JP3631135B2 - Image reading apparatus, image reading method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a storage medium, and is particularly suitable for use in an image reading apparatus having a document flow reading function for reading image information during document conveyance.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in addition to a fixed document reading method in which a document image placed on a platen glass is read by moving a scanner, an image having a document flow reading function for reading a document image while being conveyed on the platen glass by an automatic document feeder. Readers are known.
[0003]
The above-described original flow reading method can perform reading at the same time as exchanging originals and eliminates the time required for moving the scanner between originals, so that the reading time of the entire original bundle can be shortened compared to the original original reading method. Become.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described original flow reading method, since the original image is read at a fixed position on the platen glass, the original image cannot be read correctly due to dust or dirt adhering between the platen glass and the original or under the platen glass. There was a case.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a document image to be read correctly even when dust, dirt, or the like adheres to the lower part of the platen glass.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is provided at an upper portion of a document table so as to be openable and closable. A document fixed reading operation for reading a document image while moving the document and a document flow reading operation for reading the document image while transporting the document using the document transport device with the document reading position fixed at a predetermined position are executed. Image reading means, dust detection means for detecting the presence or absence of dust on the platen, and flow reading for prohibiting the document reading operation and performing the document fixed reading operation according to the detection result of the dust detection means A prohibiting means and a control means for controlling so as to release the scanning-reading prohibiting means when the document conveying device is opened in a state where the document-reading scanning operation is prohibited. Comprising the door.
Another aspect of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention further includes message display means for displaying a message to the user when the document-reading operation is prohibited by the flow-reading prohibiting means.
In another aspect of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the image reading apparatus further includes an operation unit for instructing the cancellation of the non-scanning prohibiting unit.
In addition, another aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention further includes message erasing means for erasing the message.
[0007]
An image reading method according to the present invention is an image reading method using an image reading apparatus provided on an upper part of a document table so as to be openable and closable and transporting a document onto the document table. The original fixed reading process for reading the original image while moving the original reading position with the original placed on the paper, and the original conveying apparatus using the original conveying apparatus with the original reading position fixed at a predetermined position. While scanning the document image, the document scanning process, the dust detection process for detecting the presence or absence of dust on the document table, and the document fixed scanning operation by prohibiting the document scanning operation according to the dust detection result are performed. When the document transport device is opened in a state where the document scanning and reading operation is prohibited by the scanning scanning prohibiting process and the scanning scanning prohibiting process, Performing the cancellation process for canceling the prohibition of the flow reading draft behavior.
According to another aspect of the image reading method of the present invention, a message display process for displaying a message to the user when the document scanning operation is prohibited by the above-described scanning scanning prohibiting process is further performed.
According to another aspect of the image reading method of the present invention, when the operation means of the image reading apparatus is operated, the non-reading prohibiting process is canceled.
In another aspect of the image reading method of the present invention, a message deletion process for deleting the message is further performed.
[0008]
The storage medium of the present invention records a program for causing the image reading apparatus to execute each process of the image reading method under the control of a computer.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine will be described as an example of an image reading apparatus.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the image memory unit 3.
[0011]
The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data read from the image memory unit 3 on a recording sheet.
[0012]
The image memory unit 3 compresses the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 and stores the compressed image data that has been compressed. Further, the image memory unit 3 decompresses the stored compressed image data and stores the decompressed image data. Transfer to the printer unit 2. Further, the stored image data is transferred to the external I / F processing unit 4, and the image data transferred from the external I / F processing unit 4 is stored.
[0013]
The external I / F processing unit 4 performs predetermined processing on the image data transferred from the image memory unit 3, then outputs the image data to the external device, and performs predetermined processing on the image data sent from the external device. Transfer to the memory unit 3. The automatic document feeder 6 is connected to the reader unit 1 and feeds the placed document to a predetermined position.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the configuration of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a main body of the digital copying machine 199. Reference numeral 6 denotes an automatic document feeder (DF).
[0015]
Reference numeral 201 denotes a platen glass as a document placement table, and 202 denotes a scanner, which includes a document illumination lamp 203, a scanning mirror 204, and the like. The scanner is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original is transmitted through the lens 207 through the scanning mirrors 204 to 206 to form an image on the CCD sensor in the image sensor unit 208.
[0016]
An exposure control unit 209 is configured by a laser, a polygon scanner, or the like. The exposure control unit 209 sensitizes a laser beam 219, which is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 208 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing to be described later. The body drum 211 is irradiated.
[0017]
Around the photosensitive drum 211, a primary charger 212, a developing device 213, a transfer charger 216, a separation charger 217, a pre-exposure lamp 214, and a cleaning device 215 are provided.
[0018]
In the image forming unit 210 configured as described above, the photosensitive drum 211 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 212. The laser beam 219 from the exposure controller 209 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 211 is developed by the developing device 213 and visualized as a toner image.
[0019]
On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the right cassette deck 221, the left cassette deck 222, the upper cassette 223 or the lower cassette 224 by the pickup rollers 225, 226, 227, 228 is fed to the main body by the paper feeding rollers 229, 230, 231 and 232. Is transferred to the transfer belt by the registration roller 233, and the visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 216.
[0020]
After the transfer, the residual toner is cleaned by the cleaner device 215 and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 214. The transferred transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum by the separation charger 217 and sent to the fixing device 235 by the transfer belt 234.
[0021]
In the fixing device 235, the image is fixed by pressurization and heating, and is discharged out of the main body 200 by the discharge roller 236. On the right side of the main body 200, for example, a deck 250 capable of storing about 4000 transfer sheets is provided.
[0022]
The lifter 251 of the deck 250 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the pickup roller 252, and the transfer paper is sent to the main body by the paper feed roller 253. In addition, a multi-manual feed 254 capable of accommodating 100 transfer sheets is provided.
[0023]
Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 237 denotes a paper discharge flapper that switches between the transport path 238 side and the discharge path 243 side. Reference numeral 240 denotes a lower conveyance path. The transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 236 is turned over through the reverse path 239 and guided to the refeed path 241.
[0024]
The transfer paper fed from the left cassette deck 222 by the paper feed roller 230 is also guided to the refeed path 241. A refeed roller 242 refeeds the transfer sheet to the image forming unit 210. A discharge roller 244 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 237 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge path 243 side by the paper discharge flapper 237 to the outside of the apparatus.
[0025]
During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the paper discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the copied transfer paper is guided to the refeeding path 241 through the transport path 238, the reverse path 239, and the lower transport path 240. At this time, all the trailing edge of the transfer paper is pulled out of the transport path 238 by the reverse roller 245 and is drawn into the reverse path 239 to the position where the transfer paper is engaged with the reverse roller 245, and the reverse roller 245 is reversely transported. Send to path 240.
[0026]
When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the reverse roller 245 pulls the transfer paper to the reverse path 239 to the position where the rear end of the transfer paper remains in the transport path 238. Is reversed, and the transfer paper is turned over and sent to the discharge roller 244 side.
[0027]
The paper discharge processing device 290 stacks and arranges transfer sheets discharged from the main body 200 of the digital copying machine one by one on the processing tray 294. When the discharge of one copy is completed, the transfer sheet bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 292 or 293 as a bundle.
[0028]
The paper discharge tray 293 is controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown) and moves to the position of the processing tray before the image forming operation is started. Reference numeral 291 denotes a sheet tray on which separator sheets to be inserted between the discharged transfer sheets are stacked. Reference numeral 295 denotes a Z-folding machine that Z-folds the discharged transfer sheets.
[0029]
Reference numeral 296 denotes a bookbinding machine that performs bookbinding by collectively folding a part of the discharged transfer paper and performing stapling, and the bound paper bundle is discharged to a discharge tray 297.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram in the digital copying machine 199. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 171 denotes a CPU that performs basic control of the digital copying machine 199. A ROM 174 in which a control program is written, a work RAM 175 for processing, and an input / output port 173 are connected by an address bus and a data bus. .
[0031]
The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as motors and clutches for controlling the digital copying machine 199 and inputs (not shown) such as sensors for detecting the position of the paper. The CPU 171 sequentially performs input / output control via the input / output port 173 in accordance with the contents of the ROM 174 to execute an image forming operation.
[0032]
An operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls display means and key input means of the operation unit 172. The operator instructs the CPU 171 to switch the display of the image forming operation mode, the scanner reading mode, and the print output mode through the key input means, and the CPU 171 displays the status of the digital copying machine 199 and the operation mode setting by key input. Do.
[0033]
The CPU 171 includes an image processing unit 170 that processes a signal converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor unit 208, an image memory unit 3 that stores the processed image, and a signal digitized by the image processing unit 170. A dust determination unit 176 that detects dust on the platen glass 201 is connected.
[0034]
Next, the image processing unit 170 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing unit. In FIG. 4, a document image formed on a CCD sensor via a lens 207 is input as luminance data and converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor.
[0035]
Image information converted into an analog electrical signal is input to an analog signal processing unit (not shown), and after sample and hold, dark level correction, and the like, an A / D conversion unit 501 performs analog and digital conversion ( A / D conversion is performed, and the digitized signal is subjected to shading correction (variation of sensors for reading a document and correction of light distribution characteristics of a document illumination lamp).
[0036]
Thereafter, it is sent to the log conversion unit 502. The log conversion unit 502 stores an LUT (Color Look-up Table) for converting input luminance data into density data, and outputs luminance data by outputting a table value corresponding to the input data. Is converted to density data.
[0037]
Thereafter, the image is scaled to a desired magnification by the scaling processing unit 503 and input to the γ correction unit 504. When the density data is output, the γ correction unit 504 performs conversion by LUT in consideration of printer characteristics, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit. Thereafter, it is sent to the binarization unit 505. The binarization unit 505 binarizes the multi-value density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”.
[0038]
The 8-bit image data is binarized and converted to 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, and the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced. However, when the image is binarized, the gradation of the image is changed from 256 gradations to two gradations. Therefore, image data with many halftones such as a photographic image is generally significantly deteriorated when binarized.
[0039]
Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data. Here, an error diffusion method is used as a method of performing halftone expression in a pseudo manner using binary data. In this method, if the density of an image is greater than a certain threshold, the density data is “255”. If the density is less than a certain threshold, the density data is “0”, and after binarization, the actual density is obtained. In this method, a difference between data and binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal.
[0040]
The error distribution is performed by multiplying a weight coefficient on a matrix prepared in advance with an error caused by binarization and adding it to surrounding pixels. As a result, the density average value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be expressed in a pseudo binary manner.
[0041]
The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 and stored in the image. Further, the image data from the computer input from the external I / F processing unit 4 is processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit, and thus is sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is. The image memory unit 3 includes a high-speed page memory and a large-capacity memory (hard disk) capable of storing a plurality of page image data.
[0042]
The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk is output in the order corresponding to the editing mode designated by the operation unit of the digital copying machine 199. For example, in the case of sorting, images of a bundle of documents read from the automatic document feeder 6 are sequentially output. The original image data once stored from the hard disk is read out, and this is repeated a plurality of times and output.
[0043]
Thereby, it can play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins. The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to a smoothing unit 506 in the printer unit 2.
[0044]
The smoothing unit 506 interpolates data so that the line ends of the binarized image are smooth, and outputs the image data to the exposure control unit 209. The exposure control unit 209 forms image data on transfer paper by the above-described processing. Also, at the time of dust determination described later, the read image formed on the CCD sensor via the lens 207 is digitized as in the case of the document image, and is sent to the dust determination unit 176 after shading correction.
[0045]
The dust determination unit 176 adds the input signal in the document feed direction in units of pixels, and determines that dust is attached to the pixel portion if the addition result exceeds a certain level.
[0046]
Next, details of the image memory unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The image memory unit 3 writes binary images from the external I / F processing unit 4 and the image processing unit 170 via the memory controller unit 302 to the page memory unit 301 configured by a memory such as a DRAM, and the external I / F. Image reading to the F processing unit 4 and printer unit 2 and image input / output access to the hard disk 304, which is a large-capacity storage device, are performed.
[0047]
The memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 301, and arbitrates access to the page memory 301 from the image I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 304.
[0048]
Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, the write address to the page memory unit 301, the read address from the page memory unit 301, and the read direction are controlled. As a result, the CPU 171 arranges a plurality of document images in the page memory unit 301 to perform layout, and controls the function of outputting to the printer unit, the function of cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, and the image rotation function.
[0049]
Next, the configuration of the external I / F processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the external I / F processing unit 4 takes the binary image data of the reader unit into the external I / F processing unit via the image memory unit 3, and the external I / F processing unit 4 via the image memory unit 3. The binary image data from / F is output to the printer unit 2 to form an image.
[0050]
The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 406, a facsimile unit 401, a hard disk 402 for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit, a computer interface unit 403 connected to the external computer 11, a formatter unit 404, and an image memory unit 405. Have.
[0051]
The facsimile unit 401 is connected to a public line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line.
[0052]
The facsimile unit 401 stores a fax image on the hard disk 402, which is a facsimile function, such as sending a fax at a designated time or sending image data from a partner at a designated password. Process.
[0053]
Thus, once the image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 401 and the facsimile hard disk 402 via the image memory unit 3, the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 are not used for the facsimile function. You can send a fax.
[0054]
A computer interface unit 403 is an interface unit that performs data communication with an external computer. Have.
[0055]
Via this I / F, the status of the printer unit and the reader unit is notified to the external computer, and the image read by the reader unit 1 is transferred to the external computer according to the instructions of the computer.
[0056]
Further, since the print data notified from the external computer that receives print image data from the external computer via the computer interface unit 403 is described by a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 404 is connected via the image memory unit 3. The code is converted into raster image data for image formation by the printer unit 2.
[0057]
The formatter unit 404 performs raster image data development on the image memory unit 405. The image memory unit 405 is used when the formatter unit 404 is used as a memory for developing raster image data as described above, or when the image of the reader unit is sent to an external computer via the computer interface unit 403 (image scanner function). In addition, the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once developed in the image memory unit 405, converted into a data format to be sent to an external computer, and sent from the computer interface unit 403.
[0058]
The core unit 406 controls and manages data transfer among the facsimile unit 401, the computer interface unit 403, the formatter unit 404, the image memory unit 405, and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if there are a plurality of image output units in the external I / F processing unit 4 or only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, the exclusive control and priority are controlled under the management of the core unit 406. Image output is performed.
[0059]
Next, the operation of the automatic document feeder (DF) 6 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 10M which are schematic sectional views of the automatic document feeder 6.
First, each part of the automatic document feeder 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The paper feed roller 601 falls and rotates on the original surface of the original bundle 621 placed on the original tray 620 on which the original bundle 621 composed of at least one sheet is placed, and thereby the uppermost surface of the original bundle. The document D is fed.
[0060]
The stopper 611 protrudes as shown in FIG. 7A before the document feeding is started, and the document bundle 621 is restricted by the stopper 611 so that it cannot advance downstream. The original fed by the paper feed roller 601 is separated into one sheet by the action of the separation roller 602 and the separation belt 603. The separation is realized by a well-known liquid separation technique.
[0061]
The conveyance roller 604 conveys the original separated by the separation roller 602 and the separation belt 603 to the registration roller 605, abuts the original against the registration roller 605, and forms a loop, thereby eliminating skew in the conveyance of the original. . Below the registration roller 605, a reverse feeding flapper 613 that guides the document that has passed through the registration roller 605 to a feeding path 652 that is a conveyance path in the direction of the platen 201 or to the reversing LOHAS 653 is disposed.
[0062]
Both the first reverse roller 614 and the second reverse roller 615 rotate when the document is reversed. The reverse flapper 612 guides a document coming from the direction of the second reverse roller 615 to the reverse path 650 or the refeed path 651. The belt driving roller 606 drives a feeding belt 607 for placing the document on the platen.
[0063]
The feeding belt 607 is in contact with the platen 201. The paper supply / discharge roller 617 supplies and discharges the original supplied from the manual paper supply opening 622 and discharges the original D fed by the supply belt 607 to the original output opening 623. The paper discharge flapper 616 guides the document to the manual feed discharge path 654 or the document discharge path 655. The paper discharge flapper 616 acts so that the original is not discharged toward the manual paper discharge port 622 when the original is discharged.
[0064]
A manual feed / discharge roller 619 feeds and discharges a manual document. A paper discharge roller 618 discharges the original. In addition, three sensors 608, 609, and 610 are disposed below the document tray 620. The document set detection sensor 610 is a transmissive optical sensor that detects that the document bundle 621 has been set.
[0065]
Document trailing edge detection sensor 608 is a reflective optical sensor for determining whether or not the document is a half-size document. A final document detection sensor 609 between the document set detection sensor 610 and the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 is a reflection type optical sensor for determining whether the document being conveyed is the final document.
[0066]
The document size detection sensors 624, 625, and 626 are sensors that detect the size of the document being conveyed. The document size detection sensors 624, 625, and 626 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the document. It is possible to detect the document width of A system and B system or A4 and A5, etc. Further, the document length can be detected based on the document passage time.
[0067]
As a result, it is possible to detect individual document sizes even in a document bundle in which documents of different sizes are mixed. However, at this time, the document bundle is placed with the back side in the document width direction aligned.
[0068]
Next, the operation of the automatic document feeder 6 when reading both sides of a document printed on both sides (double-sided document) will be described.
When the automatic document feeder 6 is instructed to start feeding a double-sided document, the stopper 611 is lowered, and the paper feed roller 601 is dropped on the upper surface of the document (FIG. 7B). By the operation of the paper feed roller 601, separation roller 602, separation belt 603, and conveyance roller 604, only one original is separated from the uppermost surface of the original bundle 621 and fed to the registration roller 605 (FIG. 7C). .
[0069]
At this time, the reverse feed flapper 613 is set in a direction in which the document is conveyed to the reverse path 650. When the registration roller 605 rotates, the document is conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 8E via the path shown in FIG. From this point, the driving directions of the first reversing roller 614 and the second reversing roller 615 are reversed, and the document is fed onto the platen 201 and stops at the position shown in FIG.
[0070]
When the reading of the original is completed, the original is turned over via the refeed path 651 as shown in FIG. 8G, and is fed again onto the platen 201 as shown in FIG. 8H. .
[0071]
When the reading of the original is completed, the original D is fed rightward and discharged out of the automatic original feeder 6 from the original discharge port 623. The automatic original feeder 6 repeats the above operation. The double-sided original can be separated from the top surface one by one, read on both sides, and discharged with the top side facing down (face-down).
[0072]
Next, an operation of an original reading method (flow-reading) in which the scanner 202 is fixed at a predetermined position and an original is moved to read an image will be described separately for a case where the original is only a small size and a case where a large size is included. To do.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, the small size is a size in which the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 does not detect the document when the document bundle 621 is placed on the document tray 620, and is A4 size, TR size, or the like. . The large size is a size at which the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 detects the document when the document bundle 621 is placed on the document tray 620, and is “A3 size”, “11 × 17” size, or the like.
[0074]
First, the flow scanning of a small-size original will be described.
The operation until the document reaches the registration roller 605 is as described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c). In the case of the flow reading, as shown in FIG. 9 (i), the reverse feed flapper 613 guides the document onto the platen 201.
[0075]
The document is conveyed on point A in FIG. 9 at a predetermined speed, and the image of the document is read by the scanner 202 waiting under point A (FIG. 9C)). At this time, the reader unit 1 is notified of a reading start signal at the timing when the leading edge of the document passes through the point A. The read original D is conveyed as it is in the right direction in the drawing, and discharged from the original discharge port 623 to the outside of the automatic document feeder 6 (FIG. 9 (k)).
[0076]
Point A is composed of six points “A0”, “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”, and “A5”. The position where the trailing edge of the LTR-size document passes through the registration roller 605 is “ “A0”, and from there, “A1”, “A2”...
[0077]
A readable position determined by dust determination described later is stored, and at the time of reading, an instruction is issued to the scanner 202 and the automatic document feeder 6 so that reading is performed at the stored position.
[0078]
Next, the flow reading of a document including a large size will be described. The operation until the document reaches the registration roller 605 is as described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c). In the case of the flow-reading of the document including the large size, the reverse feeding flapper 613 guides the document onto the platen 201 as shown in FIG.
[0079]
The document is conveyed at a predetermined speed on point B in the figure, and an image of the document is read by the scanner 202 waiting under the point B. At this time, a reading start signal is notified to the reader unit 1 at the timing when the leading edge of the document passes through the point B. The read original D is conveyed as it is in the right direction in the figure, and is discharged from the original discharge port 623 to the outside of the automatic original feeder 6 (FIG. 10 (m)).
[0080]
B point is composed of 6 points “B0”, “B1”, “B2”, “B3”, “B4”, “B5”, and the trailing end of the “11 × 17” size document passes through the registration roller 605. The position is defined as B0, and from there, “B1”, “B2”,...
[0081]
A readable position determined by dust determination described later is stored, and when reading, an instruction is issued to the scanner 202 and the automatic document feeder 6 so that reading is performed at the stored position.
[0082]
Finally, in the case of fixed document reading in which the scanner 202 is moved to read an image, the document is placed at a position where the trailing edge of the document is aligned with the edge of the platen 201 (position shown in FIG. 8H).
[0083]
Next, how the orientation of the document bundle 621 set on the document tray 620 of the automatic document feeder 6 (see FIG. 7) corresponds to the orientation of the document bundle 621 conveyed and discharged to the document discharge port 622. This is shown in FIG.
[0084]
The document shown on the left side of FIG. 11 is a document bundle 621 set on the document tray 620. Since the first numbered document on the top surface of the document is conveyed in order and output with the front and back sides reversed, as shown on the right side of FIG. 11, the top surface document is reversed to become the bottom surface. Discharged.
[0085]
In the image reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, an example of control when an automatic scaling function for calculating an optimum scaling ratio based on the document size and the output paper size is set will be described.
When the automatic scaling function is set, if the document bundle placed on the automatic document feeder is composed of documents of the same size, the first sheet of the document bundle is fed onto the platen and is being fed. The document size is detected at the same time, the document image is read by document fixed reading, and the document image is read by document scanning while the document is being conveyed by the automatic document feeder after two days of the document bundle.
[0086]
However, if the variable magnification is a non-flowable magnification, control is performed so that the original image is read by fixed original reading. If the bundle of documents placed on the automatic document feeder consists of documents of different sizes (mixed document loading mode), it is necessary to calculate the scaling factor for each document. Control to read the original image.
[0087]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a basic processing procedure regarding the dust detection operation.
When performing a flow reading operation for reading an image by using the document transport by the document transport unit 280, a time during which the image reading operation is not performed is used (steps S101 and S102), and the current position of the current scanning position is determined. The feeding belt 207 is idly rotated in a state where there is no document and the image is read.
[0088]
As the read image signal, an image on the surface of the feeding belt 607 of the normal document conveying unit 280 is input. Here, the presence / absence of dust is determined (step S103). As a result of this determination, if dust adheres to the platen glass 201, an image continuous in the sub-scanning direction with the read image signal is detected.
[0089]
After the image is read by driving the feeding belt 607 for a certain period of time, if an image that seems to be caused by such dust is detected, the continuous reading operation cannot be performed at the position where the previous reading was performed. Judge that. If no abnormal image as described above is detected, continuous scanning at that position is continued.
[0090]
When the stain on the platen glass is detected at the flow reading position, in order to detect the position where the flow reading operation is possible, the scanner 202 is moved leftward to the A0 position, and “A1” is moved rightward from “A0”. , “A2” and the process of sequentially searching for the position where the continuous reading is possible are performed (step S104).
[0091]
First, it moves to the predetermined position (i), and determines whether the position (i) is larger than the rightmost blade position MAXi. If the predetermined position (i) is not large as a result of this determination, the detection for dust detection described above is performed in order to detect whether or not the scanning is possible at that position (whether there is no dust). An image reading operation (feed belt idling, image reading) is performed (step S106).
[0092]
Next, the presence / absence of dust is determined in step S107. If dust is present, a process for moving the reading position to the right (i + 1) is performed, and then the process returns to step S105 to repeat the above-described process.
[0093]
On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S105, if (i) is larger than the rightmost blade position MAXi, the process proceeds to step S109, and a dusty state is set. In this case, the reading operation by the flow reading is not performed until it is determined that the flow reading can be performed by a predetermined process.
If there is no dust at the predetermined position (i) as a result of the determination in step S104, the predetermined position (i) is set to the current reading position.
[0094]
In the image reading apparatus configured as described above, a control example in the case of having a non-reading operation prohibition flag, determining whether to perform non-reading based on the result of the dust detection operation, and notifying the user of the presence of dust Will be explained.
[0095]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control method at this time, and is a control that starts when no dust message is displayed, and when a document is set and a mode for reading by scanning is set. is there.
[0096]
First, in step S201, it is determined whether the non-reading prohibition flag is set. As a result of this determination, if the non-reading prohibition flag is not set, since the pre-reading can be performed, the process proceeds to step S202, and the scanner 202 is moved to the point stored as the reading position.
[0097]
In step S203, the first original is fed from the upper surface of the original bundle, and reading processing by flow reading is performed. In step S204, it is determined whether the fed document is the final document and the reading process is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S203 to continue the reading process.
[0098]
On the other hand, if the reading process is completed in step S204, the process proceeds to step S205, and a dust detection operation is performed. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S206, where it is determined whether dust is present at all points as a result of the dust detection in step S205. If there is no dust at all points as a result of this determination, the process proceeds to step S207, and the point without dust is stored as a subsequent reading position. In step S208, the scanner is moved to a fixed position during standby, and the process ends.
[0099]
On the other hand, if there is dust at all points as a result of the determination in step S206, the process proceeds to step S209, and the non-reading prohibition flag is set. Then, it progresses to step S210, and as shown in FIG. 16, after displaying the message which prompts a user to clean, it progresses to step S208.
[0100]
If the non-flow-reading prohibition flag is set as a result of the determination in step S201, since the message is cleared without dust being cleaned, the normal reading operation cannot be performed in the case of non-flow-reading.
[0101]
Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S211, where the reading method is switched to a fixed reading operation that can perform a normal reading operation without being affected by dust, and reading processing is performed by fixed reading. In step S212, it is determined whether the fed document is the final document and the reading process is completed.
[0102]
If the result of this determination is that it has not ended, processing returns to step S211 and the reading process is continued. If it is determined in step S212 that the reading process has been completed, the process advances to step S213 to display a message as shown in FIG. 16 urging the user to clean, and the process ends. The above is a control example in the case where a message is displayed when the flow reading operation prohibition flag is set after the reading operation is completed.
[0103]
Subsequently, two examples of control when the process of FIG. 13 is completed while displaying the message with the presence of dust will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method when the message is cleared by the user's key input, and starts when a message with dust is displayed after the reading operation is completed.
[0104]
First, in step S301, it is determined whether a cleaning key has been input. If the result of this determination is that the cleaning key has not been entered, processing proceeds to step S302, where it is determined whether or not the OK key has been entered. If the OK key has not been input, the process proceeds to step S303, and it is determined whether an instruction to start reading is correct. If there is no instruction to start reading, the process returns to step S301 and the same processing is repeated.
[0105]
On the other hand, if there is an instruction to start reading as a result of the determination in step S303, the process proceeds to step S304, and the reading operation is performed with fixed reading. At this time, since the reading mode cannot be set from the operation unit, the reading mode set before the message display is performed by fixed reading.
[0106]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S305, where it is determined whether or not the fed document is the final document and the reading process is completed. If the result of this determination is that the reading process has not ended, the flow returns to step S304 to continue the reading process. If the result of determination in step S305 is that the reading process has been completed, the process returns to step S301, and the process during message display is continued.
[0107]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S301 is that a cleaning key has been input, it is determined that cleaning has been performed, and the flow proceeds to step S306 to clear the flow reading prohibition flag. Then, it progresses to step S307, a message is cleared, and a process is complete | finished.
[0108]
If the OK key is input as a result of the determination in step S302, it is determined that cleaning has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S307 without clearing the non-reading prohibition flag, the message is cleared, and the process ends. .
[0109]
In the subsequent reading, the reading mode can be reset, and when the operation is performed, the message is displayed again after the reading is completed as described with reference to FIG. The above is an example of control when the message is cleared by the user's key input.
[0110]
Next, another control example when the process of FIG. 13 is completed while displaying a message with dust is described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control method in a case where the clearing of the message is automatically determined according to the state of the automatic document feeder, and starts when a message with dust is displayed after the reading operation is completed.
[0111]
First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the automatic document feeder 6 has been opened. If the result of this determination is that the automatic document feeder 6 has not been opened, the process advances to step S402 to determine whether or not an instruction to start reading has been met. If there is no instruction to start reading, the process returns to step S401 and the same processing is repeated.
[0112]
On the other hand, if there is an instruction to start reading as a result of the determination in step S402, the process proceeds to step S403, and the reading operation is performed with fixed reading. At this time, since the reading mode cannot be set from the operation unit, the reading mode set before the message display is performed by fixed reading. In step S404, it is determined whether the fed document is the final document and the reading process has been completed.
[0113]
If the result of this determination is that the reading process has not ended, the process returns to step S403 and the reading process is continued. If the reading process is completed in step S404, the process returns to step S401, and the process during message display is continued.
[0114]
On the other hand, if the automatic document feeder 6 is opened as a result of the determination in step S401, it is considered that the platen glass has been cleaned at this time. In this case, the process proceeds to step S405, and the non-reading prohibition flag is cleared.
[0115]
Next, it progresses to step S406, a message is cleared, and a process is complete | finished. The above is an example of control when the clearing of the message is automatically determined based on the state of the automatic document feeder.
[0116]
By controlling as described above, it is possible to detect and operate a position where the scanning can be performed by its own operation in a state where the scanning operation can be performed somewhere among the plurality of candidate positions. Further, when it is determined that dust is present in dust detection operations at all candidate positions and it is impossible to avoid dust, the user is prompted to perform a cleaning operation, and the scanning operation is prohibited.
[0117]
Then, when it is determined that the user has cleaned the platen glass by an input from the operation unit, it is possible to perform the flow-reading in the subsequent operation. Alternatively, when it is determined that the automatic document feeder has been opened and closed and the platen glass has been cleaned by the user, it is possible to perform the flow reading in the subsequent operations.
[0118]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a computer system that can configure the image reading apparatus and the image reading method of the present embodiment. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1200 denotes a computer PC. The PC 1200 includes a CPU 1201, executes device control software stored in the ROM 1202 or the hard disk (HD) 1211, or supplied from the floppy disk drive (FD) 1212. To control.
[0119]
Each function unit of the present embodiment is configured by a program stored in the CPU 1201, ROM 1202, or hard disk (HD) 1211 of the PC 1200.
[0120]
A RAM 1203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1201. A disk controller (DKC) 1207 is a hard disk (boot program (start program: a program that starts execution (operation) of personal computer hardware and software)), a plurality of applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like. HD) 1211 and floppy disk (FD) 1212 are controlled.
[0121]
Reference numeral 1208 denotes a network interface card (NIC) that performs bidirectional data exchange with a network printer, other network devices, or other PCs via the LAN 1220.
[0122]
(Another embodiment of the present invention)
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device.
[0123]
In addition, for operating various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. Implementations by supplying software program codes and operating the various devices in accordance with programs stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0124]
In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. This storage medium constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0125]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions described in the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system in which the program code is running on the computer. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions described in the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.
[0126]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code The present invention also includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0127]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when there is no dust on the platen glass (platen glass) and when it can be avoided even if there is dust, it is possible to ensure productivity by performing a scanning operation, and When dust is detected on the top of the platen, the scanning operation is prohibited until it is determined that the dust on the platen has been removed by subsequent operations. In such a case, it is possible to solve the problem of black streaks appearing in the read image by performing the flow-reading operation, and to reduce the reading speed as much as possible.
[0128]
Further, according to another feature of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a dust image appearing on a document while ensuring a high document reading speed by the flow scanning operation, and the reading operation can be performed without degrading the image quality. Productivity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic control system in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed view of an image memory unit.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an external I / F processing unit.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic document feeder.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a document feeding operation of the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a document feeding operation of the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 10 illustrates a document feeding operation of the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a direction of a document bundle discharged from a document discharge port.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a dust detection operation procedure.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a dust detection operation procedure in the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for returning from an alarm state in the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for returning from an alarm state in the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of warning display on the operation unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer system that can configure an image reading apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
200 Image reader
201 platen glass
202 scanner
203 Document illumination lamp
204-206 Scanning mirror
207 lens
208 Image sensor
209 Exposure control unit
210 Image forming unit
211 Photosensitive drum
212 Primary charger
213 Developer
214 Pre-exposure lamp
215 Cleaning device
216 Transfer charger
217 Separating charger
219 Laser light
221 Right cassette deck
222 Left cassette deck
223 Upper cassette
224 Lower cassette
225, 226, 227, 228 pickup rollers
229, 230, 231, 232 Paper feed roller
233 Registration Roller
234 Transfer belt
235 Fixing device
236 Discharge roller
237 Paper discharge flapper
238 Transport path
239 reverse path
240 Lower transfer path
241 Re-feed path
242 Re-feed roller
243 discharge path
244 discharge roller
245 Reverse roller
250 decks
251 Lifter
252 Pickup roller
253 Paper feed roller
254 Multi-manual feed
280 Automatic document feeder (DF)
290 Paper Discharge Processing Device
291 Paper tray
292, 293 Output tray
294 processing tray
295 Z folding machine
296 Bookbinding machine
297 Discharge tray
601 Paper feed roller
602 Separation roller
603 Separation belt
604 Conveying roller
605 Registration roller
606 Belt drive roller
607 Feeding belt
608 Document trailing edge detection sensor
609 Final document detection sensor
610 Document set detection sensor
611 Stopper
612 Reverse flapper
613 Reverse paper feed flapper
614 First reversing roller
615 Second reversing roller
616 Paper discharge flapper
617 Feed / Discharge Roller
618 Paper discharge roller
619 Manual paper feed roller
620 Document tray
621 Document bundle
622 Manual paper exit
623 Document exit
624 First document size detection sensor
625 Second document size detection sensor
625 Third document size detection sensor
650 Reverse path
651 Refeed path
652 Paper feed path
653 Ropass with reverse

Claims (9)

A document conveying device provided at the top of the document table so as to be openable and closable, and conveying the document onto the document table;
An original fixed reading operation for reading an original image while moving the original reading position with the original placed on the original table, and the original conveying device using the original conveying device with the original reading position fixed at a predetermined position. Image reading means for performing a document flow reading operation for reading a document image while conveying the document;
Dust detection means for detecting the presence or absence of dust on the platen;
According to the detection result of the dust detection means, forbidden scanning operation and prohibiting the original fixed reading operation,
Control means for controlling to release the flow-reading prohibiting means when the original conveying device is opened in a state where the document-reading operation is prohibited;
An image reading apparatus comprising: 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising message display means for displaying a message to a user when the original scanning operation is prohibited by the non-reading scanning means. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising operation means for instructing cancellation of the non-flow-reading prohibiting means. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising message erasing means for erasing the message. An image reading method using an image reading apparatus provided on an upper part of a document table so as to be openable and closable, and comprising a document conveying device for conveying a document onto the document table,
A document fixed reading process for reading a document image while moving a document reading position with the document placed on the document table;
Document flow reading processing for reading a document image while transporting the document using the document transport device with the document reading position fixed at a predetermined position;
Dust detection processing for detecting the presence or absence of dust on the document table;
According to the dust detection result, the document scanning prohibiting process for prohibiting the document scanning operation and performing the document fixed reading operation;
A release process for canceling the prohibition of the original document reading operation when the original conveying device is opened in a state where the original document reading operation is prohibited by the non-reading document prohibiting process;
A method for reading an image, comprising: 6. The image reading method according to claim 5, further comprising: a message display process for displaying a message to a user when the document scanning operation is prohibited by the flow scanning prohibiting process. The image reading method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein when the operation means of the image reading apparatus is operated, the non-flow-reading prohibiting process is canceled. The image reading method according to claim 6, further comprising a message erasing process for erasing the message. A computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon a program for causing the image reading apparatus to execute each process of the image reading method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

Images