JPH039383A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change the correspondence of various kinds of information with an original positioned on a platen and to clearly transmit the information to an operator by allowing various kinds of information concerning equipment operation, etc., to be superimposed on the platen and allowing the operator to see the information. CONSTITUTION:An information generating means 1 displays the information necessitated for the device operation, such as the setting position of the original 4 and operation procedure, as an visual information possessing brightness capa ble of viewing. An image projecting plate 2 reflects or refracts light beams generated by the visual information and allows the beams to make incident on the eyes of the operator who watches the platen 3. Therefore, for the opera tor who catches the platen 3 in the view field, the image of the visual informa tion is seen while being superimposed with the platen 3, and the operator can see and compare the information concerning the device operation with the original on the platen 3. Thus, the device operation and the correspondence with the original are clarified.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image reading device used in a copying machine, etc.
Specifically, the present invention relates to an image reading device of a type that includes a platen and reads image information of a document placed on the platen.

[Prior Art] In this second image reading system for reading image information of a document set on a platen, a light source placed below the platen is used to slit the document placed on the platen into a platen 1. It is generally well known that scanning is performed while illuminating, and after obtaining reflected light according to image information, this reflected light is input to a recording medium such as a photoreceptor or a light receiving element using an optical system consisting of a mirror lens. It is often used for reading manuscripts in copying machines, etc.

By the way, when using this type of image reading device, it is necessary to accurately correspond the image information and the recording medium.
It is required to place the original at a suitable position on the platen (depending on the original size, etc.).

For this reason, in an image reading device equipped with a platen,
A widely used method is to attach marks around the platen to indicate the let position of the original, and the operator selects the mark according to the original force size to perform the original positioning 11.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, due to differences in the design of the optical system etc. when setting the original, there are two methods: a corner registration method in which one corner of the platen is set as the reference position, and a corner registration method in which the reference position is set at one corner of the platen. There are various specifications such as the center registration method, which tends to cause confusion in the sparrator that covers the original.

Another way to display the 1st position nail in the manuscript is to
A method has also been proposed in which the ED is arranged around the platen and LEDs at positions corresponding to the document size are lit to indicate to the operator the position where the document is set.

If this method is used, the operator does not need to select alignment marks, so it has the advantage that the original can be set in the dormitory compared to the above method.
This method is similar to the above method in that the tJ- position of the edge of the document is specified along the circumference of the platen.
Since it is not clear which area on the platen the document should actually be visited, it is difficult to say that it is effective in preventing document mistakes.

Also, when enlarging or reducing both images of the original in a copying machine (even if the originals are of the same size, it is possible to remove the original from the platen corresponding to the copying by selecting the recording sheet size and gA rate). Since the area changes, it is almost impossible to clearly indicate the original position on the platen using the L methods described above, and it is difficult to accurately position the original on the platen. .

Furthermore, in recent years, some parts of the original image have been colored, and the copy 1
Copying machines have also appeared that have a so-called partial color function that allows the copying machine to function effectively, and a so-called editing function that erases a portion of a manuscript image or adds images such as characters to the manuscript image. In such a high-performance copying machine, it is necessary to ensure accuracy in setting the original, so an image reading device that can more clearly and specifically display the position where the original is set is required. is expected to appear.

In addition, in order for the above-mentioned high-performance copying machine to fully utilize its functions, it is necessary to communicate the increasingly complex operating procedures to the operator in an easy-to-understand manner, including how to handle the manuscript. The appearance of this is strongly desired.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide an image reading device that can more easily convey to an operator various information regarding the document setting position and equipment operation and operation. The offer is to cover.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the second object, the image reading device of the present invention reads image information of a document placed on a platen and inputs it into a recording medium, The apparatus includes an information generating means for displaying various information regarding the operation or operation of this apparatus and peripheral equipment as visual information, and also reflects or refracts the light rays generated by the information generating means.
The present invention is characterized in that it includes a dual-image projection plate that forms an image of visual information within the visual field of the operator through the window.

With such technical means, -11 information generation+
As for the stage, it shines so deep that the operator can see it! As long as information related to device operation can be displayed as an image (visual information) having f can.

1. The image projection plate may be one that can reflect or refract the light beam emitted by the information generating means and display an image of 't↓1 sensory information to the operator by superimposing it on the platen. For example, the arrangement position, arrangement angle, etc. may be selected as appropriate.

The image projection plate is functionally located at a position where it can be seen by the operator, that is, below the platen, so that the reflected light after scanning the original image is located on the optical path toward the photoreceptor or light receiving element. . Therefore, the image projection plate is required to reflect or refract the light rays that convey visual information, while transmitting the light reflected from the original image.

Therefore, as the image projection plate, it is possible to use a member such as a semi-transparent mirror that transmits and reflects light at a constant ratio. However, from the perspective of transmitting reflected light toward a photoreceptor etc. without significantly attenuating it, and reflecting or refracting the light rays emitting visual information without significantly attenuating it, it is possible to Has (
A bolographic optical element exhibiting excellent diffraction efficiency for a light source of
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to form an image of visual information on a desired position n, such as on a platen.

According to this, visual information is visually recognized by the operator as if it were tlN displayed at the imaging position.
For example, by placing an image on the platen, you can easily set the original.
- The position can be displayed directly on the platen.

As a means for forming an image of the visual information at a desired position, for example, a lens may be provided in the optical path where the visual information (2j) is reached, or any other method may be selected as appropriate.

[Function 1 The information generating means is based on the set position of the 11'iI draft and the operator [
Does it have enough brightness to visually recognize the 7'r information necessary for device operation? Display JA party information and 1). On the other hand, the double-view plate reflects or bends the light rays emitted from the visual information, and causes the light rays to enter the eyes of the person on the A side who is gazing at the platen.

As a result, the operator 17 who has the platen in his/her field of view sees an image of the visual information as one with the platen.

Therefore, the operator can compare the information regarding the equipment operation with the original on the printer, and the correspondence between the equipment operation and the original can be clearly seen. 111 of the present invention based on details (,': Explanation 8.).

◎Actual Example Fig. 1 shows the main parts of a color photocopying machine to which the double bladder removal 1 of the present invention is applied.

Between the image reading stations of this embodiment 7A' is a document table (i) below the platen 3, a document illumination lamp 51 and a plurality of mirrors 52
The optical system 5 is of a moving mirror type in which the optical system 5 moves to read the image information of the original 4, and as the original illumination lamp 51 illuminates the original 4 in a slit shape and moves, the optical system 5 moves and reads the image information of the original 4. Reflected light is generated, and this reflected light is directed to the photoreceptor drum 6 by a mirror 52 disposed along a predetermined path.
It is configured to be input to.

In this practical example, an information generating means 1 for displaying field of view information and an image projection plate 2 for making the visual information visible to the operator are disposed inside the device.

First, the information generating means 1 is a CRT screen, i, -ED display board, etc., which is disposed on the side of the inside of the M position, and which covers the six-scale image depending on the brightness of the screen, and a platen force bar (not shown). Information corresponding to the copying operation is displayed in the form of visual information such as text and pictures by opening/closing the camera and inputting various switches.

- On the other hand, the image projection plate 2 is placed under the platen 3 at a predetermined angle λ so that the operator doing the copying work can visually recognize the visual information displayed on the information generation stage 1. It is a half mirror arranged with a width τ, and the incident light beam is reflected at a predetermined ratio and transmitted. When the image projection plate 2 is arranged in this way,
The optical path of the optical system 5 that inputs the image information of the document 4 onto the photosensitive drum 6 is blocked by the image projection plate 2, but as described above, since a half mirror is used as the image projection plate 2, A part of the reflected light of the original image is transmitted to the image projection plate 2.
is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 6. The light beam emitted from the visual information displayed by the X1 information generating means 1 is reflected at its - part opposite to the reflected light from the original image, and is input to the eye of the notebook at 5 degrees. anti-Q
4 and the transmission ratio can be arbitrarily selected depending on various conditions such as the head 7 degrees of the visual information emitted by the information generating means 1 and the illuminance required to expose the photosensitive drum 6.

In such a configuration, the visual 1 emitted by the information generating means 1
The tick information is visually recognized at the end of the operation L/- as shown in FIG.

That is, the light beam 1- emitted by the visual information is projected onto the image projection plate 2.
(: After being reflected, it enters the operator's eye E through the platen 3, and the virtual image 1 provides visual information to the operator.)
′ appears to overlap with the platen.

Therefore, the operator can visually check the document 4 placed on the platen 3 and the visual information, etc., by comparing them within the same prayer area, and the content of various information displayed by the information generating means 1 on the document 4. By embodying 'C' in conjunction with 'C, information regarding the operation of the copying machine can be clearly transmitted to the operator.

In addition to the above configuration, the image reading station 4 of this embodiment shown in FIG. are placed. According to this, as shown in FIG. 5, the light beam L- emitted by the information generating means 1 is once imaged on the platen 3, so that the operator's eyes, on which the light beam I- is incident, receive visual information. The real image D' appears to be displayed directly on the platen 3.

Therefore, compared to a combination in which 1 nons 7 is not provided, the correspondence between the visual information and the manuscript 4 becomes clearer, and for example, the information generating means 1
When the original setting position N is displayed, the setting position is visually recognized by the operator as a specific area drawn on the platen 3.

In the above embodiment, the IA party information displayed by the information generator r9i is imaged on the platen 31! As shown in FIG. 2, the image projection plate 2
By using a curved plate, the image projection plate 2 itself can have an imaging function, and it is also possible to substitute some or all of the functions of the lens 7. When visual information is formed using only the image projection plate 2, 1. - Since the lens 7 is omitted, the structure is simpler than that of -C compared to the above embodiment.

◎Second Embodiment This embodiment has the same structure as the above-described second embodiment except that a substantially flat holographic optical element (+-102) is used as the image projection plate 2.

The HOE is a transparent or semi-transparent member that has a phase diffraction grating (transparent unevenness, etc.) provided on a transparent substrate 1- such as ordinary glass. So, this HOE is m6
As shown in the figure, it shows several times the diffraction efficiency (indicated by the broken line) of a half mirror for light having wavelengths in a specific narrow band, and has a high transmission efficiency (indicated by the broken line) for light outside the narrow band J.
(shown as a solid line). Therefore, by displaying visual information with monochromatic light and designing the HOE to diffract only the wavelength of this monochromatic light, most of the light rays emitted from the visual information are reflected and the operation On the other hand, the reflected light obtained by scanning the image information of the R document 4 is directed to the image projection plate 2, excluding the light beams falling in the narrow band 5.
, and is input to the photoreceptor drum 6.

Therefore, according to the two features of this embodiment, the light incident on the image projection plate 2 can be selectively reflected or transmitted, thereby increasing the light utilization efficiency. Even if the ai degree of the visual information displayed by the information generating means 1 is low compared to the above, the visual information can be visually recognized by the operator.

By selecting a wavelength that does not affect the exposure of the photoreceptor drum 6 as the visual information display light, image information of the document 4 is input to the photoreceptor drum 6 using light of other wavelengths. The photoreceptor drum 6 can be covered with light in almost the same way as in the case of a combination in which there is no interfering object in the optical path of the r1 optical system 5.

In this second embodiment as well, the image projection plate 2(10E) is a curved plate to have a visual information imaging function, and the lens 7 is omitted. It goes without saying that you can do j-.

However, in 1-10E, it is possible to have a light convergence function 1, that is, an image forming function, in addition to the above-mentioned light branch function in one element. Therefore, if the IOE (used as the image projection board 2) has both functions, the image projection board 2
The lens 7 can also be omitted while maintaining the flat plate shape, and the entire loading structure becomes simpler.

◎Third Embodiment The HOE can be provided with a function of selectively reflecting light of a specific wavelength as shown in the second embodiment, but apart from this, the HOE can be provided with a function of selectively reflecting light of a specific wavelength. It can have a function of selectively refracting when transmitted.

This embodiment utilizes the function described later, and by using an HOE in the platen 3, the platen 3 has the function of the image projection plate 2, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the information generating means 1 is arranged so that the visual information display screen faces the platen 3.

1. That is, as in the second embodiment, by making the display light of visual information monochromatic (to match the wavelength selectivity of OE),
The light rays emitted from the visual information become refracted when they diffuse from inside the copying machine to the outside through the platen 3. For this reason, the phase of ()OE is set according to the installation position of the information generating means 1, and the light beam emitted from the visual information is refracted so that it enters the eye of the eye after passing through the platen 3. , the operator visually recognizes the virtual image of the visual information through the platen 3 and the small bones 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the above-mentioned first and third embodiments, it is possible to more clearly provide the operator with information related to the operation of the copying machine, including the correspondence with the original document 4. .

At this time, since the original 4 is in close contact with the upper surface of the platen 3, the reflected light after scanning the image information of the original 4 is not affected by refraction or the like from the HOE, and the photoreceptor drum 6
Inputting image information to is performed in the same way as when using a normal platen.

Also in this embodiment, the lens 7 is used to form an image of visual information on the platen 7, but it is not always necessary to form an image at all, and it goes without saying that the lens 1 can be omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the image reading device of the present invention, various information related to device operation etc. is superimposed on the platen and visually recognized by the operator. In addition to being able to convey information to the operator in an easy-to-understand manner, including correspondence with the original document, the operator can receive information such as operating procedures without moving his or her field of view from one area. It becomes possible to improve the operability of the device.

In addition, a holographic optical element is used as an image projection plate, and by selectively reflecting, refracting, or transmitting light rays incident on the image projection plate, image information of the document can be read (the information can be read without affecting the image information). The visual information displayed by the generating means can be displayed to the operator in a superimposed manner on the platen.

Furthermore, by imaging the visual information on the platen, the operator can see the visual information as if it were displayed directly on the platen. It becomes possible to perform device operations by comparing information more specifically.

Furthermore, by forming an image of visual information using the characteristics of the holographic optical probe, it is possible to simplify the configuration by omitting other image forming means such as nons.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are schematic configuration diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image reading device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of an image reading device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic operation of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows the operation when the displayed visual information is imaged on the platen. The explanatory diagram and FIG. 6 are four graphs showing the spectral characteristics of the bolographic optical element. [Explanation of symbols 1 1: Information generating means 2: Image projection plate 3 Nib platen 4: Original 7: Lens

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An image reading device that reads image information of a document placed on a platen and inputs it to a recording medium, and an information generating device that displays various information regarding the operation or operation of this device and peripheral devices as visual information. An image reading device comprising an image projection plate inside the device and reflecting or refracting the light beam emitted by the information generating means to form an image of visual information in an operator's field of view through a platen. (2) The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image projection plate is made of a holographic optical element. (3) The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the image projection plate is provided integrally with the platen. (4) The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the visual information displayed by the information generating means is imaged on a platen.