JP3723500B2 - Image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction machine of these, and an image reading apparatus such as a scanner constituting a part of such an image forming apparatus. The present invention also relates to a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a general copying machine as an image forming apparatus optically reads an image of an original placed on an original placement table by a scanner (image reading means), and converts the read image information into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion device. Then, after improving the image quality with various image processing devices, the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal using a semiconductor laser or the like, and the optical signal is imaged on the photoreceptor via the imaging device. After the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member, toner is supplied onto the photosensitive member by a developing device, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member is visualized as a toner image. In such a general copying machine, a toner image on a photosensitive member is transferred to a recording material such as copy paper by a transfer device, and then the toner image on the recording material is heated and pressed by a fixing device. The fixed recording material is discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a copying machine has various specifications changed for each area where the size unit of the size is based on centimeters and where the size is based on inches. However, in recent years, it has been necessary to efficiently process information from various regions due to the spread of the Internet, etc., but in conventional copiers where various specifications have been changed for each region, it is possible to start from manuscripts with different dimensional units. It has been difficult to read and process images (printing or data transmission, etc.) accurately and efficiently.
[0004]
Further, in the conventional copying machine, it is impossible to read a document whose document size is not known by the document size detection means and register the read document size on the user side.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to select a document size accurately and efficiently regardless of whether the document is measured in centimeters or inches, and can detect the size of a document whose size is unknown. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus that enable accurate and efficient information processing (printing or data transmission). Another object of the present invention is to provide a program for controlling the operation of such an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, document size detection means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table, display means for displaying detection results, various setting screens, and various messages from the document size detection means, An operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means; and a control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, the display means and the operation means. Image forming apparatus. Of these, the control means causes the display means to display a document size list screen for size selection, and a first document size setting step for user registration of the document size selected on the document size list screen; A document size input screen is displayed on the means, a second document size setting stage for user registration of the document size input from the input screen, and the document size detection means is operated to set the document size on the document placement table. A third document size setting step of detecting, displaying a list of standard sizes that are the same as or similar to the detected document size on the display means, and registering the document size selected from the list display screen as a user ; The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, the detected document size is displayed on the display means, and the table is displayed. The fourth and the document size setting stage, the selectively executed based on the input signal from the operating means, is the original document size document on the document table has registered size to register with the original size which is As described above, various operations after the document size setting are executed.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is a document size detecting means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placing table, a display means for displaying the detection result of the document size detecting means, various setting screens, and various messages, An operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means; and a control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, the display means and the operation means. Image forming apparatus. The control unit operates the document size detection unit to detect the document size on the document placement table, causes the display unit to display a list of standard sizes that are the same as or similar to the detected document size, A document size setting stage in which the document size selected from the list display screen is registered by the user, and the document size detection unit is operated to detect the document size on the document table, and the detected document size is displayed on the display unit. A document size setting step of displaying and displaying the displayed document size as a user is selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and the document on the document placement table is a document whose size is registered. In other words, it is characterized in that various operations after the document size setting are executed.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document size detecting means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placing table, a display means for displaying a detection result of the document size detecting means, various setting screens, and various messages, An operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means; and a control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, the display means and the operation means. Image reading apparatus. The control means causes the display means to display a document size list screen for size selection, a first document size setting step for user registration of the document size selected on the document size list screen, and the display means A document size input screen is displayed on the screen, a second document size setting stage for user registration of the document size input from the input screen, and the document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document table. A third document size setting step of displaying a list of standard sizes that are the same as or similar to the detected document size on the display means, and registering the document size selected from the list display screen as a user, and the document The size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the detected document size is displayed on the display means. The document size is based on the input signal selectively to execution of the fourth document size setting step of user registration, from the operation unit, a document on the document table is a document of the document size registered size As described above, various operations after the document size setting are executed.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided document size detection means for detecting the size of a document placed on the document placement table, display means for displaying detection results, various setting screens, and various messages from the document size detection means, An operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means; and a control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, the display means and the operation means. Image reading apparatus. The control unit operates the document size detection unit to detect the document size on the document placement table, causes the display unit to display a list of standard sizes that are the same as or similar to the detected document size, A document size setting stage in which the document size selected from the list display screen is registered by the user, and the document size detection unit is operated to detect the document size on the document table, and the detected document size is displayed on the display unit. A document size setting step of displaying and displaying the displayed document size as a user is selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and the document on the document placement table is a document whose size is registered. In other words, it is characterized in that various operations after the document size setting are executed.
[0010]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit for controlling the operation of the document size detecting unit, the display unit, and the operation unit displays a document size list screen for size selection on the display unit, and is selected on the document size list screen. A first document size setting stage for user registration of the original document size; a second document size setting stage for displaying a document size input screen on the display means and registering the document size input from the input screen as a user ; The document size detection unit is operated to detect the document size on the document table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display unit, and selected from the list display screen. test a third document size setting step, the document size on the document size detection means is actuated to by document table to register with the original size which is And, to display the detected document size on the display means, selectively to execute based on an input signal of the displayed document size from the operating means and the fourth document size setting step, the to register with The present invention relates to a program for executing various operations after setting the document size, assuming that the document on the document table is a document of a registered document size.
[0011]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the document size detecting means, the display means, and the control means for controlling the operation of the operating means are operated to detect the document size on the document placing table by operating the document size detecting means. A standard size that is the same as or similar to the size is displayed in a list on the display means, a document size setting stage for user registration of the document size selected from the list display screen, and the document size detection means is operated to load a document. Based on the input signal from the operation means, the original size on the table is detected, the detected original size is displayed on the display means, and the displayed original size is registered as a user. As a result, it is assumed that the document on the document table is a document of the registered document size, and various operations after the document size setting are executed. It relates to the program.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2 that reads an image of a document, a printer unit 3 that forms an image on a recording material such as copy paper based on image information read by the scanner unit 2, and An operation unit 4 including various keys for inputting data for operating the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 and a display panel, and the operation control of the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 are input data from the operation unit 4 and the like. And a control unit 5 that executes based on the above.
[0014]
The scanner unit 2 includes a document size detection sensor (document size detection unit) 6 that optically detects the size of a document placed on a document placement table such as a platen glass, and an image reading unit 7 that reads an image of the document. I have. Among these, the document size detection sensor 6 detects the size of a document of a predetermined standard size (for example, B5, A4, etc.). On the other hand, the image reading means 7 performs photoelectric conversion while scanning an image of a document with an image sensor such as a CCD, converts the read image information into an electric signal, and improves image quality with various image processing devices. In addition to the function of reading the image of the document, it also has the function of measuring the actual size of the document (the width dimension and the length dimension in the direction perpendicular to the width dimension). It also functions as a means. That is, this image reading means 7 cannot scan reflected light from the outside of the document surface by the image sensor when the document surface is scanned with the document retainer opened (if the document retainer is closed, the reflection from the document retainer will not be received). There is light, but if the document retainer is opened, there is no reflected light from the document retainer), so that the boundary between the document surface and the outside of the document surface can be specified, and the actual size of the document can be detected.
[0015]
The printer unit 3 includes a recording material supply unit 8 that sends a recording material such as copy paper from a paper feed tray along a recording material conveyance path, and a printing unit that forms an image on the recording material supplied from the recording material supply unit 8. 10. Among these, the printing means 10 converts an electrical signal into an optical signal using a semiconductor laser or the like, forms an image of the optical signal on the photoconductor via an imaging device, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. After the toner is formed, toner is supplied onto the photosensitive member by a developing device, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member is visualized as a toner image. The printing unit 10 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to a recording material such as copy paper by a transfer device, and then heats and presses the toner image on the recording material by a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording material. The used recording material is discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like.
[0016]
The operation unit 4 includes a copy start button, various input keys 11 such as various function setting keys and numeric keys, a display panel 12 such as a liquid crystal display panel that displays various information, various function selection screens, various input keys, and the like. It has. Among these, the display panel 12 can exhibit a function as a touch panel, and has both a display means and a function as an operation means.
[0017]
The control unit 5 includes a CPU 13 as control means and a storage means 14 for recording various control programs and data. The control unit 5 outputs a control signal to the image reading unit 7, the printing unit 10, the recording material supply unit 8, and the like based on a control program recorded in the storage unit 14 and a signal from the input key. To control the operation.
[0018]
(Document size detection operation of image forming device)
In general, the image forming apparatus 1 has a difference between a centimeter and an inch in a document size (dimension unit) depending on a region or a country in which the image forming apparatus 1 is used. Documents with the dimensions specified in inches are used for printing or the like where the scaling factor is set based on the document or recording material of the specified dimensions, and the dimensional unit is used in a country or region of inches. A variable magnification or the like is set based on the recording material, and a print operation or the like is performed. Therefore, when printing is performed by reading an image of an inch-size document in a country or region with a dimensional unit of centimeter, or when an image of a document with a centimeter size is scanned in a country or region of a dimensional unit. For example, the centimeter size and inch size document size can be selected by the user, and the selected document size can be registered by the user. It is possible to detect the document size, and the size detection result (document size, etc.) can be registered by the user, and setting the scaling factor etc. based on the registered size data is smooth and accurate. Preferred for performing work.
[0019]
In view of this, in the present embodiment, the user can register the size of the document to be scanned with the image in the following modes. That is, in the first mode (first document size setting stage), a user selects a document size to be registered from a document size list prepared in advance by the user and performs user registration. In the second mode (second document size setting stage), the user directly inputs the document size from the operation unit 4 and performs user registration. In the third mode (third document size setting stage), when the user detects the document size by the image reading unit 7 functioning as the document size detection unit, the standard document having the same or approximate size as the detected document size is detected. The size is displayed on the display panel 12 so that the user can select it, and the original size selected by the user is registered as a user. In the fourth mode (fourth document size setting stage), when the user detects the document size by the image reading means 7 functioning as the document size detecting means, the detected document size (width dimension and length direction dimension, in other words, In this case, the vertical and horizontal length dimensions of the original are directly displayed on the display panel 12, and the detected original size is registered as a user as it is.
[0020]
3 to 4 are flowcharts showing an operation control state by the control means 13 when the original size is registered in the image forming apparatus 1 as described above.
[0021]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, an original is set on the original placing table (step S1), the original size selection key displayed on the display panel 12 is turned on by the user, and the original size is selected from the list. When the key (size selection key 17 in FIG. 5) is turned on (step S2), a document size list display (centimeter size document size list display 18 and inch size document size list shown in FIG. 5) is displayed. A document size selection screen 21 for displaying 20) is displayed on the display panel 12 (step S3). Then, the user selects a desired document size from the document size selection screen 21 shown in FIG. 5 (step S4), and the user turns on the registration key 22 in FIG. 5 to display the user in FIG. If one of the registration keys (No. 1 to No. 4) 23 is selected, the selected document size is registered in the selected user registration key 23 (step S5).
[0022]
Next, in step S2 of FIG. 3, when the user does not select the document size from the list and the user turns on the size input key 24 of FIG. 5 (step S6), the size input screen of FIG. 6 is displayed (step S7). ). Then, the user inputs the document size (width size 25 and length size 26) from the document size input screen of FIG. 6 using the input keys and operation keys 29 (not shown) and the user selects a registration key (not shown). If any one of the user registration keys (No. 1 to No. 4) 23 in FIG. 5 is selected on the screen, the size of the document input to the selected user registration key 23 is registered (step S9).
[0023]
Next, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the user does not select the document size input in step S6 in FIG. 3 and the user turns on the registration key 27 by size detection on the document size input screen in FIG. 6 (step S10). Then, the registration screen by size detection shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the image reading means 7 that also functions as the document size detecting means is operated to detect the document size (step S11). Here, when the user turns on the standard size key 28 of the registration screen by size detection shown in FIG. 7 (step S12), the size selection screen 31 is displayed in the registered size candidate column 30 of the registration screen by size detection of FIG. (Step S13). The size selection screen 31 shown in FIG. 7 displays a list of standard document sizes that are the same as or similar to the document sizes detected by the image reading unit 7 in a selectable state. Then, the user operates the operation key 32 in FIG. 7 to select the document size in the size selection screen 31 (step S14), and turns on the size registration key 33 in FIG. If any one of the user registration keys (No. 1 to No. 4) 23 in FIG. 5 is selected, the size is registered in the selected user registration key 23 (step S15).
[0024]
Next, in step S12 in FIG. 4, when the user turns on the irregular size selection key 34 in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 8, the actual size of the document detected by the image reading means 7 on the registration screen by size detection is displayed. (Width dimension and length dimension) are displayed in the dimension display field 35 (step S16). Then, when the user turns on the size registration key 33 in FIG. 8 and selects any one of the user registration keys (No. 1 to No. 4) 23 in FIG. 5 on the registration key selection screen (not shown), the selected user registration is performed. The size is registered in the key 23 (step S15). In FIG. 8, the actual size of the document in the size display field 35 can be changed with the operation key 36.
[0025]
(Effect of this embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the document size is known in advance, the document size is a list of standard sizes regardless of whether the document is a centimeter size or an inch size. User registration can be performed by selecting from the above, and user registration can also be performed by inputting a document size. In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the document size is unknown, the image reading unit 7 scans the document on the document placing table to detect the document size, and is the same as or approximate to the detected size. A list of dimension original size) and standard size) can be displayed on the display panel, and the user can select the original size selected from the list, and can also register the detected original size as it is. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, image processing such as magnification / magnification is accurately performed based on the user-registered document size, and information processing (image processing setting such as magnification / magnification is accurately performed) Printing or data transmission) can be performed accurately and efficiently.
[0026]
(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the first mode and the second mode for registering the document size as a user are omitted, and the document size is set only by the third mode and the fourth mode as shown in FIG. You may make it register. Even in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, regardless of whether the document is a centimeter size or an inch size, the user can register the document size accurately and efficiently, and the information processing is performed accurately and efficiently. It becomes possible. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0027]
(Application example of image forming apparatus of this embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a case where a copying machine 1A as an image forming apparatus is connected to a computer 15 or a printer 16 via a network, and image data of a document read by the scanner unit 2 of the copying machine 1A is taken into the computer 15 for editing. The image data of the original read by the scanner unit 2 of the copying machine 1A is transmitted to the other copying machines 1B, 1C and the printer 16, and can be printed by the copying machines 1B, 1C or the printer 16 as the transmission destination. . That is, FIG. 2 shows a mode in which the copying machine 1A according to the present embodiment is used as a scanner unit (image reading device) of another copying machine 1B, 1C, printer 16, or computer 15.
[0028]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can be widely applied to a facsimile machine and a printing machine provided with a copying machine or a scanner unit, and also applied to a multifunction machine having both functions of a copying machine and a facsimile machine. can do.
[0029]
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, the data transmission unit is installed and connected to the Internet, so that the image data read from the document can be exchanged with other computers, copying machines, etc. via the Internet. You may enable it to send and receive.
[0030]
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is exemplified by an electrophotographic copying machine. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to this, and can be applied to an copying machine using an ink jet method as a printing unit.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, regardless of whether the original is a centimeter size or an inch size, the original size is detected by the original size detecting means, and the detection result is accurately and efficiently based on the detection result. Since the document size can be registered as a user, information processing can be performed accurately and efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a network configuration diagram showing an application example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a first flowchart illustrating operation control of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a second flowchart showing operation control of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first display example of the display panel.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second display example of the display panel.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third display example of the display panel.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth display example of the display panel.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operation control of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 1A, 1B, 1C ... Copying machine (image forming apparatus), 2 ... Scanner part (image reading apparatus), 6 ... Document size detection sensor (document size detection means), 7 ... Image reading means (original size detecting means), 11... Input keys (operating means), 12... Display panel (display means and operating means), 13.

Claims (6)

A document size detection means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table;
Display means for displaying detection results of the document size detection means, various setting screens, and various messages;
Operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means;
Control means for controlling the operation of these document size detection means, display means and operation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The control means includes
The display means to display the document size list screen for selecting size, a first document size setting step to register with the document size selected in the document size list screen,
A second manuscript size setting step of displaying a manuscript size input screen on the display means and registering the manuscript size input from the input screen as a user ;
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. A third document size setting stage for user registration of the document size,
A fourth document size setting step of operating the document size detection means to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display means, and registering the displayed document size as a user. When,
Are selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and various operations after setting the document size are executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of a registered size. Image forming apparatus. A document size detection means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table;
Display means for displaying detection results of the document size detection means, various setting screens, and various messages;
Operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means;
Control means for controlling the operation of these document size detection means, display means and operation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The control means includes
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. The original size setting stage for user registration
A document size setting step of operating the document size detection unit to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display unit, and registering the displayed document size as a user ;
Are selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and various operations after setting the document size are executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of a registered size. Image forming apparatus. A document size detection means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table;
Display means for displaying detection results of the document size detection means, various setting screens, and various messages;
Operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means;
Control means for controlling the operation of these document size detection means, display means and operation means;
An image reading apparatus comprising:
The control means includes
A first document size setting step in which a document size list screen for size selection is displayed on the display means, and a user registers the document size selected on the document size list screen;
A second manuscript size setting step of displaying a manuscript size input screen on the display means and registering the manuscript size input from the input screen as a user ;
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. A third document size setting stage for user registration of the document size,
A fourth document size setting step of operating the document size detection means to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display means, and registering the displayed document size as a user. When,
Are selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and various operations after the document size setting are executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of a document size registered in size. Image reading device. A document size detection means for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table;
Display means for displaying detection results of the document size detection means, various setting screens, and various messages;
Operation means comprising various input keys displayed by the display means and various input keys installed outside the display means;
Control means for controlling the operation of these document size detection means, display means and operation means;
An image reading apparatus comprising:
The control means includes
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. The original size setting stage for user registration
A document size setting step of operating the document size detection unit to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display unit, and registering the displayed document size as a user ;
Are selectively executed based on an input signal from the operation means, and various operations after the document size setting are executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of a document size registered in size. Image reading device. Control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, display means and operation means,
The display means to display the document size list screen for selecting size, a first document size setting step to register with the document size selected in the document size list screen,
A second manuscript size setting step of displaying a manuscript size input screen on the display means and registering the manuscript size input from the input screen as a user ;
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. A third document size setting stage for user registration of the document size,
A fourth document size setting step of operating the document size detection means to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display means, and registering the displayed document size as a user. When,
Is executed selectively based on an input signal from the operation means, and the various operations after the document size setting is executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of the document size registered. Control means for controlling the operation of the document size detection means, display means and operation means,
The document size detection means is operated to detect the document size on the document placement table, and the standard size that is the same as or approximate to the detected document size is displayed in a list on the display means and selected from the list display screen. The original size setting stage for user registration
A document size setting step of operating the document size detection unit to detect the document size on the document placement table, displaying the detected document size on the display unit, and registering the displayed document size as a user ;
Is executed selectively based on an input signal from the operation means, and the various operations after the document size setting is executed on the assumption that the document on the document table is a document of the document size registered.

Images