JP3591204B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading device such as a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Some MFPs of this type are provided with a flatbed scanner (FBS: Flatbed Scanner) for reading documents by placing the documents one by one on a document placing plate.
[0003]
When a document is read by the flatbed reading unit (FBS), the document is placed on the document placing plate in a stationary state. When the start key is pressed by the operator, the carriage on which the light source and the mirror are mounted is moved from the standby position to the start point of the document reading position by driving the motor. Then, the original is moved to the end point of the original reading position along the original placing plate. At this time, light is emitted from the light source to the document through the document placing plate, and the reflected light is read by an image pickup device (CCD: Charge Coupled Device) through a plurality of mirrors and lenses. The image sensor outputs the read image as black and white binary image data. Thereafter, the carriage returns from the end point of the document reading position to the standby position.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the flatbed reading unit (FBS), it takes several seconds for the carriage to return from the end point of the document reading position to the standby position. Using this time, the operator can place the next document on the document placing plate and press the start key to read the next document.
[0005]
However, in the conventional image reading apparatus, when the carriage has not returned to the standby position, even if the start key is pressed as described above, it cannot be recognized. For this reason, even if the carriage returns to the standby position, the reading of the document is not started. Therefore, the operator had to press the start key again. Until the carriage returns to the standby position, there is no need to change the number of copies or change the settings of the copy mode (normal mode, photo mode, etc.), so that the time required for the copy operation is long.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of quickly reading a next original.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a document reading unit that reads a document by moving a part or all of a reading unit from a start point of a document reading position to an end point, Operation means for starting reading of the document and control means for validating the operation of the operation means when the document reading means is moved back are provided.
[0008]
In the invention according to claim 2, in the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, to enable the operation to the operation unit were allowed to accumulate in the storage means image data of originals.
[0009]
In the embodiments of the invention described below, "document reading means" described in claims or means for solving the problem corresponds to the reading unit 14, the moving mechanism 41, and the step motor 52, and similarly, " The "operation means" corresponds to the start key 87b, the copy mode key 87c, the ten key 87d, and the cut sheet change key 87e, the "control means" corresponds to the CPU 82, the ROM 83, and the RAM 84, and the "storage means" also corresponds to the image memory 85. Equivalent to.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus main body 11 of the multifunction peripheral includes a document feeding section 12, a document placing section 13, a reading section 14, a cut sheet supply section 15, a recording section 17, a cut sheet A discharge section 18 is provided.
[0011]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the document feeding unit 12 includes a document table 22 on which a document 21 is placed, a separation roller 23 for separating and feeding the documents 21 one by one, and a feeding of the separated documents 21. A plurality of feed rollers 24 for feeding, a light transmitting plate 25 through which the document 21 passes on the upper surface, and a document discharge table 26 for stocking the discharged document 21 are provided.
[0012]
The document presence / absence sensor 27 is disposed to face the document table 22, and outputs a detection signal when the document 21 is placed on the document table 22. The document discharge sensor 28 is arranged to face the document discharge table 26 and outputs a detection signal when the document 21 is discharged onto the document discharge table 26.
[0013]
The document placing portion 13 includes a transparent document placing plate 31 on which the document 21 is placed on the upper surface, and a holding lid 32 disposed on the document placing plate 31 so as to be openable and closable. ing. The document table 22 and document discharge table 26 of the document feeding section 12 are disposed on a press cover 32 of the document placing section 13 and are opened and closed integrally with the press cover 32.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading unit 14 includes a light source 37 that irradiates light to the original 21 passing over the light transmitting plate 25 or the original 21 placed on the original placing plate 31, There are provided first to third mirrors 38, 39, 40 for changing the optical path of the reflected light from 21, and a moving mechanism 41 for moving the light source 37 and the first to third mirrors 38, 39, 40. . Further, the reading unit 14 includes a condenser lens 42 that converges light from the third mirror 40, and an image pickup device (CCD) 43 that reads an image on the document 21 based on light incident through the condenser lens 42. ing.
[0015]
The moving mechanism 41 includes a pair of left and right large diameter pulleys 44 and 45, a pair of left and right small diameter pulleys 46 and 47, a first belt 48 mounted between the large diameter pulleys 44 and 45, and small diameter pulleys 46 and 47. A second belt 49 interposed therebetween. Further, the moving mechanism 41 includes a first carriage 50 connected to the first belt 48, a second carriage 51 connected to the second belt 49, and a step motor 52.
[0016]
The diameters of the large-diameter pulleys 44 and 45 are formed to be twice the diameters of the small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47. The large-diameter pulley 44 and the small-diameter pulley 46 on the left side are integrally rotatably connected on the same axis, and are operatively connected to a step motor 52. Further, a light source 37 and a first mirror 38 are supported on the first carriage 50, and a second mirror 39 and a third mirror 40 are supported on the second carriage 51.
[0017]
When the large-diameter pulleys 44 and 45 and the small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47 are rotated by the step motor 52, the first and second carriages 50 and 51 move via the first and second belts 48 and 49. Is done. At this time, the first carriage 50 is moved at twice the moving speed of the second carriage 51. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the carriages 50 and 51 are positioned at an intermediate standby position P1, a first document reading position P2 located immediately below the light transmitting plate 25, and a reference end 31a of the document placing plate 31. Is moved to the start point P3 of the second document reading position, which is located immediately below the second document reading position.
[0018]
The document feeder 12 and the reading unit 14 constitute an automatic document reading unit (ADF), and the carriages 50 and 51 are moved to the first document reading position P2. The image of the document 21 passing through is read. Further, a flatbed reading section (FBS) is configured by the document placing section 13 and the reading section 14, and after the carriages 50 and 51 are moved and arranged at the start point P3 of the second document reading position, they move toward the end point P4. The document 21 placed on the document placing plate 31 is read.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading position sensor 53 is disposed below the reference end 31a of the document placing plate 31, and the carriages 50 and 51 are moved to the start point P3 of the second document reading position. Sometimes outputs a detection signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the document length sensor 54 is opposed to a position at a predetermined distance from the reference end 31 a of the document placing plate 31, and the length of the document 21 placed on the document placing plate 31 is measured. Detect The reading section 14 including the light source 37 also serves as a document width sensor, and reads the document 21 in the main scanning direction in a state where the first carriage 50 is moved and arranged at the start point P3 of the second document reading position. Is performed, the width of the document 21 is detected.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cut sheet supply unit 15 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) sheet cassettes 57 containing cut sheets 56 of a predetermined size in a stacked state, and a sheet cassette 57 in each sheet cassette 57. The paper feed roller 58 feeds the cut sheets 56 one by one toward the recording unit 17, and a guide plate 59 that guides the feed of the cut sheets 56 is provided. In addition, cut papers 56 having different sizes are stored in each paper feed cassette 57.
[0021]
The recording unit 17 includes a photosensitive drum 68, a charger 69 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 68 to a predetermined potential, an exposure unit 70 for forming an electrostatic latent image of an image on the photosensitive drum 68, And a developing unit 71 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 68 to visualize the latent image. Further, the recording unit 17 includes a feed roller 72 that feeds the cut sheet 56 to the photosensitive drum 68, a transfer unit 73 that transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 68 to the cut sheet 56, And a heat fixing device 74 for heat fixing the toner image.
[0022]
The cut sheet discharge unit 18 includes a discharge roller 77 that discharges the recorded cut sheet 56, a guide plate 78 that guides the discharge of the cut sheet 56, and a discharge tray 79 that stores the discharged cut sheet 56. It has.
[0023]
Next, a circuit configuration of the copy / facsimile multifunction machine configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, a central processing unit (CPU) 82 controls the operation of each unit of the multifunction peripheral. The read only memory (ROM) 83 stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the multifunction peripheral. The random access memory (RAM) 84 temporarily stores data and the like obtained with the execution of the control program. The CPU 82, the ROM 83, and the RAM 84 constitute control means.
[0024]
The reading unit 14 reads an image on the document 21 via the light transmitting plate 25 or the document placing plate 31 and outputs black and white binary image data to the CPU 82. The image memory 85 temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the reading unit 14. The recording unit 17 records the received image data and the image data read by the reading unit 14 on a cut sheet 56 or the like.
[0025]
The display unit 86 includes a liquid crystal display panel and an LED, and displays various information such as an operation state of the apparatus such as “copy”, “communication”, “standby”, and “lamp replacement”. The operation unit 87 includes various operation keys such as a copy / communication key 87a, a start key 87b, a copy mode key 87c, and a ten key 87d. The copy / communication key 87a is operated to select whether to execute copying or facsimile communication. The start key 87b is operated to start a copy operation or a facsimile communication operation. The copy mode key 87c is operated to select whether to execute a normal mode for copying normal characters or a photo mode for copying a photo original. The ten-key 87d is operated to input the number of copies at the time of copying, a FAX number at the time of facsimile communication, and the like.
[0026]
The modem 88 modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data. The network control unit (NCU) 89 has a function of controlling the closing and opening of the telephone line L1, and a function of detecting the transmission and reception of dial pulses corresponding to the fax number of the other party.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral of this embodiment when the original 21 is read by the flatbed reading unit (FBS) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 proceeds under the control of the CPU 82 based on the control program stored in the ROM 83.
[0028]
First, the document 21 is placed on the document placing plate 31 by the operator (S1), and it is waited that the start key 87a is pressed (S2).
When the start key 87a is pressed, the first carriage 50 is moved to the start point P3 of the second document reading position (S3). When the first carriage 50 is moved (forward) in the direction of the end point P4 of the second document reading position, reading of the document 21 by the image sensor 43 and image data of the document 21 read into the image memory 85 are performed. Is started (S4), and simultaneously with the start of reading, "Do you have a next original?" Is displayed on the display unit 86 (S5). When the reading of the document 21 is completed (S6), the first carriage 50 is located at the end point P4 of the second document reading position, and the accumulation of the image data in the image memory 85 is completed.
[0029]
Then, the movement (backward movement) of the first carriage 50 from the end point P4 of the second document reading position toward the standby position P1 is started, and the recording of the document 21 stored in the image memory 85 on the cut sheet 56 is started. It is started (S7).
[0030]
Subsequently, in S5, based on the message displayed on the display unit 86, the next original 21 is placed on the original placing plate 31 by the operator during the period from the display of the message to the present, and the copy mode key 87c It is determined whether or not has been pressed (S8). When the copy mode key 87c is pressed to change the copy mode, the pressing operation of the copy mode key 87c is validated, and the process returns to S3 where the first carriage 50 is not at the standby position P1 but at the second document reading position. Is moved to the start point P3. On the other hand, if the copy mode 87c has not been pressed and the copy mode setting has not been changed, the process proceeds to S9.
[0031]
In step S5, based on the message displayed on the display unit 86, the next original 21 is placed on the original placing plate 31 by the operator during the period from the display of the message to the present, and the start key 87b is pressed. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (S9). When the start key 87b is pressed, the pressing operation of the start key 87b is validated, and the process returns to S3 to move the first carriage 50 to the start point P3 of the second document reading position instead of the standby position P1. . On the other hand, if the start key 87b has not been pressed, the flow shifts to S10, where the first carriage 50 is moved to the standby position P1, and this processing ends.
[0032]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
After the reading of the original 21 is completed based on the message on the display unit 86, if the operator places the next original 21 on the original placing plate 31 and presses the copy mode key 87c or the start key 87b, The pressing operation is validated, and the first carriage 50 is moved not to the standby position P1 but to the start point P3 of the second document reading position. For this reason, the next original 21 is placed on the original placing plate 31 during the backward movement of the first carriage 50, and the process can immediately proceed to the next copy operation, so that copying can be performed in a short time.
[0033]
When the copy mode key 87c is pressed, it is determined that the next document 21 is placed on the document placing plate 31, and the next document 21 is read without pressing the start key 87b. Is started, it is not necessary to press the start key 87b.
[0034]
After the storage of the read image data in the image memory 85 is completed, the pressing operation of the copy mode key 87c and the start key 87b is validated. Therefore, the target of validation for the pressing operation of the copy mode key 87c and the start key 87b is not the original 21 in the current reading operation but the original 21 to be read next. Therefore, the setting condition of the document 21 currently being read is not changed midway, and no malfunction or the like occurs in the currently recorded operation.
[0035]
The above embodiment may be modified as follows, and even in such a case, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
-It is also applicable when changing the size of the cut sheet 56. Specifically, a cut sheet change key 87e is provided as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, following NO in S8 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the cut sheet change key 87e has been pressed (S11). If the size of the cut sheet 56 has been changed, the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the size of the cut sheet 56 has not been changed, the process proceeds to S9.
[0036]
・ Apply even when the number of copies is changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, following NO in S8 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the ten key 87d is pressed (S12). When the ten key 87d is pressed, the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the ten key 87d has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S9.
[0037]
・ Apply to copy machine and facsimile machine.
The image sensor 43 that reads the document 21 may be a contact sensor, that is, a device in which a line light source (usually an LED) and a line sensor that detects the width of the document are integrated.
[0038]
The configuration is such that the activation for the pressing operation of the copy mode key 87c and the start key 87b is started from the stop at the end point P4 of the original reading position of the first carriage 50.
[0039]
Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the embodiment will be described below together with their effects.
- instrumentation comprising a display means for indicating the state of the location, the control means includes an image reading device for an indication that the reading of the next document can begin the display means when reading the document.
[0040]
With this configuration, the operator can be notified of the timing at which the next document can be placed.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects.
According to the first aspect of the invention, the operation of reading the next document is started by the operation of the operation unit when the document reading unit moves backward, so that the next document can be read quickly .
[0043]
According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, after the image data of the read document is stored in the storage means, the operation means is validated. Can be prevented beforehand.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the original placing plate.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a reading operation in a flatbed reading unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference numeral 14: a reading unit constituting the document reading means; 21: a document; 41, a moving mechanism constituting the document reading means; 52, a step motor constituting the document reading means; 85, an image memory as a storage means; Start point of the second document reading position as a starting point of the position, P4... End point of the second document reading position as an ending point of the document reading position.

Claims (2)

Document reading means for moving a part or all of the reading unit from the start point to the end point of the document reading position to read the document, operating means for starting the reading of the document, and operating means for returning the document reading means An image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit that validates an operation performed on a document. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the document is stored in the storage unit, and then the operation on the operation unit is validated .

Images