JP5545445B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a document reading function and a printing function, and more particularly to a technique for reducing operation sound.

  In order to improve the environment of offices and the like, image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction machines that operate silently have been proposed.

  For example, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that has a standard mode and a silent mode as operation modes, and in which the image is formed at a low speed with a reduced motor rotation speed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). .

JP 2007-57606 A JP 2006-212867 A

  As in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the noise level is lowered if the speed of the drive system is lowered. However, if the speed of the drive system is lowered, the operation time until the job is completed becomes longer. Further, even if the noise level is lowered to some extent, if the operation at the noise level is performed for a long time, the office environment may be deteriorated. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, even when the operation is performed at a low speed, if the document reading operation (scanning operation) and the printing operation (printing operation) using the automatic document feeder overlap, noise is generated during the overlapping operation. The level will be higher. Furthermore, if the operation is performed at a low speed, there is a problem that not only the operation time until the completion of the process is increased, but also the overlapping operation period with a high noise level is increased.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing an operation sound without reducing the speed of a drive system when performing both an original reading operation and a printing operation. The purpose is to provide.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a reading unit that optically reads a document ;
An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
I have a,
If the control unit performs the automatic reading operation overlapping with the printing operation when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit transports the document by the automatic document transport device more than when the normal mode is selected. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to increase the speed and read in a short time .

In the above invention, when both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation and the printing operation for reading and reading the original with the automatic original conveying device are provided. The overlapping operation period is controlled to be shorter than that in the normal mode. Further, in the above invention, the time required for the automatic reading operation is shortened by increasing the document conveying speed by the automatic document conveying device and reading the document in a short time. Thereby, the overlapping operation time of the automatic reading operation and the printing operation is also shortened.

[2] a reading unit that optically reads a document;
An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
Have
As the document reading mode when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the first mode for prohibiting the overlapping operation of the automatic reading operation and the printing operation, and the automatic reading operation for overlapping the printing operation are set to the normal mode. And a second mode for reading the document in a short time by increasing the document conveyance speed, and accepting the selection of the first mode and the second mode.
An image forming apparatus.

In the said invention, it has a 1st mode and a 2nd mode, and can select any. For example, only the administrator may be able to select, or each user may be able to select.

[3] a reading unit that optically reads a document;
An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
Have
As one of the document reading modes, there is a platen mode in which a document on a platen glass is read by the reading unit without using the automatic document feeder.
The control unit permits reading of a document in the platen mode in the operation sound reduction mode.
An image forming apparatus.

  In the above invention, even in the case where reading of a document using the automatic document feeder is prohibited, reading in the platen mode is permitted. The platen mode is because noise is less generated than when an automatic document feeder is used.

[4] a reading unit that optically reads a document;
An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
Have
When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the original reading operation is the operation sound reduction mode.
An image forming apparatus.
In the above invention, the user is warned in advance that the operation is different from the normal mode.

[5] When the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs control so that the automatic reading operation and the printing operation do not overlap.
The image forming apparatus according to [3] or [4], wherein
In the above invention, the overlapping operation of the automatic reading operation and the printing operation in which the original is conveyed and read by the automatic document conveying device is prohibited. For example, one starts after the other operation ends.

[6] When copying the document when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs a printing operation in the page order when the automatic reading operation reads after the automatic reading operation is completed. I do
The image forming apparatus according to [5], wherein

  In the above invention, in the copy job, the printing operation is performed after all the originals are read. Even in such a case, the page order of printing is the same as that at the time of reading. That is, the page order is the same as when the job is executed in the normal mode, and the only difference is that the start timing of the printing operation is delayed after the reading operation is completed.

[7] As one of the document reading modes, there is a platen mode in which a document on a platen glass is read by the reading unit without using the automatic document feeder.
The control unit permits reading of a document in the platen mode in the operation sound reduction mode.
The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein:

[8] A warning that the original reading operation is the operation noise reduction mode when the setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during the printing operation in the state where the operation noise reduction mode is selected. I do
The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3] and [7].
[9] A warning that the original reading operation is the operation noise reduction mode when the automatic reading operation setting operation is received during the printing operation in the state where the operation noise reduction mode is selected. And
When the warning is given, notify that reading in the platen mode is possible
The image forming apparatus according to [3] or [7], wherein

In the above invention, by notifying the user, an opportunity to change to the platen mode is given or reading in the platen mode is urged.
[10] When the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs control so that the automatic reading operation and the printing operation do not overlap,
When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the document reading operation is an operation in the operation sound reduction mode.
When the warning is given, notify that reading in the platen mode is possible
The image forming apparatus according to [3], wherein
[11] When copying the document when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs a printing operation in the page order when the automatic reading operation reads after completion of the automatic reading operation. I do
[10] The image forming apparatus as described in [10].

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when both the original reading operation and the printing operation are performed, the operation sound can be suppressed without reducing the speed of the drive system.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating configurations of an automatic document feeder and a reading unit. It is a front view which shows an example of a silent mode setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the image forming apparatus performs a copy job. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a relationship between a document reading operation and a printing operation using an automatic document feeder in each of a normal mode, a first silent mode, and a second silent mode. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing operation timings until the end of a copy job, comparing a normal mode and a first silent mode. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when a scan job is input during a printing operation. It is a front view which shows an example of the warning screen in the 1st silent mode setting. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when a copy job is input during a printing operation. It is a front view which shows an example of the warning screen in the 2nd silence mode setting. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus when a job accompanying reading of a document is input during a printing operation in a silent mode setting state. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when issuing a warning when a start key is pressed down. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the case of warning by an audio | voice after a warning display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing relationship of the reading operation | movement and printing operation in the conventional copy operation | movement.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 optically reads a document to acquire image data, and based on this image data, a copy job that prints a duplicate image of the document on a recording sheet, and stores the read image data of the document as a file. A function that executes a scan job that is transmitted to an external terminal or a PC print job that forms and outputs an image related to print data received from an external terminal such as a personal computer on a recording paper, and the like. It is configured as a machine.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a nonvolatile memory 15, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the apparatus via a bus 12. An automatic document feeder (also referred to as ADF) 30, a reading unit 40, an operation display unit 16, an image processing unit 17, a hard disk device 18, a network communication unit 19, a printer unit 20, and the like are connected. Yes.

  Various programs and fixed data are stored in the ROM 13, and each function is realized as the image forming apparatus 10 by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs. The RAM 14 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program and an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The non-volatile memory 15 is a rewritable memory that retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off. Various setting values (settings relating to the silent mode, which will be described later) set for the image forming apparatus 10, User information and the like are stored.

  The operation display unit 16 has a function of displaying various operation screens and a function of receiving various operations from the user. The operation display unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display as a display, various buttons such as a mode selection button, a start button, a stop button, and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel that is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects a pressed coordinate position. Consists of.

  The image processing unit 17 performs various kinds of image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion on the image data. The hard disk device 18 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device. The hard disk device 18 is used for storing read image data of a document, print data received from an external terminal, or image data obtained by rasterizing the print data.

  The network communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving various data in addition to print data and job data to / from an external terminal such as a host computer through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The printer unit 20 functions as a printing unit that prints and outputs an image corresponding to input image data on a recording sheet. The printer unit 20 includes a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. It is configured as a so-called laser printer that performs formation. Other image forming type printers may be used.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the automatic document feeder 30 and the reading unit 40. The reading unit 40 includes a platen glass 41 on which an original to be read is placed by a user's hand and a contact glass 42 arranged at a reading position of the original conveyed by the automatic document conveying device 30 on the upper surface thereof. . The automatic document feeder 30 is placed on the upper surface of the reading unit 40, and is attached so as to be openable and closable in a state where the platen glass is covered with a hinge provided on the back side of the platen glass and an open state.

  The automatic document feeder 30 separates and feeds out the documents M set on the document table 31 one by one, and passes through the contact glass 42 (document reading position F) of the reading unit 40 while passing through it. And a function of discharging to the document discharge tray 32. The sheet passing path H includes a plurality of sets of conveying rollers 33 arranged along the sheet passing path H, a contact roller 34 that presses the document toward the contact glass 42, and a guide plate. The transport roller 33 and the contact roller 34 are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the driving / stopping of the motor is controlled by the CPU 11.

  The reading unit 40 includes an exposure scanning unit 45 including a light source 43 and a mirror 44 below the platen glass 41 and the contact glass 42 described above. The exposure scanning unit 45 is configured to be movable along the lower surface of the platen glass 41 by a driving unit (not shown). The light source 43 irradiates the original with light through the contact glass 42 and the platen glass 41, and the mirror 44 functions to receive reflected light from the original and make its path substantially parallel to the platen glass 41.

  Further, the reading unit 40 receives reflected light from the document and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the light intensity, and a condensing lens 47 that collects the reflected light from the document onto the line image sensor 46. And various mirrors 48 that form an optical path for guiding the reflected light from the mirror 44 of the exposure scanning unit 45 to the line image sensor 46.

  When reading a document on the platen glass 41, the exposure scanning unit 45 moves from the left to the right along the lower surface of the platen glass 41 as indicated by an arrow X in the figure, whereby the document is scanned in the sub-scanning direction. The The document is read as a two-dimensional image by repeatedly performing an image reading operation for one line in the main scanning direction by the line image sensor 46 while scanning in the sub-scanning direction. Hereinafter, an original reading operation for reading an original on the platen glass 41 is referred to as a platen mode.

  When the automatic document feeder 30 is used, the exposure scanning unit 45 moves to a position just below the contact glass 42 and stops, and the document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 30 in this state is placed on the contact glass 42 with a contact roller. The document is scanned in the sub-scanning direction by being pressed and closely contacted by 34. While scanning in the sub-scanning direction (while the document is being conveyed by the automatic document conveying device 30), the line image sensor 46 repeatedly performs an image reading operation for one line in the main scanning direction, whereby the document is a two-dimensional image. Is read as An operation of reading a document using the automatic document feeder 30 is referred to as an automatic reading operation.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a normal mode and a silent mode that reduces the operation sound as compared with the normal mode as the operation mode. When performing both a document reading operation and a printing operation (printing operation), the image forming apparatus 10 is silent. When the mode is selected, the overlapping operation period of the automatic reading operation and the printing operation that are read by the reading unit 40 while the document is conveyed by the automatic document conveying device 30 is shortened compared to the normal mode (or the overlapping operation). (The period is gone).

Hereinafter, the operation in the silent mode will be described.
The silent mode includes a first silent mode and a second silent mode.

<First silent mode>
In the first silent mode, an overlapping operation between the automatic reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation is allowed, but the document conveyance speed by the automatic document feeder 30 is made faster and shorter than in the normal mode. Control to read in time.

  For example, the conveyance speed is made faster than in the normal mode and reading is performed at a low resolution. As a specific example, when the reading resolution in the normal mode is 300 dpi, the reading resolution in the first silent mode is set to 150 dpi, which is half that in the normal mode. At this time, the linear speed (document transport speed) is set to twice that of the normal mode.

  Further, the document may be scanned at a speed higher than that in the normal mode without reducing the resolution. For example, by increasing the light amount of the light source or increasing the sensor sensitivity of the line image sensor 46, the conveyance speed can be increased without reducing the resolution.

  When the reading time is shortened in this way, the time for which the automatic reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation overlap is shortened, and the time during which the operation sound increases due to the overlapping operation can be shortened. . Also, when the resolution is lowered, the amount of data also decreases, so the amount of data transfer decreases, and when printing is performed using the read data as in a copy job, the start timing of the first printing operation is advanced. The time required to complete the job can be shortened.

<Second silent mode>
In the second silent mode, control is performed so that the automatic reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation do not overlap. For example, in the case of a copy job, the printing operation is started after the document reading process by the automatic reading operation is completed. Further, when a document is read for a scan job or the like during execution of a PC print job or the like, a document reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 is prohibited until the PC print job is completed. As described above, in the second silent mode, the overlapping operation between the automatic reading operation for reading the document using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation is prohibited, so that it is possible to avoid a large operation sound due to the overlapping operation. . Note that the second silent mode is effective when the user wants to avoid deterioration in image quality because the original can be read without reducing the resolution (image quality). However, the time required to complete the job becomes longer.

  An administrator or the like can select and set whether the operation mode is the normal mode, the first silent mode, or the second silent mode. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the silent mode setting screen 50 as shown in FIG. 3 on the operation display unit 16 and accepts selection of the normal mode, the first silent mode, and the second silent mode. The set mode is stored in the non-volatile memory 15 and later referred to.

  Next, an operation when a copy job is performed by the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation flow when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a copy job. Assume that the user sets, for example, 10 documents on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30. When the CPU 11 detects a document set on the document table 31 by an unillustrated document sensor provided in the automatic document feeder 30 (step S101), the currently set operation mode is the first or second silent mode. It is checked whether the current mode is the normal mode (step S102). If the normal mode is selected (step S102; No), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In the case of the first or second silent mode (step S102; Yes), the user is notified of this (step S103), and the process proceeds to step S104. Here, a warning is displayed on the operation display unit 16. For example, if the first silent mode is set, “Scanning is performed at high speed and low resolution. If you manually set the document on the platen glass without using ADF, it will be scanned at the same resolution as in normal mode. "You can do it." If the second silent mode is set, “Printing will start after scanning is completed. If you manually place the document on the platen glass without using the ADF, you can copy as in the normal mode. . "Is displayed. In this example, it is assumed that the operation is continued with the document set on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30.

  In step S104, a copy start key operation is received from the user. The CPU 11 checks whether or not the operation mode is the first silent mode (step S105). In the case of the first silent mode (step S105; Yes), if all the documents have not been read (step S106; No), the document is read by reducing the resolution by increasing the document conveying speed by the automatic document feeder 30. (High-speed scanning) (step S107), the process proceeds to step S108. If all the originals have been read (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether image formation (printing) by the printer unit 20 is possible. Here, when the image data necessary for starting printing is prepared, that is, when there is one or more unprinted image data read by the reading unit 40, it is determined that image formation is possible, and printing is started. If necessary image data is not available, it is determined that image formation is impossible.

  If image formation is not possible (step S108; No), the process returns to step S106 and continues. If the image can be formed (step S108; Yes), the printing operation (paper feeding and image formation) by the printer unit 20 is started (step S109). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not printing has been completed for all the originals (step S110). If not completed (step S110; No), the process returns to step S106 to continue the processing. If completed (step S110; Yes), the copy operation is terminated (end).

  As described above, in the first silent mode, since the operation time of the automatic reading operation is shortened by high-speed reading, the overlapping operation time between the automatic reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation is shortened, and the overlapping operation is performed. As a result, the period during which the operation sound increases can be shortened. Further, when the resolution is lowered, the data amount is also reduced, so that the data transfer amount is reduced, the start timing of the printing operation for the first sheet can be advanced, and the time required for completing the job is shortened. That is, the period during which the operation sound is generated is also shortened.

  When the second silent mode is set (steps S105; No, S111; Yes), the printing operation is not started until the reading of all the originals is completed, and the document using the automatic document feeder 30 is not started. Only the reading operation (automatic reading operation) is continuously performed (step S112; No, S113). When reading of all originals is completed (step S112; Yes), a printing operation based on the read image data is started (step S114). The printing operation is repeated until printing of all the read originals is completed (step S115; No, S114). When the printing operation is completed (step S115; Yes), the copying operation is terminated (end).

  As described above, in the second silent mode, since the overlapping operation between the automatic reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 and the printing operation is prohibited, it is possible to avoid generation of a large operation sound due to the overlapping operation. Note that the second silent mode is effective when the user wants to avoid image quality deterioration because the original is read without reducing the resolution (image quality). However, the time required to complete the job becomes longer.

  If the normal mode is set (step S111; No), if all the originals have not been read (step S117; No), the original conveyance speed and resolution by the automatic original conveyance device 30 are set to normal and the original is read. After reading (step S117), the process proceeds to step S118. If all the originals have been read (step S116; Yes), the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, it is determined whether or not image formation is possible. If image formation is not possible (step S118; No), the process returns to step S116 and continues. If an image can be formed (step S118; Yes), the printing operation by the printer unit 20 is started (step S119). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not printing for all the originals has been completed (step S120). If the printing has not been completed (step S120; No), the process returns to step S116 to continue the processing. If the printing has been completed (step S120). ; Yes), the copy operation is terminated (end).

  In both the first silent mode and the second silent mode, the printed page order is the same as in the normal mode. That is, unless a special setting such as changing the page order by an operation from the user is performed, the printing operation is performed in the page order when the original is read by the automatic document feeder 30.

  FIG. 5 shows a timing relationship between a document reading operation and a printing operation using the automatic document feeder 30 in each of the normal mode, the first silent mode, and the second silent mode. In any mode, the start key is pressed at time T1. In the first silent mode, since the reading operation is performed at a high speed, the first printing operation is started earlier (time T2) than in the normal mode (time T3). In the second silent mode, after all the originals have been read (time T5), the printing operation is started (time T6).

  FIG. 6 shows the operation timing until the end of the copy job, comparing the normal mode and the first silent mode. In the first silent mode, the time required for the automatic reading operation (scanning operation) is shortened compared to the normal mode. As a result, the time when the scanning operation and the printing operation overlap is the time L1 in the normal mode, but is shortened to the time L2 shorter than the time L1 in the first silent mode. As a result, the period during which the automatic reading operation and the printing operation overlap and the level of the operation sound increases is shortened, and the environment related to noise is improved.

  Further, in the first silent mode, the time until the image data for starting the printing of the first sheet is completed is shortened, so the start of the printing operation is earlier than the normal mode by a time L3. Therefore, in the first silent mode, the completion time of the printing operation is earlier than that in the normal mode, the time required to complete the job is shortened, and the generation period of the operation sound is also shortened.

  Next, an operation when another user submits a scan job during execution of a PC print job will be described for each of the case where the first silent mode is set and the case where the second silent mode is set. .

<When the first silent mode is set>
An example will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a user A inputs a PC print job for printing one copy of 50 originals from a PC (terminal device such as a personal computer) to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network, and the image forming apparatus 10 executes the printing operation. In the figure, the user B sets 10 documents on the automatic document feeder 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 and sends a mail by a scan job (ScanToEmail).

  User B sets the document on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 of the image forming apparatus 10. At this time, the CPU 11 displays a warning screen 60 as shown in FIG. The user can see this and change to the platen mode in which the document is manually set on the platen glass 41 and read without using the automatic document feeder 30.

  When the user presses the start button to start a scan job while the original is set on the automatic document feeder 30, since the current operation mode is the first silent mode, the CPU 11 causes the original by the automatic document feeder 30. Is controlled so as to read the document at a higher speed than in the normal mode and at a lower resolution.

<When the second silent mode is set>
An example will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a user A inputs a PC print job for printing one copy of 50 originals from a PC (terminal device such as a personal computer) to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network, and the image forming apparatus 10 executes the printing operation. In the figure, the user B sets 10 originals on the automatic document feeder 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 and inputs a copy job.

  User B sets the document on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 of the image forming apparatus 10. At this time, the CPU 11 displays a warning screen 65 as shown in FIG. The user can see this and change to the platen mode in which the original is manually set and read on the platen glass 41 without using the automatic document feeder 30.

  When the user presses the start button with the document set on the automatic document feeder 30, the current operation mode is the second silent mode, so the CPU 11 performs the document reading operation by the automatic document feeder 30 with respect to the user A. Start after completion of the PC print job.

  Note that the automatic document feeder 30 may be prohibited during the printing operation, and only reading in the platen mode may be permitted.

  FIG. 11 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a job accompanying reading of a document is input during the printing operation in which the silent mode is set. This operation corresponds to the operation described with reference to FIGS. When it is detected that a document is set on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 during the printing operation (step S201), the CPU 11 issues a warning regarding the silent mode (step S202). That is, the warning screen 60 of FIG. 8 is displayed on the operation display unit 16 when the first silent mode is set, and the warning screen 65 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation display unit 16 when the second silent mode is set.

  When the user removes the document from the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 in response to the warning display, that is, when the user changes to reading in the platen mode (step S203; Yes), the document on the platen glass 41 is scanned. The job is read and executed (step S204).

  When the user presses the start button while setting the document on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 (step S203; No), if the current operation mode is the first silent mode (step S205; Yes), The original is read in the first silent mode and the job is executed (step S206). That is, the document is read by executing the job by increasing the document conveyance speed by the automatic document conveyance device 30 and decreasing the resolution.

  If the current operation mode is the second silent mode (step S205; No), the original is read in the second silent mode and the job is executed (step S208). That is, after waiting for the completion of the currently executing print job (print operation) (step S207), the automatic document feeder 30 reads the document and executes the job (step S208). This reading is performed at the same conveyance speed and the same resolution as in the normal mode.

  Next, the timing for issuing a warning will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows an operation flow when a warning is issued when the start key is pressed. In this example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is input by the user A but is executing a PC print job. During the printing operation, the user sets a document on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 (step S301), and further presses the start key (step S302). When the start key is pressed (step S303; Yes), the CPU 11 checks whether or not a document is set on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 at that time (step S304). (Step S304; Yes), it is checked whether or not the current operation mode is the silent mode (which may be the first or second mode) (Step S305). In the silent mode (step S305; Yes), a warning display as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 is performed (step S306).

  In this case, a warning is issued only when the start key is pressed. At the timing when the document is set on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30, no warning is given.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where a warning is given by voice after the warning is displayed. Also in this example, as in the case of FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus 10 is input by the user A but is executing a PC print job. When the user sets a document on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 during the printing operation (step S321), the CPU 11 checks whether or not a document is set on the document table 31 (step S322). If yes (step S322; Yes), it is checked whether the current operation mode is the silent mode (which may be the first or second mode) (step S323). In the silent mode (step S323; Yes), a warning display as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 is performed (step S324).

  Thereafter, when the start key is pressed (step S325; Yes), the CPU 11 checks whether or not a document is set on the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 30 at that time (step S326). If yes (step S326; Yes), a voice warning is given (step S327). That is, when a document is set on the document table 31, a warning is given by display (since it is not preferable to generate a sound from the viewpoint of quietness), and it is assumed that the warning is not noticed, that is, the document If the start button is pressed while a document is set on the table 31, a warning is given by voice. For example, a voice message such as “The automatic document feeder cannot be used” is output.

  Even when the first silent mode and the second silent mode are set, when it is not necessary to perform both the document reading operation and the printing operation, the document reading operation is performed in the normal mode. The same is done. For example, a document reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30 when a scan job is input without a printing operation is performed under the same operating conditions (conveyance speed and resolution) as in the normal mode.

  In addition, when a job using the printer unit 20 such as a PC print job is received during a document reading operation using the automatic document feeder 30, the printing operation by the job received later such as a PC print job is read. It is recommended to start after the operation is completed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, whether the first silent mode or the second silent mode is set in advance on the silent mode setting screen 50. For example, on the warning screens 60 and 65, the first silent mode is set. It may be configured to allow the user to change to the second silent mode or from the second silent mode to the first silent mode. That is, when it is desired to perform reading using the automatic document feeder 30 without using the platen mode, the first silent mode of high speed and low resolution is set, or priority is given to image quality but the start of execution is delayed. It is preferable that the user can select whether to use the second silent mode. However, it is desirable not to change to the normal mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... Bus 13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Non-volatile memory 16 ... Operation display part 17 ... Image processing part 18 ... Hard disk device 19 ... Network communication part 20 ... Printer part 30 ... Automatic document feeder 31 ... Document stand 32 ... Document discharge tray 33 ... Conveying roller 34 ... Close contact Roller 40 ... Reading unit 41 ... Platen glass 42 ... Contact glass 43 ... Light source 44 ... Mirror 45 ... Exposure scanning unit 46 ... Line image sensor 47 ... Condensing lens 48 ... Mirror 50 ... Silent mode setting screen 60 ... First silent mode Warning screen 65 ... Warning screen in the second silent mode F ... Original reading position H ... Paper passing path M ... Original X ... Scan direction in platen mode

Claims (11)

A reading unit for optically reading a document ;
An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
I have a,
If the control unit performs the automatic reading operation overlapping with the printing operation when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit transports the document by the automatic document transport device more than when the normal mode is selected. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to increase the speed and read in a short time .   A reading unit for optically reading a document;
  An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
  A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
  A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
  When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
  Have
  As the document reading mode when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the first mode for prohibiting the overlapping operation of the automatic reading operation and the printing operation, and the automatic reading operation for overlapping the printing operation are set to the normal mode. And a second mode for reading the document in a short time by increasing the document conveyance speed, and accepting the selection of the first mode and the second mode.
  An image forming apparatus.   A reading unit for optically reading a document;
  An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
  A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
  A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
  When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
  Have
  As one of the document reading modes, there is a platen mode in which a document on a platen glass is read by the reading unit without using the automatic document feeder.
  The control unit permits reading of a document in the platen mode in the operation sound reduction mode.
  An image forming apparatus.   A reading unit for optically reading a document;
  An automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds documents from a bundle of documents placed on a document table, passes the document reading position of the reading unit, and discharges the document;
  A printing section for printing an image on recording paper;
  A selection unit that receives selection of the normal mode and the operation sound reduction mode;
  When both the original reading operation and the printing operation are executed, and the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the automatic reading operation of reading the original with the reading unit while conveying the original with the automatic original conveying device, A control unit that controls the overlapping operation period with the printing operation by the printing unit to be shorter than when the normal mode is selected;
  Have
  When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the original reading operation is the operation sound reduction mode.
  An image forming apparatus.   The control unit performs control so that the automatic reading operation and the printing operation do not overlap when the operation sound reduction mode is selected.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When copying the document when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs the printing operation in the page order when the automatic reading operation is performed after the automatic reading operation is completed.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   As one of the document reading modes, there is a platen mode in which a document on a platen glass is read by the reading unit without using the automatic document feeder.
  The control unit permits reading of a document in the platen mode in the operation sound reduction mode.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the original reading operation is the operation sound reduction mode.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the document reading operation is an operation in the operation sound reduction mode.
  When the warning is given, notify that reading in the platen mode is possible
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit controls the automatic reading operation and the printing operation so as not to overlap each other,
  When the operation sound reduction mode is selected and a setting operation of the automatic reading operation is received during a printing operation, a warning is given that the document reading operation is an operation in the operation sound reduction mode.
  When the warning is given, notify that reading in the platen mode is possible
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   When copying the document when the operation sound reduction mode is selected, the control unit performs the printing operation in the page order when the automatic reading operation is performed after the automatic reading operation is completed.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

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