JP4638271B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copier, a FAX, and a scanner.

  In a multifunction machine having functions of a copier, a FAX, and a scanner, a function switching key is provided for switching each function, and an image reading device for reading a document is incorporated. In such a multifunction device, the function switching key is operated to select any one of the functions of the copier, the FAX, and the scanner. Then, after switching various modes such as single-sided / double-sided scanning, color / monochrome switching, and character / character + photo / photo mode switching, press the start key to start scanning the document. Is done. However, if the hand holding the document is the same as the one operating the function switching key or mode switching key, place the document on the table once before placing it on the paper feed tray or document table, then switch the function. Moves the hand to the position of the key or mode switching key and presses the key, resulting in time loss.

In addition, a device that can be pressed with a hand different from the hand holding the document is also considered, but if that hand is blocked, place the document on the paper feed tray or document table, and then move the hand to the mode. I had to move to the position of the switch key. In order to eliminate such inconvenience, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-349979 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image formation in which reading of a document is started when a document sensor detects that the document is placed on a document placing table. The device is described.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-349979 (paragraph numbers 0031 to 0039, FIG. 3)

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, reading of a document is only started when a document sensor detects that a document has been placed on a document placing table, and function switching and mode switching are performed using dedicated keys. It is necessary to operate.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of switching various functions by operating a document without operating a function switching key or the like.

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming functions including a copy, a FAX, and a scanner , a detection unit for detecting the presence / absence of a document and the number of times the detection unit detects the presence / absence of a document within a predetermined time Document detection pattern storage means stored in advance corresponding to each of copy, FAX, and scanner, and whether or not the detection content of the detection means matches the number of document detections stored in the document detection pattern storage means is determined. And a function setting means for switching the function to any one of the copy, FAX, and scanner according to the determination result.

By performing the function switching setting according to the detected number of originals detected in this way, it is possible to instruct the function switching setting without operating the function switching key or the like.

Preferably, the function setting means stores in the display means for displaying any one of the set functions of copy, FAX, and scanner, instruction means for instructing execution of the set function, and document detection count storage means. And a control means for displaying a function corresponding to the display means in accordance with the number of detected originals and executing a corresponding function in response to the instruction from the instruction means.

Preferably, each time the detection unit detects the number of times of document detection , the control unit sets a flag corresponding to each of the functions of copy, FAX, and scanner, and displays the function corresponding to the set flag on the display unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, the presence / absence of a document is detected, it is determined whether or not the detected content matches the stored document detection count, and the function is copied according to the determination result. , FAX, or scanner can be switched to another function. Therefore, the operation of moving the hand to the position of the function switching key and pressing the key becomes unnecessary, and time is not lost.

  In addition, since the function switching key can be operated with the same hand without changing the document in order to operate the function switching key, the work efficiency is improved. Furthermore, even if you hold a document with one hand and another object with the other hand, you can change the function with one hand and then mount the document on the document feeder. Document reading instructions can be made.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a control unit 11 as a control unit included in the image forming apparatus includes an operation unit 12, an image reading unit 13, a printing unit 14, a line communication unit 15, a LAN communication unit 16, A display unit 17 serving as display means for displaying the set function and an image memory 18 serving as document detection pattern storage means are connected.

  The operation unit 12 includes a switching key as command means for instructing execution for switching the functions of the copier, the FAX, and the scanner, and a start key for instructing start of reading of the document, and resolution and reduction at the time of reading. Includes mode selection keys for setting various modes such as rate.

  The document reading unit 13 reads an image of the document, and the printing unit 14 prints data. The line communication unit 15 communicates with the public communication line at the time of FAX transmission / reception. The LAN communication unit 16 performs data communication with, for example, a personal computer when the image forming apparatus is used as a scanner or a printer. The image memory 18 stores a motion detection pattern of the document read by the image reading unit 13, image data of the document, data to be printed by the printing unit 14, and the like. The timer 20 includes timers A, B, C, and D, and detects timing shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading unit shown in FIG. The image reading unit 13 includes a housing 2, a presser lid 3, and a document feeding unit 4. The housing 2 incorporates an optical reading system. 2 shows only the lamp 5 serving as a light source in FIG. 2, an optical system including the lamp 5 and a reflecting mirror is attached to a moving frame driven by a motor, and a condensing lens and an image reading image sensor ( CCD) is provided in the housing 2. The optical system including the lamp 5 reciprocates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  A transparent cover glass 6 serving as a document placement table is attached to the upper surface of the housing 2. The presser lid 3 includes a substrate 7, a paper feed tray 8, and a discharge tray 9, and is attached to the upper end portion of the housing 2 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The presser lid 3 acts as an opening / closing plate that opens and closes with respect to the cover glass 6.

  The document feeder 4 takes in a document (not shown) placed on the sheet feed tray 8 and reverses it. The original is conveyed in the original feeding section 4 and when the original passes through the translucent plate 4k, the original image is read by the optical reading system and discharged to the discharge tray 9. In the document feeding unit 4, a feeding roller 4a and a separation roller 4b for taking in the uppermost document on the sheet feeding tray 8 are provided. Further, a paper feed auxiliary roller 4c is provided on the side of the feed roller 4a, and the driving force from the feed roller 4a is transmitted by the belt 4d.

  The sheet feeding auxiliary roller 4c is rotated in the same direction as the feeding roller 4a when the driving force is transmitted from the belt 4d with the rotation of the feeding roller 4a, and is lowered to be at the uppermost part on the sheet feeding tray 8. Abutting on the upper surface of the original, the paper feeding by the feeding roller 4a is assisted. On the downstream side of the feeding roller 4a and the separation roller 4b, a conveying roller 4e and driven rollers 4f and 4g are provided.

  The document taken into the document feeding unit 4 by the feeding roller 4a and the separation roller 4b is conveyed and reversed while being held between the conveying roller 4e and the driven rollers 4f and 4g, and then translucent. Passes over the plate 4k. An image of the original is read by the optical reading system through the translucent plate 4k. The document that has passed over the translucent plate 4k is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 4h and 4i, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 9 from the discharge port 4j.

  A document sensor 10 is provided at the leading end of the sheet feed tray 8 as a detecting means for detecting a document set and a movement pattern of the document inserted in the sheet feed tray 8. For example, a photoelectric sensor is used as the document sensor 10. The movement pattern of the document detected by the document sensor 10 is stored in the image memory 18.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, in an idle state where an original is not read by the image forming apparatus, the function switching key is not operated to switch the image forming apparatus to any one of the functions of a copier, a FAX, and a scanner. Each function is selected by detecting a document movement pattern in which a document is first extracted after being first inserted into the paper feed tray 8.

  This document movement pattern will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. A solid line shown in FIG. 3 indicates a detection pattern that is a detection output of the document sensor 10.

  A time B1 shown in FIG. 3A is a time from the first insertion of the original to the second insertion of the original, and is defined by the timer B shown in FIG. The time C1 is a time from when the original is inserted for the second time until it is determined that the function switching is started, and is defined by the timer C. The time D1 is the first insertion time of the document, and is defined by the timer B and the timer D.

  The times b to d define a time range for defining the times B1 to D1, and the time b is a time range that is regarded as the second insertion of the document, and is determined to be the first insertion of the document. Thereafter, when the second insertion of the document is detected before the time b counted by the timer B is up, it is determined that the document is inserted for the second time.

  Time c is a time range in which it is determined that reading is started after it is determined that the document is inserted for the second time. If the document continues to be detected as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3A until the time c counted by the timer C is counted up, an instruction to start reading the document is given. Time d is a time range in which chattering is removed, and is counted by the timer D. The presence or absence of document detection is ignored within the time range of time d.

  As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B shows the timing when the document is extracted before the time c counted by the timer C is counted up. The time A1 is a time from when the document is extracted until the document detection is started again, and is defined by the timer A. The time a defines a time range for defining the time A1, and document detection is not performed until the time a counted by the timer A is counted up. Therefore, E1 in FIG. 3B is ignored.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the function switching operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the image reading apparatus 1 is turned on, the process proceeds to the function switching operation shown in FIG. 4, and the flag F is cleared and set to “0” in step (abbreviated as SP in FIG. 4) SP21. For example, when the flag F is set to “0”, the copy function is selected. When the flag F is set to “1”, the scanner function is selected. When the flag F is set to “2”, the FAX is selected. It is prescribed.

  In step SP22, change input detection processing is performed. Although this change input detection will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 described later, the change input detection is detected based on the document movement detection pattern shown in FIG. 3 set in the image reading unit 13 shown in FIG. If it is determined in the change input detection that the detection pattern is a normal document set, the routine proceeds to a routine for normal processing. In the routine of normal processing, the document reading process is performed by the image reading unit 13 when the start key is operated after switching to the copy function and the mode selection by the mode selection key, for example, by the function switching key as in the conventional case. Thus, the copy function is executed by printing the read image data by the printing unit 14.

  In step SP23, the flag F is determined to determine which function is to be switched. That is, if it is determined that the flag F is set to “0”, the copy function is displayed on the display unit 17 in step SP24. If the flag F is set to “1”, the scanner function is set in step SP25. If the flag F is set to “2”, the FAX function is displayed in step SP26.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the flag F is set to “0” and the copy function is displayed. It is determined whether or not the function displayed in step SP27 is selected. For this determination, the user views the display on the display unit 17 and instructs the selection of the displayed function, for example, by pressing the selection key of the operation unit 12, and the control unit 11 determines the instruction and determines the function. What is necessary is just to discriminate | determine that it is selection. If the displayed copy function is selected, the selected copy function is executed.

  When the user wants to select a function other than the displayed copy function, the user does not operate the selection key. If there is no instruction for the displayed function within a predetermined time, the control unit 11 determines that another function is selected, sets the flag F to +1 and sets it to “1” in step SP28, and sets step SP29. It is determined whether or not the flag F is larger than “1”. If the flag F is not greater than “1”, the process returns to step SP22 and waits until a change input is detected.

  When a change input is detected in step SP22, the flag F is determined in step SP23. When the flag F is “1” and the scanner function is determined, the scanner function is displayed in step SP25, and the scanner function is selected in step SP27. If so, the scanner function is executed.

  By repeating this process, each time the change input detection process is performed, the functions are displayed in the order of copy function → scanner function → FAX function, and a desired function can be selected according to a user instruction. Since the flag F is “2” when switching to the FAX function, it is determined in step SP29 that the flag F is greater than “1”, and the flag F is cleared in step SP30 to “0”. Return to.

  Next, the change input detection process in step SP22 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a document is detected by the document sensor 10. If it is determined that the document is in the paper feed tray 8, the control unit 11 enters a first document detection operation. At this time, in step SP2, timers B (time b) and D (time d) are started.

  In step SP3, in order to prevent erroneous detection due to chattering of the detection signal of the document sensor 10, the signal of the document sensor 10 is not detected until the time d by the timer D expires. When the timer D counts up, the process proceeds to step SP4, where it is determined whether or not a document is detected at the time of counting up. If no document is detected, it is assumed that the document has been removed or the document sensor 10 is erroneously detected. Therefore, the process returns to step SP1.

  In step SP4, if a document is detected, it is confirmed that it is the first detection, and it is detected in step SP5 that the document is extracted. At this time, in steps SP5 and SP6, it is detected that the document is extracted until the time b by the timer B expires, but if the timer B expires in step SP6 without extracting the document, the detected document is detected. It is determined that the movement pattern is not a change input detection but a normal document set.

  In step SP6, when it is detected in step SP5 that the document is extracted before the timer B expires in step SP6, second document detection is started in step 7, but the second time after the document is detected for the first time. When the time until the original is detected is long, the original is detected by the loop of steps SP7, SP8, and SP8 until the time b by the timer B is up so as not to determine that the change input is detected.

  In step SP8, if the document is not detected until the time b by the timer B has expired, it is determined that the reading of the document has been stopped, and the process returns to step SP1. In step SP7, if a document is detected before the time b by the timer B is up, the process proceeds to step SP9. The counting time d by the timer D is set to 100 msec, for example, and the counting time b by the timer B is set to 1000 msec, for example.

  In step SP9, the timer C starts counting time c. The time c is preferably selected from 1000 msec to 2000 msec, for example. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the document is continuously detected until the timer C counts up in the loop of steps SP10 and SP11. If it is determined in step SP11 that the timer C has timed up without being pulled out, a change input is made. It is determined that there is detection, and the process proceeds from step SP22 shown in FIG. 4 to step SP23.

  When it is determined in step SP10 shown in FIG. 5 that the document has been extracted before the timer C counts up, in step SP13, the time a for allowing the next document reading instruction is counted. The timer A starts counting. In step SP14, it is determined whether or not the timer A has finished counting the time a. If it has not ended, the process waits, and if it has ended, it is determined that no change input has been detected.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, after the original is first inserted into the paper feed tray 8, the original is once extracted and then inserted again, thereby detecting the change input of the image forming function and for image formation. The function can be switched without any instruction from the function switching key. Therefore, the operation of moving the hand to the position of the function switching key and pressing the key becomes unnecessary, and time is not lost.

  In addition, since the user can operate the function switching key with the same hand, it is possible to instruct change input of the image forming function without changing the document, so that the work efficiency is improved. In addition, it is possible to confirm the original by pulling out the original once after the original is inserted into the paper feed tray 8, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility of reading the original by mistake. Furthermore, even when the user holds the document with one hand and the other with the other hand, the image forming function can be achieved by inserting and removing the document into the paper feed tray 8 with one hand. It becomes possible to instruct change input.

  6 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an external view of the change input detection sensor shown in FIG. 7A is a top view, FIG. 7B is a front view seen from the front side of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7C is a right side view.

  6, the image forming apparatus includes a presser cover 3, a document feeding unit 4, and a sheet feeding tray 8, and a change input detection sensor 30 is provided on the document feeding unit 4 in the same manner as in FIG. 1. Is provided. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the change input is detected by pulling out a document after it is inserted into the paper feed tray 8, whereas in this embodiment, the change input detection sensor 30 is used. After a part of the original 50 is read and change input is detected, the original 50 is inserted into the paper feed tray 8 and the original is read.

  The change input detection sensor 30 includes a sensor case 31 and includes a photo interrupter 32 that detects that the document 50 is inserted into the sensor case 31. A groove 33 is formed in the sensor case 31 so that the document 50 can be inserted between the light emitting diode and the photodiode of the photo interrupter 32. As shown in FIG. 7B, the right side surface of the groove 33 has a wide opening so that the document 50 can be easily inserted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment in which change input detection is performed using the change input detection sensor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When switching the image forming function, the user inserts the document 50 into the groove 33 of the change input detection sensor 30, reads it by the photo interrupter 32, and then inserts the document 50 into the paper feed tray 8.

  The control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 determines whether or not the original 50 is detected by the change input detection sensor 30 in step SP31 shown in FIG. 8, and if it is determined that the original 50 is detected, in step SP32 Then, the timer B is started and the measurement of the time b is started.

In step 33, it starts the judgment of whether or not the original 50 is inserted into the paper feed tray 8 by the original Kose capacitors 10. At this time, in the loop of steps SP33,34, when the time from the detection of the document 50 by changing the input detection sensor 30 to the original 50 by the original Kose capacitors 10 are inserted into the paper feed tray 8 long, changes The document is detected until the time b by the timer B expires so as not to determine that the input is detected. If it is determined in step SP34 that the document has not been detected until the time b by the timer B has expired, it is determined that no change input has been detected.

  In step SP33, if a document is detected before the time b by the timer B has expired, the process proceeds to step SP35. In step SP35, the time c is counted by the timer C. In this embodiment, the timer B and the timer C included in the timer 20 shown in FIG. 1 are used. The time c is preferably selected from 1000 msec to 2000 msec, for example.

  Thereafter, in a loop of steps SP36 and 37, it is determined whether or not the document is continuously detected until the timer C counts up. In step SP37, if the timer C times out without extracting the document, it is determined that the change input is detected. To do. If it is determined in step SP36 that the document has been extracted before the timer C counts up, the process returns to step SP31.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, it is possible to instruct function switching even if there is no instruction from the function switching key by detecting the document detection pattern in the same manner as the embodiment of FIGS.

  The number of times the document is inserted into the image reading unit 13 may be stored as a detection pattern, and the function may be switched. That is, when the original is inserted into the image reading unit 13 and pulled out, the copy function is switched. When the original is inserted twice into the image reading unit 13 and pulled out, switched to the scanner function. When inserted and pulled out three times. It is also possible to switch to the FAX function.

  In addition to the function switching of the copy function, FAX function and scanner function, the present invention switches functions such as switching of single-sided / double-sided reading, switching of color / monochrome, switching of resolution, switching of character / character + photo / photo mode, etc. Applicable to. Furthermore, you may utilize for recognizing a user.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the image reading part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a function switching operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the change input detection process operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus in other embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows the change input detection sensor shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for performing change input detection processing operation using the change input detection sensor shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  2 housing, 3 presser cover, 4 document feeding unit, 5 lamp, 8 paper feed tray, 9 discharge tray, 10 document sensor, 11 control unit, 12 operation unit, 13 image reading unit, 14 printing unit, 15 line communication Section, 16 LAN communication section, 17 display section, 18 image memory, 20 timer, 30 change input detection sensor, 31 sensor case, 32 photo interrupter, 33 groove, 50 original.

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming functions including a copy, a FAX, and a scanner,
Detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document;
A document detection pattern storage unit that stores in advance the number of times the detection unit detects the presence or absence of the document within a predetermined time corresponding to each of the copy, FAX, and scanner ;
It is determined whether or not the detection content of the detection unit matches the number of document detections stored in the document detection pattern storage unit, and the function is set to any one of the copy, FAX, and scanner according to the determination result. An image forming apparatus comprising function setting means for switching between the two. The function setting means includes
Display means for displaying one of the functions of the set copy, FAX, and scanner;
Command means for commanding execution of the set function;
Control for displaying a function corresponding to the display unit in accordance with the number of times of document detection stored in the document detection pattern storage unit, and executing a corresponding function in response to a command from the command unit And an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The control unit sets a flag corresponding to each of the image forming functions of the copy, FAX, and scanner each time the detection unit detects the document detection pattern, and sets the function corresponding to the set flag to The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays the information on a display unit.

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