JP2830040B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that detects the size of a sheet such as a document.

[Prior Art] A conventional image reading apparatus of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-4974.
The technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H10-26095 can be cited.

The above-described technology is directed to a document exposing apparatus including a platen on which a document is placed, and an optical system that moves relatively to the platen to expose the document on the platen. A light receiving element that receives light and performs an output in accordance with the light intensity; a comparing unit that compares the output of the light receiving element with a reference value that is not related to the document size; Detecting means for detecting a change in the output of the comparing means at that time, and a size indicating the size of the document placed on the document table based on a detection signal from the detecting means. Determination means for outputting a signal.

The above-mentioned technology relatively moves the platen and the optical system before the document exposure, detects a change in the output of the comparing means at that time, and determines the size of the document placed on the platen based on the detection signal. ing.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional image reading apparatus is configured as described above, the document table and the optical system are relatively moved before the document is exposed,
The size of the document placed on the platen is determined by the determination unit based on a detection signal from the detection unit that detects a change in the output of the comparison unit at that time, and a size signal indicating the size is output. Therefore, from the necessity of relatively moving the platen and the optical system to determine the document size, it is determined whether a document is placed on the entire surface of the platen. Therefore, despite the fact that a standard size original is often used, it is necessary to determine the state of the entire surface of the original platen in order to determine the original size, and it is necessary to determine the original size of the original before exposure. As a result, the above time is spent, and as a result, it takes a long time to determine the size of the document.

Further, in recent years, an area reading designation for designating a reading range of the original has been increased from an original placed on an original plate. Alternatively, only a predetermined area is moved to a designated position in the edit mode in many cases.

When an area reading designation that designates a reading range of this type of original is performed, the detection and calculation of the original size is not only an unnecessary operation, but also a rise time is lost, and the original operation such as a copying operation is performed. It is a dead time before reading starts.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus that does not need to calculate the size of a document and, when a part of the document is specified or the entire document is specified, starts reading the document without detecting the document size. Is the subject.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a document size reading for determining the size of a document placed between a transparent member for placing the document and a document pressing cover for pressing the document is performed. Means for reading an original from a document placed on a transparent member, the area reading designating means for designating a range of the original to be read when the area to be read is designated by the area read designating means. The operation of the means is avoided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a document size reading unit for determining a size of a document is performed by preliminary scanning of a scanner used for image reading.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the document size reading means for determining the size of the document is a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed at predetermined positions.

[Operation] In claim 1, usually, the size of the original placed between the transparent member for placing the original and the original pressing cover for pressing the original is determined before the original is read by the original size reading means. To judge. When the area to be read is specified by the area reading designating means, even if the operation of the document size reading means is performed, the time required for performing the document size reading operation is wasted time. The document reading operation is directly started without performing the operation.

According to the second aspect, the document size reading means for judging the size of the document is performed by preliminary scanning of a scanner used for image reading. Since the document reading operation can be started directly without performing the size reading operation, the speed at which the original function of the image reading apparatus itself is started can be increased.

In the third aspect, the document size reading means for determining the size of the document is a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged at predetermined positions, and the determination of the document size is performed from the time when the document is placed until the document pressing cover is closed. , Which speeds up the determination of the document size.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an example in which an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a copying machine will be described.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view of a main part showing a schematic internal structure of the entire copying machine of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the entire copying machine of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of an editor used in a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The copying machine according to this embodiment converts an original image read by an image sensor into image data which is a digital signal, and prints an image on a sheet by electrophotography in accordance with the image data.

2 and 3, the scanner 1 has an exposure lamp 11 for irradiating a document, a rod lens array 12 for condensing light reflected from the document, and a CCD for converting the condensed light into an electric signal. And a color image sensor 13 composed of The exposure lamp 11 for irradiating the original of the present embodiment
It is possible to use what is usually used for copying machines,
No special lamp is required. The image sensor 13 of the present embodiment obtains an accuracy of about 1/16 mm without any error during mounting, and shares the electrical and mechanical reference points. A mechanical adjustment unit and / or an electrical adjustment circuit is provided so that the pixel is located at a reference position for main scanning. Scanner 1
Is driven by the motor 2 when reading a document image, and the document on the document table 9 made of a transparent member on which the document is placed is scanned while being pressed by a document pressing cover 8 for pressing the document.

The original image irradiated by the exposure lamp 11 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 13 and converted into a print signal of any of yellow, magenta, cyan and black by the signal processing unit 15.

In the print head unit 16, a semiconductor laser driver (not shown) operates according to a print signal for each color from the signal processing unit 15, and the semiconductor laser blinks. A laser beam generated from a semiconductor laser is reflected by a reflecting mirror 18 through an fθ lens 17.
And exposes the photosensitive drum 4 to light. The surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 19, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by receiving the above-described exposure.

This electrostatic latent image is developed into any one of yellow, magenta, cyan and black by any of the developing units 20a to 20d. The developed image is transferred by a transfer charger 22 onto a sheet wound around the peripheral surface of the transfer drum 5.

After the above steps are repeated for at least one color of yellow, magenta, cyan or black, the paper is separated from the transfer drum 5 by the separation claw 25, fixed by the fixing device 6, and The paper is ejected. During this time, the scanner 1 repeats scanning in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer drum 5. Transfer drum 5
Is provided with a position sensor 23, which is controlled to synchronize with the scanner 1 by the detection signal. The sheet is fed from the sheet cassette 7 and a chucking mechanism 24 provided on the transfer drum 5.
Is chucked at the front end, so that no displacement occurs when transferring each color. The eraser lamp 21 is for erasing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 4.

These components are incorporated in a housing 10 forming an outer shell of the copying machine main body.

As shown in FIG. 4, the editor 3 used in the copying machine in this embodiment includes a coordinate input tablet 30, a stylus pen 31 input to the coordinate input tablet 30, a select key 32 for selecting paper, an input key 33, It has a liquid crystal display section 34 for displaying an input state and the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the overall control system of the copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of an operation panel of the copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of an editor, FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of a reading unit, FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the printing unit.

In FIG. 5, a central controller 50 controls the operation panel section 60, editor section 70, image reader section 80, and printing section 90 by serial signals, and controls the entire copying machine. The operation panel
Reference numeral 60 denotes a panel for mainly inputting a key for scanning the copying machine, an editor 70 performs an editing input, and an image reader 80 reads an original to form an image signal. The printing unit 90 records an image signal on a sheet.

Here, the operation panel section 60, the editor section 70,
The image reader section 80 and the printing section 90 will be described in detail.

The operation panel unit 60 is a microcomputer
It has a clock generation circuit 62 for driving the microcomputer 61 and is connected to a command bus via a driver 63 and a receiver 64. Further, the microcomputer 61 is connected to a liquid crystal display section 66 for displaying a message via a display driver 65. The microcomputer 61 inputs the operation of the touch key 68 formed together with the diode matrix circuit as a scanning signal by the decoder 67.

The editor unit 70 has a microcomputer 71 and a clock generation circuit 72 for driving the microcomputer 71, and is connected to a command bus via a driver 73 and a receiver 74. The microcomputer 71 is connected to a liquid crystal display unit for displaying a message via a display driver 75.
Connected to 76. And the microcomputer 71
Is a scanning signal by the decoder 77, and inputs the operation of the touch key 78 formed together with the diode matrix circuit.

The microcomputer 71 includes a coordinate input tablet 30 for inputting X and Y coordinates for editing a document to be copied, and a stylus pen for specifying X and Y coordinates.
31 is connected.

The image reader section 80 has a microcomputer 81 and a clock generation circuit 82 for driving the microcomputer 81, and is connected to a command bus via a driver 83 and a receiver 84. Further, the microcomputer 81 drives and controls a scanner motor 86 for scanning a document via a driver 85.

The microcomputer 81 turns on the exposure lamp 11 via the lamp control unit 801 to irradiate the document placed on the document table 9. The document image irradiated by the exposure lamp 11 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 13 and converted into red, green, and blue by the color separation signal amplifying unit 811. The color-separated red, green, and blue signals are A / D-converted by the digitization processing unit 812,
Then, the shading correction unit 813 controls the image sensor 13
, And shading correction for correcting the unevenness of light distribution of the exposure lamp, and the like, and are converted into density conversion data by the density conversion unit 814.

Next, the unnecessary area processing unit 815 illustrates the relationship between the unnecessary area and the original size data (XF, XW, YF, YW) in FIG. 25, and the unnecessary area and the original size data (XF in FIG. 26). , X
As shown in a data chart showing a relationship with the original size data (W, YF, YW), unnecessary areas are removed based on the document size data (XF, XW, YF, YW). Here, the document size data (XF, YF) of the OHP sheet in the above-described table is set to “90” because the elastic pressing member 8B is pressed by the document pressing cover 8 substantially in the L direction.
In order to prevent the character-shaped area 8C from transmitting through the OHP paper and becoming “black” data, “9” corresponding to the width of the substantially L-shaped area 8C is used.
"0" is added to perform "white" data processing.

Note that the processing of erasing (replacement with “white” data) outside the image area by the unnecessary area processing unit 815 is performed on the image data before the scaling / movement processing unit 817 described later. That is, this means, for example, that the document size A4T is A
When printing on a copy sheet larger than 4T in a reduced size, if the process of erasing the outside of the image area by the unnecessary area processing unit 815 is performed after the reduction, unnecessary images due to dirt on the surface of the elastic pressing member 8B of the document pressing cover 8 can be reduced. After the image is reduced at the same time, an area outside the document size is replaced with white data, so that an unnecessary image is printed in addition to the image of the reduced document. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to make corrections in consideration of the magnification, the moving amount, the document size, the printing paper size, and the like, and it is necessary to perform complicated calculations, which results in a loss of calculation time. Therefore, if the process of erasing the outside of the image area by the unnecessary area processing unit 815 is performed before the processing of the scaling / movement processing unit 817 and the like as in the present embodiment, such a complicated calculation is omitted, Furthermore, a stain-free image output can be obtained without being affected by the magnification, the movement amount, the document size, the printing paper size, and the like.

Next, the color correction unit 816 removes the under color from the image signals of red, green, and blue, that is, matches the characteristics of the developed toner to the image signals corresponding to the print colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, These yellow, magenta, cyan or black signals are generated. The output from which the unnecessary area has been removed by the unnecessary area processing unit 815 is input to the line memory 830 as image data for each line by one main scan. 1 input to line memory 830
The microcomputer 81 can read the image data for each line, and the image data at the time of reading the original is stored in the line memory 830 according to the designation of the microcomputer 81.
Can be any position. The output of the color correction unit 816 sets a predetermined magnification and a position based on the editing information in a scaling / movement processing unit 817, performs predetermined filtering such as edge processing and smoothing processing in a filtering processing unit 818, and performs density adjustment. The print density processing is performed in 819, the dither processing and the multi-value processing are performed in the pseudo halftone processing section 820, and output to the printing section 90 via the output line buffer 821.

The printing unit 90 has a microcomputer 91 and a clock generation circuit 92 for driving the microcomputer 91, and is connected to a command bus via a driver 93 and a receiver 94. Further, the microcomputer 91 outputs to the polygon motor 16 via the motor control circuit 95. The image data output from the output line buffer 821 of the image reader unit 80 is input via an image data I / F (interface) 96, and a laser (not shown) is output via a laser diode driver 97 controlled by a microcomputer 91. The diode emits light. Further, the microcomputer 91 controls the eraser lamp 99 via the eraser control circuit 98. In addition, input and output of devices and sensors necessary for operating the copying machine of this embodiment are connected.

Further, in the above block configuration, particularly, the unnecessary area processing unit 815 used in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with a specific circuit example.

FIG. 10 is a specific circuit diagram of the unnecessary area processing unit 815 used in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a counter COUNT1 is for specifying addresses XA12 to XA0 for a document of a pixel to be read in the main scanning direction, and a counter COUNT2 is for specifying addresses YA12 to YA0 for a document of a pixel to be read in the sub-scanning direction. At this time, the addresses of the document reference position are XA12-0 = YA12-0 = 000. Comparator COMP1 to comparator COMP4 generate an E-EN signal for erasing a signal outside the document area. Comparator COMP1 determines the reading start position in the main scanning direction. The reading end position is determined. The comparator COMP3
Determines the reading start position in the sub-scanning direction, and the comparator COMP4 determines the reading end position in the sub-scanning direction.

For this reason, the comparators COMP1 to COMP4 include: XF12 to 0; a read start address in the main scan direction YF12 to 0; a read start address in the sub scan direction XW12 to 0; a read width in the main scan direction Yw12 to 0; Is read from the microcomputer 81.

Thus, the comparators COMP1 to C
The output of OMP4 becomes an E-EN signal for erasing a signal outside the document area by the NAND gate NAND, and the D flip-flop D
-Is input to the clear terminal of the FF and the D flip-flop D-
The image data output from the Q terminal of the D flip-flop D-FF is changed to "white" data regardless of the input image data when the image data is outside the document size with respect to the image data input to the D terminal of the FF. is there.

That is, if the unnecessary area processing unit 815 detects the document size and sets the data other than the document area to “white” data, it is not necessary to perform useless printing processing. The document size address in the direction is detected.

The TG signal is a synchronization signal for each main scanning line, and is a timing pulse that generates one pulse when it moves one step in the sub-scanning direction. The VD signal indicates a document range in the sub-scanning direction to be reproduced.

Next, the principle of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining the principle when the image reading apparatus of the present invention is applied to a copying machine.
(A) is a front view when the document pressing cover 8 is opened,
(B) is a front view of the plain paper of white ground color placed on the platen 9 as viewed from the scanner 1 side, and (c) places a transparent document POHP such as an OHP on the platen 9. FIG. 3 is a front view of the scanner 1 as viewed from the side. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the document table 9 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the document pressing cover 8 and the document P when the document P is shifted.

In FIG. 1, an original pressing cover 8 is a cover main body 8A formed by erecting a plate-like periphery of a synthetic resin or the like into a frame shape, and an elastic pressing member 8B made of an elastic member disposed in the frame body.
It is composed of Along the two sides of the elastic pressing member 8B, an electric detecting means including a main scanning direction 8CY and a sub-scanning direction 8CX, for example, an image sensor in the embodiment of the copying machine.
A substantially L-shaped region 8C which is determined to be black with a predetermined width at 13 is formed. That is, one predetermined corner of the document table 9 made of a transparent member on which the document P is placed is positioned at the document reference position S (11th position).
(See FIG. 1), and is disposed such that a substantially L-shaped bending point is located at the document reference position S, and is provided within a frame of a cover body 8A constituting a document pressing cover 8 for pressing the document P. A substantially L-shaped region 8C that is readable by a photoelectric conversion element such as the image sensor 13 as black is formed on the elastic pressing member 8B formed of an elastic member.

The elastic pressing member 8B, which is an elastic member disposed in the frame of the cover body 8A constituting the document pressing cover 8, is substantially L
Except for the character-shaped area 8C, the image sensor 13 arranges the entire surface corresponding to the upper surface of the original table 9 on which the original P is placed, as a white color. It is formed to be legible.

For example, as shown in FIG.
Is placed on the original reference position S of the original table 9 made of a transparent member. At this time, when the state where the plain paper original is placed on the original table 9 is viewed from the scanner 1 side, the original P on the original table 9 is pressed by the original pressing cover 8 for holding the original, and the elastic pressing member is pressed. Original reference position S of substantially L-shaped area 8C of 8B
From the document P by a predetermined distance. At this time, the main scanning direction 8C of the substantially L-shaped area 8C hidden by the document P
Y and the sub-scanning direction 8CX are determined by the type of the document P and the like.

When a transparent original POH such as OHP paper is placed on the original platen 9, when viewed from the scanner 1 side, the substantially L of the elastic pressing member 8 B
The character-shaped area 8C is not hidden.

Therefore, the original P made of plain paper on the original platen 9 and
In order to detect both transparent originals such as OHP paper, the incident angle of the light source and the reflection angle on the light receiving side of the original P or the transparent original POHP are set without being constant, and the scattered light of the original P or the transparent original POHP is set. Need to be detected. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the scanner 1 scans a document on a document table 9 made of a transparent member on which the document is placed while pressing the document with the document pressing cover 8 and scatters the light of the document P or the transparent document POHP. Color image sensor 1 consisting of a moving CCD, etc.
Detect at 3. Naturally, the substantially L-shaped region 8C of the elastic pressing member 8B is a transparent original P such as the plain paper original P or OHP paper.
Since it is necessary to receive only the scattered light of HP, the image sensor 13 formed on the document pressing cover 8 needs to have a substantially L-shaped area that can be read as black by the image sensor 13.
The substantially L-shaped region needs to be made of a material that performs specular total reflection.

The original P is located at the original reference position S on the original table 9 shown in FIG.
The specific corner is positioned, and is parallel to the vertical side 9a and the horizontal side 9b of the original platen 9, and is arranged side by side with the vertical side 9a and the horizontal side 9b of the original platen 9. The original size scale 9A along the side 9a in the direction and the original size scale 9B along the side 9b in the horizontal direction determine the original size and determine whether the current position is a normal position. The position where the document P is placed is corrected. However, the original P may not be fixed at a predetermined regular position due to an artificial error or a flow of wind when the original pressing cover 8 is operated. Also, depending on the mounting accuracy of the document pressing cover 8, etc.,
Due to the backlash, the predetermined position of the document table 9 and the position of the substantially L-shaped region 8C of the elastic pressing member 8B may be shifted.

For this reason, the width of the substantially L-shaped region 8C of the elastic pressing member 8B is
The width is about 5 mm when viewed from the scanner 1 side. At this time, the error α in the main scanning direction 8CY and the error β in the sub-scanning direction 8CX of the substantially L-shaped region 8C are set to be absorbed by electrical processing.

Next, the operation when the image reading apparatus configured as described above is implemented in a copying machine will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a main program of the operation of the copying machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a “reading / printing routine” called by the main program, and FIG. 15 is a “trimming setting routine” similarly.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the “magnification setting routine”, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the “density setting routine”. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the “unnecessary area setting routine”, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the “density adjustment preliminary scanning routine”.

This routine shows the main program of the operation of the copying machine of this embodiment, and selects a predetermined mode by key operation.

First, start this routine as soon as the power is turned on.
Initial settings are made in step S1, and in step S2, it is confirmed that no trouble has occurred in the central controller 50, the operation panel section 60, the editor section 70, the image reader section 80, and the printing section 90, and a predetermined warm-up is performed in step S5. Wait for the passage of time. If it is determined in step S2 that a trouble has occurred, the trouble is displayed on the liquid crystal display 66, and in step S4 it is determined whether the trouble has been resolved and reset has been performed. Then, the process returns to the routine from step S1.

If the elapse of the warm-up time is confirmed in step S5, it is determined in step S6 whether a key operation has been performed on the operation panel unit 60 or the editor unit 70. If a key operation has been performed, the type of key operated in step S7 Judge. Step if the key type is print key
In step S8, the "read / print routine" is called. In the case of the editor, the "trimming setting routine" is called in step S9. In the case of the zoom key, the "magnification setting routine" is called in step S10, and in the case of the density key, the "density setting routine" is called in step S11.

"Read / Print Routine" by operating the print key
Is called, the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executed.

This routine, as a copying machine, reads an image of a document and prints the read image data.

In step S21, it is determined whether the automatic size detection mode has been selected. When the automatic size detection mode has been selected, it is determined in step S22 whether trimming has been designated, that is, whether the flag TRM is "1". If trimming is specified in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether the flag AE indicating the automatic density adjustment mode is "1". If the mode is not the automatic density adjustment mode, the image of the document is read in step S32, printed by the printing unit according to the data, and the routine exits. In the automatic density adjustment mode, the image of the document is read in step S32, printed by the printing unit in accordance with the data, and the routine exits. In the automatic density adjustment mode, the scanner 1 is moved to the rear end of the original in step S24, and a "density adjustment pre-scanning routine" for automatic density adjustment is called in step S25, and a preliminary scan for automatic density adjustment is performed. In step S32, the image of the document is read and printed by the printing unit according to the data, and the process exits from this routine. That is, when the trimming is designated, the control enters the automatic density adjustment mode without calling the "document size detection routine" of step S26.

If trimming is not designated in step S22, a "document size detection routine" described later is called in step S26, executed, and flag A and flag B are checked in step S27. 0 "
If not, that is, when the document size detection has been successfully performed, an unnecessary area setting routine is called in step S28 to set an unnecessary area. Next, in step S29, it is determined whether the flag AE indicating the automatic density adjustment mode is "1". If it is not in the automatic density adjustment mode, it is determined whether or not the scanner 1 is at the home position in step S30. If not, the scanner 1 is returned in step S31, the image of the original is read in step S32, and the printing unit And prints out of this routine.

If the flag AE indicating the automatic density adjustment mode is “1” in step S29 and the automatic density adjustment mode is set,
In step S33, it is determined whether the scanner 1 is at the trailing edge of the original. If the scanner 1 is not at the trailing edge of the original, the scanner 1 is moved to the trailing edge of the original in step S34. After calling the "density adjustment preliminary scanning routine" in step S35 and performing the automatic density adjustment preliminary scanning,
In step S32, the image of the document is read and printed by the printing unit according to the data, and the process exits from this routine.

Further, the flag A and the flag B are checked in step S27,
If any of them is “0”, that is, if the document size detection is not performed properly, the flag C is set to “1” in step S36.
If the flag D is “0” and a main scanning error occurs,
In step S37, it is determined whether the flag C is "0" and the flag D is "1" and a sub-scanning error occurs.
A message indicating that the size cannot be detected in S38 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 66,
Exit this routine. If it is determined in step S36 that there is no main scanning error, and in step S37 it is not a sub-scanning error, a message indicating that a document of a deformed size has been detected is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 66 in step S39, and the process proceeds to step S40. .

Next, or when it is determined in step S21 that the automatic size detection mode is not selected, a key input of the document size is requested in step S40, and when the key input is confirmed in step S41, the key input is performed in step S42. The designated size is determined, and if the designated size is A3T from step S43 to step S47, flag A ← 1, flag B ← 4, if A4Y, flag A ← 1, flag B ← 2, if A4T, flag A ← 2, flag B ← 3, A5Y, set flag A ← 2, flag B ← 1, A5T, set flag A ← 3, flag B ← 2, and check in step S48 whether the document is plain paper Requests a key input of the original type as to whether it is OHP paper, and proceeds to step S4.
When the key input is confirmed in step 9, the type of the key input is determined in step S50, the flag E is set to "1" in step S51 for OHP paper, and the flag E is set to "0" in step S52 for plain paper. And returns to the routine from step S28.

Next, a flowchart of the “trimming setting routine” will be described.

In this routine, a predetermined area is selected by the editor 70, and the selected area is to be copied.

In step S61, the setting determination of the editor 70, for example, whether the setting procedure is correct, the setting determination of whether the area is not zero, or the like, determines whether the setting is valid.When the setting is valid, in step S62, The trimming area data (XF, XW, YF, YW) is set in the unnecessary area setting section. Steps
In step S63, "1" is set in the flag TRM to store the effect of trimming, and the process exits from this routine. If the setting of the editor 70 is not valid, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 76 in step S64, and a flag TRM is stored in step S65 to store that the trimming setting has not been performed.
Is set to "0", and the routine exits.

Next, a flowchart of the “magnification setting routine” will be described.

In this routine, a predetermined copy target magnification is set.

In step S71, it is determined whether the magnification setting is valid, for example, whether the magnification is within a copyable range of a predetermined designated sheet. If the magnification is not valid, the process exits this routine. If it is valid, the magnification data is set in the magnification / movement processing section in step S72, and the routine exits.

Next, the flowchart of the “density setting routine” will be described.

In this routine, the density of a predetermined copy target is set by sampling detection.

In step S81, it is determined whether the density setting is valid, for example, whether the density is within a predetermined copyable range. If the density setting is not valid, the routine exits. When enabled, step
In S82, it is determined whether or not the automatic density adjustment key has been operated. If the key has been operated, the flag AE for storing that the automatic density adjustment mode has been selected is set to "1", and the routine exits. When it is determined in step S82 that the automatic density adjustment key has not been operated, the flag AE for storing that the automatic density adjustment mode has not been selected is set to "0". The density setting signal designated by is output, and the routine exits.

Next, a flowchart of the “unnecessary area setting routine” will be described.

In this routine, only a region of a predetermined document size is subjected to copying and / or density detection, and the region is determined here.

In step S91, it is determined from the flag TRM "1" whether the trimming setting has been performed. If the trimming designation has been selected, the unnecessary area is removed by the trimming, and the routine exits. When the trimming setting is not performed, the value of the flag A is determined in step S92,
When the flag A is 3, the document size is set to A in step S93.
Set the 5T area. When flag A = 1, step
In step S94, the value of the flag B is determined. If the flag B = 2, the area of A4Y is set as the document size in step S95. If the flag B = 4, the area of A3T is set as the document size in step S96. I do. When the flag A = 2, the value of the flag B is determined in step S97,
If = 1, the area of A5Y is set as the document size in step S98, and if the flag B = 3, the area of A4T is set as the document size in step S99. Next, in step S100, it is determined whether the flag E indicating that OHP paper is selected is "1". When OHP paper is selected, in step S101 an area for OHP paper is designated,
That is, when an OHP sheet is used as a document, a process of setting the 5 mm width of the substantially L-shaped region 8C to white as a region for preventing the region of the substantially L-shaped region 8C from being read in black during scanning. And exit this routine.

Next, the flowchart of the "density adjustment preliminary scanning routine" will be described.

In this routine, density data is detected by sampling only an area within a predetermined document size or an area designated for trimming.

In step S111, a sampling area for reading density data to be automatically adjusted is calculated from the document size automatically or manually specified or the trimming area data set in step S9. In step S112, the scanner 1 is returned, that is, the operation in which the original size was detected in the forward scanning is changed to the backward scanning by changing the moving direction of the scanner 1, and in step S113, the automatic density adjustment calculated in step S111 is performed. It is determined whether or not the sampling reading area of the density data to be entered is entered. When the area is entered, the read data is loaded into the line memory 830 in step S114, and the reading area to be automatically adjusted from the line memory 830 in step S115. Read the sampling data. The operation from step S114 to step S115 is continued in step S116 until the operation departs from the reading area for automatic density adjustment calculated in step S111. If it is determined in step S116 that the scanner 1 is out of the reading area to be automatically adjusted, it is determined in step S117 whether the scanner 1 is at the home position. When the scanner 1 is at the home position, the scanner 1 is stopped in step S118. In step S119, the density read out from the line memory unit 830 in step S115 is determined to determine an optimum density adjustment level, and this is output to the density adjustment unit 820 in step S120.

Further, an image reading operation when the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment is applied to a copying machine will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a "document size detection routine" corresponding to the main program of the image reading apparatus used in the copying machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the “main scanning direction detection subroutine” used therein,
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of “sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine”, FIG. 23 is a flowchart of “sub-scanning direction detection subroutine”, and FIG. 24 is a flowchart of “size determination subroutine”.

First, the flowchart of the "document size detection routine" will be described.

In this routine, the scanner performs forward scanning for detecting image data at designated positions in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and detects or cannot detect a document size in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. Sometimes, it is stored in a flag.

When this routine is called in step S26, scanning in the forward direction in which the scanner 1 is separated from the document reference position S is started in step S201, and the scanner 1 is started in step S202.
Is determined to be the document reference position S, that is, the leading end position of the document. When the scanner 1 reaches the document reference position S, the "main scanning direction detection routine" is called. Then, in step S204, it is determined whether the flag A indicating that nothing was detected in the main scanning direction is "0". If no data is detected in the main scanning direction, the scanner 1 is returned to the home position in step S205, and the flag C indicating that detection in the main scanning direction is impossible is set to "1" in step S206. , Set the flag D to "0" and exit this routine.

If it is determined in step S204 that the detection in the main scanning direction is possible, the scanner 1 is moved to the designated position D1 calculated from the paper standard in step S207, and the process proceeds to step S208.
The sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine is called to read data in the sub-scanning direction. In step S209, the scanner 1 is moved to the designated position D2, and in step S210, the "sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine" is called. Then, the scanner 1 is moved to the designated position D3 in step S211 and the "sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine" is called in step S212. Further, in step S213, the scanner 1 is moved to the designated position D4, and in step S214, a "sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine" is called, and data in each sub-scanning direction is read.

Subsequently, in step S215, the "sub-scanning direction detection subroutine" is called, and the document size in the sub-scanning direction is replaced with a flag. In step S216, it is determined whether the flag B indicating that the number of detection points of the document size in the sub-scanning direction is zero is "0", and when the flag B is "0", step S217 is performed.
Then, the flag C indicating that the document size cannot be detected in the sub-scanning direction is set to "0", the flag D is set to "1", and the routine exits. If there is a document size detection point in the sub-scanning direction in step S216, the "size determination subroutine" is called in step S218 to match the predetermined document size in the table storing the standardized document size. Check if. In step S219, it is determined whether or not the result of the check is a combination error. If there is a combination error, the flag C is set to "1" and the flag D is set to "1" in step S220 to store that the document size is not defined. Exit the routine. In step S221, the flag C is set to "0" and the flag D is set to "0" to store that the document size has been defined, and in step S222, the flag E is set to "0" to store that the document size is of the standard size. Set to "0" and exit this routine.

Next, a flowchart of the “main scanning direction detection routine” will be described.

In this routine, the designated position in the main scanning direction of the forward scan
It is determined whether the image data of R1, R2, and R3 is "white" data, and the position of the "white" data is stored in a flag.

In step S231, the number of detections n for detecting the width of the substantially L-shaped region a plurality of times is set in the counter A. Note that the number of detections n is calculated by reducing the width of the substantially L-shaped region in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning direction scanner moving distance d. Steps
In step S232, the read data is written to the line memory 830, and in step S233, the designated position calculated by the scanner 1 based on the paper standard
It is determined whether there is white data in R1. If there is white data in designated position R1, flag A is set to "1" in step S234, and it is determined in step S235 whether white data is present in designated position R2. When there is white data in R2, the flag A is set to "2" in step S236, and it is determined in step S237 whether there is white data in the designated position R3. When there is white data in the designated position R3, the flag is made in step S238. Let A be "3"
Exit this routine.

When it is determined in steps S233, S235, and S237 that there is no white data from the specified distance R1 to the specified distance R3, it is determined in step S239 whether the counter A is “0”, and when the counter A is not “0”. In step S241, the scanner 1 is moved by the scanner moving distance d in the sub-scanning direction, which is the scanning interval in the main scanning direction, the value of the counter A is reduced by "1" in step S242, and the routine from step 232 is repeatedly executed. I do. If it is determined in step S239 that the counter A is not "0", the flag A is set to "0" in step S240, and the routine exits.

Next, a flowchart of the "sub-scanning direction data reading subroutine" will be described.

In this routine, the designated position in the sub-scanning direction of the forward scan
The image data of D1, D2, D3, and D4 is stored in the memory M.

In step S251, the read data is written to the line memory 830, and the line data written in step S252 is substantially L
The data of the width of the character-shaped area in the main scanning direction is written in the memory M. Then, in step S253, the designated position in the sub-scanning direction is determined. If the position is the designated position D1 in the sub-scanning direction, step S254
Then, the data written in the memory M is stored in the designated area at the designated position D1 in the buffer memory, and the routine exits. At the designated position D2 in the sub-scanning direction, the data written in the memory M is stored in the designated area of the designated position D2 of the buffer memory in step S255, and the routine exits. Similarly, at the designated positions D3 and D4 in the sub-scanning direction, steps S256 and S2
In step 57, the data written in the memory M is stored in the designated area at the designated positions D3 and D4 in the buffer memory, and the routine exits.

Next, a flowchart of the "sub-scanning direction detection subroutine" will be described.

In this routine, the designated positions D1, D2, D3, D
Judge whether the image data of 4 is “white” data,
The position of the "white" data is stored in the flag.

In step S261, a predetermined designated position D4 is read from the buffer memory.
Is read, and it is determined whether or not the designated position D4 is white data in step S262. If the designated position D4 is white data, the flag B is set to "4" in step S263. If the designated position D4 is not white data, the process proceeds to step S264. The data at the predetermined designated position D3 is read from the buffer memory, and it is determined in step S265 whether the designated position D3 is white data.
At step 66, the flag B "3" is set, and this routine is exited. If the specified position D3 is not white data, the step
In step S267, the data at the predetermined designated position D2 is read from the buffer memory. In step S268, it is determined whether the designated position D2 is white data. If the data is white data, the flag B is set to "2" in step S269. Escape. Similarly, when the designated position D2 is not white data, the data of the predetermined designated position D1 is read from the buffer memory in step S270, and it is determined in step S271 whether the designated position D1 is white data. To set the flag B to "1" and exit from this routine. Specified position D1 in step S271
Is not white data, the flag B indicating that the sub-scanning direction could not be detected in step S273.
Is set to "0", and the routine exits.

Next, a flowchart of the “size determination subroutine” will be described.

In this routine, it is determined whether or not the detected document size is the standard size, and an output of a combination error is set if the detected document size is not the standard size from the detection positions in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

The second document storing the document size standardized in step S281
A check is made as to whether the relationship between the flag A, the flag B, and the standardized document size shown in FIG. 27 matches the document size detected this time. If there is a corresponding one, the routine immediately exits from this routine. When there is no applicable item, step S2
At 82, a combination error is set, and the routine exits.

The image reading apparatus used in the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a document table 9 made of a transparent member on which a document such as a plain paper document P or a transparent document POHP is placed and a document pressing cover 8 for pressing the document. A document size reading means consisting of a "document size detection routine" for detecting the size of a document placed between them, and an area consisting of an editor 3 for designating a reading range of the document from the document placed on the platen 9 A mode selection control unit including a "printing routine" for avoiding the operation of the document size reading unit when the area to be read is specified by the area reading specifying unit including the editor 3. Things.

Therefore, specifying the reading of a predetermined image area by the editor 3 means that other image material areas are unnecessary areas. Therefore, when the reading of the predetermined image area is specified by the editor 3, It does not make sense to execute the document size reading means consisting of the "document size detection routine". At this time, by avoiding the document size reading means consisting of the "document size detection routine", the "main scanning direction detection subroutine" and " Sub scanning direction data reading subroutine "and" sub scanning direction detection subroutine "can be avoided.
The original function of the image reading apparatus itself, that is, the speed at which an image is read, can be increased.

Further, in the case where the document size reading means comprising a "document size detection routine" for determining the size of the document is performed by a preliminary scan of a scanner used for image reading,
Document size detection can be performed by pre-scanning before performing normal image reading scanning, and only electrical processing is performed without increasing the number of mechanical components and changing the configuration from conventional components. Can be done at

The detecting means including the image sensor 13 and the like for detecting a document disposed between the substantially L-shaped region 8C formed on the document pressing cover 8 for pressing the document and the upper surface of the document table 9 in the above-described embodiment includes: Since the document reference position S has been determined, it is necessary to determine a position where the state of the range of the substantially L-shaped region 8C which can be read as black may change in the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX. Thus, it is possible to determine the size of a document P composed of a plain document P placed on the document table 9 or a transparent document POH such as an OHP sheet.

In addition, the approximate L-shaped area 8C for detecting the original size is arranged in advance along the sides of the original and its width is also known, so the original is a transparent original such as OHP paper. However, the range of the substantially L-shaped region 8C, which can be read as black by the detection means, can be processed as electrically white, and at the same time, noise near the edge of the document end can be removed.
Therefore, the entire surface of the original pressing cover 8 on the original side can be set without considering the spectral distribution of the original, and the processing speed can be increased because the detected original size is not calculated by calculation.

The image reading apparatus according to the above-described embodiment has a substantially L-shaped area.
A detecting means for detecting a document disposed between the document table 8C and the upper surface of the document table 8 made of a transparent member is changed to a substantially L-shaped area 8C by the preliminary scanning of the scanner 1 for detecting the document size.
The original size is determined by the preliminary scanning before performing the image reading scanning in the normal copying operation, and the machine for specially detecting the original size is determined. It can be dealt with only by electrical processing without adding any structural components.

In the image reading apparatus of the above embodiment, the arrangement of the substantially L-shaped region 8C with respect to the document table 9 made of a transparent member is parallel to the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX. The length and / or width of the L-shaped area 8C can be minimized with respect to the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX, and the erase processing area of the substantially L-shaped area 8C can be easily determined. .

Further, in the image reading apparatus of the above embodiment, the arrangement of the substantially L-shaped area 8C with respect to the document table 9 made of a transparent member is parallel to the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX, and the edge of the transparent member The width of the original document is about 5 mm, and the size of the reading space is determined by using the space of the normal document margin. Even if paper is used or the substantially L-shaped region 8C is electrically processed as white, the original content is not affected. In the above embodiment, the width from the end of the transparent member is about 5 mm, but if the width is set to 10 mm or less, the information of the original is lost if the width of a general original is taken. Nothing.

Incidentally, the image reading apparatus used in the copying machine of the above-described embodiment is disposed above a document table 9 made of a transparent member on which a document is placed, and substantially corresponds to the upper surface of the document table 9 on which the document is placed. A predetermined corner of a document table 9 on which the document is placed is defined as a document reference position S on a document pressing cover 8 which presses the document which is entirely readable by a photoelectric conversion element including an image sensor 13 and the like as white. A substantially L-shaped region that can be read as black by a photoelectric conversion element including an image sensor 13 and the like disposed such that a substantially L-shaped bent point is located at the document reference position S
8C. However, when the above-described invention is implemented, when viewed from the scanner 1 side of the document table 9 made of a transparent member, the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX which can be read as black by the photoelectric conversion element on the document pressing cover 8 side. Since the region only needs to exist, the substantially L-shaped region 8C of the above embodiment is used.
Can be an area extending in the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX.

That is, it is disposed above a platen 9 made of a transparent member on which a document is placed, and the surface of the platen 9 on which the document is placed is made white so that it can be read by a photoelectric conversion element. A predetermined corner of the document table 9 to be read is defined as a document reference position S, and the document table 9 is transmitted through the document reference position S and is folded in the main scanning direction 8CY and the sub-scanning direction 8CX that can be read as black by a photoelectric conversion element. A document pressing cover 8 configured to press a document disposed so that a curved point is located; a detection unit configured to detect a document disposed between an area readable by the photoelectric conversion element as black and an upper surface of the transparent member; May be provided.

Further, in the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the document pressing cover 8 disposed on the upper surface of the document table 9 on which the document is placed is provided.
The surface corresponding to the upper surface of the document table 9 on which the document is placed is whitened,
Since the black region for document detection can be a surface surrounding the white surface, the shape of the black region of the document pressing cover can be formed without being limited to a substantially L-shape, and the degree of freedom in design is increased. Can be higher. Further, it can be designed as a configuration that does not make the user aware of the detection function.

Then, the image reading apparatus of the above-described embodiment performs the detecting means for detecting the document arranged between the substantially L-shaped area and the upper surface of the transparent member by the preliminary scanning before the copying operation by the scanner 1 starts. I have. However, since the detection means by the scanner 1 of the above embodiment is for detecting the presence of a document at a designated location, another example of the optical detection means used in the image reading apparatus of the embodiment of the semi-invention of FIG. Can be configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 28, the light emitting elements 121 and 123 made of LEDs and the like are:
A document surface placed on the upper surface of a document table 9 made of a transparent member is irradiated at an incident angle θ. The light receiving elements 122 and 124, such as phototransistors, have their incident angles set perpendicular to the document surface, and detect the presence of the document by irregular reflection on the rear surface of the document.

That is, when the document is present, the light receiving elements 122 and 124 receive the scattered light from the document, and when the document is not present, the light receiving elements 122 and 124 are reflected by the substantially L-shaped region (not shown) so that the reflection angle θ.
, So that light does not enter the light receiving elements 122 and 124.

The light emitting elements 121 and 123 and the light receiving elements 122 and 124 form a photocoupler.

In this type of embodiment, even if the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is used in a copying machine, it is not necessary to perform preliminary scanning, and the original can be directly placed by opening and closing the original pressing cover 8. The determination can be made, and the waste time required for the preliminary scanning can be omitted.

Further, the detecting means shown in FIG.
And the optical coupling was performed by the light receiving elements 122 and 124. A so-called photocoupler is configured to directly irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting elements 121 and 123 to the original, but since the synthetic resin such as OHP paper has a polarizing action, the light emitting elements 121 and 123 and the light receiving elements 122 and 124 are provided. By disposing a polarizing filter between them, the detection sensitivity of OHP paper or the like can be increased.

As described above, when the document size reading means for determining the size of the document includes the light emitting element and the light receiving element arranged at the predetermined positions, the document size can be detected without performing the preliminary scanning by the scanner. Thus, the detection operation can be performed immediately after the document is placed, and the processing speed can be increased.

In addition, by interposing a polarizing filter, even if the same color can be recognized by the naked eye, the photoelectric conversion element can determine the difference between the presence of the document and the substantially L-shaped region. The difference from the shape region is not uniquely determined by “white” and “black” determined by the naked eye. It is determined by a photoelectric conversion element that converts light into an electric signal. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design is increased, and the detection of OHP paper is also facilitated.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described using an example in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine, the present invention can be applied to any image processing apparatus such as an image scanner and a facsimile.

Also, as examples of the detecting means, the case using the scanner of the copying machine and the case using the photocoupler have been described. However, in the case where the present invention is implemented, any means may be used as long as it is an optical detecting means.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 is a document size reading device that determines the size of a document placed between a transparent member on which the document is placed and a document pressing cover that presses the document. Means, an area reading designating means for designating a reading range of the document from a document placed on the transparent member, and operation of the document size reading means when the range for reading the document is designated by the area reading designating means. And mode selection control means for avoiding the problem. Therefore, designating reading of a predetermined image area by area reading designation means such as an editor means that other image areas are made unnecessary areas. From this, when reading of a predetermined image area is designated by the area reading designating means, the original size reading means is avoided and the speed at which the original function of the image reading apparatus itself enters, such as image reading, is entered. Speed can be increased.

In the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the document size reading means for determining the size of the document is performed by a preliminary scan of a scanner used for image reading. The size of the document can be detected, and the detection can be performed only by the electric processing without increasing the number of mechanical components.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus, wherein the document size reading means for determining the size of the document includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged at a predetermined position. The document size can be detected, and the detection operation can be performed immediately after the document is placed, so that the processing speed can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining the principle when the image reading apparatus of the present invention is applied to a copying machine, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing a schematic internal structure of the entire copying machine of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an overall front view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of an editor used in the copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the entire control system of the copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of an operation panel of the copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of the reading unit, FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram of the printing unit, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the unnecessary area processing unit used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a platen of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an original diagram of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory view showing a positional relationship between the document pressing cover and the document in the case where the offset, the flow chart of FIG. 19 from FIG. 13 as a copier according to an embodiment of the present invention,
20 to 24 are flowcharts of an image reading operation when the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention is implemented in a copying machine;
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the unnecessary area and the document size data in the above embodiment, FIG. 26 is a data chart showing the relationship between the unnecessary area and the document size data in the above embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 28 is a data chart showing the relationship between the flag A and the flag B of the example and the standardized document size. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the optical detection means used in the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. . In the figure, 1: scanner, 8: document pressing cover 8C: substantially L-shaped area, 9: document table 13: image sensor 121, 123: light emitting element 122, 124: light receiving element S: document reference position P: plain paper document POHP: OHP This is a paper original. In the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Hirota 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuaki Tajima 2-chome Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kaoru Tada 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeru Moriya Osaka 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/04-1/207 G03G 15/04-15 / 04 120

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An original size reading means for judging the size of an original placed between a transparent member for placing the original and an original pressing cover for pressing the original, Region reading designating means for designating a range for reading a document; and mode selection control means for avoiding the operation of the document size reading means when the range for reading a document is designated by the region reading designating means. Image reading device. 2. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said document size reading means for judging the size of the document is performed by a preliminary scan of a scanner used for image reading. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said document size reading means for judging the size of the document comprises a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged at predetermined positions.