JPH04307566A - Original supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the installing area of a copying machine from being substantially increased. CONSTITUTION:An original carrying part 201 including a roller 64, a carrying roller 67, an original supporting drum 70, pressing rollers 72 and 86, an original supporting glass 74, paper sending rollers 76 and 88, an ejecting and carrying path 80, an ejecting roller 83, a paper ejecting tray 84, an original reversing and carrying path 91 and a reversing and carrying roller 92 is fixed at the upper part of the copying machine 200 through the supporting glass 74. The tray 61, a reversal guiding and housing part 91b and an original cover 51 are integrally formed and the tray 61 and the housing part 91b are separated from the original carrying part 201. Therefore, the tray 61a and the housing part 91b are constituted so that they can be opened and closed in the upper and lower direction of a Figure with respect to an original placing plate 50 integrally with the cover 51. As the result, when the cover 51 is opened with respect to the placing plate 50, the installing area of the copying machine 200 is prevented from being substantially increased without being obstructed by the tray 61 and the housing part 91b and without making an original supply device project from the main body of the copying machine 200.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document feeding device that automatically supplies a document to a document reading position of a copying machine or the like.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a conventional document feeding device.

As shown in the figure, the conventional document feeding device includes a document tray 11, clutches 12 and 43, a feeding roller 13, rollers 14 and 15, and sensors 16, 21, 32.
, 35 and 44, conveyance roller 17, change lever 18
, solenoids 19, 27, 31, 39 and 45, document support drum 20, pressing rollers 22 and 36, document guide 2
3 and 25, document support glass 24, paper output rollers 26 and 38, movable paper output guides 28 and 40, document discharge guide 2
9, discharge conveyance path 30, discharge roller 33, paper discharge tray 34
, a document reversing transport path 41, a reversing guide 41a, and a reversing transport roller 42.

The feeding roller 13 feeds a stack of originals placed on the original tray 11 by a clutch 12 that is driven when a print switch (not shown) is pressed to start a copying operation, for example. It is configured to capture the uppermost document 10 one by one.

[0005] Sensors 16, 21, 32, 35, and 44 are arranged on the document conveyance path to detect the document being conveyed.

An image reading section consisting of a photoelectric conversion element (CCD), etc. (not shown) is arranged below the document support glass 24, and the document 10 is conveyed between the document support drum 20 and the document support glass 24. When the document 10 is scanned, the image of the lower surface of the document 10 is read at the exposure reading position P of the document support glass 24.

When copying both sides of a document, the reverse conveyance path 41, reverse conveyance roller 42, conveyance roller 17, and change lever 18 are used to perform exposure reading by the paper output roller 38 and movable paper output guide 40 after copying one side. The document 10 discharged from the position P is reversed and supplied to the exposure reading position P again.

From the contact point between the document support drum 20 and the pressing roller 22, there is a sensor 21, a change lever 18, a conveyance roller 17, a sensor 44, a reversal conveyance roller 42, and a reversal conveyance path 4.
If the length of the document 10 is longer than the length L of the reversing conveyance path from the point of contact between the paper output roller 38 and the movable paper output guide 40 via the document reversing guide 41a of the document reversing conveyance path 41 as shown in the figure. By opening along the arrow, the reversal conveyance path length L
Since the document 10 becomes long, it is configured to prevent the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document 10 from overlapping.

[0009] Such a document feeding device is installed on the same surface as the document table 46 of the copying machine 1;
In order to prevent the actual installation area from becoming large, the document tray 11 and the reversing guide 41a of the document reversing conveyance path 41 should face the center of the document tray 46 (the right side in the figure) and the left side of the document feeder in the figure. The end is arranged to coincide with the left end of the copying machine 1.

[0010] An original cover 47 is disposed on the document table 46 so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction for holding the document on the document table 46 when the document is manually placed.

In the conventional document feeder, the document feeder 2 and the original cover 47 are separated, and the document feeder 2 and the document placement table 46 are fixed on the same surface. An original cover 47 is configured to be openable and closable on the mounting table 46.

0012

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a conventional document feeding device, the document tray 11 and the open reversing guide 4
In order to prevent the original cover 47 from becoming impossible to open and close due to the original cover 1a, it is necessary to arrange the document conveying section 2 of the document supply device so as to protrude outward from the left end of the copying machine 1, which makes the actual installation of the copying machine 1 difficult. There is a problem that the area becomes large.

Furthermore, in the conventional document feeding device, when the document is set on the document tray 11 or while the document feeding device is in operation, the original cover 47 may be accidentally opened from the document placing table 46. However, there is a problem in that a document jam occurs within the apparatus.

[0014] A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a document feeding device that can prevent a substantial increase in the installation area of a copying machine due to the document conveying section 2 protruding from the main body of the copying machine 1. be.

[0015] The second invention of the present application is that when the original 10 is set on the original tray 61, the original cover 51, the original tray 61, and the reversing guide storage section 91b, which are integrally formed, are opened by mistake. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document feeding device that can prevent document jams caused by such problems.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first invention of the present application is a document feeding device that supplies a document to be copied to a document reading position, the device comprising a storage means for storing the document to be copied; A cover means for covering a reversing guide means capable of reversing the original and supplying it to the original reading position when copying both sides of the original; The accommodating means, the cover means, and the pressing means are integrally formed so as to be openable and closable relative to the original table.

[0017] The second invention of the present application is such that the document feeding device of the first invention of the present application includes a detection means for detecting whether or not a document to be copied is stored in the storage means, and a detection means is arranged in the storage means. A blocking means is provided for preventing the pressing means from opening from the document mounting table when it is detected that a document is stored.

[0018]

[Operation] The first invention of the present application includes a storage means for storing a document to be copied, and a reversing guide capable of reversing the document and supplying it to the document reading position when copying both sides of the document. a covering means for covering the means;
A pressing means capable of pressing the original when it is placed on the original placing table of a copying machine is formed integrally with the original placing table so that it can be opened and closed. When opening the means, the pressing means can be opened unhindered by the storage means and the cover means, thus preventing a substantial increase in the footprint of the copying machine.

In the second invention of the present application, the detection means detects whether or not the original to be copied is stored in the storage means, and when it is detected that the original is stored in the storage means, Since the pressing means cannot be opened from the original placing table by the blocking means, therefore, when a document is stored in the storing means, the storing means, the cover means, and the pressing means, which are integrally formed, can be accidentally opened. This can prevent document jams.

[0020]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the document feeding device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing one embodiment of the document feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of an original cover opening prohibition mechanism that prohibits the original cover provided in the document supply device of FIG. 2 from opening from the document table of the copying machine. Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 show diagrams viewed from opposite directions, respectively.

As shown in these figures, the document feeding device of this embodiment includes an original cover 51, a locking hole 51a,
, lock lever 52, solenoids 55, 69, 77, 8
1, 89 and 95, document tray 61, clutches 62 and 93, feeding roller 63, rollers 64 and 65, sensor 6
6, 71, 82, 85 and 94, conveyance roller 67, change lever 68, document support drum 70, pressing roller 72
and 86, document guides 73 and 75, document support glass 7
4. Paper output rollers 76 and 88, movable paper output guides 78 and 90, document discharge guide 79, discharge conveyance path 80, discharge roller 83, paper discharge tray 84, document reverse conveyance path 91, reverse guide 91a, reverse guide storage section 91b and a reversing conveyance roller 92.

An original cover opening/closing sensor OCSW for detecting opening/closing of an original cover 51 is provided on the original table 50 of the copying machine 200.
is provided with a document presence/absence sensor DSD for detecting the document on the document tray 61.

The original cover 51 is used when an original is manually placed on the original placing table 50.
It is formed so that it can be pressed down to zero.

The reversing guide accommodating portion 91b is formed to be able to store the reversing guide 91a when the reversing guide 91a of the original reversing conveyance path 91 is opened to the position shown by the dashed line in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roller 64, conveyance roller 67, and document support drum 7 of the document supply device of this embodiment
0, pressing rollers 72 and 86, document support glass 74, paper output rollers 76 and 88, discharge conveyance path 80, discharge roller 8
3. The document conveying section 201 including the paper discharge tray 84, the document reversing conveyance path 91, and the reversing conveyance roller 92 is fixed to the upper part of the copying machine 200 via the document supporting glass 74.

Original tray 61 and reversing guide storage section 91b
and the original cover 51 are integrally formed, and the document tray 61, the reversing guide storage section 91b, and the document transport section 201 are separated. Therefore, the document tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b are configured to be able to be opened and closed integrally with the original cover 51 in the vertical direction in the figure with respect to the document placement table 50. Further, the document conveying section 201 is fixed so that it does not protrude from the main body of the copying machine 200.

The document tray 61 is an embodiment of the storage means of the present invention. The reversing guide storage portion 91b is an embodiment of the cover means of the present invention. The original cover 51 is an embodiment of the pressing means of the present invention. The reversing guide 91a is an embodiment of the reversing guide means of the present invention.

In such a configuration, the document tray 61
For example, when a print switch (not shown) for starting a copying operation is pressed while the reversing guide storage section 91b and original cover 51 are closed with respect to the document mounting table 50, the main motor (not shown) is pressed. , the clutch 62 is driven, and the uppermost original 60 of the bundle of originals placed on the original tray 61 is taken in one by one by the feeding roller 63.

On the downstream side of the feeding roller 63, a roller 64 that slides on the upper surface of the original 60 to take in the original 60, and a roller 65 that is rotatable in a direction opposite to the direction in which the original 60 is conveyed are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of documents 60 from being taken in and fed simultaneously.

The original 60 captured in this way is
After its tip is detected by the sensor 66, it is transported to the position of the change lever 68 by the transport roller 67.

Here, when the single-sided original mode for copying one side of the original is set, the original supporting drum 70 is rotating in the clockwise direction shown in the figure. In this case, when the sensor 66 detects the leading edge of the document 60, the solenoid 69
is set to the on state, the change lever 68 rotates to the position shown by the solid line in the figure, and the document 60 is moved to the document support drum 7.
0 along the direction of rotation. This manuscript 60 is
When the leading edge of the document is detected by the sensor 71, it is temporarily stopped, and the conveyance is restarted according to the scanning timing, and the document is conveyed between the document support drum 70 and the pressing roller 72, and is moved by the document support drum 70 and the document guide 73 to the document support glass. 7
4 from the right to the left in the figure.

An image reading section consisting of a CCD or the like (not shown) is arranged below the document support glass 74, and when the document 60 is conveyed between the document support drum 70 and the document support glass 74, the document An image of the lower surface of the original 60 is read at the exposure reading position P of the support glass 74.

The exposure reading position P corresponds to the original reading position of the present invention.

The original 60 that has passed the exposure reading position P passes under the original guide 75 and is conveyed in the direction of the paper output roller 76, and at the timing when the leading edge of the original 60 reaches the paper output roller 76, the solenoid 77 is activated. set to on state,
The document 60 is moved to a paper output roller 76 by a movable paper output guide 78.
Pressed by The document 60 is conveyed by a paper output roller 76 and a movable paper output guide 78, guided onto a document discharge guide 79, and conveyed in the direction of a discharge conveyance path 80.

Note that the document ejection guide 79 is connected to the solenoid 8.
It is configured to rotate by 1. After the trailing edge of the document 60 on the discharge conveyance path 80 is detected by a sensor 82 , it is conveyed by a discharge roller 83 and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 84 . This sensor 82 is connected to the original 60
It is used to detect that a document has been discharged onto the paper discharge tray 84 and to take in the next document from the document tray 61.

On the other hand, when the double-sided document mode for copying both sides of the document is set, the document support drum 70 first rotates counterclockwise as shown in the figure. In this case, the document 60 is taken in from the document tray 61 by the feeding roller 63 and a pair of rollers 64 and 65 for preventing double feeding, and when the leading edge of the document 60 is detected by the sensor 66, the solenoid 60
9 is set to the ON state, the change lever 68 is rotated to the position shown by the dashed line in the figure, and the document 60 is rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction of the document support drum 70, that is, the opposite direction to the one-sided document mode described above. guided along the direction.

When the leading edge of the document 60 is detected by the sensor 85, the document 60 is temporarily stopped, and conveyance is resumed according to the scanning timing, and the document support drum 70 and the pressing roller 86
The document is conveyed between the document support drum 70 and the document guide 7.
5, the document is conveyed over the document support glass 74 from left to right in the figure, that is, in the opposite direction to that in the single-sided document mode. Therefore, the image of the lower surface of the original 60 is read at the exposure reading position P of the original supporting glass 74.

The original 60 that has passed this exposure reading position P toward the right in the figure passes under the original guide 73 and is conveyed in the direction of the paper output roller 88 , so that the leading edge of the original 60 touches the paper output roller 88 . At the timing reached, the solenoid 89 is set to the ON state, and the movable paper output guide 90 presses the document 60 against the paper output roller 88. The original 60 is placed on the paper output roller 88
The front side of the original 60 and the movable output guide 90 transport the original in the direction of the original reversing transport path 91, and the front side of the original 60 is The back side is reversed.

When the leading edge of the original 60 is detected by the sensor 94, the solenoid 95 is turned on, the reversing guide 91a of the original reversing conveyance path 91 is opened to the position shown by the dashed line in the figure, and the original is supported. The drum 70 rotates in the clockwise direction shown in the figure, and the solenoid 69 is set to the ON state, and the change lever 68 rotates to the position shown by the solid line in the figure.

That is, the operation is similar to that in the single-sided document mode, and therefore, the document 60 is guided along the rotational direction of the document support drum 70 by the conveying roller 67 and the change lever 68, and the image on the lower surface is moved to the exposure reading position P. After being read, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 84.

Note that the document support drum 70 and the pressing roller 72
Reversing conveyance path length L from the contact point between the paper output roller 88 and the movable paper output guide 90 via the sensor 71, change lever 68, conveyance roller 67, sensor 94, reverse conveyance roller 92, and reverse conveyance path 91 Therefore, when the length of the original 60 is long, the reversing guide 91a of the original reversing conveyance path 91
is opened at the position indicated by the dashed-dotted line in the figure, and the length of the reversing conveyance path is L.
Since the length of the document 60 becomes longer, it is possible to prevent the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document 60 from overlapping.

Next, the detailed structure of the original cover opening prohibition mechanism for prohibiting opening of the original cover 51 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the original cover opening prohibition mechanism includes a lock lever 52, a fulcrum shaft 53, a return spring 54, and a solenoid 55.

[0045] The original cover 51 has a locking hole 51a.
A lock lever 52 is rotatably mounted on the copying machine 200 about a fulcrum shaft 53 so that one end of the lock lever 52 can be horizontally engaged with the locking hole 51a.

[0046] The lock lever 52 is the original cover 51
The other end of the lock lever 52 is biased by the solenoid 55 so that it rotates in the direction of engaging with the locking hole 51a of the original cover 51. is connected to.

The document presence/absence sensor DSD is an embodiment of the detection means of the present invention. Locking hole 51a, lock lever 5
2. The fulcrum shaft 53 and the return spring 54 are an embodiment of the blocking means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the original cover opening prohibition mechanism shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows the original cover opening/closing sensor OCSW and document presence/absence sensor DSD related to the original cover opening prohibition mechanism shown in FIG.
and a timing chart showing the detection signal of the sensor 82 and the on/off state of the solenoid 55.

As shown in FIG. 4, initially, the original cover 51 is not locked and can be opened and closed in the vertical direction, that is, the solenoid 55 is set to the OFF state, and the other end of the lock lever 52 is set to the original cover 51. Locking hole 5
1a, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a document is set on the document tray 61 by the document presence/absence sensor DSD, and in step S2, the original cover open/close sensor OCSW determines whether or not a document is set on the document tray 61.
It is determined whether the original cover 51 is closed or not.

In step S1, the document presence/absence sensor DS
Even if it is determined by the detection signal of D that no original is set on the original tray 61, or even if it is determined in step S1 that no original is set on the original tray 61, the original cover is opened and closed in step S2. If it is determined that the original cover 51 is open based on the detection signal of the sensor OCSW, the solenoid 55 is maintained in the OFF state in step S3.

Therefore, since the tip of the lock lever 52 does not engage with the locking hole 51a, the original cover 51
can be opened and closed in the vertical direction integrally with the document tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b. Moreover, since the original cover 51 does not come into contact with the tip of the lock lever 52 when it is closed, damage can be prevented.

On the other hand, in step S1, the document tray 6
If it is determined that the original cover 51 is set on the original cover 1, and then it is determined in step S2 that the original cover 51 is closed, the solenoid 55 is turned on in step S4 (as shown in FIG. Time t1
).

[0054] Therefore, the tip of the lock lever 52 horizontally engages with the locking hole 51a of the original cover 51, so the original cover 51 is in a locked state and cannot be opened or closed in the vertical direction.

With the original cover 51 locked, the process advances to step S5, where it is determined whether or not a print switch for starting a copying operation has been pressed. When the print switch is pressed, the document supply device operates in step S6 to start supplying the first document (time t2 shown in FIG. 5), and the process proceeds to the lock release routine starting from step S7. Incidentally, in step S6, the above-described operation of the document supply device is executed.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the image of the original supplied by the original supplying device is being read. If the image of the document is not being read, the process returns from step S7 to step S1, and, for example, the document tray 61
When the document is removed from the original cover 51, the locked state of the original cover 51 is released. If the document image is being read, the process advances to step S8.

In step S8, the document presence/absence sensor DSD
It is determined whether a document is set on the document tray 61 or not. Detection of document presence sensor DSD (
If it is determined based on the on) signal that a document is set on the document tray 61, the process returns to step S7. When it is determined that no original is set on the original tray 61 (time t3 shown in FIG. 5), that is, when there is no original, the process advances from step S8 to step S9 and subsequent steps.

In steps S9 and S10, the sensor 82 detects that the document has been ejected onto the ejection tray 84 by detecting the trailing edge of the original on the ejection conveyance path 80 in FIG. It is determined whether or not it has been detected. When the sensor 82 no longer detects the last document, step S
11, the solenoid 55 is set to the OFF state (time t4 shown in FIG. 5).

Therefore, since the engagement with the locking hole 51a at the tip of the lock lever 52 is released, the original cover 5
1 is released from the locked state and can be opened and closed in the vertical direction integrally with the document tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b.

Next, a digital copying machine equipped with a document feeding device according to the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a digital copying machine equipped with a document feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an image processing section of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

As shown in these figures, this digital copying machine includes a scanner unit 110 that reads images of the originals conveyed by the original supply device 100 and the originals placed on the original platen 101; An image processing unit 150 shown in FIG. 7 processes the signal of the original image read by the image processing unit 150 , a laser printer unit 120 records an image on paper using the image signal processed by the image processing unit 150 , and supplies the paper to the laser printer unit 120 . A multistage paper feeding unit 130 and a sorter 140 are provided.

The scanner section 110 includes a lamp reflector assembly 111 for exposing the original, and a plurality of reflection mirrors 113 for guiding the reflected light image from the original to the CCD 112.
, and a lens 114 for focusing a reflected light image from the original onto a CCD 112.

[0064] The scanner section 110 has a document mounting table 101.
When scanning a document placed on document platform 1,
The scanner unit 110 is configured to read the original image while moving along the lower surface of the document feeder 100.
The scanner section 110 is configured to read the document image while conveying the document with the scanner unit 110 stopped at a predetermined position below the scanner section 110 (exposure reading position P in FIGS. 1 and 2).

The image data obtained by reading the original image with the scanner section 110 is processed by the image processing section 150.
After being sent to the memory 190 and subjected to various processing as described later, it is temporarily recorded in the memory 190, and then transferred to the memory 1 in response to an output instruction.
The image data of 90 is given to the laser printer section 120 to form an image on paper.

The laser printer section 120 includes a manual document tray 121, a laser writing unit 122, and an electrophotographic processing section 123 for forming images.

The electrophotographic processing section 123 is configured by arranging a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a peeling device, a cleaning device, and a static eliminator around the photoreceptor drum 124 according to a well-known manner, and includes a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a stripping device, a cleaning device, and a static eliminator arranged around the photosensitive drum 124. Based on the read image data, the laser writing unit 122 scans a laser beam to form an image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 124 .
The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the sheet is visualized using toner, and the toner image is electrostatically transferred and fixed onto the surface of the sheet conveyed from the multistage sheet feeding unit 130.

[0068] The paper copied in the laser printer section 120 is configured to be sent to a sorter 140.

The multistage paper feeding unit 130 includes a first cassette 131, a second cassette 132, and a third cassette 13.
3, a fourth cassette 134, and a fifth cassette 135 which can be optionally added.

In the multistage paper feeding unit 130, sheets are fed out one by one from the top of the sheets stored in the cassettes of each stage, and are conveyed toward the laser printer section 120.

Next, details of the image processing section 150 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing section 150 includes an image data input section 160, an image processing section 170, an image data output section 180, a memory 190 consisting of a RAM (random access memory), etc., and a central processing unit. (CPU) 191.

The image data input section 160 is the CCD section 16
1, a histogram processing section 162, and an error diffusion processing section 163.

The image data input section 160 is a CCD shown in FIG.
112 , and processes the image data using an error diffusion method while taking a histogram as a binary digital quantity and temporarily stores it in the memory 190 . There is.

That is, in the CCD section 161, after A/D conversion is performed on analog electrical signals corresponding to the density of each pixel of image data, MTF correction, monochrome correction, or gamma correction is performed, resulting in 256 gradations (8 bits). It is output to the histogram processing section 162 as a digital signal.

In the histogram processing section 162, the CCD
The digital signals output from the unit 161 are added for each pixel density of 256 gradations to obtain density information (histogram data), and if necessary, the obtained histogram data is sent to the CPU 191 or errors are removed as pixel data. It is sent to the diffusion processing section 163.

The error diffusion processing section 163 uses the error diffusion method, which is a type of pseudo halftone processing, that is, the method of reflecting the binarization error in the binarization judgment of adjacent pixels.
The 8-bit/pixel digital signal output from 61 is converted to 1-bit (binary), and a redistribution operation is performed to faithfully reproduce the local area density in the original image.

The image processing section 170 is a multivalue processing section 171
and 172, composition processing section 173, density conversion processing section 1
74 , scaling processing section 175 , image processing section 176
, an error diffusion processing section 177 , and a compression processing section 178 .

The image processing section 170 is a processing section that finally converts the input image data into the image data desired by the operator, and this processing section continues until the finally converted output image data is stored in the memory 190. It is configured to be processed by a processing section. However, the image processing section 170
Each of the above-mentioned processing units included in the above functions as necessary, and may not function in some cases.

That is, the multivalue processing units 171 and 172
Then, the binarized data is converted again to 256 gradations by the error diffusion processing section 163.

The synthesis processing section 173 selectively performs a logical operation for each pixel, that is, a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum. The data to be subjected to this calculation are pixel data stored in the memory 190 and bit data from the pattern generator (PG).

In the density conversion processing section 174, the relationship between the input density and the output density is arbitrarily set for the 256-gradation digital signal based on a predetermined gradation conversion table.

[0083] The scaling processing unit 175 performs interpolation processing using the input known data according to the instructed scaling factor, thereby determining the pixel data (density value) for the target pixel after scaling, and subtracting it. After the scanning is scaled, the main scan is scaled.

[0084] The image processing unit 176 performs various image processing on the input pixel data, and can also perform feature extraction and other information collection on the data string.

The error diffusion processing section 177 performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing section 163 of the image data input section 160.

In the compression processing section 178, binary data is compressed by encoding called run length. Regarding compression of image data, compression functions in the last processing loop when the final output image data is completed.

The image data output unit 180 is the restoration unit 181
, a multivalue processing section 182, an error diffusion processing section 183, and a laser output section 184.

The image data output unit 180 restores the image data stored in the memory 190 in a compressed state,
The data is converted to the original 256 gradations again, error diffusion is performed on the 4-value data to give a smoother half-tone expression than the binary data, and the data is transferred to the laser output unit 184.

That is, in the restoration section 181, the compression processing section 1
78, the compressed image data is restored. The multi-value quantization processing section 182 performs the same processing as the multi-value quantization processing sections 171 and 172 of the image processing section 170. In the error diffusion processing section 183, the image data input section 160
Processing similar to that of the error diffusion processing unit 163 is performed. In the laser output section 184, the digital pixel data is converted into a laser on/off signal based on a control signal from a sequence controller (not shown), and the laser is turned on/off.

Note that the data handled by the image data input section 160 and the image data output section 180 are stored in the memory 1.
In order to reduce the capacity of the image data 90, the data is basically stored in the memory 190 in the form of binary data, but it is also possible to process it in the form of 4-value data in consideration of the deterioration of the image data.

According to the embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the original tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b
The original cover 51 is integrated with the original cover 51 so that it can be opened and closed in the vertical direction, and the original transport section 201 does not protrude from the copying machine 200 main body. When opening, the copying machine can be opened without being obstructed by the document tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b, so it is possible to prevent a substantial increase in the installation area of the copying machine.

Furthermore, when the original 60 is set on the original tray 61, the original cover 51 is locked by the lock lever 52 and cannot be opened from the original placing table 50. Original cover 51, original tray 61, and reversing guide storage section 91
b. Because it can prevent accidental opening,
Document jams caused by careless and erroneous opening can be prevented.

In the conventional document supply device, as shown in FIG. 8, the document conveyance section 2 of the document supply device and the original cover 47 are integrally formed, and both the document conveyance section 2 and the original cover 47 are configured to be openable and closable. There is something that has been done. In such a conventional document feeding device, the document transport section 2
There is a problem in that the accuracy of the exposure reading position P cannot always be stably ensured because it moves for opening and closing.

According to the embodiment described above, the document transport section 201
Since it is separated from the document tray 61 and the reversing guide storage section 91b and is fixed to the copying machine 200, the accuracy of the exposure reading position P of the document supply device can always be stably ensured.

[0095]

As explained above, the first invention of the present application is a document feeding device that supplies a document to be copied to a document reading position, which includes a storage means for storing the document to be copied. a cover means for covering a reversing guide means capable of reversing the original and supplying it to the original reading position when copying both sides of the original; The storage means, the cover means, and the pressing means are integrally formed to be openable and closable with respect to the document mounting table. Therefore, when the pressing means is opened with respect to the document placing table, it can be opened without being obstructed by the storage means and the cover means, so that it is possible to prevent a substantial increase in the installation area of the copying machine. .

[0096] The second invention of the present application is such that the original supply device of the first invention of the present application includes a detection means for detecting whether or not a document to be copied is stored in the storage means, and a detection means is arranged in the storage means. A blocking means is provided for preventing the pressing means from opening from the document mounting table when it is detected that a document is stored. Therefore, when documents are stored in the storage means, it is possible to prevent document jams caused by accidentally opening the storage means, cover means, and pressing means that are integrally formed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a document feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of an embodiment of the document feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of an original cover opening prohibition mechanism that prohibits the original cover provided in the document supply device of FIGS. 1 and 2 from opening from the document table of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the original cover opening prohibition mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a timing chart showing the original cover opening/closing sensor, document presence/absence sensor, detection signals of the sensor, and on/off states of the solenoid related to the original cover opening prohibition mechanism of FIG. 3; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a digital copying machine equipped with a document feeding device according to the present invention.

7 is a block diagram showing an image processing section of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 6. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional document feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

61 Original tray 91b Reversing guide storage section 50 Original table 51 Original cover 52 Lock lever 55 Solenoid DSD Original presence/absence detection sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A document feeding device for supplying a document to be copied to a document reading position, comprising a storage means for storing the document to be copied, and a device for reversing the document when copying both sides of the document. a cover means for covering the reversing guide means capable of supplying the document to the document reading position; and a pressing means capable of pressing the document when the document is placed on the document mounting table of the copying machine. A document feeding device comprising: the storage means, the cover means, and the pressing means are integrally formed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placing table. 2. Detecting means for detecting whether or not a document to be copied is stored in the storing means; 2. The document feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking device for preventing the pressing device from opening from the document placing table.