JPH05336308A - Picture reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the profitability by a simple constitution and the processing efficiency at the time of reading and processing of the surface and rear surface of an original, in a picture reader having a unit reading the surface and rear surface of the original. CONSTITUTION:In a picture reader provided with a surface original reading means having a CCD image sensor 114 for reading the surface of an original and a first control part 203 and a rear surface original reading means having a CCD image sensor 130 for reading the rear surface of the original and a second control part 204, the fist control part 203 and the second control part 204 are connected with a communication cable 208, and the first control part 203 inputs the control signal from a host computer 205 and outputs the signal to the second control part 204 after the part 203 performs a prescribed arithmetic processing for the signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading device such as an image scanner, which is applied to a digital copying machine, a computer or the like capable of reading both sides of a document and which inputs an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A double-sided original image reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The image reading apparatus for a double-sided document has a front surface (first surface) reading unit 101 in consideration of its expandability.
And the back surface (second
The surface) reading unit 102 is configured separately and each unit has a control unit 11 for controlling the engine.
7 and 133, image data processing unit 1 for image processing
16 and 132 are provided, and both sides of the original are read by separately and independently executing image reading timing control of each unit, fluorescent lamp 111 and 126 lighting control, image processing, and the like.

[0003]

However, in the image reading apparatus as described above, the surface (first
Since the front surface reading unit 101 and the back surface (second surface) reading unit 102 are individually and independently controlled, for example, overlapping control processing occurs in each control such as confirmation of the document conveyance timing, and the processing efficiency is correspondingly increased. Of the front side reading unit 101 and the back side reading unit 10
Since a large number of communication lines are required to synchronize with 2, the structure is complicated, the cost of the device is increased, and there is a problem in economic efficiency.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in an image reading apparatus having a unit for reading the front surface and the back surface of an original, the economical efficiency is improved with a simple structure, and the front and back original reading processing is performed. The purpose is to improve the processing efficiency in time.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a front side original reading means having a reading section and a control section for reading the front side of an original, and a back side of the original. In an image reading apparatus including a reading unit and a backside document reading unit having a control unit, a control unit for connecting the control unit of the frontside document reading unit and the control unit of the backside document reading unit by a communication unit A control signal from the means is input to the control section of the front side original reading means (or the control section of the back side original reading means) and after predetermined arithmetic processing, the control section of the back side original reading means (or the control of the front side original reading means). The present invention provides an image reading device for outputting to a unit).

Further, it is preferable that the communication unit serially executes communication between the control unit of the front side document reading unit and the control unit of the back side document reading unit.

Further, it is preferable that the communication unit executes communication between the control unit of the front side document reading unit and the control unit of the back side document reading unit using RS232C and TTL level signal lines.

Further, a control signal from the host control unit is input to the control unit of the front side original reading unit (or the control unit of the back side original reading unit), and a part of the control signal is input to the back side original reading unit. It is desirable to output to the control unit (or the control unit of the front side document reading unit).

[0009]

The image reading apparatus according to the present invention outputs a command from the host control means to the control section of the back side original reading means via the control section of the front side original reading means and synchronizes with the reading processing of the front side original reading means. The reading process of the back side document reading means is executed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus is roughly divided into a front surface reading unit 101 for reading the front surface (first surface) of the original 103 to be read and a back surface reading unit 10 for reading the back surface (second surface) of the original 103.

The surface reading unit 101 is constructed as follows. That is, this unit has an automatic document feeding mechanism that automatically feeds the documents 103 one by one.
Pickup roller 10 for feeding the document tray 104 and the document 103 on which the document is placed and feeding them to the paper feed roller 106
5, a document feed roller 106 for feeding the original 103, a conveyance roller 107, an original presence sensor 108 for detecting the presence or absence of the original 103, a jam sensor 109, a registration sensor 110 for timing the reading start, and the like. ..

Further, 111 is a fluorescent lamp that illuminates the surface of the original 103, 112 is a mirror that guides the reflected light obtained by the fluorescent lamp 111 in a predetermined direction, and 113 is an image (convergence) of the reflected light on a CCD image sensor 114. A lens 114 is a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor arranged in an array corresponding to one line of the original 103 in the main scanning direction, 1
Reference numeral 15 is a CCD driver for driving the CCD image sensor 114, 116 is an image data processing unit for converting an analog signal from the CCD image sensor 114 into a multivalued or binary digital signal, 117 is a control unit for controlling each section, and 118 is A memory unit 119 for storing digital signals in a memory, a compression unit 119 for compressing image data output from the memory unit 118, 120
Compresses the image data into the host computer 205
Interface unit to transfer to (see Figure 2), 1
Reference numeral 21 is a data selection unit, 122 and 123 are fluorescent lamp ballasts, 124 is a power supply unit, and 125 is a document discharge tray. Reference numeral 134 is a memory unit.

The back side reading unit 102 is constructed as follows. Fluorescent lamp 126, mirrors 127, 12
8, lens 129, CCD image sensor 130, CC
It is composed of a D driver 131, an image data processing unit 132, and a control unit 133.

Further, the surface reading unit 101 has an endorser as follows. Reference numeral 140 denotes an endorser printing unit that prints at a predetermined position on the surface of the original 103 after the reading is completed by using an inkjet printer head.
The original 103 is mounted so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction.
Further, 141 is an endorser control unit for controlling the endorser printing unit 140.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the image reading apparatus. In the figure, 201 is a manuscript 1
A pulse motor serving as a drive source for transporting 03, a paper feed clutch 202 for transmitting a driving force to the paper feed roller 106 and the like at a timing, a first control unit 203 for controlling the front surface reading unit 101, and a back surface reading unit 204. A second control unit for controlling the unit 102, 205 is a host computer, 2
Reference numeral 06 designates a SCSI (I / F) interface for connecting the host computer 205 and the interface unit 120,
Reference numeral 207 denotes RS232CI / for serial data transmission that connects the interface unit 120 and the first control unit 203.
F and 208 are communication cables that connect the first control unit 203 and the second control unit 204.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image format according to the present invention. In the figure, the image format is image data reading area (shaded area) 301 shown in the range of D _X and D _Y , image data reading address (position shown by A _X and A _Y ) 302, and reduction ratio (skip number). ) Indicates the setting. Note that D _X is the number of dots in the read line, and D _Y is the number of pixels in one read line.

Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus configured as described above will be described. Host computer 205
Command from the RS232C is input to the interface unit 120 via the SCSII / F206.
An ASCII code (for example, a paper feed command is an ASCII code “56 (Hex)” of the character “V”, is input via the I / F 206.
Image transfer command is ASCII code "4C" of letter "L"
(Hex) ') is output. Next, the sequence control of the first control unit 203 is executed as follows.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the document conveyance check according to the present invention. In the figure, when image reading is started, first, the paper feed clutch 202 and a solenoid (not shown) are turned on (S401), and the pulse motor 201 is rotated (S402). By this,
The original 103 set on the original tray 104 is conveyed to the position of the registration sensor 110 by the rotation of the pickup roller 105, the paper feeding roller 106, and the conveying roller 107. At this time, it is determined whether or not the jam sensor 109 and the registration sensor 110 are ON (S40
3) If not ON, it is further determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (time out) (S404), and if time is out, it is processed as a jam (paper jam) of the original 103 (S405). In addition, in step S403,
If it is determined that the jam sensor 109 and the registration sensor 110 are ON and there is no error, the next image transfer process is executed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the image transfer process according to the present invention. In the figure, first, an image transfer command'L 'is output to the second controller 204 (S5).
00). Next, the fluorescent lamp 111 is turned on (S501) and the image format (see FIG. 3) is set (S50).
2). That is, the image data reading area 301, the image data reading address 302, and the reduction ratio (skip number) are designated. Then, writing of the mask pattern is executed (S
503). The mask pattern is a pattern for setting the thinning position of the image data of one line, and sets the reading start address and the reduction ratio in the main scanning direction. After that, the pulse motor 201 is slewed up (S50
4), the image compression mode is set (S505). Next, the input of the line interrupt is permitted by the enable signal (S506), and the image transfer process of one line (S506) is performed.
507) to the set image format D _X ,
The routine is executed until the transfer of D _Y is completed (S508), and this routine is completed.

The above processing is executed by the first control section 203. Further, the above processing is collectively executed by the ASCII code instruction'Q 'output from the interface unit 120 in order to improve the throughput.

In this embodiment, the control printed board has one type of hardware and software, a dip switch (not shown) is provided on the control printed board, and the front / back reading control function is selected by setting the dip switch. To improve the design. Also, the ASCII code instruction'Q '
When executing the, the first control unit 203 to the second control unit 20
If the'Q 'command is sent to 4 as it is, the second control unit 2
In No. 04, since the pulse motor 201 is not operated, the processes of steps 401 to 405 shown in FIG. 4 are wasted. Further, when the processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed, the registration sensor 110 and the jam sensor 1 are also processed by the second controller 204.
09 and the output state of the document presence / absence sensor 108 need to be determined.

In order to eliminate the above waste, the first control unit 203 executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 and then A shown in FIG.
The process (step 500) is executed. That is, after confirming the conveyance of the original 103 by the first control unit 203, the second control is performed.
The image transfer command'L 'is output to the control unit 204. When the second control unit 204 inputs the'L 'command, the second control unit 204 executes the image transfer process of steps 501 to 508 shown in FIG.

As described above, the conveyance control of the overlapping originals 103 of the first control unit 203 and the second control unit 204 is executed only by the first control unit 203, and the first control unit 203 and the second control unit 204 are performed. It can be processed in synchronization with. In addition, the first control unit 203 is the host computer 20.
Since only a part of the command from 5 is transmitted to the second control unit 204, it is not necessary to connect the document presence / absence sensor 108, the jam sensor 109, the registration sensor 110, etc. to the second control unit 204, and the number of parts is reduced. The cost of parts can be reduced.

Further, by using RS232C, various kinds of information (for example, various instructions, error status,
ON / OFF status of each sensor, etc.)
You can send it as a book. Therefore, the first control unit 20 at this time
Since the command between the third control unit 204 and the third control unit 204 is executed via the communication cable 208 using serial communication, the number of communication cables 208 can be minimized and the design of the cable arrangement and the like becomes easy. Therefore, the cost of the device can be reduced.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image transfer processing for the back surface (second surface). When the process is started, it is determined whether or not a dip switch (not shown) for the second controller 204 to function is turned on (S6).
01), if the dip switch is turned on, the second
An image transfer command is transmitted to the control unit 204 (S60
2), the transfer processing for the second surface is executed in the same manner as for the first surface.

The leading edge resist (A _{Y in} FIG. 3) on the back surface (second surface) of the original 103 is calculated based on the resist sensor 110 transmitted by the first controller 203.
When the detection information of the registration sensor 110 is communicated by the RS232C, the transfer speed becomes slow, and the reception time varies and the accuracy decreases. Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy of the leading edge resist, one more TTL level signal line is added to increase the transfer speed and reduce the variation in the reception time. That is, the first control unit 203 monitors the detection state of the registration sensor 110 at regular time intervals (500 μs), and transmits the detection state through a signal line of TTL level (when the registration sensor 110 is ON, Low level, O
High level when FF).

As described above, the RS232C and the TTL level signal line are used for communication between the first control unit 203 and the second control unit 204, and the RS232C is used for communication in which a large amount of information such as control commands is required and processing speed is not so required. When the communication is executed and the amount of information is small and high-speed processing is required, the communication can be executed by TTL.

When the reading of the original 103 is completed, the confirmation character printed on the surface of the original 103 is the host computer 2
05 to the control unit 117 via the interface unit 120. The control unit 117 displays the read confirmation character on the endorser printing unit 140.
The code string corresponding to the inkjet printer head is transferred to the FIFO in the endorser control unit 141. The endorser control unit 141 transfers the data in the FIFO to the endorser printing unit 140 at a predetermined timing, prints a read confirmation character on the surface of the original 103, and discharges the original 103 onto the original discharge tray 125.

[0029]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the front side original reading means having the reading section and the control section for reading the front side of the original, and the reading for reading the back side of the original. In an image reading apparatus provided with a backside document reading unit having a control unit and a control unit, the control unit of the frontside document reading unit and the control unit of the backside document reading unit are connected by a communication unit, and a host control unit A control signal from the front side original reading means (or the back side original reading means) is inputted and after predetermined arithmetic processing, the back side original reading means control section (or the front side original reading means control section). ), An image reading apparatus having a unit for reading the front surface and the back surface of a document improves economy with a simple configuration, and at the time of the document reading process for the front surface and the back surface. Thereby improving the physical efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image format according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a document conveyance check according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a front surface image transfer process according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the back side image transfer processing according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Front Side Reading Unit 202 Back Side Reading Unit 103 Original Document 203 First Control Unit 204 Second Control Unit 205 Host Computer 206 SCSI (Scazy) I / F 207 R
S232CI / F 208 communication cable

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus including a front surface original reading unit having a reading unit and a control unit for reading the front surface of an original document, and a back surface original reading unit having a reading unit and a control unit for reading the back surface of the original document. In the apparatus, the control unit of the front side original reading unit and the control unit of the back side original reading unit are connected by a communication unit, and a control signal from the host control unit is supplied to the control unit of the front side original reading unit (or the control unit of the front side original reading unit). An image reading apparatus, wherein the image is read by a control section of the back side document reading means), and after predetermined arithmetic processing, outputs to the control section of the back side document reading means (or the control section of the front side document reading means). 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit serially executes communication between the control unit of the front-side document reading unit and the control unit of the back-side document reading unit. .. 3. The communication unit executes communication between the control unit of the front-side document reading unit and the control unit of the back-side document reading unit using RS232C and TTL level signal lines. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. 4. A control signal from the host control unit is input to a control unit of the front side original reading unit (or a control unit of the back side original reading unit), and a part of the control signal is input to the back side original reading unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is output to a control unit (or a control unit of the front surface original reading unit).