JP3420496B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading device for reading an image, and in particular, a document table on which a document is transparent (document table).
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus referred to as a scanner that reads an image of a document placed on a sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus converts an input image data into a visible image and outputs it as a hard copy. This image forming apparatus is
For example, according to a digital copying machine, an original placed on a transparent original table surface mainly made of glass is optically scanned with light emitted from a light source, and the obtained reflected light is read by a reading element. An image is picked up by a light receiving part of a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD,
Image data photoelectrically converted by each element is input, reproduced on a photoconductor for visualization, and finally transferred to a sheet or the like to output a hard copy.

Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the digital copying machine as described above, but image data created by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor is reproduced so that it can be visually observed. There are printers that output this as a hard copy, such as a laser printer, an inkjet printer, and a thermal printer.

As described above, the image forming apparatus is configured to be able to provide the reproduced image desired by the user.
On the other hand, as an apparatus for inputting image data to the image forming apparatus or the like, as described above, the original is placed on the placing table formed of transparent glass or the like, that is, the original table, and this placing is performed. There is an image reading device, commonly called a scanner, which reads an image of a document that has been read through a reading means, processes the read data so that the image forming device can reproduce the image, and outputs the image data as image data. .

This scanner is permanently installed in a digital copying machine, a facsimile or the like, and is connected to a personal computer or the like so that the personal computer can perform desired image editing processing and character recognition.

Therefore, the document cover, which can be opened and closed, is closed in order to bring the document on the document table into close contact with the document table while the image of the document is being read by the scanner. As a result, the light from the outside can be shielded and the original can be brought into close contact with the original table, so that the image of the original can be read accurately. Therefore, if the document cover is opened during the scanning of the document, the document on the document table may be displaced or dropped from the document table due to wind pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to place the original again on the original table.

In addition, when the original is optically scanned, not only the reading failure due to the deviation of the original occurs but also the original cover is opened even if the original is not displaced, so that the reading condition is affected by the external light and the reading state is changed. Different along the way. Therefore, a problem occurs in the read image data.

For this reason, in the past, the operator is careful not to open the document cover while the document is being read.

[0009]

However, it is often seen that the operator opens the original cover, presuming that the scanning was inadvertently completed during the reading of the original. Therefore, the image of the original cannot be read well, and the image is read again.

Therefore, it is conceivable to lock the document cover itself during the image reading of the document so that it cannot be opened. However, in the case of providing this lock mechanism, it is necessary to lock the closed document cover when the reading scan of the scanner is started, and unlock the lock when the reading scan is completed. Therefore, a lock mechanism, a release mechanism for the lock mechanism, and a circuit for controlling the lock mechanism are additionally required, which increases cost and increases the size of the device.

Further, it is necessary to supply electric power to the drive source in order to drive the lock mechanism and the release mechanism, which increases power consumption.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus capable of preventing a trouble due to opening of the document cover, particularly a reading failure, by a simple means without providing a lock mechanism on the document cover constituting the scanner. It is intended to be provided.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to notify the operator so as to positively urge the operator not to open the document cover carelessly while reading the image of the document, thereby preventing a reading failure or the like. Especially.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the operator inadvertently opens the document cover, displacement of the document is prevented,
The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to perform reading in a state equivalent to that in the closed state, with the reading failure caused by opening the original cover being minimized.

A further object of the present invention is to prevent the operator from unintentionally opening the document cover and to minimize power consumption at that time.

[0016]

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object can open and close a document placed on a transparent document table so as to press the document table from above. In an image reading apparatus which is provided with a document cover provided on the document cover and optically scans and reads an image of a document on the document table, a state in which the document cover is opened to the document cover in advance. A detection sensor is provided to detect and the original is adsorbed and held on the mounting surface of the original table.
And a suction holding unit for driving the suction holding unit by enabling the detection signal from the detection sensor during the reading scan in which the image of the original is optically scanned.
However, it is characterized in that a control means for adsorbing and holding the original is provided.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

According to this structure, when the document cover is about to be opened, this is detected in advance by the detection sensor, and the document is suction-held on the document table by the suction-holding means. Therefore, if the operator opens the document cover, the document is prevented from being displaced. That is, displacement due to the wind pressure at the time of opening is prevented. As a result, even if the scanning and reading of the image is continued, the image defect due to the positional deviation does not occur. In addition, interruption of image reading and the like and correction processing from this point can be started.

To start the correction process described above, an example
Example, if separately provided open- sensor state ing by detecting that the document cover is opened or closed, the control means is responsive to the open detection by the opening detection sensor during the scanning reading the document, from the open point The correction process is performed on the image data read by. As a result, when the document cover is actually opened, the image data when the document cover is read and scanned in the closed state and the image data when the reading and scanning are performed at the time of opening are slightly different depending on the situation. But,
By performing the correction processing of the image data read at that time, the image data may be equivalent to images data read during the previous opening closed. Therefore, normal image data can be output to the outside. At this time, since the originals are also suction-held so that the positional deviation does not occur, the correction process can be easily performed as described above.

Further , it is possible to suspend and restart the above-mentioned reading.
To, for example, the document cover is provided separately open- sensor state ing by detecting which is opened or closed, the control means is responsive to the open detection by open detection sensor during the scanning reading of the document, The means for optically scanning the image of the original is temporarily stopped, and the reading and scanning by the means for scanning is restarted in response to the detection of closing of the original cover by the open detection sensor. According to this, the image reading and scanning can be performed with the document cover always closed, and clear image data can always be output. In this case, the document is naturally sucked and held, so that the displacement of the document is prevented. Even if the reading scanning of the original is temporarily stopped, the position can be stored at the time when the original cover opening detection sensor detects it, and when the reading scanning is restarted, the position can be stored .
The reading scan can be started easily.

Further, the image reading apparatus for achieving the above-mentioned object according to the present invention is provided so as to be openable / closable in order to press the original document placed on the transparent original document table from above into the original document table. In an image reading apparatus including a document cover and configured to optically scan and read an image of a document on the document table, a detection sensor for detecting in advance a state in which the document cover is to be opened. And a blocking mechanism that locks the document cover in the closed state to prevent the document from being opened, and is detected by the detection sensor during the reading scan in which the image of the document is optically scanned. signal to drive the blocking means is blocked the opening of the document cover as valid, the non-detection signal by the sensor stops driving of the blocking mechanism, formed by allowing the opening of the document cover control Characterized in that a stage.

According to this structure, the blocking mechanism is driven so that the document cover is not opened when the detection sensor detects that the operator is trying to open the document cover. If the operator knows that the document cover is open, that is, that the operator cannot open the document cover, and releases the document cover from the document cover or moves away from the document cover, the blocking of the opening by the blocking mechanism is released. Therefore, unless the operator intends to open the document cover, the blocking mechanism does not operate and power consumption does not occur. However, when the operator tries to perform the opening work, power is consumed only when the opening is blocked, and unnecessary power consumption does not occur. Moreover, the opening of the document cover is prevented during reading and scanning of the document, and in other cases, the opening operation can be easily performed.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a scanner which is an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.
Is a perspective view showing the original cover of the scanner opened,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a document to be read is placed on the document table when the document cover is opened. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration for eliminating a document reading failure in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. That is, the control circuit configuration is such that the opening of the document cover is prohibited or blocked.

The scanner shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, that is, the image forming apparatus is shown as a single scanner. However, according to the digital copying machine, this scanner is permanently installed in the upper portion of the copying machine main body, and the facsimile. The device is also permanently installed. Further, the personal computer is connected via a communication cable or the like, the image of the original is read on the scanner side based on the reading command, and the read image data is sent to the personal computer.

First, the structure of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The scanner 1 which is an image reading device is provided with a document cover 2 which is openable and closable at the top. The original cover 2 is opened and closed in correspondence with an original table 3 which constitutes an original placing portion made of transparent glass or the like on the upper side of the scanner 1, and one side end 4 thereof is located on the upper main body side of the scanner 1. It is pivotally supported.

The manuscript cover 2 is provided with a white pressing sheet 22 on the surface facing the manuscript table 3 on an exterior 21 made of resin or the like. The pressing sheet 22 is composed of, for example, a sponge member. It is attached on the member 23.
Therefore, by closing the manuscript cover 2, the manuscript placed on the manuscript table 3 can be pressed against the surface of the manuscript table 3 by the action of the pressing member 23 to be brought into close contact therewith.

A scanning optical system 5 for reading an image of a placed document is provided in the main body of the scanner 1 below the document table 3. The scanning optical system 5 includes an exposure lamp that irradiates a document with light, a plurality of reflecting mirrors that reflect the reflected light from the document to the slit 61 of the reading unit 6, and the like, as is well known. Particularly, the scanning optical system 5 has the exposure lamp and the reflection mirror on the first supporting means, and
The second supporting means, which is driven and scanned at a speed half the scanning speed of the supporting means, supports a set of reflecting mirrors. Then, by moving these first and second supporting means to the right side in FIG. 2, for example, the reflected light of the document on the document table 3 is sequentially coupled to the reading element (CCD) of the reading unit 6 via the slit 61. It is imaged.

As is well known, the reading unit 6 includes a CCD, which is a reading element for photoelectric conversion, and a lens or the like arranged upstream of the optical path for focusing reflected light from the original on the light receiving surface of the CCD. There is. The image received by the CCD is converted into an electric signal (analog signal) corresponding to the amount of light and output, and the signal is output as read data by converting the signal into a digital signal. The read data (image data) is further processed into data that can be reproduced and output by the image forming apparatus, and is output as image processing data.

The original 7 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The one end portion 7a of the sheet is placed so as to be aligned with the reference end 3a on the document table 3. In other words, the document table 3 is previously provided with the reference end 3
a is defined. Then, the original 7 is placed so that the end 7a of the original 7 is aligned with the reference end 3a. As a result, the reading start position and the like of the document 7 are accurately positioned.

When the original 7 is placed at the reference position of the original table 3 as described above, the original cover 2 is closed. The state is as shown in FIG. Therefore, the scanner 1
The reading operation is started by operating a reading command from a personal computer or operating a reading start switch on the operation panel of the scanner 1 main body. At this time, the scanning optical system 5
The exposure lamp is turned on, and the original 7 is optically scanned, so that the entire area of the original 7 is sequentially scanned and an image is read.

(First Embodiment of the Present Invention) As described above, in the state where the placed original 7 is sequentially read in FIG.
When the document cover 2 is closed, the operator cannot accurately check the scanning state and carelessly opens the document cover 2 without noticing that the image is being scanned and scanned, and A positional deviation occurs due to the wind pressure when the placed document 7 is opened, which causes a reading failure.

Therefore, in the present invention, the document cover 2 is prevented from being opened carelessly during scanning for reading the image of the document 7, and one embodiment thereof will be described below.

In FIG. 1, the manuscript cover 2 is opened at a handle 24 (an end portion on the opposite side of the shaft supporting portion, see FIG. 2) 24 for opening and closing the manuscript cover 2. A touch sensor or a non-contact sensor 25 for detecting a desired state is provided. This detection sensor 25
Is to detect it when the operator's hand touches or approaches the portion of the handle 24. For example, a touch-type sensor detects a touched state by touching with a hand or the like due to an electrical capacitance change, a conductive state, or the like. Further, the non-contact type sensor detects static electricity or the like of the human body (change in capacitance or the like), so that if the hand or the like is located near the sensor 25 without touching the sensor 25 directly, the sensor 25 can be easily operated. Can be detected. These sensors are well known and are not particularly novel in the present invention.

Further, in response to the detection of the detection sensor 25 on the main body side of the scanner 1, the operator touches or approaches the document cover 2 during the scanning of reading the document,
A notification display device 8 and / or a notification audio device 9 for notifying that scanning is in progress are provided. The display device 8 and the audio device 9 are driven in response to the detection state of the detection sensor 25. For example, the display device 8 is
It blinks to indicate that the document cover 2 should not be opened, or the voice device 10 gives a voice message "Do not open the document cover". In addition, as a matter of course, a message "Please do not open the document cover" may be displayed, and it is more effective if the message is blinked.

Then, the operator closes the original cover 2 and performs an operation for reading the image of the placed original 7. Then, when the operator attempts to open the document cover 2 by holding the grip 24 of the document cover 2 while the scanning optical system 5 is starting to read and scan the document 7, the sensor 25 detects it before that. In response to this detection, the display device 8 and the audio device 9 are driven and controlled, and the operator is informed of a message "Please do not open the document cover". This prompts the operator to stop the operation of opening the document cover 2. When the scanning of the document is completed, the detection sensor 25 is operated by the operator's hand or the like.
Even if the handle 24, that is, the electrode region of the detection sensor 25 is touched, the above-mentioned message notification is controlled not to be performed. Therefore, when the operator opens the manuscript cover 2, a message is not notified when the manuscript cover 2 is opened, the work is not stopped, and the work can be easily performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for issuing a message only during reading and scanning of a document when opening and closing the document cover 2 described above. This block diagram shows a state in which a control unit for reading and scanning a document is omitted, and the control unit according to the present invention is illustrated.

In FIG. 4, a CPU as a control means
By receiving a reading start command (not shown) via the I / O or the like, the driving and driving control of the scanning optical system 5 described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed, and at the same time, the exposure lamp is turned on to start reading. A detection signal from a detection sensor 25 is input to the CPU 10 as shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention.

Although not shown, the CPU 10 runs the scanning optical system 5 upon receiving a reading start command, and when the reading scanning is completed, inputs the completion signal. This completion signal is output, for example, when the scanning optical system 5 scans the final area of the document table 3 to return to the original scanning start position. Therefore, if the micro switch or the like is operated at the end point, the end signal can be easily output.

Therefore, the CPU 10 recognizes the start point and the end point of the reading scanning of the original. Therefore, the detection signal from the detection sensor 25, that is, the detection signal output by touching or touching the detection sensor 25 when the operator opens and closes the document cover 2 is CP.
When it is sent to U10, the CP
U10 effectively processes the detection signal. That is, the interrupt signal is preferentially processed. However, CPU1
0 disables the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 when the original is not being scanned for scanning. This invalid means
Even if a detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is input, it is in a state of being ignored without performing interrupt processing.

On the other hand, the CPU 10 has a drive circuit 11 for driving and controlling the display device 8 and the audio device 9 provided in the scanner 1 main body, particularly in the portion corresponding to the handle 24 of the document cover 2.
And 12 are connected. Therefore, the CPU 10 outputs a drive signal to the drive circuit 11 or (and) 12 in response to a detection signal of the sensor 25 when the document cover 2 is being opened during scanning of the document. As a result, the drive circuit 11 or (and) 12 causes the display device 8,
“Please do not open the document cover” via the voice device 9
Such a message can be notified.

In FIG. 4, the memory 13 is a storage device for sequentially storing the image data read during the reading operation of the original. The memory 13 can be written and read under the control of the CPU 10. The memory 13 is also configured to store other information required by the CPU 10. Therefore, the storage area of image data and the storage area of information such as control are distinguished and selectively used.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a control procedure for preventing the opening operation of the document cover 2 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 4, and with reference to this flow chart,
Further, its control operation will be described.

First, the operator places the document 1 on the document table 3 above the scanner 1 with the reference ends aligned in order to read the image of the document. Then, when the document cover 2 is closed, an operation start command is given. This command is a start switch on the operation panel of the scanner 1 main body, a start command from the personal computer, and a copy start switch in the digital copying machine. When the CPU 10 receives this instruction, the input state of the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is validated according to the main routine of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is permitted to interrupt (S1).

At the same time, the CPU 10 controls the scanning optical system 5
To scan the image of the placed document 7 (S2). During the execution of this read scan, the input state of the detection signal from the sensor 25 is constantly monitored according to the flowchart of FIG. 5B, that is, the interrupt processing routine. Therefore, in the interrupt routine of FIG.
If there is no detection signal from the detection sensor 25 (S10),
The CPU 10 does not output the control signal to the drive circuits 11 and 12 for notifying the drive of the display device 8 and the audio device 9 by a message. However, if the operator carelessly tries to open the document cover 2, the sensor 25 detects this in advance. That is, when the operator's hand touches or approaches the detection sensor 25, it is detected and this detection signal is output to the CPU 10.

As a result, the CPU 10 confirms the input of the detection signal in the interrupt processing routine (S10).
By doing so, a control signal is output to the drive circuits 11 and 12 (S12). Therefore, a message "Please do not open the document cover" is notified to the operator via the display device 8 and the audio device 9. Therefore, the operator knows that the opening operation should not be performed and stops the opening operation. Then, it waits until the image reading scanning of the document is completed.

When the image reading scanning of the original is completed in this way, the CPU 10 performs interrupt prohibition (S3) processing by the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 in order to prohibit the transition to the interrupt processing routine. Therefore, even if the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is input to the CPU 10, it does not shift to the interrupt processing routine on the right side, so that signal is ignored. If the operator is informed in the interruption processing routine that the opening of the document cover 2 is prohibited, the state is stopped and the image reading of the next document is awaited.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operator tries to open the document cover 2 carelessly during the image reading / scanning of the document 7, the scanner 1 main body side should stop the opening. More message notification is given. This prompts the operator to stop opening. This makes it easy for the operator to know that the image reading scanning of the document is being performed. for that reason,
The image reading of the original does not become defective, and the read image data is stored in the memory 13. The image data may be directly output to the outside without being stored in the memory 13.

Further, since the document cover 2 is not continuously locked during the image reading scanning of the document and is not released when the reading is completed, no power consumption for that is caused.
If the operator does not try to operate the document cover 2, the above message notification is not issued.

(Various Embodiments in First Embodiment)
Here, the display device 8 is provided on the main body of the scanner 1 corresponding to the handle 24 of the document cover 2. Therefore, a message is displayed before holding the handle 24 to open the document cover 2 or waiting. For example, if blinking occurs, the operator can be surely notified that the opening should not be performed. That is, when the operator tries to open the document cover 2, a message is notified near that position, so that the operator can easily know the intention of the message.

Further, since the touch type or non-contact type detection sensor 25 is provided in the area of the grip 24 of the document cover 2, the state before the document cover 2 is opened can be surely detected. . Then, the operator can be surely notified by the detection as described above.

Therefore, the effect of inhibiting the opening of the original cover 2 during the scanning of reading an image is enhanced. Moreover, the notification that informs (prompts) the operator to prohibit this opening is
The message is not notified even if the detection signal of the detection sensor 25 is output only during reading and scanning of the original. Therefore, there is no anxiety about the operator and no annoyance due to the notification.

(Second Embodiment of the Invention) According to the first embodiment described above, the document cover 2 has no lock mechanism. However, the reason why the message cannot be opened by displaying the message, that is, the fact that the image is being read can be surely notified to the operator. In other words, the operator can easily know from the message notification that the operation is defective in reading.

On the other hand, it is conceivable that the original cover 2 may be opened carelessly even if the operator is instructed to prohibit the opening by the message notification. It is conceivable that, due to the opening of the document cover 2 at that time, the document 7 is displaced due to wind pressure and falls from the document table 3.

At this time, if the position of the original 7 is not displaced, even if the reading is continued even if the reading of the image is continued as it is, even if the reading state changes a little due to the influence of external light, the reading error due to a large deviation of the image. Does not occur. Therefore, when the document cover 2 is about to be opened, the detection sensor 25 detects it, so that the document 7 is placed on the document table 3
If the image data is adsorbed and held on the upper side, it is possible to easily obtain the image data faithfully by continuously performing the image reading and scanning and then correcting the image processing.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the original table 3 side is devised. That is, in the document table 3, as shown in FIG. 6, an electrostatic attraction section 32 capable of electrostatically attracting and holding the document 7 is provided on the surface of the transparent glass 31,
Further, a transparent transparent anti-static sheet 33 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The electrostatic attraction unit 32 is provided with, for example, a transparent electrode unit, and a voltage 34 for electrostatic attraction is supplied to the transparent electrode unit via a changeover switch 35. The change-over switch 35 is designed to be operated via the CPU 10 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, the change-over drive circuit 14 controls the change-over according to the change-over control signal from the CPU 10.

The changeover switch 35 is controlled to change over to the adsorption voltage 34 side and the ground side, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the changeover switch 35 is switched to the ground side, the electric charge supplied to the adsorption unit 32 is discharged, that is, escapes to the ground side. As a result, electrostatic attraction of the original 7 on the surface of the original table 3 is released, and the original 7 can be easily removed.

The changeover switch 35 has a voltage of 3 for adsorption.
4 to the electrostatic attraction section 32, and the electrostatic attraction section 32
Is selectively connected to a potential-side terminal for grounding as described above. Then, the switching drive circuit 14 is electrically connected to one of the terminals to maintain the state.

The control operation will be described with reference to the control flow chart shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 1, when the document cover 2 is closed and a reading start command is issued, the scanner 1 main body side, that is, the CPU 10 executes the processing by the main routine shown in FIG.
The interrupt processing of the detection signal of 5 is permitted (S1). At the same time, reading scanning of the image is executed (S2). At this time, the output state of the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is constantly monitored by the CPU 10 in the interrupt processing routine shown in FIG.

If the detection signal of the detection sensor 25 is not output, the control signal is sent to the drive circuits 11 and 12 by the CPU 1.
0 is not output (S10 → S11), and the control signal is not output to the switching drive circuit 14 which controls the changeover switch 35 (S13). That is, the changeover switch 35 is controlled to be changed over to the ground side by the changeover drive circuit 14.

However, if the operator carelessly thinks that the reading and scanning of the original has been completed and tries to open the original cover 2, the state is detected by the detection sensor 25 in advance. In response to the detection signal of the detection sensor 25, the display device 8 and the audio device 9 are driven via the drive circuits 11 and 12, and the operator is informed that opening is prohibited (S12). ). At the same time, the placed document 7 is suction-held on the document table 3 so that the document displacement does not occur due to wind pressure when the document cover 2 is opened. Therefore, a control signal is output from the CPU 10, and the changeover drive circuit 14 switches the changeover switch 35 to the attracting voltage 34 side. As a result, the attraction voltage 34 is supplied to the electrostatic attraction unit 32, and the document 7 placed on the document table 7 is attracted and held.

That is, the electrostatic attraction section 32 is connected to the grounded state by the changeover switch 35 during the operation of placing the original. Therefore, the original 7 can be easily placed. And
While the document is being read and scanned, the CPU 10 sends a control signal to the switching drive circuit 14 by the detection signal of the detection sensor 25 as described above, and the changeover switch 35 causes the adsorption voltage 34
Switched to the side.

Therefore, even if the operator ignores the opening prohibition message and opens the document cover 2, the placement position of the document 7 is electrostatically held and is not displaced.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image reading failure due to the document shift during the image reading scanning of the document 7. Further, even if the original 7 is suction-held, if the original cover 2 is not opened, the original 7 is simply held at the position as it is without any inconvenience.

If the operator tries to open the document cover 2 during scanning of the document and stops the opening operation,
In the interrupt processing routine, if the detection state of the detection sensor 25 changes to the non-detection state, the CPU 10 performs the processes of steps S11 and S13 to cancel the suction operation. That is, the changeover switch 35 is switched to the ground potential side, and the suction holding by the suction unit 32 is released.

As described above, when the reading and scanning of the image of the original is completed, the CPU 10 recognizes it and inhibits the interrupt processing by the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 in order to prevent the shift to the interrupt processing routine. (S3), regardless of whether the changeover switch 35 is switched to the attraction voltage 34 side or the ground side, the changeover control is performed so that the attraction section 32 is connected to the ground side regardless of the position. (S5).

As described above, when the reading scan is completed, no message is displayed even if the original cover 2 is opened, and the placed original 7 is released from the suctioned state. Can be removed. Further, the next original 7 can be easily placed. Moreover, the read image data is stored in the memory 13 in a normal state.

The second embodiment is based on the fact that the original 7 is sucked and held, and it is an indispensable requirement to provide a means for giving a message to the operator to stop the opening of the original cover 2. Absent. Therefore, without providing this message notification, it is possible to solve the reading problem due to the displacement of the document with the configuration described in the second embodiment. However, by additionally providing this message notification, it becomes possible for the operator to stop the opening of the image during the reading and scanning as described above.

(Another Form According to Second Embodiment) In the above-described second embodiment, when the document cover 2 is actually opened, the reading form at that time is different from the closed state. That is, when the document cover 2 is present, reflected light is present in the white sheet 22 even in an area where no document is present. However, since the document cover 2 does not exist, there is no reflected light, and the periphery of the document 7 is read in black. Including these, in order to solve the problems in the open state, the brightness / contrast correction is usually performed. This means that if the read document 7 is not a sheet but a thick material such as a book, the document cover 2 is not completely closed but is in an open state. It is used for correction processing in such a case.

Therefore, the correction means 15 is connected to the CPU 10 as shown in FIG. Moreover, since the correction process is performed by using the correction unit 15, it is necessary to detect the state in which the original cover 2 is actually opened. Such an open sensor is usually provided in the main body of the scanner 1. That is, the open detection sensor detects that the document cover 2 is not in the closed position. This open detection sensor 16
The open detection signal from is input to the CPU 10. The open detection sensor 16 does not detect only the open state of the document cover 2, but naturally detects the closed state even when the document cover 2 is closed.

Therefore, the control operation in the image correction processing will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. Figure 8
Is almost the same as the control shown in the control flowchart of FIG. 7, control by the detection signal from the open detection sensor 16 of the document cover 2 is added, and other control is the same. That is, in the main routine shown in FIG. 8A, the document cover 2 is inserted between step S1 and step S2.
The CPU 10 permits the interruption of the detection signal by the open detection sensor 16 (S1-1). When the image reading scanning is completed, the CPU 10 prohibits the interrupt processing of the detection signal by the detection sensor 25 (S3) and also prohibits the interrupt processing of the detection signal by the open detection sensor 16 (S3-1). .

In the control flow chart shown in FIG.
When the open detection sensor 16 of the document cover 2 detects the open state, the correction processing is performed by the image data read by the CCD via the brightness / contrast correction means 15. Then, the image data, which has been subjected to the correction processing as necessary, is sequentially stored in the memory 13 together with the image data before the document cover 2 is opened. In this case, if the image data is not stored in the memory 13, the image data is directly output.

Therefore, when the opening of the document cover 2 is not detected, the image data is output to the outside without performing the correction process by the correction unit 15 in step S22 in the interrupt processing routine shown in FIG. 8B. To do. If the document cover 2 is opened midway, the correction means 1
The corrected image data is output to the outside via the 5.

Therefore, even if the original cover 2 is opened halfway, it is possible to output the image data equivalent to the read image data when the original cover 2 is closed. When the document cover 2 is closed again, the correction processing by the brightness / contrast correction means is not performed (S21 to S).
23), the read image data is output.

Even if the original cover 2 is actually opened, the state shown in FIG.
As shown in the interrupt processing routine, when the operator touches or comes close to the document cover 2, the detection sensor 25 detects it, so that the suction processing in step S14 is performed. As a result, even when the document cover 2 is actually opened, the document 7 is not displaced from the mounting position.

(Other forms according to the second embodiment) In the above, when the open state of the document cover 2 is actually detected and brightness / contrast correction is performed according to the detected state, the document cover 2 is opened in the middle. The reading scanning is continuously performed regardless of the situation. Apart from this, it is also possible to interrupt the reading scanning and restart the scanning when the document cover 2 is closed again. Therefore, C
The PU 10 controls a scan driving device 17 for driving and controlling the scanning optical system 5. That is, when the open state of the document cover 2 is detected, the CPU 10 at that time causes the scanning optical system 5
In order to stop the scanning of, the control for stopping the scan driving device 17 is performed. Then, when the opening detection sensor 16 detects that the document cover 2 is closed, the driving device 17
To drive the optical scanning system 5 to start scanning.

The drive control is shown in FIG. As a stage before performing this drive control, interrupt permission of the detection signal of the open detection sensor 16 of the document cover 2 is enabled through steps S1 → S1-1 → S2 of the control flowchart shown in FIG. Then, when the operator tries to open the document cover 2, the detection sensor 25 detects it, so that a message for prohibiting the opening is issued and at the same time the suction process of the document 7 is performed. This is executed when necessary by the processing of steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 7, as described above.

Therefore, if the operator unintentionally opens the document cover 2 without being prompted by the message notification, the opening detection sensor 16 outputs an opening detection signal. As a result, the scanning optical system 5 that performs the reading scanning according to the interrupt flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is stopped (S31).
Let This causes the CPU 10 to stop the traveling of the scanning optical system 5 via the scanning drive device 17. The stopped position is stored in the memory 13 together with the image data read so far (S32). Then, the CPU 10 checks the output state from the opening detection sensor 16 to see if the document cover 2 is closed (S33).

When the document cover 2 is closed, the open detection sensor 16 detects it. When the CPU 10 inputs this closing detection signal, the scanning drive device 17 is operated to start the scanning scanning of the scanning optical system 5 from the previous stop position (S34). At this time, the stop position of the scanning optical system 5, that is, the position at which the reading scan is stopped is stored in the memory 13. Therefore, reading scanning is started from that position. In this case, after the scanning optical system 5 is returned by a certain distance, the traveling is started, and the reading scanning is started from the starting position. this is,
By restarting the reading scanning from the position stored in the memory 13, stable scanning can be performed.

Therefore, when the reading scanning is restarted in step S35, the reading control in step S2 shown in FIG. 7 is executed. Then, the read image data can be processed, and the image data previously stored in the memory 13 can be continuously processed for sequential storage processing. When the read image data is sequentially transferred to the outside,
The read image data when the scanning is stopped is stored in the memory 13 for a plurality of lines, and is used for joining when the reading process is performed from the stop position when reading is resumed, and the subsequent image data is sent to the outside. Can be transferred.

When the scanning of the image is completed as described above, the interruption processing by the opening detection sensor 16 of the document cover 2 is prohibited (S3-1), as shown in FIG.
The interrupt processing by the sensor 5 is also prohibited (S3) at the same time. Since the subsequent control is the same, the description is omitted.

As described above, if the document cover 2 is actually opened, this is detected, and the reading scanning of the document is temporarily stopped at the time of this detection. Then, when the document cover 2 is closed, the reading scanning is restarted from the position where it was temporarily stopped, and the image data can be output in connection with the previously read image data. Therefore, even if the document cover 2 is opened, it is possible to obtain normal image data in a state where the document cover 2 is closed, without performing Brightner / contrast correction or the like. At this time, even if the original cover 2 is opened and closed again, the suction means is driven (see FIG. 7).
Step S10 → S12 → S14 shown in)),
Problems such as misalignment of the original 7 are solved.

In another mode and another mode of the second embodiment, the output of the detection sensor 25 is also used to give a message prompting the prohibition of opening. The object of the present invention can be sufficiently achieved by performing the above-described suction holding control of the document 7 without issuing this message notification. However, by combining with the one for performing message notification, there is an effect that the opening of the document cover 2 is stopped by the operator on the way, and the opening detection sensor 1 of the document cover 2 is provided.
If it is not necessary to perform the above-mentioned control by the detection of 6, there is no problem with it.

(Third Embodiment of the Invention) In the above first and second embodiments, when the document cover 2 is about to be opened, the operator is informed that it should not be opened. Message notification (display and / or voice) is made in advance. If the document cover 2 is likely to be opened without noticing such a message notification, the document shift that occurs when the document cover 2 is opened is prevented, and the image data obtained by the reading scan becomes clear (good). As described above, the correction or the stop and the reading are restarted.

In the third embodiment, especially when the manuscript cover 2 is about to be opened by the operator, it is detected in advance as described above and is blocked so that it cannot be opened. Then, when the image reading scanning of the document is completed, the document cover 2 is freely opened. Moreover, the document cover 2 is prevented from being opened only when the operator touches or comes close to the document cover 2, and at other times, that is, during scanning, the operator does not open the document cover 2. If the document cover 2 is not opened, the document cover 2 is not blocked from being opened.

In the third embodiment, the document cover 2
A blocking mechanism is provided so as to prevent the document from being opened, and the blocking mechanism is driven to detect the state in which the document cover 2 is about to be opened by the operator. Therefore, first, a configuration example of the blocking mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 10 (a)
In the document cover 2, one side end portion 4 thereof is supported on one side end of the scanner 1 main body by a support shaft 40 so as to be rotatable, that is, openable and closable. On both sides or one side of the document cover 2, fan-shaped locking pieces 41 are integrally attached or molded. The locking piece 41 is formed with a circular opening 42 that constitutes a blocking mechanism that prevents the document cover 2 from being opened.

Corresponding to the locking piece 41, a groove or space 43 is formed on the scanner 1 main body side so that the locking piece 41 is inserted therein. On the scanner 1 main body side in the space 43 portion, a locking rod 44 that penetrates the opening 42 is arranged. As shown in FIGS. 10 (b) and 10 (c), the locking rod 44 is a plunger provided so as to penetrate a conventionally known solenoid 45, and when the solenoid 45 is excited (energized), the engagement rod 44 shown in FIG.
It is designed to be moved to the right in (b).
The locking rod 44, which is this plunger, has a flange 4 at one end.
6 is fixed, and this flange 46 and solenoid 4
A spring (compression spring) 47 is interposed between the five main bodies. A stopper 48 is fixedly arranged on the main body of the scanner 1 so as to correspond to the flange 46. Therefore, the locking rod 44 is positioned in a direction away from the opening 42 of the locking piece 41 by the bias of the spring 47, the flange 46 contacts the stopper 48, and the movement thereof is stopped.

As described above, the blocking mechanism includes the locking pieces 41,
The opening 42, the locking rod 44, and the solenoid 45 are formed. In the construction of this blocking mechanism, when the solenoid 45 is energized with the document cover 2 closed, the locking rod 44 is moved toward the opening 42 side of the locking piece 41 against the biasing force of the spring 47. Be moved. As a result, the locking rod 44
Penetrate through the opening 42. This state is as shown in FIG. 10C, and the opening of the document cover 2 is blocked.

In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 4, the energization control of the solenoid 45 is performed via the blocking drive circuit 18 in the blocking means which is a stopper for restricting the opening of the document cover 3. That is, when the drive control signal is sent from the CPU 10 to the blocking drive circuit 18, the solenoid 45 is energized. When the non-driving signal is input, the solenoid 4
Energization to 5 is blocked.

Therefore, in the image reading apparatus having the blocking mechanism shown in FIG. 10, the control procedure by the control circuit shown in FIG. 4 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the same processing step parts as in FIG. 5 are indicated by the same reference numerals. Further, in FIG. 4, a stopper (blocking) drive circuit 18 controls energization of the solenoid 45 in order to drive-control the blocking mechanism.

First, when the original cover 2 is closed and a reading start command is issued as shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 1 main body side, that is, the CPU 10 detects the detection signal of the detection sensor 25 in the main routine shown in FIG. The interrupt processing of is permitted (S1). At the same time, reading scanning of the image is executed (S
2). At this time, the output state of the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is constantly monitored by the CPU 10 according to the interrupt processing routine shown in FIG. If the detection sensor 25
If the detection signal is not output, the CPU 10 does not output the control signal to the drive circuits 11 and 12 (S10 →
In S11), the control signal is not output to the blocking drive circuit 18 that controls the energization of the solenoid 45 (S15).

However, if the operator carelessly thinks that the reading and scanning of the original has been completed and tries to open the original cover 2, the state is detected by the detection sensor 25 in advance. In response to the detection signal of the detection sensor 25, the display device 8 and the audio device 9 are driven via the drive circuits 11 and 12, and the operator is informed that opening is prohibited (S12). ). At the same time, a drive control signal is output from the CPU 10 to the blocking drive circuit 18 so that the placed document cover 2 is not opened. As a result, the solenoid 45 is energized, and the locking rod 44 is opened from the state shown in FIG. 10B as shown in FIG. 10C.
Penetrate through. As a result, the opening of the document cover 7 is blocked (S16).

Therefore, if the operator carelessly tries to open the document cover 2 during reading and scanning of the document 7, the detection sensor 25 detects this in advance, and as shown in FIG. Operates to prevent the document cover 2 from being opened. Therefore, inconveniences caused when the document cover 2 is opened, for example, misalignment of the document 7 and reading defects are eliminated.

When the operator notices that the document cover 2 cannot be opened, he releases his hand from the document cover 2. This is immediately detected by the detection sensor 25, and a driving stop signal is sent from the CPU 10 to the blocking drive circuit 18 in order to release the blocking mechanism of the document cover 2 through steps S10 to S11. As a result, the solenoid 45
Is de-energized, and the locking bar 44 is separated from the opening 32 by the biasing force of the spring 47. This maintains the state in which the document cover 2 can be opened.

As described above, while the document cover 2 is prevented from being opened during the image reading and scanning of the document, if there is no risk of the document cover 2 being opened, the document cover 2 can be opened. Become. Therefore, power is consumed only when the original cover 2 is blocked from being opened. However, if the operator does not perform the opening work, power consumption for that purpose does not occur.

As described above, when the reading and scanning of the image of the original is completed, the CPU 10 recognizes it, and FIG.
(B) Moving from the interrupt processing routine to the main routine of FIG. 11 (a), the interrupt processing by the detection signal from the detection sensor 25 is prohibited (S3). If it has been notified, it will be canceled including it (S4)
At the same time, even if the opening of the document cover 2 is blocked, the blocking mechanism of the document cover 2 is released (S6),
The original cover 2 can be opened.

As described above, when the reading scan is completed, the opening of the original cover 2 is not blocked and can be freely opened. Further, no message is displayed and the original 7 can be easily replaced with the next original. Moreover, the read image data is stored in the memory 13 in a normal state. When the image data obtained by scanning the image of the original 7 is directly transferred to another device, the memory 13 is not necessary. However, when the image data for one page is read and then transferred, the memory 13 is used. Sequentially stored in 13.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a suction mechanism for the original 7 is provided, and the control shown in FIG. 7 is combined for the purpose of preventing the original 7 from being displaced when the original cover 2 is opened. Of course, it may be performed by In other words, if there is a possibility that a gap will be created when the document cover 2 is opened, it is conceivable that document misalignment will occur. To prevent this,
It can be said that it is an effective means to suck and hold the original 7 on the original table 3 as described above.

Also in the third embodiment, if the detection sensor 25 detects the state in which the document cover 2 is about to be opened during the scanning of reading the document, a message is issued. However, it is needless to say that by controlling the drive of the blocking mechanism shown in FIG. 10 without issuing this message notification, it is possible to prevent document misalignment and the like, and to solve the reading problem.

The detection sensor 25 is provided with electrodes corresponding to the region of the handle 24 of the document cover 2 in FIG. However, it goes without saying that it may be provided over the entire upper surface of the document cover 2. In particular, when the manuscript cover 2 is to be opened, the operator always contacts the area of the handle 24, so that the effect can be expected sufficiently even if the area is limited to that area.

[0102]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described above, according to the present invention, in the image reading scanning in a document, it can be solved a large number of trouble which is caused when the operator opens the cover of <br/> document.

Further, when the original cover is opened carelessly, the original is sucked and held on the original table to prevent the original from being displaced when it is opened, thereby eliminating the reading failure. is doing. In this case, when the document cover is actually opened, the image reading state of the document changes due to this opening, so that correction processing is performed to compensate for this and the reading scan is temporarily suspended. It is possible to easily obtain image data similar to the reading process when the document cover is closed.

Further, when the document cover is about to be opened, the blocking mechanism for blocking the opening of the document cover is operated to prevent the document cover from being opened during the image reading scanning. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem caused by opening the document cover during reading and scanning, and the power consumption for that can be minimized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a scanner that is an image reading apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a document cover forming the scanner of the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a state in which a document with the document cover in FIG. 2 opened is placed at a reference position on a document table.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration for prohibiting opening of a document cover in a scanner which is an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for notifying a message for prohibiting opening of a document cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example for sucking and holding a document placed on a document table according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for performing suction holding control of a document on a document table in accordance with a message notification for prohibiting opening of a document cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a control procedure for performing suction-holding control of a document on a document table in accordance with a message notification for prohibiting opening of a document cover and further performing image correction processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for performing suction holding control of a document on a document table in accordance with a message for prohibiting opening of a document cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and for stopping reading when the document cover is opened. It is a flow chart which shows a control procedure.

10A and 10B are views showing an example of a mechanism for blocking the opening of the document cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the entire structure, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the opening of the document cover. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a state in which the original cover is not opened, and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for actually preventing the document cover from being opened while prohibiting the document cover from being opened according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Scanner (image reading device) 2 Original cover 25 Detection sensor (touch or non-contact sensor) 3 Platen 5 Scanning optical system 6 reading unit 7 manuscript 8 Display device (informing device) 9 Audio device (notification device) 10 CPU (control means) 11 Drive circuit (display device drive circuit) 12 Drive circuit (drive circuit of audio device) 13 memory (storage means) 14 Switching drive circuit (driving circuit for suction unit) 15 Correction drive circuit 16 Open sensor 17 Scanning drive circuit (scanning optical system drive circuit) 18 Block drive circuit 31 transparent glass 32 Electrostatic adsorption part (adsorption holding means) 33 Antistatic sheet 34 Adsorption voltage 35 Changeover switch 41 Locking piece (blocking mechanism) 42 opening (blocking mechanism) 44 Locking bar (blocking mechanism) 45 solenoid (blocking mechanism)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H04N 1/10 H04N 1/10 1/107 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00- 1/00 108 H04N 1/04-1/207 G03B 27/58-27/64 G03G 21/00 370-540

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A document cover provided so as to be openable and closable so as to press a document placed on a transparent document table from above onto the document table, and an image of the document on the document table is optically converted. In an image reading apparatus configured to scan and read the document, the document cover is provided with a detection sensor for detecting in advance the state in which the document cover is being opened, and the document table is provided with a document on its mounting surface. Adsorption holding means for adsorbing and holding is provided, and during the reading scan in which the image of the document is optically scanned,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to drive the suction holding unit by making a detection signal from the detection sensor valid and hold the document by suction. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Do not detect when the document cover is open or closed.
Separately open- detection sensor is provided that, in that as said control means is responsive to the open detection by the opening detection sensor during the scanning reading the document, the correction processing on the read image data from the open point Characteristic image reading device. 3. The image reading device according to claim 1 ,
Do not detect when the document cover is open or closed.
Separately open- detection sensor provided that, the control means is responsive to the open detection by open detection sensor during the scanning reading the document, temporarily stops the means for scanning the image of the document optically, by the opening detection sensor An image reading apparatus characterized in that reading scanning by the scanning means is restarted in response to detection of closing of the original cover. 4. A document cover provided to be openable and closable for pressing a document placed on a transparent platen from the top to the platen, and an image of the document on the platen is optically provided. In an image reading apparatus configured to scan and read the document cover, the document cover is provided with a detection sensor for detecting a state of opening the document cover in advance, and the document cover is locked when the document cover is closed. A blocking mechanism that can block the opening is provided, and during the reading scan in which the image of the document is optically scanned,
The detection signal from the detection sensor is validated to drive the blocking means to block the opening of the document cover , and the non-detection signal from the detection sensor stops the driving of the blocking mechanism to enable the opening of the document cover. An image reading apparatus comprising a control means.