JPH08186689A - Picture reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To intelligibly and correctly report the reading position of an original at low cost by exposing one side of a transparent original stand out of a platen, and providing a part of an original lighting unit with a mark visible through this part. CONSTITUTION: The mark 4 is fitted to the edge part of the original lighting unit 3 so as to be seen through a window part 2a. This window part 2a is installed so that one side among four sides of platen glass 2 to be in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the original lighting unit 3 is exposed in a state that an original cover 5 is closed and the state of the movement of the mark 4 can be known. Accordingly, when reading operation is started, the mark 4 moves to the direction of an arrow mark A in the window part 2a from the left end of a read-starting position together with the reading position. Namely, since the mark 4 moves together with the reading position, the reading position can be grasped correctly even in the case where the original cover 5 is closed by seeing the mark 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus used in a facsimile, a copying machine or the like for reading an original while keeping it stationary.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image reading apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-2.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 04243, it is configured as follows.

A description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Reference numeral 101 is an original, 102 is a transparent original table on which the original is placed, 103 is an optical sensor which moves on the surface of the original 101 and converts image information of the original 101 into an electric signal,
Reference numeral 104 denotes an original pressing cover for pressing the original 101 and preventing the light from the optical sensor 103 from being exposed to the outside. Reference numeral 105 denotes a lamp for indicating a power-on state of the apparatus and an instruction to start reading the original 101. An operation panel to which switches and the like are attached, 110 is provided on the operation panel 105, and the optical sensor 103 is connected to the document table 102.
2 is a sensor position display panel having a plurality of indicators al to an that are turned on in correspondence with a position that is moving between the start end and the end.

In the above configuration, while the image information of the original 101 is read while the optical sensor 103 moves from the start end of the read start position to the end of the read end position, the moving position of the optical sensor 103 (that is, the original read). Corresponding to the position), the indicators al to an of the sensor position display panel 110 are sequentially turned on. As a result, the moving position of the optical sensor 103 can be confirmed from the outside even while the document is being read, and it is not necessary to open the document pressing cover 104 during reading to see the moving position of the optical sensor 103. So that it can be read correctly.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following drawbacks because a plurality of display devices are provided for displaying the reading position of the document.

(1) Cost is high.

In order to reduce the cost, if the number of display devices is reduced, the cost is reduced accordingly. However, if the number of display devices is reduced, the display accuracy of the reading position becomes worse. On the contrary, in order to increase the accuracy of the display of the reading position, it is necessary to increase the number of indicators, which increases the cost.

Further, in order to turn on the display corresponding to the position of the optical sensor, means for detecting the position of the optical sensor is required, which also increases the cost.

(2) It is difficult to know the exact position of the optical sensor. Therefore, unnecessary stress is applied to the operator.

The sensor position display panel has a drawback that it is difficult to intuitively grasp the position of the optical sensor (reading position of the document) because it is digitally displayed by turning on the display. As described above, in order to reduce the cost, the smaller the number of indicators, the more difficult it is to understand. That is, if the number of indicators is small,
This is because even if the optical sensor is moving, the lighting of the display does not easily move to the next display. In particular, the slower the reading speed is, the slower the transition of lighting of the display device becomes, and the more irritated the operator is because the position of the optical sensor is difficult to understand.

An object of the first invention of the present application is to provide an image reading apparatus which can inform the operator of the reading position of a document easily and accurately at a lower cost.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device which can inform the operator of the reading position of a document more easily at a relatively low cost.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus which can inform an operator not only of the reading position of a document but also whether or not a reading operation is in progress.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus which is low in cost, which makes it easy to understand the reading position of a document, and which can inform the operator whether or not the reading operation is in progress. That is.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention of the present application is directed to a transparent manuscript table in which the pressure plate for adhering the manuscript to the transparent manuscript table is closed. One of the four sides, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the document illumination unit, is exposed from the pressure plate, and a mark visible through the exposed portion of the transparent document table is provided in part of the document illumination unit. And

In the above structure, the mark is attached to the document illuminating unit at the document reading position,
The position of the mark is the original reading position. Further, since the mark is visible even when the pressure plate is closed, the document reading position can always be accurately grasped by looking at the position of the mark.

Further, in terms of cost, the mark is a single member, and there is no particular restriction on the material, and since it can be made of an inexpensive material, it can be realized at low cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the second invention of the present application is characterized in that the mark has a light emitting means.

In the above-mentioned structure, since the mark shines, the mark becomes easier to see, and hence the document reading position becomes easier to understand.

Further, in the conventional example, the same number of light emitting means for turning on the display devices as the number of the display devices are required. However, in the present invention, since only one light emitting means is provided, the cost is higher than that of the conventional example. You can go down.

In order to achieve the above object, the third invention according to the present application is characterized in that the light emitting means emits light in synchronization with the illumination of the document illumination unit.

In the above structure, since the mark shines only during the document reading operation, it is possible to know not only the document reading position but also whether the document reading operation is being performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the fourth invention of the present application is characterized in that the light emitting means guides the illumination light of the document illumination unit to emit light.

In the above-mentioned structure, the mark becomes easier to see, and thus the document reading position becomes easier to understand.

Further, since the light of the mark guides the illumination light of the document illumination unit and the mark shines only during the document reading operation, it is possible to know not only the document reading position but also the document reading operation.

Further, in the conventional example, the same number of light-emitting means for turning on the display is required as the number of the display, but in the present invention, since the light-emitting means uses the illumination light of the document illumination unit, it is conventional. The cost can be reduced compared to the example.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which a pressure plate, which will be described later, is closed, and FIG. 2 shows the state in which the pressure plate is open, for ease of explanation.
The pressure plate is not shown.

Reference numeral 1 is a document, 2 is a platen glass which is a transparent document table on which the document 1 is placed, 3 is a document illumination unit which illuminates the document placed on the platen glass 2 at a document reading position, and 4 is Marks 5 attached to the document illuminating unit 3 and reciprocating together with the document illuminating unit 3 in the directions of arrows A and B are pressure plates for bringing the reading surface of the document 1 placed on the platen glass 2 into close contact with the platen glass 2. A manuscript cover 6 is an operation panel for operating various functions of the apparatus such as a reading mode setting of the manuscript 1 and an instruction to start reading, and 7 is an operation panel for placing the manuscript 1 on the platen glass 2.
It is an index indicating the position where the document 1 is placed according to the size of the document 1.

Reference numeral 2a denotes one side of the platen glass 2 exposed with the original cover 5 closed, and a window portion 3a in which the mark 4 can be seen moving is indicated by 3a.
The reading position illuminated by, the reading start position 7a, and the reading end position 7b.

In the above configuration, when the reading operation is performed, if the original 1 is, for example, A4 size, the reading surface of the original 1 is set to the lower side, that is, the platen glass 2 side, and the original 1 is read.
Is placed on the platen glass 2 at the position indicated by “A4” of the index 7. Next, the original cover 5 is closed, the original 1 is pressed against the platen glass 2 so as to be in close contact, and then the reading start button on the operation panel 6 is pressed. Then, the reading of the original 1 is started from the reading start position 7a on the left side of the original 1, the original illumination unit 3 moves in the direction of arrow A, and the original 1 is read.
Reading is performed while illuminating the reading surface. That is, the information of the document 1 at the reading position 3a illuminated by the document illumination unit 3 is sequentially photoelectrically converted by a photoelectric conversion element (not shown) while moving line by line. When the document illumination unit 3 moves and the reading position 3a reaches the reading end position 7b at the right end of the document 1, the reading operation ends, and the document illumination unit 3 stops the illumination and moves in the direction of arrow B, and the reading start position. Wait near you.

On the other hand, the mark 4 is attached to the end of the document illumination unit 3 so that it can be seen through the window 2a. In the window 2a, one side of the four sides of the platen glass 2 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the document illumination unit 3 is exposed in the state where the document cover 5 is closed so that the movement of the mark 4 can be seen. Is provided.

Therefore, when the reading operation is started, the mark 4
Together with the document illumination unit 3, that is, the reading position 3a.
At the same time, it moves in the window 2a in the direction of arrow A from the left end, which is the reading start position.

That is, since the mark 4 moves together with the reading position 3a, the reading position 3 is maintained even when the original cover 5 is closed.
The place where a is located can be accurately grasped by looking at the mark 4.

This effect is more effective when the reading speed is slow.

For example, in the case of direct transmission by facsimile, since the reading speed for each line changes depending on the information of the original, the reading speed becomes slow and irregular when the information amount of the original becomes large. As in the conventional example, in the case where the indicators sequentially light up to inform the reading position, unless the number of indicators is increased so much, it takes time to shift from one indicator lighting to the next one lighting. It takes too much,
The operator does not know whether the reading position is actually moving, and gives anxiety or stress whether the reading operation is being performed or the sensor position display panel is out of order.

However, according to the present invention, since the mark 4 moves at the same time as the reading position, the movement of the reading position can be directly recognized even if the reading speed is slow and irregular.
It eliminates anxiety and stress on the operator.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure in the vicinity of the mark 4 of the embodiment of the present invention. 3b is an LED as a light source for illuminating the original of the original illuminating unit 3, and the same number as in FIG. 1 and FIG. The thing shows the same thing.

In the figure, the mark 4 has, for example, a cross section of L.
It has the shape of a mold and is screwed to the end of the document illumination unit 3. In addition, the material is made of a general-purpose plastic material such as ABS. The color is, for example, green so that the color is easy to see, but it is not necessary to perform costly painting, and the material color itself may be green. Thus, the shape is simple and the material is inexpensive, so the cost is extremely low. That is, since the function required for the mark 4 is only that it is easy to see through the window 2a of the platen glass 2, there is no particular restriction on the material and the shape, and the cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the mark 4 is screwed to the document illuminating unit 3, but the end of the document illuminating unit 3 may be extended and used as the mark.

Further, in the present embodiment, the LED is used as the light source of the document illuminating unit 3, but the effect of the invention does not change even if it is a fluorescent lamp or a xenon tube.
This also applies to the following second and third embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure in the vicinity of the mark 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mark 4 is a mark LED 41 which emits light in synchronization with the LED 3b, and a mark LED 41.
Plate 42 for facilitating easy-to-see diffusion of the light of LED, LED for mark
41 and a diffusing plate 42, and a mark cover 43 attached to the document illumination unit 3.

Other numbers that are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 indicate the same items.

In the figure, the LED 41 for marking is LE
Electrically connected in parallel or series with D3b,
It turns on and off in synchronization with the LED 3b. That is, the marking LED 41 emits light only during the reading operation in which the LED 3b is turned on and does not emit light after the reading operation. Therefore, the marking 4 is not only easier to see than in the previous embodiment, but also during the reading operation. It is possible to clearly inform the operator of whether or not.

Further, since the light of the marking LED 41 is diffused by the diffusing plate 42, the diffusing plate 42 itself looks like shining to the operator, and the marking LED 41 can be seen directly. It has the advantage that it is easy on the eyes and looks bright regardless of the viewing angle.

In terms of cost, the light emitting means (LE
Since D) is provided and the number of parts is large, the cost is higher than that of the previous embodiment of the present invention.
Compared with the conventional example, the cost is reduced by at least the difference in the number of light emitting means.

Although the example of using the LED as the light emitting means has been described above, other light emitting means may be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure in the vicinity of the mark 4 of the third embodiment of the present invention. The mark 4 is guided to the light guide 45 and the light guide 45 which guide the direct light or the reflected light of the LED 3b. A lid 46 having an opening 46a for emitting the emitted light, a light guide 45, and a cover 47 that holds the lid 46 and is attached to the document illumination unit 3 are provided.

Other numbers that are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 indicate the same items.

In the figure, the light guide 45 is LE
Direct light from D3b or reflected light inside the document illumination unit 3 is guided and emitted through the opening 46. As described above, since the light source of the opening 46a is the LED 3b, the LED 3b
Lights up only during the reading operation, and does not emit light after the reading operation. Therefore, the mark 4 is not only easier to see than in the previous embodiment, but it is clear to the operator whether or not the reading operation is in progress. I can inform you.

The light guide 45 is made of a molded product of a plastic material having a high light transmittance such as acrylic resin, and is therefore low in cost as compared with the LED 41 of the second embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect at a lower cost than in the second embodiment.

[0053]

As described above, the first aspect of the present application
According to the invention, there is an effect that it is possible to inform the operator of the reading position of the document easily and accurately at a lower cost.

According to the second invention of the present application,
There is an effect that it is possible to inform the operator of the reading position of the document more easily at a relatively low cost.

According to the third invention of the present application,
There is an effect that not only the reading position of the document but also the operator can be informed whether or not the reading operation is being performed.

According to the fourth invention of the present application,
There is an effect that it is possible to inform the operator of the reading position of the document easily and accurately at low cost and whether or not the reading operation is being performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Original 2 Platen Glass 3 Original Lighting Unit 4 Mark 5 Original Cover (Press Plate)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideaki Nagahara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Atsushi Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeyuki Sugiyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Akio Okubo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document placed on a transparent platen while the document illumination unit moves, a pressure plate for bringing the document into close contact with the transparent platen is closed. In this state, one of the four sides of the transparent platen, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the document illumination unit, is exposed from the pressure plate, and a mark visible through the exposed part of the transparent platen is visible. An image reading apparatus characterized in that a document illuminating unit is provided in a part of the document illuminating unit. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark has a light emitting unit. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit emits light in synchronization with illumination of the document illumination unit. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting means guides the illumination light of the document illumination unit to emit light.