated by pressing the start button to copy the original. The work of sending out from the tray is started.

First, when the leading edge of the document sent from the paper feeding device is detected by the sensor 13 in step a-1, the timer starts counting, and when the count number set in step a-2 is reached, a The reading is started via the scanning device which is moved to -3 and stopped at the fixed position. Also, the trailing edge of the document is detected during scanning (step a-
4) and then a predetermined number of counts (a-5)
After that, the reading is completed.

If the number of copies is one, the document is continuously conveyed until the count of the predetermined number l2 is completed (a-13, a-14), and the next document is started to be fed out or all the operations are finished.

When making a large number of copies from one original, the process proceeds from step a-5 to a-6, and at step a-7, the original conveyed on the platen is moved to a predetermined position. Stop.

Then, the scanning devices 8 and 8a are moved to the right end of the document, and then the image of the document is scanned while moving the scanning device toward the left end at a predetermined speed (step a-
8, a-9).

The above-described scanning operation is performed for a predetermined number of sheets (N-1) (a-10, 11), and then, as in (steps a-12, 13), the conveyance belt device is kept for a predetermined time (count l2). The document is ejected toward the ejection tray for a corresponding period of time), and the document is ejected toward the ejection tray. Steps a-14 and 15 are ended to finish, or the next document is conveyed and scanned.

Further, when the image reading apparatus of the present invention is used to set the copy mode so that the original is stopped on the platen and then the image is scanned, as in the case of the conventional apparatus, This is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the documents are set on the document tray, the number of copies is set, and then the start button is pressed, the paper feeding device is operated to start the transportation of the documents. Then, in steps b-1 to b-3 and a-3a, counting is started after detection by the sensor 13 provided in the middle of the document conveying path, and after the predetermined count number is measured, the length of the document is increased. Count the count corresponding to Sa. In the embodiment of the present invention,
The lengths l, 1, ... Represent the actual length of the original document as a count number.

After that, the original is stopped on the platen (step b-4), the image is scanned while moving the scanning device to the right end as in b-5, and the scanning for one page is completed (b-6).
Then, the same copying operation is made to correspond to the set number of sheets (b-
7) Carry out the steps b-8 to b-11,
The document is discharged by the conveyor belt device.

In the case of this reading, in order to make a correct copy, the scanning direction of the main scan is reversed from that in the case of FIG. 2, and the steps b-7 to b-7b to b-5 are performed.
By repeating the operation of returning to N, the copying of N copies is continued.

By carrying out the document conveyance and the scanning by the scanning device continuously by the steps described above, it is possible to continuously make a set number of copies. The mode shown in FIG. 2 and the mode shown in FIG. 3 can be arbitrarily selected.

Further, when the document feeding operation of the present invention as described above is performed, the state of movement of the document is performed according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 4a. In the timing chart of FIG. 4a, the interval and time in each part shall be set as shown in FIG.

 That is, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the sensors 13 and 11 is set to 1, the distance between the sensor 11 and the end of the platen is set to l2, and the distance between the sensors 11 and 12 is set to l3.

Then, T1: time for transporting a distance of 1, T2: time for transporting for a distance of l2, TD: time of transporting for a distance of lD, TR: time for driving the scanning device for one page of the original, TB: Scan back time, 1-: time for reading the second copy of the first original, and in the image reading apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4a, two copies are made from one original. In this case, compared with the case of the conventional apparatus as shown in FIG. 4b, the time for making the first copy can be shortened significantly.

That is, in the case of the device of the present invention, the first copy is performed while the document is being moved, so that the idle time of the device can be eliminated.

Therefore, when the mode for scanning is selected during the movement of the original by the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the efficiency of making a copy can be greatly improved.

In the image reading device of the present invention described above, the information read by the reading device is stored in the memory circuit,
In the case of making a copy using the image information, if it is configured as a device capable of making a large number of copies, by setting the scanning device 8 at a fixed position, it is possible to continue from the document tray. It is possible to scan while moving the original.

Also, when making a copy, selecting the reading mode is, for example, providing a mode selection button on the control panel or automatically selecting the copy mode according to the number of copies. Can be done.

Furthermore, when the movement direction of the scanning device that scans along the lower surface of the platen is different from that of the embodiment, it is possible to set the movement direction of the scanning device corresponding to the device. Further, the image reading apparatus of the present invention can be used by manually setting a document on the platen as in the case of an ordinary copying machine.

The above-described image reading apparatus of the present invention has been described for the case of an automatic document feeder provided in a digital copying machine, but it is also applicable to an apparatus configured by combining a facsimile and an electronic copying machine. That is, in the case of a facsimile, by setting the scanning device at a fixed position, the read image information is transferred from the storage circuit 15 through the signal processing circuit 16 to the facsimile transmission circuit as shown in FIG. I will output it to 18. Also,
When the copying operation is performed, the information output from the signal processing circuit 16 can be output to the copy device 17.

(Effect of the Invention) Since the image reading apparatus of the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, there are a mode in which the document is scanned at a fixed position of the scanning device and a mode in which the scanning is performed while moving the scanning device. No. 2 can be set, and any mode can be selected according to the purpose of use.

In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the scanning device is stopped at a fixed position when making copies one by one from a large number of originals or when making a large number of copies from one original. Since it is possible to scan the original while moving it, it is possible to reduce the time required to create the first copy. In addition, since the number of movements of the scanning device can be reduced, the number of failures can be reduced, the life of the mechanical section can be extended, and the noise can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of an image reading apparatus of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing steps of scanning by the image reading apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flow chart for copying in the same mode as in the conventional apparatus, and FIG. Explanatory drawing showing the interval,
FIG. 4a is a timing chart showing the movement and scanning state of the original document in the device of the present invention, and FIG. 4b is the timing chart of the conventional device.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 4a, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration of a conventional image reading device. Reference numeral 1 in the figure 1 ... Image reading device, 2 ... Original document tray, 3 ... Paper feeding device, 5 ... Device body, 6 ... Conveyor belt device, 7 ...
Platen, 8 ... Scanning device, 10 ... Reading device, 11 to 13
…… Sensor, 15 …… Memory circuit, 16 …… Signal processing circuit,
17 …… Copier, 18 …… Facsimile transmission circuit.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An apparatus configured to scan an image of a document placed on a platen with a scanning device which is moved along the lower surface of the platen and output read information as a digital signal. There are two modes, one is to scan the image of the original set on the platen while moving it along the lower surface of the platen, and the other is to scan the image while moving the original with the platen stopped at a fixed position on the upstream side of the original moving direction. Of 2
Scanning device that can set one reading mode, a paper feeding device that takes out the original from the original tray and feeds it toward the platen, an original feeding device that moves the original on the platen, and the number of copies set on the control panel. And a control device for setting a scanning mode by the scanning device according to the above. In the control device, when the number of copies input through the control panel is 1, the scanning device is set to a fixed position. When the document to be moved is read while the document to be moved is to be copied and a plurality of copies are to be made, the scanning device is set to a fixed position for the first copy, the moving document is read, and the second and subsequent copies are set. Is an image reading device characterized in that an operation of reading an original stopped on a platen is performed while moving a scanning device.