JPH03120952A - Copying machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To read an original with high resolution by providing an original reader for a large sized original separately from a copying machine main body and reading an moving original with a fixed optical system. CONSTITUTION:When a large sized original impossible of copying by a copying machine main body 1 is copied, an original reader 5 for a large sized original provided separately from the copying machine main body 1 is used. The original reader 5 is provided with a carrier device 6 able to carry the large sized original, the original is moved to a fixed optical system 7 and the original picture is read by the image sensor. Since the image forming optical system 7 is fixed, the optimum MTF characteristic is set. Thus, sufficient resolution is ensured.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a digital copying machine that electrically processes original images, and particularly relates to a copying machine system for reading large and thick originals such as design boards. .

[Conventional technology]

In a digital copying machine, an original is placed on a platen glass installed at the top of the main body of the copying machine, and the image sensor of the original reading device reads the image information of the original and converts it into an image signal. After the processing, an image is outputted onto recording paper by an image output device such as an electrophotographic device or a thermal transfer device provided within the main body of the copying machine.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In general, digital copying machines can only read a document with a maximum size of 3 people, and even large models can only read 83 sizes at most. Of course, in principle, it is possible to read larger originals by enlarging the platen glass and adapting the reading optical system to accommodate this, but the cost would be extremely high and it is not practical. Not on point.

Also, if you are using an image sensor that can read an A3 size original at the same size, for example,
In order to read a printed manuscript, it is necessary to reduce it to 70% and project it. In order to read a document in a reduced size, it is necessary to move the document reading optical system with very high precision in order to change the magnification.

In other words, since digital reading by an image sensor is resolved in bit units, for example, if the focus shifts even slightly, M T F (modulation
transfer function) characteristics are deteriorated and the difference in shading of the image becomes smaller.7. Below the threshold value, the image information is no longer output. Particularly in the case of reduced projection, the resolution inevitably decreases, resulting in further deterioration in image quality.

Further, when performing color copying, it is necessary to prevent defocusing for a plurality of wavelengths even when changing the magnification, but this requires a complicated chromatic aberration correction mechanism. Therefore, if an attempt is made to obtain a lens without chromatic aberration, the optical system will become extremely expensive.

Furthermore, in order to read large documents, the optical system must also be increased in size, which reduces its rigidity and makes it more likely to deform.

To prevent this, it is necessary to use a thick frame or a reinforcement material, but in this case, the optical system becomes heavy and a large torque is required to move the optical system. occurs.

There is also a known device that uses an automatic document feeder, keeps the document scanning optical system fixed, and moves the document on the platen glass to read documents larger than the size of the platen glass. ing. However, in this case, the documents that can be read are limited to thin ones, and it is not possible to read large documents such as design boards that are 4 to 5 meters thick and even A2 size. Furthermore, in this case as well, since the optical system of the copying machine body is used, it is necessary to change the copying magnification and read the original, so there is a problem with the scanning optical system as described above.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to read and copy large originals with a simple configuration.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the copying machine system of the present invention has the following features:
The image of the original placed on the platen glass is focused on a first image sensor by a scanning optical system to read the original, and based on the image signal obtained by the image sensor, an image output unit prints an image on the recording paper. a copying machine body that forms an image on the copying machine body; a conveying device that is provided separately from the copying machine body and can convey a document larger than the document that can be read by the copying machine body; and a document conveyed by the conveying device. and a fixed optical system that forms an image of the image on a second image sensor.

The document reading device can be detachably attached to a side surface of the copying machine main body.

Further, the document reading device may be attached to a side surface of the main body of the copying machine so that it can be pulled out in the front and back direction.

Further, the document reading device is installed with the document insertion side facing the copying machine main body side, and the document reading device is provided with a tiltable insertion tray, and the posture of the insertion tray is detected and when it is in the upright position. A switch is provided for switching the image signal system so that the output of the first image sensor is supplied to the image output section, and the output of the second image sensor is supplied to the image output section when in the use position. This allows the image signal system to be automatically switched.

Furthermore, if the insertion tray is placed in a position where it covers a part of the platen cover that can be opened and closed on the platen glass when it is in the use position, the operation procedure will be restricted and the copy mode will not be misidentified. This eliminates the need for manual operations.

[Effect]

In the present invention, when copying a large document that cannot be copied using the copying machine main body, a document reading device for large documents provided separately from the copying machine main body is used. This document reading device includes a conveyance device capable of conveying a large document, and moves the document relative to a fixed optical system. As a result, the image of the document is read by the image sensor. At this time, since the imaging optical system is fixed, it can be set to obtain optimal MTF characteristics, and sufficient resolution can be ensured. Additionally, if you use an image sensor with the same characteristics as the image sensor on the copying machine main body as the image sensor on the original reading device, the output of the image sensor on the original reading device can be used instead of the output from the image sensor on the copying machine main body. As a result, on the copying machine main body side, it is possible to copy a large original using the same process as for copying a normal original.

〔Example〕

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, features of the present invention will be specifically described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the entire copying machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the document reading device is attached to the copying machine body, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the entire copying machine system, and FIG. 3 FIGS. 4(a) and 4(c) are a schematic front view and a schematic side view, respectively, showing the document reading device with the outer casing omitted. FIGS.

In this embodiment, the copying machine main body 1 is composed of an original reading section 2 that can read originals up to F3 size and an image output section 3 that forms an image. platen glass 21 (third
(see figure), a platen cover 4 is attached to the platen cover 4 so as to be openable and closable. Further, on the side surface of the copying machine main body 1, there are provided paper feed trays 31a and 31b for supplying recording paper into the machine and a discharge tray 32 for discharging the recording paper after copying.

Further, trays 31a, 31b, 32 of the copying machine main body 1
A document reading device 5 is removably attached to the opposite side.

This document reading device JI15 includes a document conveying section 6 for conveying large documents up to A1 size such as posters and design boards, and an imaging unit for reading document images up to A2 size and converting them into image signals. It is equipped with an optical section 7. Furthermore, an insertion tray 61 is attached to the copying machine main body 1 side of the document transport section 6 so as to be tiltable about a shaft 62 to facilitate the insertion of large documents into the document transport section 6. An extendable document support portion 61a is provided at the tip. Further, an insertion tray attitude detection switch 63 for detecting the attitude of the insertion tray 61 is provided near the insertion tray attachment part of the original reading section 6, and the original reading mode of the copying machine is set according to the state of this switch 63. It is possible to switch.

That is, when the insertion tray 61 is raised as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the insertion tray 61 is folded down, the image signal from the document reading device 5 is used manually to output an image.

Further, on the document discharge side of the document conveyance section 6, as shown in FIG. The ejection tray 64 is mounted so as to be tiltable at the center, and the ejection tray 64 is mounted between the intermediate portion 64a of the ejection tray 64 and the central portion of the side surface of the casing (not shown) of the document reading device 5.
A bendable support rod 66 is provided for raising and maintaining the position. Further, on the side surface of the imaging optical section 7, there is provided a discharge tray 67 for storing a large, thin and flexible document.

Next, details of the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the document reading section 2, a document (not shown) placed on an A3-sized platen glass 21 is red.

It is sequentially irradiated by green and blue exposure lamps 22R, 22G, and 22B, and the reflected light from the original is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 23a.
23c and the lens 24 onto a one-dimensional image sensor 25. Exposure lamps 22R, 22G, 2
2B, mirrors 23a to 23c, etc., is movable in the left-right direction by a scanning motor (not shown) in the range from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed-dotted line in the figure. The image sensor 25 reads the image of the original in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the horizontal direction of the drawing, while reading one line of the image in the main scanning direction of the original, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the drawing. The red, green, and blue color signals thus obtained are supplied to an image output section 3 provided below the copying machine main body 1.

In the image output section 3, the signal processing circuit section 33 converts red, edge, and blue color signals into yellow and magenta.

Conversion processing into cyan and black color material signals, shading correction processing, etc. are performed, and the processed signals are supplied to recording sections 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K for each color material.

The recording paper (not shown) in the upper or lower paper feed trays 31a, 31b is fed by paper feed rollers 35a, 35b,
The paper is carried into the machine by the transport roller 36 and sent to the yellow recording section 34Y direction. In the yellow recording section 34Y, the ink donor film 40 from the supply roll 39 and the recording paper from the paper feed tray 31a or 31b are sandwiched between the thermal head 37 and the platen roller 38, and the thermal head 37 By driving with the color material signal, the ink of the ink donor film 40 is transferred to the recording paper, and a yellow image is formed on the recording paper. After the transfer, the recording paper and the ink donor film 38 are separated, the recording paper is sent to the next magenta recording section 34M, and the ink donor film 40 is wound up by the take-up roll 41. Note that the magenta, cyan, and black recording sections 34M, 34C, and 34, which will be explained below, also have the same structure as the yellow recording section 34Y, so a description of each member will be omitted.

In the magenta recording section 34M, the same operation as described above is performed, and a magenta image is transferred onto the yellow image.

Thereafter, in the same way, a cyan image and a black image are sequentially stacked on the cyan recording section 1ff 134C and the black recording section 34K to obtain a color image. At this time, each recording section 34
The transfer of the images to Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K is performed in synchronization with the scanning of the original in the original reading section 2, but the recording paper is transferred to each of the recording sections 34Y, 34M, and 34C.
.

Since the time it takes to pass through 34K is different, the magenta, cyan, and black recording sections 34M, 34C, and 34K
For magenta, a time difference corresponding to the interval between each recording section is given in the signal processing circuit section 33.

It supplies cyan and black coloring signals.

The recording paper onto which the color image has been transferred in this manner is discharged onto the discharge tray 32 by conveyance rollers 42 and 43. Note that 44 is a power supply unit that supplies operating voltage to each part;
1 to SS are paper sensors for detecting the progress state of the recording paper. Further, each recording section and each roller are driven by a recording section motor 45.

Next, details of the document reading device 5 will be explained with reference to FIG.

Manuscript reading device! As mentioned earlier, t5 includes the document transport unit 6 for transporting large originals up to A1 size such as posters and design boards, and the document transport unit 6 for reading original images up to A2 size and converting them into image signals. It is equipped with an imaging optical section 7.

In the document conveyance unit 6, along the document conveyance path P, there is a pair of insertion side conveyance rollers 11. A platen glass 12 and a platen roller 13 pressed against it. A discharge side conveyance roller pair 14 consisting of a drive roller 14a and a pinch roller 14b is provided.

each roller llb, 13. 14b is pivotally supported by one end of each of tiltable L-shaped arms 15a, 15b, and 15c. In addition, each arm 15a, 15
Cams 17&, 17b, 17c, which are rotated synchronously by a cam motor 16, are pressed into contact with the other ends of cams 17&, 17b, 17c. Each cam 17a.

The profiles of the insertion side pinch roller 11b, platen roller 13 . The pinch roller 14b on the discharge side is set to rise in this order and descend in the same order.

In addition, drive rollers lla and 14a on the insertion side and the ejection side
The rotation of the conveyor motor 18 causes the belts 19a, 19
b.

The signal is transmitted via the pulley 20 and the like. Further, the rotation of the discharge side drive roller 14a is transmitted to the platen roller 13 via a pulley and a belt (not shown).

Furthermore, three color exposure lamps 26R, 26G, and 26G of red, B, and blue are arranged below the platen glass 12, and the original is sequentially irradiated through the platen glass 12, and the reflected light from the original is It enters the imaging optical section 7 via the platen glass 12 again.

The optical path of the light from the document transport section 6 is bent by mirrors 27a and 27b, and then condensed by a lens 28, and then sent to an image sensor 29 disposed at the bottom of the imaging optical section 7.
An image is formed on the image and converted into an image signal. Note that this image sensor 29 has the same specifications as the image sensor 25 used in the document reading section 2 on the copying machine main body 1 side.

The mirrors 27a, 27b, L/7 lenses 28. The image sensor 29 and the like are attached to the frame 71 of the imaging optical section 7, and the base 67 of the ejection tray 67 is attached to a locking bracket 72 provided on the lower side of the frame 71.
a is locked. The frame 71 includes a rear frame 73 and a front frame 74 each having a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.

When attaching the document reading device 5 to the copying machine main body 1, first remove the left side plate 10 of the copying machine main body 1.
A square pipe frame 10a of the copying machine main body 1.

10b is exposed. And frames 73 and 74 are
J-shaped rear and front detachable brackets 75°76
Accordingly, the copying machine body has a 10-square pipe frame lOa.

10b. That is, the square pipe frame 10a is held by the rear detachable bracket 75, and as shown in FIG.
a through the screw hole 73 of the rear frame 73.
Screw into a and secure. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the square vibe frame 1 is attached to the front detachable bracket 76.
0b, fit the positioning half hole 76a formed in the bracket 76 into the positioning hole 74a formed in the front frame 74, and insert the screw 7 through the through hole 76b.
4. b is screwed into the screw hole 74c of the front frame 74 and fixed.

At this time, the mounting position of the rear removable bracket 75 in the horizontal direction (vertical direction in FIG. Fit it loosely. Further, the fixed platen 76c of the front attachment/detachment bracket 76 is attached by a screw 76f inserted into an elongated hole 76e formed in the bent piece 76d. When the front detachable bracket 76 is attached to the optical system frame 74, there is a slight gap between the optical system frame 74 side surface of the square pipe frame 10b and the optical system frame 74. By fixing the fixed platen 76c to the bent piece 76d while pressing it in the opposite direction, the square vibe frames 10a and 10b are sandwiched between the rear detachable bracket 75 and the fixed bracket 76c, so that the optical system frame 74 However, as shown in Fig. 5, the mounting width a of the fixing bracket 76c is set to a plus tolerance than the length of one side of the square pipe frame 10b. The square pipe frame lQb can be loosely fixed without causing any wobbling in the vertical direction.

As a result, the copying machine main body 10 square pipe frame 10a,
10b, the frame 73 of the document reading device 5,
74 becomes movable in the vertical direction. Therefore, the weight of the original reading device 5 is not directly applied to the main body 1 of the copying machine, and problems such as deformation of the frame on the main body side do not occur.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned copying machine Syscam will be explained.

First, a case will be described in which a normal original, that is, a thin original of A3 size or smaller is to be copied.

During normal document copying, the insertion tray 61 of the document reading device 5 is in the raised state as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, the image signal from the image reading section 2 on the copying machine main body 1 side becomes valid.

Next, open the platen cover 4, place the original on the platen glass 21 provided on the top surface of the copying machine main body l,
Close the platen cover 4. At this time, the insertion tray 61
is raised, so the insertion tray 61 does not get in the way of opening and closing the platen cover 4. Next, press the copy start button provided on the operation panel of the copying machine main body l. As a result, the document scanning section of the document reading section 2 on the copying machine main body 1 side moves to the document scanning section, the document image is read and converted into an image signal, and based on this image signal, the image output section 3, the image is formed, and the recording paper after copying is discharged to the discharge tray 32.

Next, the case of copying a large original will be explained. Here, an example will be described in which a document called a design board, which has a thickness of four fins and a size of A2, is read and copied.

In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion tray 61 of the document reading device 5 is placed in a state where it is tilted toward the platen cover 4 side of the main body l of the copying machine. If the power is turned on in this state, the image signal from the document reading device 5 becomes valid. Further, since the free end 61b of the insertion tray 61 covers the end 4a of the platen cover 40, opening and closing of the platen cover 4 is prevented. Therefore, even though the image signal from the original reading device 5 has been selected, there is no possibility of an attempt to make a copy on the platen glass 21 side by mistake.

Next, the original is inserted into the original reading device 5 along the insertion tray 61. When the copy start button provided on the operation panel of the copying machine body L is pressed, the cam motor 16 and the transport motor 18 rotate at a predetermined timing, and the original is successively sandwiched between the rollers Ilb and 13, 14b and placed on the platen glass 12. It is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed.

At this time, the image of the original is exposed to the exposure lamps 26R and 26G through the platen glass 12.

26B, the reflected light from the original is reflected from the platen glass 12. Mirror 2T&, 27b,
An image is formed on an image sensor 29 via a lens 28, and the original images are sequentially read. Image sensor 29
The image signal from is supplied to the signal processing circuit section 33 provided in the copying machine main body 1, and an image is formed in the same manner as in the case of the normal original described above. In addition, the manuscript after scanning is
It is discharged onto the discharge tray 64.

In the above embodiment, the document reading device 5 is fixed to the side of the copying machine main body 1, but as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be pulled out from the side of the copying machine main body 1 toward the front. May be attached.

That is, the document reading device 5 is attached to the side surface 1a of the copying machine main body 1 via a telescopic slide rail 81. As shown in FIG. 1O, the slide rail 81 includes a fixing member 81a attached to the copying machine main body 1, an intermediate member 81C slidably provided on the fixing member 81a via a ball bearing 81b, The intermediate member 81c is further comprised of a movable member 81e which is slidably provided via a ball bearing 81d and attached to the document reading device 5.

In addition, a foldable signal line protection platen (82, 83) is attached between the rear lower part of the side surface 1a of the copying machine main body 1 and the rear lower part of the rear side of the document reading device 5. A signal line 84 for electrical connection between the copying machine main body 1 and the document reading device 5 is routed through the line protection brackets 82 and 83. One end of one signal line protection bracket 82 is rotatable around a shaft 82a on the copying machine main body 1 side, and one end of the other signal line protection bracket 83 is rotatable around a shaft 82a on the side of the document reading device 5.
It is possible to rotate around 3a. The other ends of each signal line protection platen) 82 and 83 are connected to the shaft 82b.
It is pivoted on.

In the copying machine described above, when the document reading device f5 is not in use, it is pushed back as shown in FIG. 9(a). When using the document reading device 5, when it is pulled toward the front (in the direction of the arrow), the document reading device 5 is pulled out from the side of the copying machine main body 1 by the action of the slide rail 81. By pulling out the document reading device W5 toward the front in this manner, the task of inserting the document into the document reading device 5 becomes easier, and the efficiency of the copying task is improved.

Also, at this time, as the shaft 83a moves, each signal line protection bracket 82, 83 is pulled to the right in the figure, and the eighth
Since the state shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9 (Company) is reached, the distance of the part where the signal line 84 is wired is constant regardless of the position of the document reading device 5, and the distance between the signal line 84 and other members is flexed. There will be no inconveniences such as being pinched or being stretched and cut.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an original reading device for large originals is provided separately from the main body of the copying machine, and the fixed optical system reads the original while moving the original.

Since the optical system is fixed in this way, the document can be read with high resolution without deteriorating the reading accuracy. Further, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as strength problems and an increase in required driving torque caused by moving the optical system. Furthermore, since a document reading device for large documents can be sold as an option, the price of the copying machine itself does not increase.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the entire copying machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the document reading device is attached to the copying machine main body, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the entire copying machine system, and FIG.
The figure is a schematic front view of the main body of the copying machine seen through, Army 4
Figures (a) and (b) are schematic front and side views showing the housing of the document reading device with the housing omitted; FIG.
The mounting shown in Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the structure as seen in the direction of arrow B, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the structure as seen in the direction of C, and Fig. 8 shows the mounting of the original reading device to the copying machine main body as shown in another structure. 9(a) and (b) are side views showing the embodiment, and FIG. 10(a), (b) are partial plan views for explaining the drawn-out state of the mounting structure shown in FIG. (C) is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing an example of the structure of the slide rail used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. 1: Copying machine body 2: Original reading section 3I image output section 4: Platen cover 4a: # end
5: Document reading device 6: Document transport unit 7: Imaging optical unit 10: Side plate 11; Insertion side transport roller pair 12 Nib platen glass 13 Nib platen roller 14: Discharge side transport roller pair 15a, 15b, 15c: Arm 16: Cam motors 17a, 17b, 17c: Cam 18: Conveyance motors 19a, 19b: Belt 20: Pulley 26
R, 26G, 26G: i! Light lamps 27a, 27
b: Mirror 28: Lens 29: Image sensor
61: Insertion tray 63 Insertion tray attitude detection switch 64: Ejection tray 67: Ejection tray A: Original scanning unit 5I-3s: Paper sensor P: Original transport path Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The image of the document placed on the platen glass is focused on a first image sensor by a scanning optical system to read the document, and the image signal obtained by the image sensor is a copying machine main body that forms an image on recording paper in an image output section based on the image output unit;
a document reading device comprising a conveyance device capable of conveying a document larger than the document that can be read by the copying machine main body; and a fixed optical system that forms an image of the document conveyed by the conveyance device on a second image sensor; A copying machine system consisting of 2. The copying machine system according to claim 1, wherein the document reading device is detachably attached to a side surface of the copying machine main body. 3. The copying machine system according to claim 1, wherein the document reading device is attached to a side surface of the copying machine main body so that it can be pulled out in the front and rear directions. 4. Attach the document reading device with the document insertion side facing the copying machine main body side, provide the document reading device with a tiltable insertion tray, and detect the posture of the insertion tray when it is in the upright position. A switch is provided for switching the image signal system so that the output of the first image sensor is supplied to the image output section, and when the second image sensor is in a use position, the output of the second image sensor is supplied to the image output section. The copying machine system according to claim 2, characterized in that: 5. The copying machine system according to claim 4, wherein the insertion tray is provided at a position so as to cover a part of a platen cover that covers the platen glass so as to be openable and closable when the insertion tray is in the use position. .