JP3747986B2 - Document feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document feeding device and a document feeding method mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional document feeder, the document lifting member is raised at the start of document feeding to sequentially feed the documents in the storage means, and when the trailing edge of the final document in the storage means passes the delivery means. The document lifting member was lowered. Accordingly, the paper feeding operation is not started until the original can be fed after the original lifting member starts to rise.
[0003]
An example of this type of apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-9-166831.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prior art, since the feeding operation cannot be started until the document can be fed after the document lifting member starts to rise, the first copy time is delayed accordingly. On the other hand, when a method of raising the document lifting member when the document detection unit detects the document set, the first copy time is improved. However, in this method, the document lifting member is immediately raised, so that, for example, when the operator cannot set the document at the normal setting position, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the sheet feeding operation. Further, when the document lifting member is raised, it is not easy to add documents.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve such problems and to provide a document feeding device and a document feeding method in which an operation mode of a document lifting member (= document lifting means) can be arbitrarily selected so as to be convenient for an operator. Is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a document feeding device and a document feeding method in which the operation mode of the document lifting member can be arbitrarily selected and the document can be prevented from dropping at the time of lift-up. is there.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeder of the present invention includes an input unit that receives and inputs a feed start signal, a storage unit that stores a plurality of documents stacked, and a document set in the storage unit. Based on the operation start timing of the document detection means for detecting that, the document lifting means for lifting the leading end side of the document stored in the storage means and rising to a predetermined position, and the arbitrarily selected document lifting means, And control means for controlling the operation of the document lifting means in accordance with detection information from the document detection means and the paper feed start signal.
[0007]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeder of the present invention includes an input unit that receives and inputs a feed start signal, a storage unit that stores a plurality of documents stacked, and a document in the storage unit. A document detection means for detecting that the document has been set, a calling means for feeding the document in contact with the uppermost document stored in the storage means, and a leading end of the document stored in the storage means are lifted The document lifting means that moves up to a position where the uppermost document comes into contact with the calling means, and the document lifting means is raised when the document detection means detects that the document is set in the storage means. After the first operation mode and the document detection unit detecting that the document has been set in the storage unit, the input holding signal is received and input by the input unit. In either the second mode of operation to raise the lower section, and having a control means for controlling the operation of the document lifting means.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeder of the present invention is mounted on an image forming apparatus having lift-up means for lifting up the document feeder and receives a feed start signal from the image forming apparatus. An input means for inputting, a storing means for storing a plurality of documents in a stacked state, a document detecting means for detecting that a document is set in the storing means, and a topmost document stored in the storing means. Calling means that abuts and feeds the document, Document lifting means that lifts the leading end side of the document stored in the storage means, and moves up to a position where the uppermost document contacts the calling means, and the lift-up In a first operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, lift-up detecting means for detecting that the original document feeder has been lifted by the means, When the document detection unit detects that the document is set in the storage unit, the document lifting unit is raised, and then the document feeder is lifted up by the lift-up detection unit. When detected, in the first control means for controlling the document lifting means to be held at the raised position, and in the second operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, the document is set in the storage means. A second control means for controlling the document lifting means to rise when the paper feed start signal is received and input by the input means after the document detection means is detected. It is characterized by having.
[0009]
Further, the second control means detects, in the second operation mode, the paper feed start signal by the input means after the original detection means detects that the original has been set in the storage means. If the lift-up detection means detects that the original document feeder has been lifted up before the reception is input, the document lifting means is controlled to rise.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeding method of the present invention includes an input unit that receives and inputs a feeding start signal, a storing unit that stores a plurality of documents in a stacked state, and a document in the storing unit. A document feeding method for an apparatus, comprising: a document detection unit that detects that a document has been set; and a document lifting unit that lifts a leading end side of a document stored in the storage unit and lifts the document to a predetermined position. A document detection step for detecting that a document is set on the document, a signal input step for receiving and inputting the paper feed start signal by the input means, and an operation start timing of the document lifting means selected arbitrarily. And a control step for controlling the operation of the document lifting means based on detection information from the document detection means and the paper feed start signal.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeding method of the present invention includes an input unit that receives and inputs a feeding start signal, a storing unit that stores a plurality of documents in a stacked state, and a document in the storing unit. A document detection means for detecting that the document has been set, a calling means for feeding the document in contact with the uppermost document stored in the storage means, and a leading end of the document stored in the storage means are lifted A document feeding method of an apparatus having a document lifting means that rises to a position where the uppermost document comes into contact with the calling means, a document detection step for detecting that a document is set in the storage means, When it is detected in the signal input step that the input means receives and inputs the paper feed start signal and the original detection step, the original is lifted up. A first operation mode for raising the means, and when the document detection step detects that a document is set in the storage means, and then receives and inputs the paper feed start signal in the signal input step. And a control step for controlling the operation of the document lifting means in any one of the second operation modes for raising the document lifting means.
[0012]
In order to achieve the above object, the document feeding method of the present invention is mounted on an image forming apparatus having lift-up means for lifting up the document feeding apparatus, and receives a feed start signal from the image forming apparatus. An input means for inputting, a storing means for storing a plurality of documents in a stacked state, a document detecting means for detecting that a document is set in the storing means, and a topmost document stored in the storing means. Calling means that abuts and feeds the document, Document lifting means that lifts the leading end side of the document stored in the storage means, and moves up to a position where the uppermost document contacts the calling means, and the lift-up And a lift-up detecting means for detecting that the own apparatus has been lifted up by the means, wherein the original is set in the storage means. In the document detection step, a signal input step in which the paper feed start signal is received and input by the input means, and the document detection step in the first operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side. When it is detected that a document is set in the storage unit, the document lifting unit is raised, and then it is detected in the lift-up detection step that the document feeder is lifted up. In the first control step for controlling the document lifting means to be held at the raised position, and in the second operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, the document is detected in the storage means in the document detection step. When the paper feed start signal is received and input in the signal input step after it is detected that the document has been set, the document lifting means rises. A second control step of controlling,
It is characterized by having.
[0013]
Further, in the second control step, in the second operation mode, after the document detection step detects that the document is set in the storage unit, the signal input step starts the paper feeding. If it is detected in the lift-up detection step that the original document feeder has been lifted before the signal is received and input, control is performed so that the document lifting means is raised.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a document feeding device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism for lifting the document feeding device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a document feeding device of FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of a paper apparatus. In this embodiment, a document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DF) 1 is mounted on an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a main body) 2 such as a copying machine. The DF 1 includes a paper feed unit 40 including a paper feed / separation mechanism, a transport unit 50, and a paper discharge unit 60. When the copy start button (not shown) of the operation unit of the main body 2 is pressed, the main body 2 is displayed. Input means (not shown) for receiving and inputting a copy start signal (paper feed start signal shown in FIG. 3) transmitted from the side.
[0015]
The paper feed section 40 accommodates sheet-like originals 5 in a stacked state (= paper supply table 6), and original detection means (= originals) for detecting that an original has been set on the paper supply table 6. A set sensor 21), a calling unit (= calling roller 8) that contacts the uppermost document stored in the sheet feeding table 6 and feeds the document, and a leading end side of the document 5 stored in the sheet feeding table 6. There is a document lifting means (= bottom plate 7) that lifts up to a position where the uppermost document comes into contact with the calling roller 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 29 obtains detection information from the sensors 14, 15, 21, and 27, and the bottom plate 7 has a bottom plate vertical motor (stepping in this embodiment) via a motor driver (Tr array). It is raised and lowered by driving and controlling the motor 33). Further, under the control of the CPU 29, the calling roller 8, the separation belt 9, the separation roller 10, the first conveyance roller 11, and the second conveyance roller 12 are fed to a paper feeding motor (in this embodiment, configured by a stepping motor) 30. Driven. Note that a first paper feed sensor 14 and a second paper feed sensor for detecting jams and document lengths (in the present embodiment, an optical type) are respectively provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the first transport roller 11 and the second transport roller 12. 15).
[0016]
The transport belt 13 of the transport unit 50 is an endless belt made of rubber or cloth, and is driven by a transport motor (in this embodiment, a stepping motor) 31 under the control of the CPU 29. Further, the conveyance belt 13 is in contact with the document scale 20 and the contact glass 19, and the document enters between the conveyance belt 13 and the contact glass 19, and the document includes the contact glass 19 and the document, and the conveyance belt 13 and the document. It is conveyed on the contact glass 19 due to the difference in friction coefficient. Note that the end of the document scale 20 is slightly higher than the upper surface of the contact glass 19 and is configured to read an image in which the resist is aligned by setting the document end against the end of the document scale 20. Has been.
[0017]
In the paper discharge unit 60, a paper discharge sensor (configured by an optical reflective sensor in the present embodiment) 18 detects a document conveyed by the conveyance belt 13. On the other hand, the detection information of the reversing sensor (configured by an optical reflection type sensor in this embodiment) 26 is used as a trigger for controlling the change timing of a switching claw (not shown) for changing the transport direction at the time of paper discharge or reversal. used. Further, the paper discharge roller 16 is driven by a paper discharge motor (in this embodiment, a stepping motor) 32 under the control of the CPU 29. In the present embodiment, each of the motors 30 to 33 is configured to be driven independently.
[0018]
Further, the DF1 has lift-up detection means (= lift-up sensor 27) for detecting that the DF1 has been lifted up by lift-up means on the main body 2 side including the hinge 23 and the like of FIG. Note that the lift-up sensor 27 shown in FIG. 3 is an optical reflective sensor.
In addition, the CPU 29 that controls the operation of the DF 1 has first and second operation modes, which will be described later, arbitrarily selected and set by the operator at the bottom plate operation mode input unit (not shown) of the operation unit of the main body 2. It has a function of controlling the rise and fall of the bottom plate 7.
[0019]
On the other hand, the main body 2 has an exposure unit, and the first mirror 3 and the lamp 4 are moved to predetermined positions so that the image data of the document 5 conveyed and set on the contact glass 19 is read by a CCD or the like. It is configured. The DF 1 mounted on the main body 2 is configured to open and close (lift up and lift down) with the hinge 23 as a fulcrum, and the lift-up state is detected by the lift-up sensor 27 on the DF 1 side.
[0020]
Next, the operation of DF1 in this embodiment will be described. The document 5 loaded on the sheet feeding table 6 and set so that the sheet feeding side end abuts against the document abutting member 22 moves upward as the bottom plate 7 is lifted by the driving of the bottom plate up / down motor 33. Pressure is applied by the calling roller 8. When the calling roller 8 rotates, the paper is fed from the top of the document 5 to the separation mechanism including the separation belt 9 and the separation roller 10. The originals separated one by one by the separation mechanism are conveyed to the contact glass 19 by the first conveying roller 11, the second conveying roller 12, and the conveying belt 13, and are imaged by an optical element such as a CCD by exposure of the exposure unit. Data is read. At this time, the document is stopped so that the leading edge of the document is positioned on the document scale 20. In the present embodiment, the document length information detected by the first paper feed sensor 14 and the second paper feed sensor 15 is the time when the document is conveyed and stopped on the contact glass 19 for image reading. Is stored in the document length storage memory (= RAM 28). As a method for calculating the document length, as described above, since the paper feed motor 30 and the transport motor 31 are configured by stepping motors, for example, the document feed amount per one step of the paper feed motor 30 is adjusted. This is obtained for each document by multiplying the number of driving steps while the first paper feed sensor 14 detects the presence of the document during paper. As for the obtained document length, for example, if there is one document on the contact glass 19, the document length is stored in the first storage memory in the RAM 28, and a plurality of documents on the contact glass 19 are stored. If there are sheets, the length of each document is sequentially stored such that the length of the second document is stored in the second storage memory and the length of the third document is stored in the third storage memory. As described above, since the paper feed motor 30 and the transport motor 31 can be independently driven as described above, the original on the contact glass 19 is discharged and the next original is fed, or the contact is made. This is because it is possible to arbitrarily change whether a plurality of documents are arranged on the glass 19 and how much the interval between the arranged documents is set. In this way, when the top document 5 is sequentially fed and the last document is fed, the bottom plate 7 that has lifted the leading edge of the document is lowered.
[0021]
On the other hand, the document which has finished reading the image and reaches the paper discharge unit 60 is detected by the paper discharge sensor 18 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 17 by driving the paper discharge roller 16. Each time a document is discharged, the contents of the second storage memory are stored in the first storage memory, the contents of the third storage memory are stored in the second storage memory, and the document length is shifted and stored. . Since the conveyance motor 31 is composed of a stepping motor, for example, the number of pulses of the conveyance motor 31 is counted while the document is being conveyed to the paper discharge unit 60, and the number of pulses per step of the conveyance motor 31 is counted. By multiplying the document feed amount, the document transport distance on the transport belt 13 can be known. Further, the paper discharge sensor 18 of the paper discharge unit 60 detects paper discharge JAM and paper discharge deceleration timing. For example, for paper discharge JAM detection, the number of pulses of the paper discharge motor 32 after the leading edge of the original passes the paper discharge sensor 18 is counted and multiplied by the document feed amount per step of the paper discharge motor 32. This is done by knowing the document transport distance on the paper discharge roller 16 after passing the sensor and comparing it with the document length. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately know the document length and the document transport distance without being affected by a change in the transport speed, and to change the determination criterion based on the transport distance in JAM detection according to the document size.
[0022]
Next, the document feeding method (control for raising the bottom plate 7) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the rising operation of the bottom plate 7 has first and second operation modes. These operation modes are set by an operator selecting any one from a bottom plate operation mode input unit (not shown) in the operation unit of the main body 2. In the first operation mode, the document setting sensor 21 detects that the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 (YES in step 401), and when the first operation mode is selected (step 402a) After the document set is detected, the bottom plate 7 is immediately raised by the driving of the bottom plate up / down motor 33, and the document 5 is lifted (step 404). Further, since the bottom plate 7 remains elevated and is pressed against the calling roller 8 until the start button is pressed by the operator, the sheet feeding is immediately performed when the feed start signal is input to the DF 1 by pressing the start button. The paper movement can be started.
[0023]
On the other hand, in the second operation mode, when the document set sensor 21 detects that the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 (YES in step 401), and the second operation mode is selected. (Step 402b) After the document set is detected, the operator presses the start button (YES in Step 403), and then the bottom plate 7 is raised by the driving of the bottom plate up / down motor 33. Is lifted (step 404) and pressed against the calling roller 8 to be pressurized. As described above, when the start button is pressed after the document is set, the first copy time until the first document is copied is reduced. However, the operator confirms the set state of the document 5, and for example, the document abutting member 22 In the case where the document side is not in contact with the document side and is placed in a skewed manner, it can be reset to a normal position, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in conveyance performance due to a defective setting.
[0024]
Next, a document feeding method (lowering control of the bottom plate 7) in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, in the first operation mode, when the DF 1 is lifted up by the lift-up means while the document 5 is set and the bottom plate 7 is raised, the bottom plate 7 is prevented from being lowered. It has a function to control. That is, when the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 in the first operation mode (NO in step 501) and JAM occurs in the DF 1 with the bottom plate 7 raised (YES in step 503), the paper is fed. When the cover 24 or the paper discharge cover 25 is opened (YES in step 504), when the main body 2 shifts to the preheating mode or the low power mode (YES in step 505), or when another document is predicted to be reset (step) When DF1 is lifted down (NO in step 506), the bottom plate 7 descends again from the position in contact with the calling roller 8 to a predetermined position before document setting (step 507). Note that the bottom plate 7 also moves down when the document 5 is taken out from the paper feed table 20. On the other hand, when the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 in the first operation mode (NO in step 501) and JAM is generated in the DF 1 with the bottom plate 7 raised (YES in step 503), the paper is fed. When the cover 24 or the paper discharge cover 25 is opened (YES in step 504), when the main body 2 shifts to the preheating mode or the low power mode (YES in step 505), or when another document is predicted to be reset (step) If the lift-up sensor 27 detects the lift-up of the DF 1 (YES in step 502), the bottom plate 7 is prevented from descending and the bottom plate 7 is held at a position where it abuts on the calling roller 8. .
[0025]
Further, a document feeding method (upward control of the bottom plate 7) in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the DF 1 is lifted up after the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 and before the paper feed start signal is input in the second operation mode, the bottom plate 7 is moved. It has a function to control to rise. That is, when the document 5 is set on the paper feed table 6 (YES in Step 401) and the second operation mode is selected (Step 402b), the operator presses the start button after detecting the document setting. If the lift-up sensor 27 detects the lift-up of the DF 1 (NO in step 601) before is pressed (NO in step 403), the bottom plate 7 is raised by driving the bottom plate up / down motor 33 ( In step 404, the original 5 set on the paper feed table 6 is pressed by the calling roller 8.
[0026]
According to the first embodiment, when the document set sensor 21 detects that the document 5 is set on the sheet feed table 6, the first operation mode for raising the bottom plate 7 and the sheet feed table are provided. After the document setting sensor 21 detects that the document 5 has been set on the sheet 6, the operator presses the start button, and when the input means receives and inputs a paper feed start signal, the bottom plate 7 is raised. Since the rising and lowering of the bottom plate 7 is controlled in any one of the second operation modes, and the selection setting of the first and second operation modes is performed by the operation unit of the main body 2, the operation that is convenient for the operator The mode can be arbitrarily selected, and the raising and lowering control of the bottom plate 7 can be performed. According to the first operation mode, the bottom plate 7 is raised as soon as a document set is detected, so that the first copy time is improved. Further, according to the second operation mode, after the document set is detected, the bottom plate 7 is raised after the copy start button is pressed, so that it is easy to reset the document 5 or add the document.
[0027]
Further, according to the second embodiment, in the first operation mode, when the lift-up sensor 27 detects that the DF 1 is lifted up after the bottom plate 7 is lifted, the bottom plate 7 is lowered. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily select an operation mode that is convenient for the operator, to control the ascending / descending of the bottom plate 7, and to prevent the document 5 from falling during the lift-up in the first operation mode. It is possible.
[0028]
Further, according to the third embodiment, in the second operation mode, after the document setting sensor 21 detects that the document 5 is set on the sheet feed table 6, the start button is operated by an operator. And when the lift-up sensor 27 detects that the DF 1 has been lifted before the paper feed start signal is received and input by the input means, the bottom plate 7 is moved upward. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily select an operation mode that is convenient for the user, to control the ascending / descending of the bottom plate 7, and to prevent the document 5 from falling during the lift-up in the second operation mode.
[0029]
Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the paper feed motor 30 and the transport motor 31 can be driven independently, for example, whether the original on the contact glass 19 is discharged and then the next original is fed. The paper feed timing and the arrangement of the originals on the contact glass can be arbitrarily changed, such as whether a plurality of originals are arranged on the contact glass 19 and the interval between the arranged originals.
[0030]
Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, each of the motors 30 to 33 is configured by a stepping motor, and the number of pulses of the stepping motor is counted using detection information of each sensor, whereby the document length and the document You can know the transport distance. Therefore, it is possible to change the determination criterion based on the conveyance distance at the time of JAM detection for each document, and JAM detection corresponding to various document sizes can be performed.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the operation of the document lifting unit is controlled based on the detection information and the paper feed start signal by the document detection unit based on the operation start timing of the arbitrarily selected document lifting unit. Therefore, the operation of the document lifting means that is convenient for the operator can be arbitrarily selected. More specifically, the operation mode of the document lifting means is selected and set on the side of the image forming apparatus equipped with the document feeder, and in the first operation mode, the document detection means that the document is set in the storage means. In the second operation mode, the document detection means detects that the document has been set in the storage means, and then receives a paper feed start signal at the input means. When an input is made, the document lifting means is raised, so that an operation mode that is convenient for the operator, such as shortening the first copy time or adding the document, can be arbitrarily selected.
[0032]
Further, according to the present invention, in the first operation mode, when it is detected by the lift-up detecting means that the original document feeder has been lifted after the document lifting means has been lifted, the document lifting means is Since it is held at the raised position, the operation mode of the document lifting means can be arbitrarily selected, and it is possible to prevent the document from falling during lift-up in the first operation mode.
[0033]
Further, according to the present invention, in the second operation mode, when it is detected by the lift-up detection means that the original document feeder has been lifted before the feeding start signal is input, Since the lifting means is raised, the operation mode of the document lifting means can be arbitrarily selected, and the document can be prevented from dropping during the lift-up in the second operation mode.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a document feeder according to first to third embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a mechanism for lifting up the document feeder of FIG. 1; FIG.
3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the document feeder of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a document feeding method (bottom plate raising control) in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a document feeding method (bottom plate lowering control) in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a document feeding method (bottom plate elevation control) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Document feeder
2 Image forming device
5 Manuscript
6 Paper feed table
7 Bottom plate
8 Calling roller
21 Document set sensor

Claims (2)

It is mounted on an image forming apparatus having a lift-up means for lifting up a document feeder,
Input means for receiving and inputting a paper feed start signal from the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing a plurality of documents in a stacked state;
Document detection means for detecting that a document is set in the storage means;
Calling means for contacting the uppermost document stored in the storage means and feeding the document;
A document lifting means that lifts the leading end side of the document stored in the storage means and moves up to a position where the uppermost document contacts the calling means;
Lift-up detection means for detecting that the document feeder is lifted up by the lift-up means;
In the first operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, when the document detection unit detects that a document is set in the storage unit, the document lifting unit is raised, and then A first control unit for controlling the document lifting unit to be held at the raised position when it is detected by the lift-up detection unit that the document feeder is lifted;
In the second operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, after the document detection unit detects that a document is set in the storage unit, the input unit outputs a paper feed start signal. And second control means for controlling the document lifting means to rise when receiving input,
In the second operation mode, the second control unit receives the paper feed start signal at the input unit after the document detection unit detects that a document is set in the storage unit. before being input, the the self document feeder by the lift-up detection means is detected to have been lifted up, features and be RuHara draft feeding said document lifting means controls so as to increase apparatus. An input unit that is mounted on an image forming apparatus having a lift-up unit that lifts up the document feeding device, receives and inputs a sheet feeding start signal from the image forming device, and a storing unit that stores a plurality of documents stacked. A document detection unit that detects that a document is set in the storage unit, a calling unit that contacts the uppermost document stored in the storage unit, and feeds the document, and is stored in the storage unit A document lifting means that lifts the leading end side of the document that has been lifted up to a position where the uppermost document comes into contact with the calling means, and a lift-up detection means that detects that the apparatus has been lifted up by the lift-up means. A document feeding method of an apparatus having
A document detection step for detecting that a document is set in the storage means;
A signal input step in which the paper feed start signal is received and input by the input means;
In the first operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, when it is detected in the document detection step that the document is set in the storage unit, the document lifting unit is raised, and then the document A first control step for controlling the document lifting means to be held at the raised position when it is detected in the lift-up detection step that the document feeder is lifted;
In the second operation mode selected and set on the image forming apparatus side, after the document detection step detects that a document is set in the storage unit, the signal input step detects the paper feed start signal. Is received and input, and has a second control step for controlling the document lifting means to rise.
In the second control step, in the second operation mode, after the document detection step detects that the document is set in the storage unit, the signal input step outputs the paper feed start signal. previously received input, the lift-up detection when steps in the own document feeder is detected to have been lifted up, the original lift control means controls so means to rise and be RuHara draft Paper feeding method.

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