JPH06194744A - Document reader and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a document reader capable of continuously performing the reading operation of a plurality of documents. CONSTITUTION:In a document reader having a mirror reciprocating between a reading start position A and a reading end position B to guide the image light obtained by lighting by a light source for lighting a document to a photosensitive drum 4, a plurality of mirrors 21a, 21b are provided, and the mirrors 21a, 21b are successively moved from the reading start position A to the reading end position B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading device such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a scanner for fixing a document and scanning and exposing it.

The present invention relates to an original reading scanning range in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art [First Prior Art] Conventionally, when reading the entire surface of a document on a document table, the light beam from the document is scanned while scanning the document surface (for example, a photosensitive drum, CCD, etc.). A method having a movable mirror as a deflecting unit that moves to form an image on the mainstream is the mainstream.

The movable mirror which scans the document surface of this conventional method starts scanning from one side of the document, that is, the reading start position when reading one document, and is inverted after being driven to the document reading end position. , The original is returned to the original reading start position.

When reading the images of a plurality of originals, the movable mirror is driven from the reading start position to the end position to read the image of one original, and then the movable mirror is returned to the reading start position. Then start reading the second manuscript. By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, the images of a plurality of originals are read. That is, the movable mirror reciprocates for the image reading operation and the returning operation. [Second Conventional Example] In the document scanning of a conventional copying machine, the size of the document on the document table G is detected by various means to perform scanning in the range equivalent to the size of the document. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the range of l ₁ is set for an A4 size document, and the range of ₁ is set for an A3 size document.
The range of ₂ is read and scanned.

Therefore, when the left and right pages of a spread such as a magazine or a book are separately copied (for example, one page is copied on different sheets or one page is printed on both sides), FIG.
As shown in (1), the right page is first copied, then the original is shifted, and the left page is copied, which requires two operations.

In order to improve the operability by performing these two operations only once, as shown in FIGS. 16, 17d and e, first, the range l ₃ of the first page is read and scanned for copying, and then continued. There is known a method (page continuous copying) of reading and scanning the range l ₄ of the second page and copying the second page.

At this time, the spread pages P ₁ on the document table G ₁ ,
P ₂ as seen from platen G and copied sheet S
₁ and S ₂ are also shown in FIGS. Since P ₁ and P ₂ are left and right spread pages of magazines, books, etc., the boundary H between the first and second pages rises above the platen G and both ends of the spread are pulled to the center, and the width is wider than the original size. It is getting smaller.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[First Conventional Example] First, when performing a plurality of document reading operations, the movable mirror of the document reading apparatus has a return operation in which the movable mirror returns from the end of the document to the document reading start position. It cannot be done, and it causes a loss of time, which is a major obstacle to increasing the speed of the document reading device.

Secondly, the reciprocating motion performed by the movable mirror when reading a plurality of originals gives a vibration to the main body of the original reading apparatus by the inertial force at the time of reversing. Therefore, noise is generated or vibrations adversely affect the performance of the document reading apparatus itself. [Second Conventional Example] However, in the above conventional example, as shown in FIGS.
As shown by 7d and 7e, the end point of the scanning range of the first page and the starting point of the scanning range of the second page are at the same position.

Therefore, when a magazine or book is placed on the document table G, the boundary H between the first page and the second page must be at the same position as the end point of the scanning range of the first page. Manuscript table G for magazines and books
When placed on top, since the border H of the page cannot be visually observed in the mounted state, it is difficult to set the border H of the page and the end point of the scanning range of the first page at the same position, and as shown in FIG. It is placed with a slight deviation of 6. Spread at this time Left and right page P
_{The positions of 1} , P ₂ and the scanning ranges l ₃ , l ₄ of the first and second pages are shown in FIG. 19g.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19g, the image copied to the sheets S ₃ and S ₄ may lack the image at the boundary between the first page and the desired image may not be obtained. is there. Due to this, there is a problem that it is necessary to copy again. [Object of the first invention] An image reading apparatus capable of continuously reading a plurality of originals is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an original reading apparatus capable of reducing the inertial force generated when the deflecting means is reversed. According to the present invention, according to the present invention, a spread original document such as a magazine or a book placed on a document table is obtained by partially overlapping the scanning range of the first page and the scanning range of the second page in continuous page copying. It is intended to prevent the loss of the image in the central portion caused by the deviation of the image.

[0014]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[First invention] In a document reading apparatus having a light source for illuminating a document and a deflecting means for reciprocating between a reading start position and a reading end position for guiding image light obtained by the illumination to a reading unit, A plurality of the deflection means is provided, and the deflection means is sequentially moved from the reading start position to the reading end position.

The plurality of deflecting means are constructed such that the forward movement of any one of the deflecting means and the returning movement of the other deflecting means are simultaneously performed.

A plurality of the light sources are provided, and the light sources are individually attached to the plurality of deflecting means. The light source is fixedly arranged near the deflecting means. [Second invention] A plurality of originals divided into a plurality of originals in the original scanning direction in correspondence with left and right pages of a plurality of originals or spread originals placed on the original placement surface. In order to make it possible to form images on the left and right pages of a document on different recording materials, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of document reading scan ranges, at least one adjacent document reading scan range has a placement area near the division point. Share some.

It is characterized in that the range of the shared area can be changed.

It is characterized in that the scanning direction length of the original reading scanning range can be changed.

It is characterized in that the length in the scanning direction of at least one original reading scanning range is longer than the length in the scanning direction of the divided mounting areas.

It is characterized in that the magnification can be changed at the time of image formation.

The scaling factor is the ratio of the scanning direction length of the divided placement area to the scanning direction length of the original reading scanning range.

It is characterized in that the variable magnification is unilateral variable magnification only in the scanning direction.

[0023]

[Action]

[First invention] Since the plurality of deflecting means sequentially moves from the reading start position to the reading end position, the reading operation can be continuously performed.

Further, since one deflecting means moves forward and the other deflecting means moves backward, the inertial force when each deflecting means reaches the reading start position and the reading end position and is reversed is offset.

Further, the light source illuminates the original while moving together with the deflecting means.

Furthermore, the light source illuminates the document at a fixed position. [Second Invention] In continuous page copying in which the left and right pages of a spread such as a magazine or a book are separately copied, the reading scanning range of the first page and the scanning range of 2
By partially overlapping the reading scanning range of the page, it was possible to prevent the loss of the central image. Further, by making the reading scanning range wider than the document size from the central part and reducing and copying, it is possible to prevent the loss of the image at the end part.

[0027]

【Example】

[First Invention] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof. In the document reading apparatus of this embodiment, the image from the document 1 is mirrored by the mirrors 21a, 21b, 22 and 2 as deflecting means.
3, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 26 and the image forming lens 3 form an image on the photosensitive drum 4.

The first mirror 21a is provided so as to be inclined 45 degrees in the scanning direction with respect to the document surface, and the first mirror is fixed to the belts 6a and 6b by the support bases 5a and 5b. Both ends of the belts 6a and 6b are supported by rotating shafts 7a and 7b.

First mirror 21a on belts 6a, 6b
At the position opposite to the mirror 21a, another mirror 21b is mounted on the belts 6a, 6b by the support bases 8a, 8b in the same manner as the mirror 21a.
It is fixed to b. Further, the fourth mirror 24a and the fifth mirror 25a are respectively arranged at 45 in the scanning direction with respect to the original 1.
The fourth mirror 24a and the fifth mirror 25a are inclined with respect to each other, and the belt 10 is supported by the support bases 9a and 9b.
It is fixed to a and 10b.

Both ends of the belts 10a and 10b are supported by rotating shafts 11a and 11b. Belt 10a,
Similar to the mirrors 24a and 25a, another pair of mirrors 24b and 25b is fixed to the belts 10a and 10b at positions facing the fourth and fifth mirrors 24a and 25a on the belt 10a and 12b. .

The second mirror 22, the third mirror 23, the sixth mirror 26, and the imaging lens 3 are fixed to a fixed portion of a document reading device (not shown).

Next, the operation of the document reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. This operation will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). FIG. 3A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the present embodiment and shows a state in which the first mirror 21a is at the document reading start position A of the document 1. At this time, the fourth and fifth mirrors 24a and 25a are connected to one end of the belts 10a and 10b (see FIG.
It is located in (a) center right side.

In this state, the original is illuminated by a light source (not shown), and the reflected light is reflected by the first mirror 21a, the second mirror 22,
Third mirror 23, fourth mirror 24a, fifth mirror 25
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 as a reading unit by the image forming lens 3 via the a, sixth mirror 26. From this state,
Scan reading is started. Then, when a rotational driving force is applied to the rotary shaft 7a in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3A by a motor or the like (not shown), the belts 6a and 6b are driven and the first
The mirror 21a starts moving toward the reading end position B.

The belt 6 is attached to the first mirror 21a.
The mirror 21b provided at the position where a and 6b face each other also moves from the end position B side to the start position A side. Also, the rotating shaft 11a
Although not shown in the figure, it is configured to rotate in synchronization with the rotating shaft 7a, the rotating direction thereof is the opposite direction to the rotating shaft 7a as shown in FIG. 3 (a), and the rotating speed thereof is 7a.
It is configured to be 1/2.

Therefore, the rotation of the rotary shaft 7a is caused by the rotation of the rotary shaft 7a.
1a rotates, belts 10a and 10b are driven, and the fourth mirror 24a and the fifth mirror 25a are integrally held by the holding frames 9a and 9b to move from the position shown in FIG. 3A to the start position A side. By this movement, the optical path length of the optical system is kept constant by this operation, and the diffused light flux from the document surface is always imaged on the photosensitive drum 4.

At the same time, the mirrors 24b and 25b are also integrally held by the holding frames 12a and 12b and moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 (a) to the end position B side. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the first mirror 21a is at the end position B of the document 1, the first mirror 21a is moved to the end position B by the above-described operation, and the mirror 21b moves to the belts 6a and 6b. It moves to the end near the document reading start position A, and the mirror 24a,
25a moves to the end of the belts 10a and 10b near the document reading start position A, and the mirrors 24b and 25b move to the end of the belts 10a and 10b near the document end position. That is, the image of one original is read by the movement from FIG. 3 (a) to FIG. 3 (b).

Next, when the rotary shaft 7a further rotates, the first mirrors 21a and 21b are inverted at the ends of the respective belts, and the mirror 21b moves to the original reading start position A. In synchronization with this, the fourth mirror 24a and the fifth mirror 25a are integrally held by the holding frames 9a and 9b and inverted at the ends of the belts 10a and 10b, and the mirror 24b.
The mirror 25b is integrally held by the holding frames 12a and 12b and is inverted at the ends of the belts 10a and 10b. At this time, the state of the system in this embodiment becomes exactly the same as that in FIG. 3A, and the next original reading operation is started from here. By repeating this operation thereafter, the document reading apparatus continuously reads images from the document surface.

In the present embodiment, the continuous manuscript reading operation can be performed only by giving the rotary shaft 7a a rotational drive in one direction at a substantially constant speed, and furthermore, when one set of mirror manuscript reading operation is completed and the end of the manuscript is reached. Then, since the other set of mirrors is at the original reading start position and the return time of the member is not required, the next original reading operation can be immediately started, and the speed of the original reading device can be increased. Further, since the members constituting the document reading device are not accompanied by the reversing operation, noise and vibration are not generated, and the performance of the document reading device is not deteriorated.

In the present embodiment, the motor and the belt are used to drive the mirror, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any device such as a wire or a gear that can drive the mirror in the same manner as this operation may be used. Further, although the photosensitive drum is used for the image forming surface in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and an element having photosensitivity such as an endless belt photosensitive member, CCD, photosensitive film or the like may be used.

In this embodiment, the illuminating device for illuminating the original 1 of the original reading device is not shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, but the illuminating device is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4A shows an example of an illuminating device, which has a length substantially the same as the original surface in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction in a plane parallel to the original on the belts 6a and 6b with respect to the mirror 21a. A linear light source 30a having a height and a reflection shade 31a for covering the linear light source 30a and emitting a light beam in the direction of the cylindrical mirror 33a are integrally fixed by a support 32a.

Then, in order to focus this light beam on the original reading surface, a linear light source 30a and a cylindrical mirror having a curvature only in the vertical direction are supported on the belt 6 by the support 34a.
Fix on a and 6b. On the other hand, the linear light source 30b, the reflective shade 31b, and the support 32b are similarly provided for the mirror 21b.
Also, a cylindrical mirror 33b and a support base 34b are provided. These illuminating devices move integrally with the mirror by the movement of the belts 6a and 6b, and illuminate the original reading surface.

FIG. 4B shows another example of the illuminating device, which uses a light source fixed to a fixed portion of the document reading device. In this lighting device, a linear light source 40 is fixed to a fixing unit (not shown) and has a length substantially the same as the original surface in a direction parallel to the original in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. And a reflective shade 42 for covering the linear light source 40 and emitting a light beam in the direction of the first cylindrical mirror 42.

The first cylindrical mirror 42 emits the light beam toward the second cylindrical mirror 43a, and the second cylindrical mirror 43a focuses the light beam on the original reading surface. The second cylindrical mirror is fixed to the belts 6a and 6b by the support base 44a.

Similarly to the mirror 21b, the cylindrical mirror 43b is attached to the belts 6a, 6 by the support base 43b.
It is fixed with respect to b. Cylindrical mirror 43
The a and 43b move integrally with the mirror by the movement of the belts 6a and 6b, receive the light flux from the first cylindrical mirror 42, and illuminate the original reading surface. According to the illumination device of FIG. 4B, there is an advantage that the illumination device of the document reading device of this embodiment can be configured with only one linear light source. [Second Invention] FIGS. 5 to 8 are views best showing the features of the present invention. Reference numeral 100 denotes an A4 size book, which is placed as a document on the document table G in a two-page spread. l _5, l ₆ is first page and second page of the scanning range, S _5, S ₆ is a paper which has been copied by the present invention.

Other numerical values and symbols are the same as in the conventional example. First, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a case where the boundary H between the first page and the second page of the manuscript book 100 is at the A4 size manuscript designated position. A page continuous shooting mode is selected by an operation unit (not shown), and further, it is input that the original is an A4 size spread original.

Next, the scanning range l ₅ of the first page is shown in FIG.
The reading scanning is performed by shifting the distance a from the e scanning range l _{3 and} the scanning range l ₆ of the second page by the distance a ′ from the conventional scanning range l ₄ toward the center side.

At this time, the positions of the spread left and right pages P ₁ and P ₂ and the scanning ranges l ₅ and l ₆ of the first and second pages are as shown in FIG. 5, and the copy paper S ₅ of the first page is P ₂ The copy sheet S ₆ of the second page is copied by including the center portion of P ₁ by the distances a and a ′. At this time, both ends of P ₁ and P ₂ are pulled to the center by a distance a or a ′ or more. Next, a case will be described in which the document book 1 is placed with the distance a shifted to the P ₂ side.

As shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the page boundary H of the document book 1 is displaced by the distance a toward the P ₂ side of the second page. At this time, the left and right spread pages P ₁ and P ₂ and the scanning range l ₅ of the first and second pages,
The position of l ₆ is as shown in the figure.

The position of P _{1 on} the first page is P by the distance a
Are shifted to the ₂ side is made the same as the image copy sheet S ₁ indicating image copy sheet S ₅ so are moved by a distance a at the beginning of the scanning range l ₅ in the conventional Figure 17, the page boundary portion No image loss occurs.

That is, if the original book 1 is displaced within the movement distance a of the initially set scanning range l ₅ , it is possible to reliably prevent the loss of the image at the boundary between the pages. Although the present embodiment has described the case of the A4 size document, the same applies to the case of other sizes. Further, although the shift direction is the P ₂ side, the same description will be made when it is shifted to the P ₁ side. It is desirable that the distances a and a ′ be variable corresponding to each size, and it is not necessary that a = a ′. Further, it is more desirable that the values of a and a'can be input from the operation unit or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the document size is input from the operation unit, but it is more desirable that the document size is recognized by the automatic document size detection means.

9 to 12 show another embodiment of the present invention. l ₇ and l ₈ are the scanning range of the first and second pages, S
₉ , S ₁₀ , S ₁₁ , and S ₁₂ are copied sheets. In the previous embodiment, the scanning range is moved, but if the original document 1 is thin or there are images at both ends, P
_Since both end portions of ₁ and P ₂ are not pulled to the central portion by the distances a and a ′ or more, there is a possibility that the displaced end portions may be missing.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the scanning range l ₇ of the first page
19g, the scanning range is extended by a distance a ″ from the conventional scanning range l ₃ shown in FIG. 19g, and the scanning range l ₈ of the second page is also extended by a distance a ″ from the conventional scanning range l _{4 in the} central portion. Are doing. A case will be described in which the manuscript book 1 is displaced toward the P ₂ side by the distance a ″.

The positions of the spread left and right pages P ₁ and P ₂ and the scanning ranges l ₇ and l ₈ of the first and second pages at this time are as shown in FIGS. Since the scanning ranges l ₇ and l ₈ are longer than the size of the original by the distances a ″ and a ″, the boundary of the page P ₁ is included in the scanning range l ₇ and the end of the page P ₂ is l. Included in ₈ . That is, there is no omission of images at the border of the page P ₁ and the edge of the page P ₂ . However, since l ₇ and l ₈ are longer than the document size by the distances a ″ and a ″, they need to be reduced.

The reduction ratio is the document size and the distances a ″, a ″.
Depending on l ₃ / l ₇ = l ₃ / l ₃ + a ″ or l ₄ / l ₈ =
l ₄ / l ₄ + a ″. The document size has already been input by the document size input means of the operation unit (not shown), and the distances a ″ and a ″ have also been determined at the time when each size was input, so there is no problem. Copy paper S as shown in FIGS.
It is reduced like ₉ and S ₁₀ .

There is no problem even if the reduction is performed by univariate magnification as shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the scaling factor is determined by the document size and the distances a ″ and a ″, but there is no problem even if the scaling factor is determined by input from the operation unit or the like.

Further, it is desirable that the distances a ″ and a ″ be variable corresponding to each size as in the previous embodiment, and it is not necessary that a ″ = a ″, and it is possible to input from the operation unit or the like. More desirable. Further, as in the previous embodiment, it is more desirable to recognize the document size by the automatic document size detecting means instead of inputting it from the operation section.

[0058]

【The invention's effect】

[First invention] Since the plurality of deflecting means sequentially move from the reading start position to the reading end position, the reading operation can be continuously performed. Therefore, a large number of originals can be read in a short time, and the reading operation can be speeded up.

Further, since one deflecting means moves forward and the other deflecting means moves backward, the inertial force when each deflecting means reaches the reading start position and the reading end position and is reversed is offset. Therefore, the generation of vibration and noise in the device can be reduced. [Second invention] As described above, in continuous page copying in which left and right spread pages of a magazine or a book are separately copied, the reading scanning range of the first page and the reading scanning range of the second page are partially overlapped with each other, thereby centering It was possible to prevent the loss of images in some parts. Further, by making the reading scanning range wider than the document size from the central part and reducing and copying, it is possible to prevent the loss of the image at the end part.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are side views showing the operation of FIG.

4A and 4B are side views of an embodiment of a light source used in the first invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 manuscripts 21a, 21b, 22, 23, 24a, 24b, 25
a, 25b, 26 Mirror 3 Imaging lens 4 Photosensitive drum 100 Original document l _{1 to} l ₈ Scanning range P ₁ , P ₂ pages S _{1 to} S ₁₂ paper G Original plate

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A document reading apparatus having a light source for illuminating a document and a deflecting means for reciprocating between a reading start position and a reading end position for guiding image light obtained by illuminating to a reading section, An original reading apparatus characterized in that a plurality of the deflecting means are provided, and the deflecting means are sequentially moved from a reading start position to a reading end position. 2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of deflecting means are configured such that the forward movement of any one of the deflecting means and the returning movement of the other deflecting means are simultaneously performed. 3. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the light sources are provided, and the light sources are individually attached to the plurality of deflecting means. 4. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is fixedly arranged near the deflecting unit. 5. A plurality of originals, which are divided into a plurality of originals in the original scanning direction in correspondence with left and right pages of a plurality of originals or spread originals placed on the original placement surface. In order to make it possible to form images on the left and right pages of a document on different recording materials, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of document reading scan ranges, at least one adjacent document reading scan range has a placement area near the division point. An image forming apparatus characterized by sharing a part. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the range of the shared area can be changed. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the original reading scanning range in the scanning direction can be changed. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of at least one original reading scanning range in the scanning direction is longer than the length of the divided placement area in the scanning direction. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the magnification can be changed during image formation. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the scaling factor is a ratio of the scanning direction length of the divided placement area to the scanning direction length of the document reading scanning range. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the variable magnification is a single variable magnification only in the scanning direction.