JP3668162B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the image reading apparatus that are applicable not only to a fixed-size original of a predetermined size but also to a long original longer than a fixed-size original such as A4 or A3.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an industrial copying machine, an image is formed on a sheet-through type image reading unit that reads an original sheet according to a scanning speed, a paper feeding unit that feeds while cutting roll paper, and a long paper. An image forming unit is provided, and a long document such as a long drawing or a banner can be copied. For example, when an operator sets a long document such as A0 in the image reading unit, a copy having the same length as that of the document is automatically created. In general, long copies are stored in dedicated cases and shelves, and are taken out of them for viewing when necessary.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, industrial copying machines are expensive and large, and are difficult to obtain in a general office. Further, a general user does not copy a very long document, and it is sufficient if the maximum A3 short side can be copied. Also, if you copy it on long paper, it will be rolled up and stored, and usually there is no place to store such a copy, and it is inappropriate as a distribution material. ing. In such a case, if the division position is known in advance, it is convenient that the divided portion is not positioned on the figure or photograph. It is convenient if the division position can be adjusted for each divided sheet. In addition, if the split position is in the middle of a figure or text, if the overlapping part is copied to the sheet before and after the split position, the relationship between the front and rear is easy to understand, and it is also a glue allowance when connecting and using later Convenient. On the other hand, although there is a low frequency, there is a demand for copying a notice posted in a room such as a banner or banner with a width of about A3 short side. For such demand, an optional long paper feeder can be used.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to make a general-purpose small-sized document having a maximum sheet width of about A3 short side, which can read a long document and instruct division thereof. And an image forming apparatus capable of the divided output. In addition to the above, the second object is to provide an image reading apparatus that can read an entire long document without dividing it, and an image forming apparatus that can output an image of the entire long document.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a sheet-through type image reading apparatus that reads an image on a document surface while passing the document surface facing a reading window. Switching means for switching between a first mode and a second mode for reading a long document longer than a standard document, a pre-scan mode for pre-scanning the image on the document surface, and displaying the pre-scanned image And an image display means including a dividing line display means for displaying a dividing line for dividing the displayed image by a predetermined size. When the switching means switches to the second mode, the pre-scan mode is selected. An image prescanned by the prescan mode is displayed by the image display unit together with the dividing line. To have.
[0006]
According to this configuration, the sheet-through-type image reading apparatus includes the first mode for reading a standard document and the second mode for reading a long document longer than the standard document, and the switching unit switches from the first mode. When the mode is switched to the second mode, the mode is switched to the pre-scan mode, the first pass of the long document is pre-scanned, and the pre-scanned image is displayed on the display by the image display means together with the dividing line divided by a predetermined size. . This allows the user to confirm in advance whether or not the division position is appropriate before dividing and reading a long document, and erases an improperly divided image or wastes paper by making unnecessary copies. Things can be avoided.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the image display unit includes a dividing line changing unit that changes the position of the dividing line from the predetermined size.
According to this configuration, it is possible to change the position of the dividing line on the display, and it is labor-saving and convenient because it does not require the trouble of adjusting the leading end position of the document.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image display means includes a page number assigning means for assigning a page number to each section divided by the dividing line. It is a feature.
According to this configuration, the page number is assigned to each section divided by the dividing line, so that the original arrangement order of the divided originals can be known at a glance and is convenient.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image display means forms a glue margin part that partially overlaps between adjacent sections divided by the dividing line. It is characterized by having a substitute forming means.
According to this configuration, if the split position is in the middle of a figure or text, the overlapping relationship is copied to the sheet before and after the split position, and the relationship between the front and rear is easy to understand. It also serves as a glue.
[0010]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a division registration unit for registering a division condition displayed by the image display unit, a main scan of the long document, and the division registration unit. A division reading control means for dividing and storing the image data of each section in accordance with the division condition registered in (1) is provided. According to this configuration, the division condition set in the pre-scan of the first pass of the original can be performed in the main scan of the second pass, and when the same original is continuously scanned, this registered condition is pre-scanned. Since it can be used as it is, the trouble of subsequent pre-scanning is saved.
[0011]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the image display means includes a document length display means for canceling the display of the dividing line display means and displaying the total length of the long document. It is characterized by that.
According to this configuration, when outputting to a long recording paper by an image forming apparatus having a long recording paper feeding device, the total length of the long original is displayed by pre-scanning, so that the necessary recording paper is displayed. The recording paper can be prepared before the main scan.
[0012]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein each section divided and stored by the divided reading control means is divided and output on a plurality of standard sheets. It is characterized by that.
[0013]
According to this configuration, the user can confirm in advance whether or not the division position is appropriate before dividing and reading a long document, and an image that has been improperly divided can be deleted or a wasteful copy can be made to waste paper. It can be avoided. In addition, the position of the dividing line can be changed on the display, and it is labor-saving and convenient because it does not require the trouble of adjusting the leading end position of the document. Also, since the page number is assigned to each section divided by the dividing line, the original arrangement order of the divided originals can be known at a glance, which is convenient. Also, if the split position is in the middle of a figure or text, it is easy to understand the relationship before and after the overlapping part is copied to the sheet before and after the split position, and it is also a glue margin when using it after connecting Become. In addition, the division conditions set in the pre-scan for the first pass of the original can be implemented in the main scan for the second pass, and when the same original is continuously scanned, the registered conditions are used as they are without pre-scan. Therefore, it is possible to save time and effort for subsequent pre-scanning.
[0014]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein a long paper output mode is provided in which the full length of the long original is output to a single long paper. It is characterized by having prepared.
According to this configuration, when outputting to a long recording paper by an image forming apparatus having a long recording paper feeding device, the total length of the long original is displayed by pre-scanning, so that the necessary recording paper is displayed. The recording paper can be prepared before the main scan.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a digital copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus used in the present invention.
The digital copying machine 1 includes an image forming unit 2 near the center and a paper feeding unit 3 below the image forming unit 2, and a document reading unit 6 is disposed above the image forming unit 2. In the image forming unit 1, a photosensitive drum 11 is arranged at the center and rotated clockwise in the drawing, and a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet supplied from the right side of the drawing is formed on the photosensitive drum 11.
[0017]
The surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 12 on the upper side thereof, scanned with a laser beam blinked by an image signal from the laser optical unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface, and the developing unit 14 Is developed with toner. Further, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 in the transfer unit 15 is transferred to the upper surface of the paper fed by the registration roller 16 at a predetermined timing. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller 17 on the left side in the drawing, where the toner is thermally fixed on the sheet surface, and is discharged to the discharge tray 19 by the discharge roller 18.
[0018]
The paper feed unit 3 supplies paper that has been cut into a standard form to the image forming unit 2. Standard sheets such as A3 and A4 are stacked on the sheet tray 31, and the uppermost sheet is fed one by one by the sheet feed roller 32 and fed. The paper fed by the paper feed roller 32 is transported upward by the transport rollers 34 and 35 along the vertical transport path 33, and is further transported to the registration roller 16 by the transport roller 37 along the horizontal transport path 36. The sheet is heat-fixed by the fixing roller 17 after the toner is transferred to the transfer unit 15 by the registration roller 16.
[0019]
When images are formed on both sides of the paper, the branching claw 41 behind the transfer unit 15 is displaced (dotted line in the figure), and the paper after fixing is changed in the downward direction and sent to the switchback path 43 by the roller 42. It is done. Before the trailing edge of the sheet passes the roller 42, the roller 42 reverses while holding the trailing edge of the sheet, and the leading edge of the sheet is located between the image forming unit 2 and the feeding unit 3 by the movement of the branching claw 44 (dotted line in the figure). The return path 45 located at the center is fed by the roller 46 to the vertical conveyance path 33 on the right side of the digital copying machine 1. Further, the back side of the sheet sent to the horizontal conveyance path 36 is facing upward. The sheet sent to the transfer unit 15 by the registration roller 16 receives the transfer of toner on the back surface, is fixed by the fixing roller 17, and is discharged to the discharge tray 19 by the discharge roller 18.
[0020]
Further, a manual paper feed unit 5 is provided on the right side of the digital copying machine 1 and is made of rubber that comes into contact with the upper surface of the cut paper bundle stacked on the paper feed tray 51 and brings the upper part of the paper bundle toward the paper feeding direction. A pair of rubber separating and feeding rollers 52 that feed a plurality of sheets brought together with the roller 55 are fed one by one to the lateral conveyance path 36. When manual feeding is performed, like the paper in the paper feed unit 3, the paper is conveyed through the horizontal conveyance path 36 by the conveyance roller 37 and the registration roller 16, and is transferred and fixed by the transfer unit 15 at a predetermined timing. After fixing by the roller 17, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19 by the paper discharge roller 18, or the path is changed by the rotation of the branching claw 41 so that an image is formed on the back surface of the paper. The case where an image is formed on the back side of the sheet is the same as the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 3 and will not be described.
[0021]
The digital copying machine 1 used in the present invention has a first mode for reading a standard document, which will be described later, and a second mode for reading a long document longer than the standard document. It is also possible to output the entire image of the original on long paper (long paper output mode). For this reason, a long paper holder 91 is optionally attached to the outer end of the paper feed tray 51 of the manual paper feed unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2A, the long paper holder 91 is a guide member having a shape in which a J-shape is tilted leftward, and is extended and attached to the outer end of the paper feed table 51. This long paper holder 91 has a long paper that is bent or bent at the rear end side of the long paper inside the holder 91 so that the long paper does not hang down from the outer edge of the paper feed tray 51 from the maximum length of the standard paper. As the leading edge of the long paper enters the digital copying machine 1 by the roller pair 52, the trailing edge of the paper is gradually fed out. The long paper holder 91 is provided with a cursor 93 so that the long paper is fed straight.
[0022]
Further, in the horizontal conveyance path 36 and the return path 45 of the digital copying machine 1, switches SW1 (upstream of the conveyance roller 37 in FIG. 1) and SW2 (ON in FIG. 1) that are turned on or off when the leading edge or the trailing edge of the sheet passes. SW3 (downstream of the fixing roller 17 in FIG. 1) and SW3 (upstream of the roller 46 in FIG. 1) are installed, and if they are not turned off within a predetermined time after being turned on by the passage of the leading edge of the paper, It is determined that a jam has occurred, the driving is stopped, and a jam is displayed on the display unit. When long paper is transported in the transport direction, such as the long paper, the mode is set so that the operator outputs the paper to the normal paper in advance by setting the mode to output to the long paper beforehand. The jam detection is canceled once. Further, the SW4 provided in the registration roller 16 portion of the lateral conveyance path 36 detects the time from the rotation start of the registration roller 16 (the leading edge of the sheet is positioned at SW4) to the trailing edge of the sheet passing through the SW4, and the actual sheet. In order to calculate the length and correct the passage time of the switch that passes after that, jam detection based on the actual length of the long paper is set from this point, and the subsequent paper passing state is managed. .
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a long paper holder 92 is optionally attached to the outer end of the paper discharge tray 19. Thus, the long paper longer than the maximum length of the standard paper is constituted by an inverted J-shaped guide member so that the front end of the long paper does not hang down from the outer end of the paper discharge tray 19 and is discharged from the paper discharge roller 18. The leading end side of the long paper to be fed is received.
[0024]
Next, the document reading unit will be described with reference to FIGS. The document reading unit 6 includes a scanner unit 7 that converts image data into a document, and a document transport device 8 that supplies the document to the scanner unit 7. A method (sheet through method) of reading an image while moving a document by using a document conveying device which is a main part of the invention can be implemented. The scanner unit 7 that reads the stationary original image by moving the optical system has a reading window 71A disposed on the upper surface, and is placed on the reading window 71A by an optical system 72 including an illumination lamp, a plurality of mirrors, and a lens. The scanned original is scanned, and the optical image is sent to an image sensor 73 such as a CCD and read as image data. The illumination lamp and the plurality of mirrors move relative to scan the document placed in the reading window 71A.
[0025]
In the sheet-through method of reading an image while moving an original, an elongated reading window 71B is provided in the front-rear direction of the paper surface adjacent to the left side of the reading window 71A in the drawing, and the optical system 72 of the scanner unit 7 is the reading window. It is set at the position 71B. At the time of reading, the optical system 72 does not move while stopped at the position of the reading window 71B. The document conveying unit 8 is attached to the upper portion of the reading window 71 of the scanner unit 7 so as to be movable between a closed position that covers the reading window 71 and an open position that opens the reading window 71. The document conveying device 8 includes a document supply unit 81 at the center upper part and a document discharge unit 82 at the center lower part, and supplies the document supplied from the document supply unit 81 via a substantially U-shaped document conveyance path 83 to the optical system. 72 is conveyed to the position of the reading window 71B to which it is fixed, and is discharged to the document discharge section 82. Further, a long document storage portion 84 is attached to the upstream end (right side of FIG. 1) of the document supply portion 81, and a long document storage portion 85 is attached to the downstream end (right side of FIG. 1) of the document discharge portion 82.
[0026]
With reference to FIG. 3, a detailed description will be given of the standard document mode (first mode) in which a standard document is read by the sheet-through method. The document supply unit 81 includes a document placement table 811 on which a fixed document to be read is placed, a separation roller 812 that stops rotation during feeding, and feeds the fixed document in a sheet feeding direction. The sheet feeding roller 813 rotates and feeds the uppermost sheet to the conveyance path 83, and the moving roller 814 moves the document to the separation roller 812 side. The conveyance path 83 includes roller pairs 831, 832, and 833, and conveys the document toward the reading window 71. The document is read while passing at a normal speed that matches the reading speed of the image sensor 73 by the platen 834 in contact with the reading window 71B. The illumination lamp and the mirror of the scanner unit 7 are stopped at a position facing the platen unit 834, and the document is read by moving at the same speed as the reading speed. The read original is passed through a roller pair 835 and discharged by a discharge roller pair 821 to a discharge tray 822 of a document discharge portion 82 provided at a lower portion of the document table 811.
[0027]
When reading both sides of the document, the branching claw 861 between the roller pair 831 and 832 of the transport path 83 rotates to the position of the dotted line, and the front end of the document passes through the roller pair 831 and then passes through the roller path 831. It enters into the inversion path 86 provided at the top. The roller pair 862 feeds the document upward, and when the document trailing edge passes through the branching claw 861, the document is reversed and the document trailing edge is sent to the roller pair 832 by switchback. When the trailing edge of the document is sandwiched between the roller pair 832, the roller pair 862 is separated as indicated by a dotted line, and the document is conveyed on the conveyance path 83 by the conveying force of the roller pair 832. The original that has been turned upside down by the reversing path 86 is first read at the normal speed by the reading window 71B. Further, a branching claw 871 provided in front of the discharge roller pair 821 rotates to the dotted line position, and the leading end of the document that has passed through the roller pair 835 becomes a return path 87 connecting the discharge side and the paper feed side of the conveyance path 83. invade.
[0028]
The leading edge of the document returned to the paper feeding side by the return path 87 enters the reversing path 86 again by the branch claw 861 rotating to the position of the dotted line with the roller pair 831, and the separated roller pair 862. Passing through, the inversion path 86 rises. When the document trailing edge passes through the branching claw 861, the roller pair 862 comes into pressure contact, and the document is switched back again and conveyed to the reading window 71 of the conveying path 83. In this state, the surface of the document is read at a normal speed by the reading window 71B. When the leading edge of the document is directed to the discharge roller pair 821, the branching claw 861 is rotated to the position of the solid line, and the document is discharged to the discharge tray 822 by the discharge roller pair 821.
[0029]
Next, a mechanism for feeding a long document in the long document mode (second mode) for reading a long document by the sheet through method will be described. A long document wound in the length direction on the long document storage unit 84 is inserted in a direction crossing the paper surface, and the operator can pull out the leading end of the document to the document supply unit 81 to feed the document. Further, a feeding roller pair 841 may be provided at a position where the long document storage unit 84 is attached to the document placing table 811 so that the leading end of the document is automatically fed to the document supply unit 81. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is an example in which a feed roller pair 841 is provided. Further, a sensor 819 for detecting the leading edge of the document is provided upstream of the feeding roller pair 841 to start the feeding roller pair 841, and when the leading edge of the document is detected by the document detection sensor 815 of the document feeding unit 81, feeding is stopped. Also good.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the long document storage portion 84 includes a cylindrical portion 842 that is inserted in a state where the document is wound, and a drawer guide that serves as a guide for pulling the leading end of the document to the document placement table 811 of the document supply unit 81. Rotation shaft 844 for rotating the long document storage portion 84 attached to the portion 843 and the document placement table 811 about the axis and retracting it to the back side of the document conveying device 8, and the long document storage portion 84 at the mounting position It comprises a detection device 845 for detecting whether it is in the retracted position. The cylindrical portion 842 further includes an insertion guide 846 in which the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 842 protrudes in the form of a tongue toward the front side in the length direction, and serves as a guide for inserting the wound original. A stopper 847 serving as a stop position on the back side when inserted, and a slit 848 provided over the entire length of the cylinder portion 842 for pulling out the leading end of the document from the cylinder portion 842 to the document supply portion 81 are provided. A guide portion 843 is connected to the slit 848.
[0031]
FIG. 4B shows a state in which the long document storage portion 84 is rotated to the retracted position. As shown in this figure, a long document storage portion 84 including a cylindrical portion 842, a drawing guide portion 843, a detection device 845, an insertion guide 846, a stopper 847, a slit 848, and a driven roller 849 of a feeding roller pair 841, The rotation shaft 844 is rotated about 90 ° in the direction of the arrow X around the rotation center, and is retracted to the back side (upper side in the drawing) of the document conveying device 8.
[0032]
The rotation shaft 844 also serves as an attachment pin for attaching the long document storage portion 84 to the document placement table 811 so that the long document storage portion 84 can rotate in the attachment hole 816 of the document placement table 811. Is plugged in. The rotating shaft 844 may be provided on the document placing table 811 side. The detection device 845 is a switch that rotates the long document storage portion 84 about the rotation shaft 844 and detects that the long document storage portion 84 has hit the contact member 817 of the document placement table 811. The ON state is maintained while 84 is in the mounting position. As a result, reading of a long document can be performed, and when the long document storage unit 84 is in the retracted position, the document is turned off, so that reading of the long document cannot be performed and reading of a standard document can be performed. . The detection device 845 can also be provided on the document placing table 811 side. In this case, the contact member 817 is provided on the long document storage portion 84 side.
[0033]
In this embodiment, a feeding roller pair 841 is provided at the joint between the document table 811 and the drawing guide portion 843. Of these rollers, the lower roller is pivotally supported by the document placing table 811 and is rotated as a driving roller 818 by a driving force from the document supply unit, and the upper roller is pivotally supported by the drawing guide portion 843 and is driven as a driven roller 849. It is driven by a roller 818. When the long document storage portion 84 is retracted, the driving roller 818 remains on the document placement table 811 side, and the driven roller 849 is retracted together with the long document storage portion 84. The drawing roller pair 841 may be provided on both sides of the document placing table 811, or a small motor may be provided in the long document storage portion 84 together with both rollers to drive the document feeding portion separately from the document feeding portion. Absent.
[0034]
Next, a method for setting a long document will be described with reference to FIG. As a method of winding a long document before it is set in the long document storage unit 84, there are a case where the image is wound so that the image side is inside (A) and a case where the image is wound so that the image side is outside (B). The long document storage section 84 is set in such a manner that it is pulled out in the forward direction along the curl (FIG. 5 (a)), and the curl is wound with the image side outward. There is a case where it is set so as to be pulled out in the opposite direction against (Fig. 5 (b)). In the apparatus of the present invention, any of the above cases is possible. When the image is pulled out from the long document storage section 84, the setting method shown in FIG. In the winding method, if the setting method shown in FIG. 5B is adopted, the image surface is turned up when a long document is pulled out, and the image surface is moved from the document supply unit 81 via the conveyance path 83 to the reading window 71. Can be directed. Of these, the setting method shown in FIG. 5B has the advantage that the original can be fed out at the edge of the slit of the cylindrical portion in the opposite direction to winding while correcting the curl.
[0035]
The above-described long document storage portion 84 shown in FIG. 3 has a cylindrical portion 842 provided above the drawer guide portion 843. However, as another embodiment, a cylindrical portion is provided below the drawer guide portion. Also good. 5C and 5D, a drawer guide portion 843 is provided above the tube portion 842 and above the document placement table 811. A long document is formed from the gap between the document placement table 811 and the extraction guide portion 843. To pull out. In this case, the method shown in FIG. 5D is drawn out in the reverse direction for winding the document (A), and the setting method shown in FIG. 5C is drawn out in the forward direction for winding the document (B). In any case, the original image can be pulled out.
[0036]
The document conveying device 8 of this embodiment further includes a long document storage unit 85 for winding a long document downstream of the discharge tray 822. The long document storage unit 85 has a shape similar to that of the long document storage unit 84, and includes a feed roller pair 851 having a guide 845, a feed guide unit 853 connected downstream thereof, and a feed guide unit 853. Further, a cylindrical portion 852 is further connected to the upper downstream portion. A long document is wound into a cylindrical portion 852 from a slit 858 provided with a guide 855 by a feeding roller pair 851. Further, the long document storage unit 85 can be retracted by being rotated to the rear side of the document conveying device 8 by a mechanism similar to that of the long document storage unit 84. Furthermore, a detection device similar to the long document storage unit 84 may be provided so that the set state of the long document storage unit 85 can be detected in the long document mode.
[0037]
Further, in the transport path 83 of the document transport device 8, switches SW5 and SW6 for detecting the passage state of the paper are provided between the paper feed roller 813 and the roller pair 831 and between the roller pair 832 and 833. Yes. In particular, the switch SW5 detects passage time times t1 and t2 at the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document. The time difference t = t2−t1 is compared with a set time when a predetermined standard document fed from the document supply unit 81 passes at a predetermined speed, and if t is longer than the set time. Therefore, it is determined that the double feed of the document has occurred, and the apparatus is stopped. If it is longer than a standard document, such as a long document, this kind of jam detection works even in a normal passage state, and the device stops.Therefore, cancel jam detection in the standard document mode and remove it. It is designed to avoid it.
[0038]
The image reading apparatus of the present invention has a pre-scan mode. In this mode, the image sensor 73 reads the document as a rough image with thinned pixels and displays the image on a display described later. Since the scanning by the image sensor 73 is thinned out in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the speed of the document passing through the reading window 71B may be higher than usual. For example, it may pass through the reading window 71B at twice the normal speed. I have to. Accordingly, the rotation of the paper feed roller 813, the roller pairs 831, 832, 833, 835, and 862, the paper discharge roller pair 821, and the feed roller pair 851 is also accelerated.
[0039]
This pre-scan mode is automatically selected when a mode for reading a long document (second mode) is set in an operation unit described later. At the time of the first document conveyance (first pass), a pre-scan in this pre-scan mode is performed, and the pre-scan image is displayed on the display together with the image dividing lines. During the second document transport (second pass) after the image division condition is determined, the document is read while passing through the reading window 71B at a normal speed (normal speed), and according to the determined division condition. Divided and saved in memory.
[0040]
Next, the control circuit configuration of the digital copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit configuration. The control unit 100 temporarily stores the image data read from the image sensor 73 of the document reading unit 6 in the form of a bitmap or the like, and image processing for performing various processes on the image data stored in the image memory 101. A unit 102 includes a hard disk (HDD) 103 that stores image data before or after processing in a file format. The image data read in the pre-scan mode is also processed by the image processing unit 102 and transferred to the image display unit 126 described later. In addition, the image input control unit 104 that controls the operation of the scanner unit 7 of the image reading unit 6 and the document conveying device 8 (this image input control unit 104 may be in the document reading unit 6), the image forming unit 2, It also includes an image output control unit 105 that controls the operation of each of the paper feeding units 3 and 5.
[0041]
The document conveyance device 8 of the image reading unit 6 includes a detection device 845 that detects the attachment of the long document storage unit 84, and the image input control unit 104 receives an instruction signal from the operation unit 6 and a detection result of the detection device 845. Based on this, the image input (reading) operation in the standard document mode or the long document mode (including the pre-scan operation) is controlled.
The image memory 101 can read image data from an external computer (PC) 111 via a printer controller 112. Further, the image data from the document reading unit 6, the image data from the printer controller 112, and the image data from the HDD 103 are sent from the image memory 101 to the laser optical unit and converted into a laser blinking scanning signal, and the image forming unit 2. Is output.
[0042]
The control unit 100 is operated by the operation unit 120 shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, a key input unit 121 is a numeric input unit using a numeric keypad, and a liquid crystal display unit 122 is a touch panel that displays various mode conditions and can be selected. The liquid crystal display unit 122 is also a display 122 of an image display unit 126 (image display means) that displays a pre-scan image. The display 122 can display a dividing line of a long image (dividing line display means) and change the displayed dividing position (dividing line changing means). Also, a page number assigning operation (page number assigning means) to each section divided by a dividing line and a glue margin forming operation (glue margin forming means) partially overlapping between adjacent sections are displayed. A registration operation (division registration means) for determining the division condition is also performed on the display 122. In addition, for example, when outputting to a long recording sheet, an operation for canceling the division of a long image and the full length display of the original at that time are also performed on the display 122.
[0043]
The mode switching unit 123 is an area where various mode keys that can select a mode are arranged. The mode switching unit 123 includes a long document mode (second mode) switching key 127 (switching unit) and a long paper mode switching key 124. When switching to the long document mode for reading a long document, the switch key 127 is pressed to light this key, and when switching to the standard document mode for reading a standard document (first mode), this lit key is pressed to turn it off. . When switching to the long paper mode for outputting to the long paper, the switching key 124 is turned on to light the key, thereby turning the long paper from the long paper holder 91 of the manual paper feeder 5 from the normal mode in which the cut paper is fed. The mode is switched to the long paper mode in which the paper is fed and output, whereby the jam detection in the normal mode is once canceled. When switching to the normal mode for feeding cut sheets, the switch key 124 may be pressed to light up. In addition, the key input unit 121 includes a start key 125 for starting image reading by the image reading unit 6 and starting image output to paper.
[0044]
Next, a method for actually reading a long document using the digital copying machine 1 and outputting it on a standard sheet will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operation control. First, the operator presses the long document mode switching key 127 in the mode switching unit 123 of the operation unit 120 in FIG. 7 for the long document mode (Y in step S1). At this time, the operation control of the document reading unit 6 is automatically set to the long document. Jam detection is switched for the long document mode. In this state, the digital copying machine 1 forms the image by supplying the standard paper from the paper supply unit 3 (N in S2). Since the message “Please set the document holder” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 122 of the operation unit 120, the operator rotates the long document storage unit 84 in the retracted position and sets it in the mounting position. . Accordingly, the detection device 845 is turned on when it hits the contact member 817, and the attachment of the long document storage portion 84 is detected (S3 is Y).
[0045]
Next, a message “Please set document” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 122. The operator inserts the long document into the stopper 847 of the cylinder 842 along the insertion guide 846 of the long document storage unit 84 while winding the long document. Further, when the leading edge of the long document is taken out from the slit 848 and pulled out to the feeding roller pair 841 on the drawing guide portion 843, the sensor 819 detects the document, and the feeding roller pair 841 rotates to remove the leading edge of the long document. It is sent to the separation roller 815 of the document feeder 81 to the position. When the leading edge of the document reaches the position of the separation roller 815 and is detected by the document detection sensor 815 (S4 is Y), the rotation of the feeding roller pair 841 stops and “Pre-scan. Start key” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 122. Please press "message appears.
[0046]
When the operator turns on the start key 125 of the operation unit 120 (S5 is Y), the shifting roller 814 and the paper feed roller 813 rotate to feed the original (S6). The document is fed in a pre-scan mode at a speed higher than normal, and is transported through the transport path 83 at a speed higher than normal in the order of the roller pairs 831, 832, and 833. The switches SW5 and 6 detect the passage of the leading edge of the document, and if the switch SW6 is not detected by a predetermined time after the detection of the switch SW5, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the document conveying device stops and the liquid crystal display unit 122 is stopped. Display jam. When the paper leading edge passage is detected by the switch SW6, the time when the document leading edge reaches the reading window 71B is calculated from the passage time and the conveyance speed. Image reading in the image sensor 73 of the scanner unit 7 starts based on the calculated time. The switches SW5 and 6 detect passage of the trailing edge of the document, and a jam determination similar to the above is made. When the switch SW6 detects passage of the trailing edge of the document, the image sensor 73 stops reading the image at a time calculated based on the time. The document detection signal of the switch SW5 is also used for controlling the separation timing of the roller pair 862 of the reverse path 86 when reading both sides of a long document.
[0047]
When the original passes through the reading window 71B at a speed higher than normal, the optical image is sent to the image sensor 73 by the optical system 72, and the image data is read by the image sensor 73 as a pre-scan image with a rough pixel density (S7). The image processing unit 102 further performs image compression or the like via the image memory 101 of the unit, and the image data is sent to the image display unit 126 of the operation unit 120. Here, it is converted into the pixel density of the liquid crystal display unit 122 and displayed as a pre-scanned image on the display (liquid crystal display unit) 122 (S8). On the other hand, the read original is discharged to the discharge tray 822 of the original discharge portion 82 by the roller pair 835 and the discharge roller 821. Further, when the leading edge of the document reaches the feeding roller 851, the feeding roller 851 feeds the paper on the feeding guide portion 853 to the inside of the cylindrical portion 852 of the long document storage portion 85 and winds it.
[0048]
As an embodiment, a method for pre-scanning a long document in which four characters A, B, C, and D are arranged vertically and performing settings such as image division will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A shows a state in which a long document image is displayed on the display 122 after pre-scanning. The screen 200 has a message area 210 at the top and an image display area 220 for displaying a pre-scanned long document image at the left at the center, and a paper selection area 230 for selecting an output sheet from the left at the bottom. An area 260 including a dividing line adjustment area 240 (dividing line changing means) for adjusting the dividing section of the long image, a registration key 261 (dividing registration means) for confirming and registering the dividing conditions, and the like are arranged. In the paper selection area 230, keys 231, 232, 233, and 234 for selecting a paper tray mounted on the digital copying machine 1 are arranged. In the image P displayed in the image display area 220, the dividing lines a and b when dividing by the size of the maximum sheet in the sheet selection area 230 are initially displayed on the image P. This is because image joints are minimized. In this case, the paper selection key (for example, the A3 key 231) is displayed in reverse video, and the image magnification for output on the paper is displayed in the magnification display setting unit 262 in the area 260. If you want to change to paper, press another paper key, the width-based magnification change according to the paper width is made and displayed on the magnification display setting section 262, and the dividing line at that magnification is displayed on the image P Is done.
[0049]
In FIG. 9A, four characters A, B, C, and D are arranged on the original image, and the image display unit 126 has set the shape in three. If it is divided and output as it is, it will be divided in the middle of the character, which is unsightly. In such a case, the dividing lines a and b can be moved to the left and right so as to be between the characters using the dividing line movement keys 241 and 242 that can be used in the dividing line adjustment area 240. For example, if the dividing lines a and b are moved to the left and moved between characters (between AB and BC), the distance between the dividing line b and the right edge of the image exceeds the maximum sheet (A3) length. At this time, a new dividing line c is formed to the right of the dividing line b, and the movement key 243 for the dividing line c can be used. FIG. 9B shows the result of adjusting the position on the dividing line c with the movement key 243. If the registration key 261 is pressed in this state, this division state is registered and reflected in the subsequent division output.
[0050]
When the registration key 251 is pressed in FIG. 9B, the screen 200 of the display 122 is changed to the screen 300 in FIG. 9C. In this screen, page number assignment is set in the page number setting area (page number assigning means) 340 with respect to the division condition set in the screen 200, and the paste margin setting area (glue allowance forming means) 350 is used to set the paste margin portion. Set up. The other areas (message area 310, image display area 320, paper selection area 330, and area 360) are the same as those on the screen 200, and will not be described. In the page number setting area 340, a page number is assigned to each divided section from the left so that the adjacent relationship between sections can be known. For the number of pages, for example, screen vertical orientation 341 or screen horizontal orientation 342 can be selected, and any of the four corners of the paper can be selected for each orientation. FIG. 9C shows an example in which the number of pages facing left is displayed on the upper left of each divided region. If no page number is required, “none” of 343 may be selected. The position of the number on the page is not limited to this example, it may be in the middle of the paper corner, and the total number of pages may be added to the page number.
[0051]
The margin setting area 350 is provided because the divided images can be connected later and is effective for grasping the relationship between the sections of the divided portions. The margin margin setting area 350 has a setting display section 351 that can provide an arbitrary margin as an extension of the dividing line in either the left or right direction of the screen of each division section, and a cancel key 352 when no margin margin is provided. It consists of The margin area set in the setting display unit 351 is displayed on the image P in the image setting area 320 as, for example, a dotted line different from the dividing line. FIG. 9C shows a state in which the adhesive margin area is extended to the right side of the dividing line and has a width of 20 mm. Further, since the area when the image is output is enlarged by providing the margin, the image is reduced accordingly. The reduction ratio is displayed on the magnification display setting unit 362. Conversely, by specifying the reduction ratio with the magnification display setting unit 362, it is also possible to calculate the margin width. When the registration key 361 is pressed according to the message in the message area 310 after the setting of the page number and the glue margin is completed (S9 in FIG. 8 is Y), this setting state is registered and reflected in the subsequent divided output ( S10).
[0052]
After pressing the registration key 361, a message “Please reset the document” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 122, and the document is taken out from the long document storage unit 84 and set again in the long document storage unit 85. When the leading edge reaches the paper feed position of the document feeder 81 (S11), a message "Please press the start key" is displayed. When the start key 125 is pressed, the image reading unit 6 starts a main scan (S12), and a long document is fed and conveyed through the document conveying unit 8 at the same regular sheet feeding speed as that for a standard document, and is divided. Image reading is performed (S13). The image data read by the image sensor 73 from the reading window 71 (S14) is stored in the image memory 101 of the control unit 100, and then divided according to the conditions set and registered by the image processing unit 102, and image compression is performed. And the like, the pages for each divided section are added and stored in the HDD 103 (S15).
[0053]
The divided image data stored in the HDD 103 is read to the image memory 101 of the control unit and transferred to the laser optical unit 13 of the image forming unit 2. In this case, the A3 sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 3 (S16), conveyed to the image forming unit 2, and the read divided image is image-formed thereon and thermally fixed by the fixing roller 17. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19 (S17). Thus, the divided image output from the long original to the standard paper is completed.
[0054]
Next, a long paper output mode for reading a long original and outputting the entire long original to a long paper using a long paper holder 91 added to the manual paper feeder 5 of the digital copying machine 1. The case of use will be described.
Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, first, the operator first selects the long document mode switching key 127 (S1 is Y) and the long paper mode switching key 124 (S2 is Y in the key input unit 121 of the operation unit 120). )push. At this time, the operation control of the document reading unit 6 is automatically set for a long document, and the main body of the digital copying machine 1 is automatically set to the jam detection cancel mode state of the manual feed mode. Next, according to the message, the long document storage unit 84 is set at the mounting position (Y in S18), the long document is set in the long document storage unit 84, and the leading end of the document is the document at the feed position of the document feeding unit 81 It sends out to the detection position of the detection sensor 815 (S19 is Y). Thereafter, the start key 125 is pressed (S20), the document is pre-scanned at a slower speed than normal (S21), the image is read into the memory (S22), sent to the image display unit 126, and a long document image is displayed on the display 122 (S22). S23). The procedure up to this point is almost the same as the above-described procedure of the divided image, and thus details are omitted.
[0055]
FIG. 10 shows a long document image displayed on the display 122 and each setting unit. The displayed screen 400 has a message area 410 at the top, an image display area 320 at the center, a paper selection area 430, a full length display area 430, a registration key 461, and a magnification display setting section 462 from the left at the bottom. Is arranged. In the image display area 420, the same long original as used in FIG. 9 is pre-scanned and displayed with the dividing lines omitted from the image display area 220 in FIG. 9A. In the paper selection area 430, only a manual feed key 431 for feeding a long paper is displayed. The full length display area 430 has a document length display section (document length display means) 441 for displaying the length of a long document, and displays the total length of the long document in mm. By preparing a long sheet of this length, the entire original can be output on the long sheet. When the length of the long sheet is short, it can be reduced by the magnification display setting unit 462 in the area 460. Further, the required paper length when reduced by the magnification display setting unit 462 may be displayed on the document length display unit 441.
[0056]
When the registration key 461 is pressed to confirm the condition of FIG. 10, this setting state is registered and reflected in the subsequent output to the long paper (Y in S24 of FIG. 8). In accordance with the message in the message area 410 of FIG. 10, the long paper of the length displayed in the full length display area 430 is inserted into the long paper holder 91 attached to the manual paper feeder 5 of the digital copying machine 1, and the paper The leading edge is set at the paper feed position downstream of the paper feed tray 51 (Y in S25). When the leading edge of the paper is detected at this paper feeding position, a message “Please reset the original” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 122. When the original is set again as in the case of the divided scanning, the message “Press the start key” is displayed. If the start key 125 of the operation unit 120 is pressed here, the main scan of the long document is started in the same manner as in the case of the divided reading (Y in S27). The document transport unit 8 transports the document at a normal speed according to the control of the long document mode (S28), the image data is read by the image sensor 73 (S29), and the read image data is read from the image memory 101 to the image processing unit. After being compressed in 102, it is stored in the HDD 103 (S30)
[0057]
Image data stored in the HDD 103 is read to the image memory 101 of the control unit and transferred to the laser optical unit 13 of the image forming unit 2. Further, a long sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 5 (S31), and the divided image read out and conveyed to the image forming unit 2 is controlled in accordance with the mode control for outputting to the long sheet described above. An image is formed on the image and thermally fixed by the fixing roller 17, and then discharged to the discharge tray 19 (S 32). Thus, the output from the long original to the long paper is completed.
[0058]
As described above, the present invention is implemented in the original reading unit of the digital copying machine in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, but may be implemented in a single scanner equipped with an original conveying device. included.
Further, the present invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments, but includes the following modifications.
[0059]
(1) In the above embodiment, the display screen for pre-scanning when a long document is divided and output is divided into a screen for setting the division of the document image and a setting screen for page assignment and glue margin formation. Even if these are put together on one screen and displayed on the display, it does not matter.
[0060]
(2) In the above embodiment, the entire original image is displayed on the long document pre-scan screen. However, a part of the original image is displayed together with the scroll bar, and the division position is adjusted while scrolling the original image. It may be. In this way, it is possible to avoid changing the display magnification depending on the length of the document, making it easier to see the document image and adapting to a very long document.
[0061]
(3) The present invention can be implemented not only in a digital copying machine but also in other image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a printing machine having an original reading unit. Further, image processing such as storage and division of image data may be performed on a computer connected to the image forming apparatus.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet-through type image reading apparatus that reads an image on a document surface while passing the document surface facing a reading window. Switching means for switching between a first mode for reading and a second mode for reading a long document longer than a standard document, a pre-scan mode for pre-scanning the image on the document surface, and the pre-scanned image are displayed. And an image display means including a dividing line display means for displaying a dividing line for dividing the displayed image by a predetermined size. When the switching means switches to the second mode, the pre-scan mode is The image selected and prescanned in the prescan mode is displayed by the image display means together with the dividing lines. The user can check in advance whether the division position is appropriate before dividing and reading a long document, and erases an improperly divided image or wastes paper by making unnecessary copies. can avoid.
[0063]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the image display unit includes a dividing line changing unit that changes the position of the dividing line from the predetermined size. Since the position of the dividing line can be changed on the display, it is labor-saving and convenient because it does not require the trouble of adjusting the position of the leading edge of the document.
[0064]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image display means includes page number assigning means for assigning a page number to each section divided by the dividing line. Therefore, the original order of the divided originals can be seen at a glance, which is convenient.
[0065]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image display means includes a margin portion that partially overlaps between adjacent sections divided by the dividing line. Since it is provided with paste margin forming means to be formed, it not only becomes a paste margin when used after being connected. When the division position is in the middle of a figure or a sentence, it becomes easier to understand the relationship before and after the overlapping portion is copied to the sheets before and after the division position.
[0066]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the division registration means for registering the division condition displayed by the image display means, the long document is scanned, and the long document is scanned. Since the division reading control means for dividing and storing the image data of each section according to the division condition registered in the division registration means is provided, the division condition set in the pre-scan of the first pass of the original is executed in the main scan of the second pass. In addition, when the same document is continuously scanned, the registered conditions can be used as they are without pre-scanning, so that the subsequent pre-scan is saved.
[0067]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the image display means cancels the display of the dividing line display means and displays the full length of the long original. When printing on long recording paper with an image forming apparatus equipped with a long recording paper feeding device, the total recording length of the long original is displayed by pre-scanning. The length of the paper is known and recording paper can be prepared before the main scan.
[0068]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, each section that is divided and stored by the divided reading control means is divided and output on a plurality of standard sheets. As a result, the user can confirm in advance whether or not the division position is appropriate before dividing and reading a long document, and it can erase images that have been improperly divided or waste paper by making unnecessary copies. You can avoid doing that. In addition, the position of the dividing line can be changed on the display, and it is labor-saving and convenient because it does not require the trouble of adjusting the leading end position of the document. Also, since the page number is assigned to each section divided by the dividing line, the original arrangement order of the divided originals can be known at a glance, which is convenient. Also, if the split position is in the middle of a figure or text, it is easy to understand the relationship before and after the overlapping part is copied to the sheet before and after the split position, and it is also a glue margin when using it after connecting Become. In addition, the division conditions set in the pre-scan for the first pass of the original can be implemented in the main scan for the second pass, and when the same original is continuously scanned, the registered conditions are used as they are without pre-scan. Therefore, it is possible to save time and effort for subsequent pre-scanning.
[0069]
According to the present invention of claim 8, in the image reading apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus of claim 6, a long paper output mode in which the full length of the long original is output to a single long paper. Therefore, when outputting to a long recording paper with an image forming apparatus equipped with a long recording paper feeding device, the required recording paper is displayed by displaying the total length of the long original by pre-scanning. The recording paper can be prepared before the main scan.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a long paper holder provided in the digital copying machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a document conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention provided in the digital copying machine of FIG.
4A is a perspective view of a main part of an original conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention provided in the digital copying machine of FIG. FIG. 6B is a plan view for explaining a state in which the long document storage unit of the main part of the document transport apparatus is retracted.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for setting a long document in a long document storage unit which is a main part of the present invention.
6 is a control block diagram of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a schematic diagram of an operation unit of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining image division settings on the display screen displayed in the pre-scan mode of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining full length display of a document on a display screen displayed in a pre-scan mode of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Digital copier (image forming device)
6. Document reading unit (image reading device)
8 ... Document transport section
71B ... Reading window
104: Image input control unit
124: Long paper mode switching key
126 ... Image display section (image display means)
127 ... Long document mode switching key (switching means)
220: Image display area
240 ... dividing line adjustment area (dividing line changing means)
261 ... Registration key (divided registration means)
340 ... Page number setting area (page number assigning means)
350: Adhesive margin setting area (adhesive margin forming means)
440 ... Full length display area (document length display means)
a, b, c ... dividing line

Claims (8)

A sheet-through type image reading apparatus that reads an image on a document surface while passing the document surface facing a reading window,
Switching means for switching between a first mode for reading a standard document and a second mode for reading a long document longer than the standard document;
A pre-scan mode for pre-scanning the image on the original surface;
An image display means including a dividing line display means for displaying the pre-scanned image and displaying a dividing line for dividing the displayed image by a predetermined size, and the switching means switches to the second mode. When selected, the pre-scan mode is selected,
An image reading apparatus, wherein an image pre-scanned in the pre-scan mode is displayed by the image display unit together with the dividing lines. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit includes a dividing line changing unit that changes a position of the dividing line from the predetermined size. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display means includes page number assigning means for assigning a page number to each section divided by the dividing line. 4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image display means includes glue margin forming means for forming a margin margin partly overlapping between adjacent sections divided by the dividing line. Reader. Division registration means for registering division conditions displayed by the image display means, and division reading control for performing main scanning on the long document and dividing and storing the image data of each section according to the division conditions registered in the division registration means 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display means includes document length display means for canceling the display of the dividing line display means and displaying the full length of the long document. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the sections divided and stored by the divided reading control means is divided and output on a plurality of standard sheets. Forming equipment. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a long paper output mode that outputs the full length of the long original on a single long paper. Forming equipment.

Images