JP4950845B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of reading both sides of a document, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) included in a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like, as a method for causing an image reading unit to automatically read the front and back surfaces of a document, After the image is read by the image sensor, a method is widely adopted in which the front and back sides of the original are reversed and the image on the back side is read again by the image sensor. However, in this method, after the image sensor reads the surface of the document, the document is once discharged to the outside and turned upside down, and the image sensor reads the back side of the document again.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, by providing image sensors on both the front and back sides of the document in the document transport path from the document tray, one document feed (one pass) is performed without inverting the document. A method for reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously is known. In such an image reading apparatus that employs a method of reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously, a reduction optical system image sensor is often used for reading the front side of the document. For this reason, a contact optical system image sensor is often used. However, if the optical configuration of the image sensor that reads the front and back sides of the document is different, there will be a difference in the image quality of the images formed on the front and back sides of the printing paper.

  Therefore, in the image reading apparatus as described above, the user can select a reading method for both sides of the document. In other words, reading the image takes time because the front and back sides of the document are read separately, but in order to make the image quality of the front and back sides of the paper the same, the front and back sides of the document are read by the same image sensor (reduction optical system image sensor). In order to prioritize shortening of the image reading time, a mode for reading the front and back surfaces of a document almost simultaneously using two image sensors of a reduction optical system and a contact optical system is provided. Can select the mode.

Furthermore, ACS (Auto Color Selection) is widely known as a function installed in such an image reading apparatus. ACS is a function for automatically determining whether an image of a read original is a monochrome original or a color original. An image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus equipped with an ACS is also widely used. In such an image forming apparatus, monochrome printing or color printing is automatically performed in response to an ACS discrimination result.
JP 2007-82033 A

  As described above, many recent image reading apparatuses and image forming apparatuses have many functions in order to meet the demands of users. However, such multi-functionalization has confused the user to perform what kind of operation to read or print a desired document, leading to reading failure and printing failure. In other words, many functions installed in order to meet the user's demand sometimes caused the user's labor and labor to increase.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can prevent a user's erroneous operation and can easily perform a desired reading / printing process. is there.

  An image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a sheet feeding unit that feeds a document and a reduction optical system image sensor, and reads a first surface of the document fed by the sheet feeding unit. A first reading means, a second optical reading means for reading the other surface of the document, and the first reading means after reading the first surface of the document. A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the reading unit can read the other side of the original, and a first reading unit for reading one side of the original, and the reversing unit The reverse reading mode in which the first reading unit reads the other side of the original after the reversal, the first reading unit reads one side of the original, and the second reading unit reads the other side of the original. Simultaneous scanning on both sides A mode setting means for setting one of the scanning modes; a determination means for determining whether the original read by the first reading means and the second reading means is a monochrome original or a color original; and an operation input from the outside. An input means for accepting, wherein the input means accepts a selection input for either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and a selection input for determining whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means. The mode setting means sets either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode based on reception of a selection input by the input means, and the determination means The determination is performed based on reception of a selection input by an input unit, and when the input unit receives a selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, Serial to stop the determination to the determination means is characterized in the determination means further comprise a control means for controlling to prohibit the acceptance of the selected input whether to the determination by said input means.

  In the double-sided reverse reading mode, both sides of the original are read by the same image sensor (reduction optical system image sensor). In the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, one side of the original is a reduction optical system image sensor, and the other side is a contact optical system image. Read with a sensor. Therefore, in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, since the front and back surfaces are read by different image sensors, there is a difference in the image quality of images acquired by the respective image sensors.

  That is, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, it is highly likely that the user desires that there is no difference in image quality when reading images on both sides of the document, and often desires image-oriented processing. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the original is a color original. Therefore, when the duplex reverse reading mode is set, the monochrome / color discrimination of the document by the discrimination unit is automatically stopped, so that the trouble of the monochrome / color discrimination process by the discrimination unit can be eliminated and at the same time. It is possible to prevent erroneous discrimination between a black and white document and a color document that may occur. Then, by prohibiting the selection input of whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, the complexity of the operation input can be eliminated, and the user's operation mistake and the document reading failure can be prevented.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input means is a display means for displaying a predetermined operation screen to the operator, and the display means is integrated with the display means. A touch panel that is formed automatically, and a position detecting unit that detects a touch position when a touch input is made to the touch panel, and a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode; and Display control means for causing the display means to display a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, and the control means reverses both sides based on the touch position detected by the position detection means. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not a button for selecting a reading mode is selected, and the control is performed according to the determination result.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the input unit receives selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the display control unit is configured to determine the determination unit. The control for switching to a display indicating that operation is impossible is not displayed, or a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination is performed.

  According to these configurations, by using the display unit and the touch panel configured integrally with the display unit as the input unit, the operation buttons can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Further, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, the user selects the button by switching the button for selecting whether to perform monochrome / color discrimination by the discriminating unit to a display indicating non-display or operation disabled. It is possible to easily see that it is not possible to prevent operation errors.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the input unit has a hard key for receiving a selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit. It is characterized by being.

  According to this configuration, when the double-side reverse reading mode is selected, the control unit does not accept the operation signal of the hard key, so that the control for prohibiting the selection input as to whether to perform the determination can be easily performed. it can.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding unit that feeds a document and a reduction optical system image sensor, and the one side of the document fed by the paper feeding unit is provided. A first reading means for reading; a second optical reading means for reading the other surface of the document; and a reading of the one surface of the document by the first reading means; A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the first reading unit can read the other side of the original; and a first reading unit that reads one side of the original and A double-sided reverse reading mode in which the first reading unit reads the other side of the document after the document is reversed, the first reading unit reads one side of the document, and the second reading unit reads the other side of the document. Both reading surface Mode setting means for selecting any one of the simultaneous reading modes, determination means for determining whether the original read by the first reading means and the second reading means is a monochrome original or a color original, and the first reading means And an image forming means for forming a black and white image or a full color image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained by the second reading means, and an input means for receiving an operation input from the outside, wherein the input means Reception of selection input of either one of the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, reception of selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit, and an image formed by the image forming unit as a monochrome image The mode setting means accepts a selection input by the input means. Based on the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and the determination unit performs the determination based on reception of a selection input by the input unit, and the image formation The means forms a black-and-white image or a full-color image based on the selection input received by the input means, and when the input means receives the selection input for the double-sided reverse reading mode, the determination means stops the determination. And prohibiting the input unit from accepting a selection input for determining whether to perform the determination by the determination unit and a selection input for setting the formed image as a black and white image. And a control means for performing control to form a full-color image based on the above.

  According to this configuration, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the monochrome / color discrimination processing by the discrimination means by automatically stopping the monochrome / color discrimination of the document by the discrimination means. At the same time, it is possible to prevent erroneous discrimination between a black and white document and a color document that may occur. Then, by prohibiting the selection input of whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, the complexity of the operation input can be eliminated, and the user's operation mistake and the document reading failure can be prevented. In the double-sided reverse reading mode, the original is often a color original. Therefore, by prohibiting acceptance of a selection input for setting the image formed by the input means to be a black and white image, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously setting the image to a black and white image and to prevent printing failure. Further, the image forming means automatically forms a full color image based on the image data, so that the user does not need to bother to select and input a full color image using the input means, and performs desired printing with a small number of operation inputs. be able to.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the input means includes a display means for displaying a predetermined operation screen to the operator, and the display means. A touch panel that is formed automatically, a position detection unit that detects a touch position when a touch input is made to the touch panel, a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and the determination unit A button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination according to, and a button for selecting whether the image formed by the image forming unit is a black and white image or a full color image is displayed on the display unit. Display control means further comprising a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode based on the touch position detected by the position detection means. Determining whether or not a-option, it is characterized, characterized in that performing the control in accordance with the determination result.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the input unit accepts selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the display control unit is configured to determine the determination unit. A button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination according to, and a button for selecting whether the image formed by the image forming means is a black and white image or a full color image is not displayed or cannot be operated. Control is performed to switch to the display shown.

  According to these configurations, by using the display unit and the touch panel configured integrally with the display unit as the input unit, the operation buttons can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Further, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, a button for selecting whether or not to perform monochrome / color discrimination by the discrimination unit, and an image formed by the image formation unit is changed to a monochrome image or full color By switching the button for selecting whether to make an image to display that does not display or indicates that the operation is not possible, the user can easily recognize that the button cannot be selected, and an operation error can be prevented.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is formed by receiving selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit and the image forming unit. It is characterized by having a hard key for accepting selection input of whether the image is a black and white image or a full color image.

  According to this configuration, when the double-side reverse reading mode is selected, the control unit does not accept the operation signal of the hard key, so that the control for prohibiting the selection input as to whether to perform the determination can be easily performed. it can.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the double-side reverse reading mode is set, the monochrome / color discrimination of the document by the discrimination unit is automatically stopped, so that the trouble of the monochrome / color discrimination process by the discrimination unit is reduced. At the same time, it is possible to prevent erroneous discrimination between a black and white document and a color document that may occur. Then, by prohibiting the selection input of whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, the complexity of the operation input can be eliminated, and the user's operation mistake and the document reading failure can be prevented.

  According to invention of Claim 2 and 3, each operation button can be displayed on a user intelligibly. Further, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, the user selects the button by switching the button for selecting whether to perform monochrome / color discrimination by the discriminating unit to a display indicating non-display or operation disabled. It is possible to easily see that it is not possible to prevent operation errors.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, the control unit does not accept the operation signal of the hard key, so that the selection input for determining whether to perform the determination is prohibited. It can be done easily.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, the black-and-white / color discrimination of the original by the discrimination unit is automatically stopped, so that the trouble of the monochrome / color discrimination process by the discrimination unit is reduced. At the same time, it is possible to prevent erroneous discrimination between a black and white document and a color document that may occur. Then, by prohibiting the selection input of whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, the complexity of the operation input can be eliminated, and the user's operation mistake and the document reading failure can be prevented. In the double-sided reverse reading mode, the original is often a color original. Therefore, by prohibiting acceptance of a selection input for setting the image formed by the input means to be a black and white image, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously setting the image to a black and white image and to prevent printing failure. Further, the image forming means automatically forms a full color image based on the image data, so that the user does not need to bother to select and input a full color image using the input means, and performs desired printing with a small number of operation inputs. be able to.

  According to the inventions described in claims 6 and 7, it is possible to display each operation button in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Further, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, a button for selecting whether or not to perform monochrome / color discrimination by the discrimination unit, and an image formed by the image formation unit is changed to a monochrome image or full color By switching the button for selecting whether to make an image to display that does not display or indicates that the operation is not possible, the user can easily recognize that the button cannot be selected, and an operation error can be prevented.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected, the control unit does not accept the operation signal of the hard key, so that the selection input for determining whether to perform the determination is prohibited. It can be done easily.

  Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described as an example in which the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus are integrated into a multifunction machine having functions such as a copy, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 1 is roughly composed of an image reading device 2 and a device body 3. The image reading apparatus 2 includes a document feeding unit 21 and a scanner unit (first reading unit) 22. The document feeding unit (paper feeding unit) 21 realizes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document tray 211, a sheet feeding roller 212, a transport drum 213, a sheet discharge roller 214, and a sheet discharge tray 215. The document tray 211 is a place where the document is placed. The documents placed on the document tray 211 are taken one by one by the paper feed roller 212 and conveyed to the conveyance drum 213. The document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to a discharge tray 215 by a discharge roller 214.

  The scanner unit 22 optically acquires an image of a document to generate image data, and includes a platen glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, and a first carriage 226. A second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 229. In the present embodiment, an example in which the CCD 229 is used as the reduction optical system image sensor of the first reading unit will be described as an example. However, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is used in addition to the CCD. May be.

  The platen glass 221 is a place where a document is placed. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  Here, as an original reading method of the image reading apparatus 2, a flatbed reading mode in which the scanner unit 22 reads an original placed on the platen glass 221 and an ADF reading in which the original is taken in by ADF and the original is read in the middle of the conveyance. There is a mode. In the flat bed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the platen glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor, and simultaneously processes a document image for one line. When the reading for one line is completed, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are moved in the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction), and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the originals placed on the paper feed tray 211 are taken one by one by the paper feed rollers 212, and the originals are read on the reading window 230 provided in the conveyance path from the conveyance drum 213 to the paper discharge tray 215. When passing, the light source 222 irradiates the document, and the reflected light for one main scanning line is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225, and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 21 and the next line is read. In the following description, those not specifically described will be described on the assumption that an original is automatically fed in the ADF reading mode and an image is read.

  Further, the document feeder 21 has a document reversing mechanism (reversing means) including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. The original whose surface (one side of the original) is read by the first ADF reading is reversed using the original reversing mechanism and re-conveyed, so that the CCD 229 reads the back side (the other side of the original) again. Can be made. This document reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides, and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214. After the front side reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the conveying drum 213 is conveyed to the nip portion of the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction, and the document is re-conveyed to the conveyance drum 213 through the reverse conveyance path 218. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the document reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode or a high image quality mode.

  Further, in the ADF reading mode, the image reading apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment causes the CCD 229 to read the surface of the original while the original is being conveyed as described above, and at the same time, CIS (second reading means). It is possible to read the back side of the original by H.231. That is, the document fed from the sheet feed tray 211 is read by the CCD 229 when passing through the reading window 230, and the back side is read when passing through the CIS 231. By using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way, it is possible to read both sides of a document with one pass. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 is referred to as a double-sided simultaneous reading mode or a high-speed mode.

  Here, the double-sided reverse reading mode (high image quality mode) and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode (high-speed mode) will be described. In the double-sided reverse reading mode, since both sides of the original are read by the same image sensor (CCD 229), there is no difference in image quality between the read front and back images. However, in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, since the front side of the document is read by different image sensors such as the CCD 229 and the back side is CIS 231, if double-sided printing is performed based on the image data acquired by each image sensor, There will be a difference in image quality. In particular, when color printing is performed, the difference in image quality between the read front and back images appears significantly. The cause is that the scanner unit 22 uses a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube as the light source 222, while the CIS 231 uses a three-color LED or the like (not shown) as the light source. Due to the difference in the light source, it is known that image reading by the scanner unit 22 is superior in color reproducibility. In addition to the difference in spectral distribution of these light sources, the CCD 229 is configured as an image sensor with a plurality of light receiving elements formed on a single chip, whereas in the CIS 231 a plurality of solid state imaging elements are connected. Since it is configured as an image sensor, the sensitivity varies between the solid-state imaging devices, and this is considered to cause a difference in image quality.

  Therefore, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, when performing double-sided reading of a document using the ADF, the user selects either the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) or the high-speed mode (double-sided simultaneous reading mode). can do. In other words, high-quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is used to match the image quality of double-sided printed images, and high-speed mode (priority is given to shortening the reading time even if there is a difference in image quality of double-sided printed images) The user can select the mode according to the situation.

  Returning to the description of the configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds paper (recording medium) one by one from the paper feed cassette 461 and transports the paper to the recording unit (image forming unit) 40, and a paper feed cassette 461. And a recording unit 40 that forms an image on the sheet conveyed from the printer.

  The recording unit 40 is based on a charge eliminating device 421 that removes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, a charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after charge removal, and image data acquired by the scanner unit 22. The laser beam is output to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and an exposure device 423 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and on the photosensitive drum 43 based on the electrostatic latent image, Developing devices 44C, 44M, 44Y, and 44K that form toner images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and toner images of each color that are formed on the photosensitive drum 43 A transfer drum 49 on which toner images are transferred, a transfer device 41 that transfers the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to a sheet, and a sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heated to set the toner image on the sheet. And a fixing device 45 for. Note that toner is supplied to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black from a toner supply container (toner cartridge) (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the sheet that has passed through the recording unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When images are formed on both sides of a sheet, after the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the sheet, the sheet is nipped by a conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the transport roller 463 is rotated in the reverse direction to switch back the paper, and the paper is sent to the paper transport path L to be transported again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40. The recording unit 40 forms an image on the other surface. Then, the paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, an operation unit 5 having a display unit through which a user can visually recognize an operation screen and various messages, and operation buttons for inputting various operation commands is provided. FIG. 2 is an example of a front view of the operation unit 5. The operation unit 5 includes a display unit (display unit) 51, a touch panel (input unit, position detection unit) 52, a numeric key group 53, various operation buttons 54 to 57, a function selection button 58, and the like. The display unit 51 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and displays selection screens such as paper size selection, magnification selection, and density selection. The display unit 51 is formed integrally with the touch panel 52. The touch panel 52 detects a touch position and outputs a detection signal to a control unit described later when a touch operation is performed by the user.

  The numeric key group 53 is used, for example, for the user to input the number of copies during the copy function operation of the multifunction device 1 and the destination telephone number or the like during the facsimile function operation. The power saving button 54 is a button for setting the multifunction machine 1 in a power saving (low power) mode. The start button 55 is a button for starting a copy operation or a scanner operation, and the stop / clear button 56 is a button for stopping the copy operation or the scanner operation or canceling an input operation. The reset button 57 is a button for setting the display of the display unit 51 and various settings to an initial state or a standard operation state. The function selection button 58 is a button for setting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multi-function peripheral 1 includes a document feeder 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, an operation unit 5, a control unit (mode setting unit, control unit, display control unit) 61, an image processing unit 64, a recording unit 40, and a communication unit 66. It is prepared for. The same components as those described in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The document feeder 21 automatically captures a document placed on the document tray 211 and conveys the document so that it can be read by the CCD 229 or the CIS 231. The document feeder 21 implements ADF. The scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231 optically acquire an image of a document and generate image data.

  The operation unit 5 is used by a user to receive operation inputs related to a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. Then, an operation signal corresponding to the operation input is output to the control unit 61. The operation unit 5 corresponds to the touch panel 52, the numeric key group 53, the operation buttons 54 to 57, the function selection button 58, and the like illustrated in FIG. 2, and the operation unit 5 further includes a display unit 51.

  The control unit 61 is configured by a CPU or the like, and executes processing based on a predetermined program in accordance with an input instruction signal or the like, and outputs an instruction signal to each functional unit, data transfer, or the like to perform the multifunction machine 1. Is to control the overall. Specifically, the control unit 61 selects and sets either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode based on reception of the selection input by the operation unit 5. In addition, the control unit 61 performs control to display an operation screen, various operation buttons, and the like on the display unit 61.

  Further, the control unit 61 includes an ACS unit (discriminating means) 611. The ACS unit 611 determines whether the image read by the scanner unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as a CCD 229 as appropriate in order to clarify the difference from the CIS 231) and the CIS 231 is a monochrome image or a color image. The determination by the ACS unit 611 is performed as follows, for example. First, the ACS unit 611 identifies whether the image data read by the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 is a monochrome pixel or a color image for each pixel of the image data. This identification method is a well-known method for identifying whether each pixel of image data is monochrome or color based on the values of R, G, and B of the image data, and the color difference (color difference) from the periphery of the identification target pixel. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. Here, when the ACS unit 611 identifies the color by the identification, the ACS unit 611 counts up the number of color pixels in the document. When the counted number of color pixels reaches a preset threshold value, the ACS unit 611 determines that the read image of the document is a color image. Further, when the ACS unit 611 determines that the threshold value is not reached even if all the remaining pixels to be determined as monochrome pixels or color pixels are counted as color pixels, the image of the read document is read at this point. Is a monochrome image. The ACS determination process is merely an example, and the ACS determination by the ACS unit 611 is not limited to the above process.

  The image processing unit 64 performs various image processing relating to image data. For example, the image processing unit 64 performs correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 22 and the image data transferred from the external device via the communication unit 66, Image processing such as compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction processing is performed.

  The recording unit 40 prints an image based on image data obtained by the scanner unit 22 or image data transferred from an external apparatus via the communication unit 66 on a predetermined sheet in black and white or full color.

  The communication unit 66 uses a network interface to transmit / receive various data to / from an external device such as a computer or a facsimile connected via a network.

  4 to 8 show examples of the screen of the display unit 51, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for reading and printing both sides of a document by ADF. The flow of double-sided printing processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the copy function of the multifunction device 1 is selected, the control unit 61 displays a standard screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 51, and an automatic color key 191, a full color key 192, and A monochrome key 193 is displayed. Since the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is set so that the monochrome / color discrimination of the document is automatically performed by the ACS unit 611 as the initial setting and the standard operation setting, the automatic color key 191 is in a selected state. Yes. The control unit 61 displays the key color scheme as white characters on a black background so that the user can visually recognize that the key is in a selected state, or displays it in a color different from that of the non-selected key in the case of color display. To do. Further, the control unit 61 displays a character “(automatic color)” indicating that ACS is turned on in the area 121 at the upper front of the display unit 51.

  A full-color key 192 and a black-and-white key 193 are keys for setting a print color mode. When full-color printing is desired, the full-color key 192 is pressed, and when black-and-white printing is desired, the black-and-white key 193 is pressed by the user. Each printing is realized.

  When the function list key 101 is pressed by the user, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a function list screen as shown in FIG. When the user presses the duplex / split key 102, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a duplex / split screen as shown in FIG.

  On the duplex / split screen, a key 103 that reads one side of a document and prints on one side, a key 104 that reads one side of the document and prints on both sides, a key 105 that reads both sides of the document and prints on one side, and reads both sides of the document and prints on both sides A setting key such as a key 106 for performing a double-sided printing by reading a double-page original and a key 107 for performing a double-sided printing by reading a double-sided original are displayed. When the key 105 or the key 106 is selected, the control unit 61 displays the mode setting keys of the high image quality mode key 109 and the high speed mode key 110 near the center of the display area of the display unit 51 as shown in FIG. Step S11 in FIG. 9).

  When the user presses the high image quality mode key 109 (step S14; high image quality mode), the control unit 61 switches the display of the high image quality mode key 109 to the selected state, sets the print color mode to the full color mode, and the full color key 192. Is switched to the selected state, and the characters “(full color)” are displayed in the area 121. Further, the control unit 61 turns off ACS and switches the display so that the automatic color key 191 and the monochrome key 193 are invalidated (step S15).

  Here, when the user presses the high image quality mode key 109, it is highly likely that the document that the user is trying to copy is a document on which a color image is drawn. Then, after the user presses the high image quality mode key 109, the user is likely to press the full color key 192 to switch to the full color printing mode. Therefore, when the high image quality mode key 109 is pressed, the control unit 61 automatically switches the print color mode to the full color mode, so that the user can perform print processing with few operations. If the ACS function is used, a color document is automatically identified as a full-color document. However, depending on the color state of an image drawn on the document, the color document is erroneously identified as a monochrome document, and monochrome printing is performed. There is a possibility. Therefore, by turning off the ACS, it is possible to save the trouble of the discrimination processing by the ACS unit 611 and prevent the black / white / color misjudgment that may occur. Further, by setting the state where the operations of the automatic color key 191 and the monochrome key 193 are not accepted, it is possible to prevent a user's operation error and to surely perform desired printing. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, each key is displayed lighter than when it can be operated so that the user can visually recognize that the operation of the automatic color key 191 and the monochrome key 193 is not possible. In addition, when the display unit 51 is in color display, it may be displayed in a different color compared to when it can be operated, or each key may be hidden.

  Returning to FIG. When the user completes the above settings and presses the start key 54, the control unit 61 outputs a signal for instructing the document feeding unit 21 to take in the document, and the document feeding unit 21 puts the document on the document tray 211. The placed document is taken in (step S16). The CCD 229 reads the surface of the original (step S17), and the original reversing mechanism inverts the original and feeds it again (step S18). Subsequently, the CCD 229 reads the back side of the document (step S19), and the document is discharged onto the discharge tray 215 (step S20).

  Next, the control unit 61 causes the image processing unit 64 to perform image processing on the image data acquired by the CCD 229, and causes the recording unit 40 to print an image based on the processed image data (step S21).

  If a key other than the key for reading both sides of the document (keys 103, 104, 107, and 108) is pressed in step S11 (step S11; NO), the control unit 61 loads the document into the document feeding unit 21. Is output, and the document feeder 21 captures the document placed on the document tray 211 (step S12). Then, the CCD 229 reads the surface of the document (step S13), and the control unit 61 shifts the processing to step S20.

  Further, when the high-speed mode key 110 is pressed by the user in step S14 (step S14; high-speed mode), the setting state of the ACS and the print color mode is not changed, but remains in a state that can be arbitrarily set by the user. The control unit 61 outputs a signal for instructing the document feeding unit 21 to fetch the document, and the document feeding unit 21 loads the document placed on the document tray 211 (step S22). Then, the CCD 229 reads the front side of the document, and the CIS 231 reads the back side of the document (step S23). And the control part 61 transfers a process to step S20.

  As described above, when the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is selected when both sides of the document are read using the ADF, the print color mode is automatically set to the full color mode, so that the user's operation can be performed. Therefore, the complexity of the operation can be improved. Further, by turning off the ACS, it is possible to save the trouble of the discrimination processing by the ACS unit 611. In the unlikely event that a color document is mistakenly identified as a black and white document, full color printing can be performed reliably. In addition, by disabling the operation of the automatic color key 191 and the monochrome key 193, it is possible to prevent a user's operation mistake and reliably perform desired printing.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the automatic color key 191, the full color key 192, and the monochrome key 193 are displayed on the display unit 51, and selection / non-selection is set by a touch panel operation by the user. In the second embodiment, a case where a hard key is installed in the operation unit 5 and each setting is operated using this hard key will be described. The flowchart showing the configuration of the MFP and the processing flow of the copying operation in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9 in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. To do.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation unit 500 in the present embodiment. The same components as those of the operation unit 5 shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different portions will be described. An automatic color button 91, a full color button 92, and a black and white button 93 are arranged on the front right side of the operation unit 500. Each button includes a light emitting element such as an LED, or is disposed around each button, and the user can visually recognize the selected state of the button according to the light emitting state of the LED.

  When the copy function of the multifunction device 1 is selected, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a standard screen as shown in FIG. Since the ACS unit automatically sets the monochrome / color discrimination of the original as the initial setting and the standard operation setting, the control unit 61 turns on the LED of the automatic color button 91 and turns on the display unit 51. The characters “(automatic color)” are displayed in the area 121 in the upper front.

  When the function list key 101 is pressed by the user, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a function list screen as shown in FIG. Further, when the user depresses the duplex / split key 102, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a duplex / split screen. Here, when the key 105 for reading both sides of the document and printing on one side or the key 106 for reading both sides of the document and printing on both sides is pressed, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a screen as shown in FIG.

  Here, the control unit 61 displays the mode setting keys of the high-quality mode key 109 and the high-speed mode key 110 near the center of the display area of the display unit 51. When the user presses the high image quality mode key 109, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a screen as shown in FIG. Specifically, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to switch the display of the high image quality mode key 109 to the selected state, changes the print color mode to the full color mode, and puts “(full color)” in the area 121. At the same time, a message 122 is displayed to inform the user that the print color mode has been changed. Then, the control unit 61 turns off the LED of the automatic color button 91 and turns on the LED of the full color button 92.

  Further, the control unit 61 sets ACS to be off and does not accept even when the automatic color button 91 and the monochrome button 93 are pressed. When the automatic color button 91 and the monochrome button 93 are pressed by the user, the control unit 61 displays a message 123 as shown in FIG. 15 on the display unit 51. In the high image quality mode, the automatic color button 91 and the monochrome button 93 are Inform the user that the operation is invalid.

  As described above, when the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is selected when both sides of the document are read using the ADF, the print color mode is automatically set to the full color mode, so that the user's operation can be performed. Therefore, the complexity of the operation can be improved. Further, by turning off the ACS, it is possible to save the trouble of the discrimination processing by the ACS unit 611. Further, it is possible to prevent a color document from being mistakenly determined as a black and white document, and to perform full color printing reliably. Then, by disabling the operation of the automatic color button 91 and the black and white button 93, it is possible to prevent a user's operation error and reliably perform desired printing.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine. The front view of the operation part in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. The standard screen at the time of copy operation in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for reading and printing both sides of a document with ADF. The front view of the operation part in 2nd Embodiment. The standard screen at the time of copy operation in 2nd Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 2nd Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 2nd Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 2nd Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 3 Apparatus main body 2 Image reading apparatus 5 Operation part 21 Document feeding part 51 Display part 211 Document tray 52 Touch panel 212 Feeding roller 53 Numeric key group 213 Transport drum 61 Control part 214 Paper discharge roller 611 ACS part 215 Paper discharge Tray 64 Image processing unit 216 Switching guide 40 Recording unit 217 Reverse roller 66 Communication unit 218 Reverse conveyance path 22 Scanner unit 221 Platen glass 222 Light source 223 First mirror 224 Second mirror 225 Third mirror 228 Imaging lens 229 CCD
230 Reading window 231 CIS

Claims (8)

A paper feeding means for feeding a document;
A first reading unit having a reduction optical system image sensor and reading one side of the document fed by the sheet feeding unit;
A second reading means having a contact optical system image sensor for reading the other surface of the document;
A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the first reading unit can read the other side of the original after the first reading of the first side of the original is finished;
The first reading unit reads one side of the document, and the first reading unit reads the other side of the document after the document is reversed by the reversing unit; Mode setting means for reading one side of the original and setting either one of the double-sided simultaneous reading modes in which the second reading means reads the other side of the original;
Determining means for determining whether the original read by the first reading means and the second reading means is a monochrome original or a color original;
An input means for receiving an operation input from the outside;
And the input unit receives a selection input of either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and receives a selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit. Yes,
The mode setting means sets either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode based on reception of a selection input by the input means,
The determination means performs the determination based on reception of a selection input by the input means,
When the input unit accepts a selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the discrimination unit stops the discrimination, and the input unit prohibits acceptance of a selection input as to whether or not to perform the discrimination by the discrimination unit An image reading apparatus further comprising control means for performing control. The input means includes a display means for displaying a predetermined operation screen for an operator, a touch panel formed integrally with the display means, and position detection for detecting a touch position when a touch input is made to the touch panel. Having means,
It further comprises display control means for causing the display means to display a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode and a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means. ,
The control unit determines whether a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected based on the touch position detected by the position detection unit, and performs the control according to the determination result. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   When the input unit receives the selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the display control unit does not display a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit, or indicates that operation is not possible The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control for switching to display is performed.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes a hard key that receives a selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit. A paper feeding means for feeding a document;
A first reading unit having a reduction optical system image sensor and reading one side of the document fed by the sheet feeding unit;
A second reading means having a contact optical system image sensor for reading the other surface of the document;
A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the first reading unit can read the other side of the original after the first reading of the first side of the original is finished;
The first reading unit reads one side of the document, and the first reading unit reads the other side of the document after the document is reversed by the reversing unit; Mode setting means for reading one side of the original and selecting either one of a double-sided simultaneous reading mode in which the second reading means reads the other side of the original;
Determining means for determining whether the original read by the first reading means and the second reading means is a monochrome original or a color original;
Image forming means for forming a monochrome image or a full color image on a recording medium based on the image data obtained by the first reading means and the second reading means;
An input means for receiving an operation input from the outside;
The input unit receives a selection input of either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, receives a selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit, and the image forming unit Accepts a selection input of whether the image formed by the method is a black and white image or a full color image,
The mode setting means is set to either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode based on reception of a selection input by the input means,
The determination means performs the determination based on reception of a selection input by the input means,
The image forming means forms a black and white image or a full color image based on acceptance of a selection input by the input means,
When the input unit accepts the selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the determination unit stops the determination, and the input unit selects whether to perform the determination by the determination unit and the formed An image forming apparatus, further comprising a control unit that prohibits acceptance of a selection input for setting an image as a black and white image, and controls the image forming unit to form a full-color image based on the image data. The input means includes a display means for displaying a predetermined operation screen for an operator, a touch panel formed integrally with the display means, and position detection for detecting a touch position when a touch input is made to the touch panel. Having means,
A button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit, and an image formed by the image forming unit into a monochrome image Display control means for causing the display means to display a button for selecting whether to perform a full color image, or
The control unit determines whether a button for selecting the double-sided reverse reading mode is selected based on the touch position detected by the position detection unit, and performs the control according to the determination result. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   When the input unit receives the selection input of the double-sided reverse reading mode, the display control unit is formed by a button for selecting whether or not to perform the determination by the determination unit, and the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a control for switching to a display indicating that a button for selecting whether the image is a black and white image or a full color image is not displayed or operation is not possible is performed.   The input means receives a selection input as to whether or not to perform the determination by the determination means, and receives a selection input as to whether the image formed by the image forming means is a monochrome image or a full color image. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a hard key for performing the operation.