JPH10271280A - Image reader, image forming device, and image read method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of reducing the noise by reducing the rotational frequency of a motor driving a carriage at need, and to provide are image reader and an image read method applied to the image forming method. SOLUTION: When a document placed on a document table 11 is optically scanned, a pulse motor PMT is driven, and a first carriage 16 is moved to the document end position along the document table. A second carriage 20 is moved in accordance with movement of the first carriage 16. When the first carriage 26 reaches the document end position, it returns to the hole position. At this time, the pulse motor PMT is rotated at a low speed at need to reduce the occurrence of high frequency noise.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, and a printer function for printing based on image data supplied from an external device, in addition to a copying function for copying an original image. And an image reading apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to a copying function for copying a document image, a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, and printing based on image data supplied from an external device via an external I / F. An image forming apparatus having a printer function, that is, a composite digital copying apparatus has been put to practical use.

The digital copying apparatus includes an image reading unit or scanner for reading a document image and converting image information into image data, and an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet as a recording medium based on the image data. It has a printer unit.

The scanner unit provided in the digital copying apparatus has a first carriage and a second carriage which optically scan the original placed on the original table while moving substantially parallel to the original table. I have. The reflected beam from the document scanned by the first and second carriages is guided to a CCD sensor via an imaging optical system, and is temporarily stored as image data.

The first carriage receives a driving force from a pulse motor. The second carriage is driven by the first carriage, and is moved substantially in parallel with the original table at half the speed of the first carriage.

[0006] The speed at which the first and second carriages scan the original is determined by the magnification at which the original image is read. Further, in recent years, the first and second carriages have been moved from a predetermined home position to a document edge or a predetermined scanning position during document scanning due to an increase in the document scanning speed and the image forming speed. When returning the second carriage to the home position, the first and second carriages are moved at approximately three times the speed of scanning the original.

[0007]

When the first and second carriages are returned to their home positions, the first and second carriages are moved at a maximum speed which is about three times as fast as when scanning the original. Accordingly, in order to move the first carriage, the pulse motor needs to be driven at the maximum rotation speed. Regarding the carriage moving speed when returning the carriage, one maximum speed is always applied regardless of the image forming state.

However, when the pulse motor is rotated at a high rotation speed, there is a problem that high frequency noise is generated from the motor. In addition to the high frequency, this noise is always generated each time a document is scanned, and thus has a problem that the user feels it.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing noise by reducing the number of rotations of a motor for driving a carriage as required, an image reading apparatus applied to the image forming apparatus, and An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading method.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above problems. According to the first aspect, a reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and the reading means For reading an image from a predetermined position to a document end, and driving means for driving the reading means which has reached the document end to return to the predetermined position; and returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Therefore, there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to a predetermined image reading speed to the drive unit.

According to the second aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and A driving unit for driving the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein a plurality of image readings are performed when the reading unit reads the original image. Data holding means for holding a data signal defining the speed, and for returning the reading means to the predetermined position,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a data signal that defines a predetermined image reading speed held by the data holding unit to the driving unit.

According to the third aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, A driving unit that drives the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein the read unit reads the document image at a first speed. A data holding unit for holding the first data signal to be output and the second data signal output when the reading unit reads the document image at a second speed; and returning the reading unit to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting one of the first data signal and the second data signal held by the data holding means to the driving means. Image reading apparatus is provided for.

According to a fourth aspect, a reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, A driving unit for driving the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein the read unit reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a first speed, and driving the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the original image at a second reading magnification. Data holding means for holding a second data signal output to perform the reading operation, and a first data signal held by the data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Image reading apparatus is provided, characterized in that it and a control means for outputting to said driving means either a second data signal.

According to a fifth aspect, a reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a document supply means for sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to the reading means, and A driving unit that drives from a predetermined position to a document end for reading, and drives the reading unit that has reached the document end to return to the predetermined position; and a document is supplied to the reading unit by the document supply unit. If the time required for the next document to be supplied to the reading means after the reading is longer than the time required for the reading means to return to the predetermined position, the reading means is read at the first image reading speed. Control means for outputting a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving means in order to return to the predetermined position. Image reading apparatus is provided, characterized in Rukoto.

According to the present invention, a reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a document supply means for placing a plurality of documents and sequentially supplying the reading means to the reading means, Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document placed on the supply means; and driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to a document end, and moving the reading means which has reached the document end to the predetermined position. A drive unit that is driven to return, and when the original is supplied to the reading unit by the original supply unit, the detection unit detects that the original is not placed on the original supply unit. After reading the image at the first image reading speed with the reading unit, the driving unit is returned to the predetermined position by a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed with respect to the driving unit. Image reading apparatus is provided, characterized in that it comprises a control means for outputting a response to the drive signal.

According to the present invention, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a one-side mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means, and one side of the document for the reading means A document supply means having a double-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by inverting the document after supplying one side, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, and A drive unit that drives the reading unit that has reached the end to return to the predetermined position; and, when the double-sided mode is selected by the document supply unit, one side of the document is set to a second position by the reading unit. In order to return to the predetermined position after being read at the first image reading speed, a driving signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed is transmitted to the driving means. Image reading apparatus is provided, characterized in that it and a control means for outputting a.

According to the present invention, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, A driving unit that drives the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a driving signal corresponding to a predetermined image reading speed to the drive unit to return the read unit to the predetermined position. An image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: control means for outputting; and image forming means for forming an image based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading means.

According to the ninth aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and A driving unit for driving the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein a plurality of image readings are performed when the reading unit reads the original image. Data holding means for holding a data signal defining the speed, and for returning the reading means to the predetermined position,
Control means for outputting to the drive means a data signal defining a predetermined image reading speed held in the data holding means, based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading means, An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image.

According to the tenth aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, A driving unit that drives the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein the read unit reads the document image at a first speed. A data holding unit for holding the first data signal to be output and the second data signal output when the reading unit reads the document image at a second speed; and returning the reading unit to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting one of the first data signal and the second data signal held in the data holding means to the driving means,
Image forming means for forming an image based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading means,
An image forming apparatus characterized by having:

According to the eleventh aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and A driving unit for driving the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein the read unit reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a first speed, and driving the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the original image at a second reading magnification. And a first data signal held by the data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting one of the second data signals to the driving means; and image forming means for forming an image based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading means. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the twelfth aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, document supply means for sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to the reading means, A driving unit that drives from a predetermined position to a document end for reading, and drives the reading unit that has reached the document end to return to the predetermined position, and corresponds to a document image output by the reading unit. An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data, and a time period from when the image forming operation is performed by the image forming unit to when the next image forming operation is performed, the reading unit reaches the predetermined position. If it is longer than the return time, after reading the image at the first image reading speed, the drive unit is moved forward to return to the predetermined position. The second, which is different from the first image reading speed
Control means for outputting a drive signal corresponding to the reading speed of
An image forming apparatus characterized by having:

According to a thirteenth aspect, a reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a document supply means for placing a plurality of documents and sequentially supplying the reading means to the reading means, Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document placed on the supply means; and driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to a document end, and moving the reading means which has reached the document end to the predetermined position. A driving unit that drives to return, an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading unit, and a document supplied to the reading unit by the document supply unit. In this case, the detection means detects that the document is not placed on the document supply means, and the image forming operation performed by the image forming means is performed only once. A second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving unit in order to return to the predetermined position after reading the image at the first image reading speed by the reading unit. And a control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image forming apparatus.

According to a fourteenth aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, document supply means for placing a plurality of documents and sequentially supplying the reading means to the reading means, Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document placed on the supply means; and driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to a document end, and moving the reading means which has reached the document end to the predetermined position. A driving unit that drives to return, an image forming unit that forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit, and one of the image forming units A reversing unit for reversing the sheet on which the image is formed on the surface, and when reversing the sheet on which the image is formed on one side by the reversing unit, the reading unit is set to the first position.
After the image is read at the image reading speed and an image is formed on one surface of the sheet, the driving unit is returned to the predetermined position, and the driving unit is different from the first image reading speed. A control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the second reading speed.

According to the fifteenth aspect, reading means for reading an original image while moving and outputting image data, a single-sided mode for supplying one side of the original to the reading means, and one side of the original for the reading means A document supply means having a double-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by inverting the document after supplying one side, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, and A drive unit that drives the reading unit that has reached the end to return to the predetermined position, and forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit. An image forming unit, a reversing unit for reversing a sheet on which an image is formed on one side by the image forming unit, and a case where the double-sided mode is selected by the document supply unit. After the one side of the document is read at a first image reading speed by the reading unit, a second position different from the first image reading speed to the driving unit is returned to the driving unit in order to return to the predetermined position. And a control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the reading speed of the image forming apparatus.

According to the sixteenth aspect, reading means for reading an original image while moving and outputting image data, a single-sided mode for supplying one side of the original to the reading means, and one side of the original for the reading means A document supply means having a double-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by inverting the document after supplying one side, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, and A drive unit that drives the reading unit that has reached the end to return to the predetermined position, and forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit. An image forming unit, a reversing unit for reversing a sheet on which an image is formed on one surface by the image forming unit, the duplex mode is selected by the document supply unit, and In the case where the sheet on which the image is formed on one side is reversed by the turning unit, the document is returned to the predetermined position after one side of the document is read at a first image reading speed by the reading unit. A control unit for outputting a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving unit.

According to the seventeenth aspect, reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and A driving unit for driving the read unit to return to the predetermined position, and a data signal output to the drive unit, wherein the read unit reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a first speed, and driving the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the original image at a second reading magnification. Data holding means for holding a second data signal output to perform the first data signal and a second data signal corresponding to a first speed and a second speed held by the data holding means. Setting means for setting any one of the data signals as a drive speed when returning the reading means to the predetermined position, and setting means for setting the reading means to return to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting a data signal corresponding to the read speed to the driving means with reference to the data holding means, and forming an image based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading means. And an image forming unit.

According to the eighteenth aspect, the reading means scans the document from a predetermined home position to a document end position at a reading speed corresponding to a reading magnification, and sequentially outputs image data corresponding to the document image. And the time until the next image reading step is started after reading the document to the document end position, the reading means is configured to read from the document end position to the home position at a reading speed corresponding to the reading magnification. A determining step of determining whether or not the time is longer than a time required for returning; and, if it is determined that the time is longer than the time required for returning, from the document end position at a reading speed corresponding to the reading unit and the reading magnification. And a return step of returning to the home position.

According to the image reading apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the image reading method, when the reading means moved to the document end position for reading the document image is returned to the predetermined position, the reading means is moved to the predetermined position. It is possible to return at a speed specified by a data signal output to the driving means when reading a document image at an image reading magnification, that is, at a reading speed applied at a predetermined image reading magnification. Other than this specific case, the reading means located at the document end position is returned to the predetermined position at a high speed.

When the reading means is returned to the predetermined position at a high speed, high frequency noise is generated from the driving means. In a specific case, the reading means is returned to the predetermined position at a lower speed. Generation of noise can be prevented.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and an image reading apparatus applied to the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

This image forming apparatus is based on, for example, a copying function for copying a document image, a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, and image data supplied from an external device via an external I / F. An image forming apparatus having a printer function for performing printing by a printer, that is, a composite digital copying apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as a copying apparatus).

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the copying apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, for example, an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 2, includes an image reading section 4 as an image reading apparatus, ie, a scanner section, and an image forming section as image forming means. 6, ie, a printer unit. In addition, the copying apparatus 2 is provided above the image reading unit 4 so as to be openable and closable with respect to a later-described document table of the image reading unit 4, and the documents D to be read are directed one by one toward the document table. An automatic document feeder 8 is provided that functions as a document feeder that feeds the document D placed on the document table and makes the document D adhere to the document table.

The image reading section 4 has an upper part facing the automatic document feeder 8 in a closed state and a document D.
Document table 11 made of transparent glass on which is set
And a document scale 12 arranged at one end of the document table 11 and indicating a position where the document D is to be set on the document table 11.

Below the original table 11, an exposure lamp 13 for illuminating the original D placed on the original table 11,
An auxiliary reflector 14 for condensing the light beam from the exposure lamp 13 on the document D, a first mirror 15 for bending the reflected beam from the document D to the left in the figure, and the like are arranged. The exposure lamp 13, the auxiliary reflector 14, and the first mirror 15 are fixed to the first carriage 16, and are arranged so as to be movable in parallel with the original table 11 as the first carriage 16 moves. As shown in FIG. 3, the first carriage 16 is connected to the pulse motor PMT via a toothed belt or the like, and the driving force of the pulse motor PMT is transmitted to move the first carriage 16 along the original table 11 in parallel. You.

A second carriage 20 is disposed on the left side of the document table 11 in the drawing, that is, in a direction in which the reflected beam reflected by the first mirror 15 is guided.

The second carriage 20 has a first mirror 15
A second mirror 21 that bends the reflected beam from the document D guided by the document downward, and a third mirror that bends rightward in the figure.
The mirrors 22 are arranged at right angles to each other. The second carriage 20, as shown in FIG.
Driven by the first carriage 16 by a toothed belt driving the
Is moved in parallel along the original table 11 at the speed of.

The reflected beam from the second carriage 20 is imaged at a predetermined magnification on a plane below the first carriage 16 and including the optical axis of the beam turned back via the second carriage 20. An imaging lens 23, and a CCD image sensor 24 for converting the reflected beam converged by the imaging lens 23 into an electric signal, that is, image data
Is arranged.

The image forming section 6 has a photosensitive drum 30 rotatably positioned substantially at the center of the copying apparatus 2.
The photoconductor drum 30 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by a motor (not shown).

At a predetermined position around the photosensitive drum 30, a charging charger 31 for charging the drum surface to a predetermined charge, a laser exposure device 32 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30, A developing device 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 to copy paper P as a recording medium supplied from a paper cassette described later And a transfer / peeling charger 34 for separating the paper P on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 30,
A separating claw 35 for separating the copy paper P from the surface of the photosensitive drum 30; a cleaning device 36 for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30;
The static eliminators 37 for neutralizing the potential remaining on the surface of the zero are arranged in order.

The laser exposure device 32 generates a laser beam modulated on the basis of image data, a semiconductor laser device, a light deflecting device 32a for deflecting the laser beam, and forms the deflected laser beam on the photosensitive drum 30. Imaging optical systems 32b, 32c, 32d, and the like. The laser exposure device 32 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 with a laser beam generated from the semiconductor laser element along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30, so that the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 is electrostatically latent. Form an image.

The developing device 33 has a developer composed of toner and a carrier that forms a magnetic brush while frictionally charging the toner to a predetermined polarity. The developing device 33 has a developing roller 33a that supplies a developer onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 and causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to develop the image with a desired image density.

At the bottom of the copying machine 2 located below the photosensitive drum 30, there is arranged a multi-stage paper feeding device 40 which is detachably mounted in a plurality of upper and lower stages from the front side of the copying machine 2.

The multi-stage paper feeder 40 includes an upper cassette 4 for storing a plurality of types of copy paper P of various sizes.
1, a middle cassette 42 and a lower cassette 43 are included. The respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43 are, for example, A4 placed so as to be conveyed along the longitudinal direction.
Size copy paper, B4 size copy paper and A
Each of them is formed so as to be able to store about 500 copy papers of three sizes.

At predetermined positions of the upper cassette 41, the middle cassette 42 and the lower cassette 43, pick-up rollers 44a, 44b and 44c for taking out the sheets P one by one from the respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43 are arranged.

Each of the pickup rollers 44a, 44
4b and 44c, the respective cassettes 41, 42 and 4
The conveyance rollers 45 for separating the sheets P one by one are located at positions where the leading end of the sheets P taken out of the sheet P 3 pass.
a, 45b and 45c, and separation rollers 46a, 46b and 46 disposed integrally with the respective transport rollers.
c is arranged. The separation rollers 46a, 46b, and 46c are arranged so that their axes are in parallel with the mutually combined transport rollers and are in contact with a predetermined pressure, and rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the transport rollers. As a result, only the uppermost one of the sheets P taken out of each cassette is sent out to a transport path described later.

On the right side of the multi-stage paper feeder 40 in the figure, a frequently used size sheet, for example, an A4 size sheet P
Is provided with a large capacity feeder 47 formed so as to be able to store about 3000 sheets. At a predetermined position of the large-capacity feeder 47, a pickup roller 48 for taking out the sheets P stored in the large-capacity feeder 47 one by one is arranged. Between the pickup roller 48 and the photosensitive drum 30, a separation mechanism 49 including a transport roller 49a and a separation roller 49b combined in a pair at the top and bottom is arranged. The separation mechanism 49 rotates the separation roller 49b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the transport roller 49a is rotated, so that the pickup roller 48 causes the large-capacity feeder 4 to rotate.
Only the uppermost one of the sheets P taken out of the sheet 7 is sent to a transport path described later.

On the upper portion of the large capacity feeder 47, a manual feeder 50 capable of feeding copy paper P is formed independently of the cassettes 41, 42, 43 and the large capacity feeder 47.

Between the manual feeder 50 and the photosensitive drum 30, a manual pickup roller 51 for taking in the paper P inserted in the manual feeder 50, a manual guide 52 for guiding the paper P taken in by the pickup roller 51, Further, a transport roller 53 that transports the sheet P guided toward the photosensitive drum 30 via the manual feed guide 52 is provided.

Each of the cassettes 41, 42 and 43
Further, between the large-capacity feeder 47 and the photosensitive drum 30, a transport path 54 for guiding the paper P from each of the cassettes 41, 42, and 43 and the large-capacity feeder 47 toward the photosensitive drum 30 is formed. This transport path 54
Is further extended to the outside of the copying apparatus 2 through a transfer area defined between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer / peeling charger 33. The transport path 54 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 55 for transporting the paper P fed from any of the cassettes, the large-capacity feeder, or the manual guide toward the photosensitive drum 30.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 30 on the transport path 54 and on the upstream side, the copy paper P guided along the transport path 54
Of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 and the leading end of the copy sheet P, and the copy sheet P is transferred to the transfer area at the same speed as the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. An aligning roller 56 for feeding paper is provided. In addition, before the aligning roller 56, that is, on the side of the transport roller 55, the aligning roller 56 is provided.
An aligning sensor 56a for detecting the arrival of the copy sheet P to the printer is provided.

A transport belt 57 for transporting the paper P is incorporated in the direction in which the paper P that has passed through the transfer area advances. In the direction in which the paper P is transported by the transport belt 57 and at a position where heat is not easily applied to the photosensitive drum 30, a heat roller pair whose roller surfaces are pressed against each other is provided. A fixing device 58 is provided to fix the toner image on the paper P by pressing the toner image and the paper P while melting the toner image by heating the P.

On the side wall of the copying machine 2 facing the fixing device 58, a sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 58 is formed.
Is disposed.

The finisher 59 includes a pair of rollers 59a that face down the copy sheet P discharged from the discharge rollers 62, a discharge tray 59b where the sheet P is discharged by the pair of rollers 59a, and one in the staple sort mode. A stapler 74c that staples each copy is provided.

Between the fixing device 58 and the finisher 59, the copy paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 58 is transferred to a sheet reversing section or a finisher 59 to be described later.
A discharge switching unit 60 that guides the user is provided.

The discharge switching unit 60 is disposed between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62 for propelling the sheet P passed through the fixing device 58, and between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62. Further, a sorting gate 63 is provided for selectively sorting the copy sheet P passed through the fixing device 58 to either the finisher 59 or a sheet reversing section described later.

The reversing mechanism 64 temporarily accumulates the copy paper P that has already passed through the transfer area and the fixing device 58, and the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 58.
A reversing path 66 for inverting the front and back to a temporary stacking unit 65, a pickup roller 67 for taking out the copy sheets P stacked in the temporary stacking unit one by one, and an aligning roller for re-aligning the sheets P stored in the temporary stacking unit 65. And a paper feed roller 69 that feeds the paper P guided to the transport path 68 toward the aligning roller 56.

The automatic document feeder 8 has a cover 71 whose rear edge is attached to the rear edge of the upper surface of the copying apparatus 2 via a hinge device (not shown). As described above, the feeding device 8 is formed so as to be able to open and close with respect to the document table 11 of the image reading unit 4 by rotating and displacing the entire feeding device 8.

On the slightly leftward portion of the upper surface of the cover 71,
A document feed table 72 for holding a plurality of documents D is provided. Documents D set on the document feeder 72 are sequentially taken out one by one from the left side of the document feeder 72 in the figure, that is, one end of the automatic document feeder 8, and an image reading unit is read from the left end in the figure. A pickup roller 73 for supplying the document to one end of the document table 11 is provided.

At a predetermined position of the document feeding table 72, an empty sensor 73 as a document detection sensor for detecting whether or not the document D is set on the document feeding table 72 is provided. The document feeder 72 has a document table 11.
A document width detection sensor (not shown) that functions in the same manner as the document position detection sensor 17 that detects the position where the document D is set on the document may be arranged.

In the direction in which the pickup roller 73 takes out the original, the paper feed roller 7 for sending out the original D taken out by the pickup roller 73 toward the original table 11.
4, and an aligning roller 75 for aligning the leading end of the document D fed by the paper feed roller 74 are arranged.

Aligning roller 75 and paper feed roller 74
Between them, an aligning sensor 75a that detects the arrival of the document D at the aligning roller 75 is arranged.

Inside the cover 71, at a position facing the original table 11 of the image reading section 4 in a state where the automatic original feeder 8 is closed, a size covering almost the entire original table 11 is set. Given, pickup roller 73,
The document D conveyed from the document feed table 72 via the feed roller 74 and the aligning roller 75 is placed on the document table 1.
A transport belt 76 that transports the belt to one predetermined position is disposed. The transport belt 76 is wound around belt rollers 77 arranged in a pair on the left and right sides in the figure, and is rotated by a belt driving mechanism (not shown) in both the right and left directions in the figure.

A reversing roller 7 for sending out the original D, which is moved from the left side in the figure to the right side in the figure by the conveyor belt 76, toward the outside of the cover 71,
8. The pinch roller 79 for pressing the document D against the reversing roller 78, and the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 78 and the pinch roller 79 is reversed and returned to the transport belt 76 or discharged to a predetermined discharge position, that is, the cover 71. The flapper 80 for switching the state of the paper, the paper discharge roller 81 for discharging the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 78 when the flapper 80 is switched to the discharge side, and the detection of the jam of the document near the reversing roller 78 A jam sensor 82 and the like are disposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control panel 20 for inputting various copy conditions, a copy start signal for starting a copy operation, etc.
0 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 2
00, a copy button 202 for setting a copy mode for executing a copy function, a FAX button 204 for setting a FAX mode for executing a facsimile function, and a printer for setting a printer mode for executing a printer function A button 206 is provided.

The control panel 200 includes a numeric keypad 208 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies in the copy mode, and a copy button 21 for instructing the start of copying.
0, a clear / stop button 212 used for correcting the number of copies or stopping the copying operation, an all clear button 214 for clearing all selected modes and various set conditions, and setting a copy magnification. For example, a magnification setting button 216 is provided.

Further, the control panel 200 includes:
A paper size button 218 for selecting and setting the size of the paper on which an image is to be formed, an automatic paper selection button 220 for detecting the size of the original placed on the platen and automatically setting the paper size, and setting the original size And an automatic magnification selection button 2 for automatically setting a copy magnification based on the paper size set by the paper size button 218 and the detected document size.
24 are provided.

In addition to these various setting buttons,
An operation guide button 226 for displaying guidance information such as the contents of the set mode and operation procedure, a preheat button 228 for setting a preheat state, an interrupt button 230 for instructing an interrupt while the printer unit is operating, and the like are provided.

At the approximate center of the control panel 200, a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the state of the apparatus, operation procedures, and various messages to the user in characters and figures is provided. Display panel 240 is provided. This display panel 24
0 indicates that the operation method and the like are displayed on the screen for each function.

The display panel 240 has, for example, a message area for providing information to the user, a title area in which title switching buttons are arranged, a field area for displaying icons, and the like.

Next, a control circuit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a basic unit and a page memory unit included in a control unit for controlling an image forming apparatus, that is, a copying apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the basic unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a basic control unit included in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of the copying apparatus 2 includes a basic unit 301 and a page memory unit 302. The basic unit 301 connects the scanner unit 4 and the printer unit 6 with an image processing unit 314, and forms a basic component of a copying apparatus controlled by a basic control unit 311. The page memory unit 302 receives and stores the image data from the basic unit 301, and transfers the stored image data to the basic unit 301 again, thereby implementing a memory copy (electronic sort).

The basic unit 301 and the page memory unit 302
A basic unit system interface 316 for exchanging control data and a basic unit image interface 317 for exchanging image data are connected.

The basic unit 301 includes a scanner unit 4, a printer unit 6, an image processing unit 314, and a CP for controlling these units.
It has a basic part 311 including U.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main CPU 100 of the basic control unit 311 includes a ROM 102, a RAM 104,
Memory M, internal interface 122, external interface 123, facsimile interface 126,
A printer interface 128, an auxiliary storage device interface 130, an image conversion circuit 132 for enlarging or reducing binary image data, a compression / expansion circuit 134 for compressing or expanding image data, and a motor for controlling the driving of the pulse motor PMT The drive circuit 150 and the like are connected.

The memory M has an automatic transmission mode for automatically transmitting image data of a document for transmission read from the scanner unit 4 at a predetermined timing in the FAX function.
In an automatic reception mode in which FAX data supplied via a telephone line is automatically received and output at a predetermined timing, image data is temporarily stored. In the copying function, the memory M temporarily stores image data, such as a document, taken in from the scanner unit 4. Further, the memory M temporarily stores image data supplied from the external device 138 via the printer cable 402 and the printer interface 128 in the printer function.

The control panel 200 already described with reference to FIG. 2 is connected to the internal interface 122.

An external device 124 is connected to the external interface 123. An external communication device 137 such as an external facsimile is connected to the facsimile interface 126 via a telephone line 404. An external device 138 such as a personal computer is connected to the printer interface 128 via a printer cable 402. The IC card reader / writer 142 and the hard disk drive 144 are connected to the auxiliary storage device interface 130.

The facsimile interface 126
Modem for communication to telephone line 404, telephone line 40
4 includes an NCU or the like as an interface for connecting to the NCU 4.

In such a configuration, when transmitting image data such as a document using the facsimile function, the main CPU 100 causes the memory M to store, for example, the image data of the document fetched from the scanner unit 4. The stored image data is enlarged or reduced by the image conversion circuit 132 as necessary according to the paper size of the transmission destination,
A compression / expansion circuit 134 converts the size-converted image data.
Facsimile interface 1
26 and the external communication device 137 via the telephone line 404.

When image data is received from outside using the facsimile function, the external communication device
37 is supplied to the memory M via the telephone line 404 and the facsimile interface 126.
Is stored. At this time, the image data is decoded by the compression / expansion circuit 134, stored in the dedicated memory MF of the FAX machine, and output to the printer unit 6 at a predetermined timing.

When copying a document image using the copy function, the main CPU 100 stores the image data of a document or the like fetched from the scanner unit 4 in the memory M. The stored image data is output to the printer unit 6 at a predetermined timing after predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing unit.

When outputting image data supplied from the outside using the printer function, the printer cable 402 and the printer interface 1
The image data supplied via the memory 28 is stored in the memory M. At this time, the stored image data is output to the printer unit 6 at a predetermined timing.

The storage / recall of the image data is performed by the main C
This is performed by the PU 100. For example, when storing image data, image data read by the scanner unit 4, image data as facsimile data supplied via the telephone line 404, and image as print data supplied via the printer cable 402. The data is stored in the memory M according to an instruction from the main CPU 100. The instruction of the main CPU 100 is performed in accordance with the mode determined by the mode designation key input from the control panel 200.

The parameter table 1 is stored in the RAM 104.
04a is set. Various conditions set by key operations on the control panel 200 are stored in the parameter table 104a. The predetermined conditions correspond to specified values stored in the parameter table 102a set in the ROM 102. The parameter set as this condition is
The information includes image processing parameters during copying, various setting conditions, ON / OFF of a scaling setting function, a telephone number registered as a transmission destination, and the like.

In this parameter table, the drive signal values supplied from the motor drive circuit 150 to the pulse motor PMT are set.

At the time of carriage scanning for scanning an original image, that is, when the first carriage 16 is moved from a predetermined home position to the end of the original, the corresponding motor speed is set in advance according to the reading magnification for reading the original image. Is set.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when reading an original image at an image reading magnification of 100%, ie, at the same magnification, and forming an image of the same size as the original image during carriage scanning, a pulse per unit time is used. 100% to a predetermined motor speed V (pulse / sec: PPS) specified by a number
Is a drive signal value corresponding to the motor speed when the image reading magnification is 100%. That is, by reading the original image at the same magnification, the image can be formed at the same magnification as the original image.

When an image forming magnification of 100% is set via the control panel 200, the main CP
U100 outputs a drive signal corresponding to motor speed V × 100 (%) corresponding to image formation magnification 100% to motor drive circuit 150 with reference to the parameter table.
Then, the pulse motor PMT is driven by the drive signal from the motor drive circuit 150.

When an image is read and an image is formed at an image reading magnification of 25%, that is, a reduction magnification of 25%, a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined motor speed V by 400% is a motor speed at an image reading magnification of 25%. Is the drive signal value corresponding to. That is, by reading the document image at four times the speed at the time of forming an image of the same size, the document image can be reduced to 1/4 times and the image can be formed.

When an image forming magnification of 25% is set via the control panel 200, the main CPU
100 outputs a drive signal corresponding to a motor speed V × 400 (%) corresponding to an image forming magnification of 25% to the motor drive circuit 150 with reference to the parameter table. The drive signal output from the motor drive circuit 150 causes the pulse motor PMT to output four times as much as at the time of forming an image at the same magnification.
It is driven at twice the number of rotations.

The image reading magnification is 400%, that is, 400%.
When reading an original at an enlargement ratio of% and forming an image,
A value obtained by multiplying the predetermined motor speed V by 25% is a drive signal value corresponding to the motor speed at an image reading magnification of 400%. In other words, by reading the original image at 1/4 times the speed of forming the original image, the original image can be enlarged four times to form the image.

When an image forming magnification of 400% is set via the control panel 200, the main CP
U100 outputs a drive signal corresponding to motor speed V × 25 (%) corresponding to an image forming magnification of 400% to motor drive circuit 150 with reference to the parameter table. The pulse motor PMT is driven by the drive signal output from the motor drive circuit 150 at a rotation speed that is １ ／ times that at the time of the same-size image formation.

In this copying apparatus, in addition to forming an image at the same magnification of 100%, a magnification of 25% to 400%
It is possible to change the image formation magnification between
The magnification can be arbitrarily selected every 1% between% and 400%. Although omitted in FIG. 7, the magnification 2
The motor speed (unit: PPS) corresponding to each magnification of 1% between 5% and 400% is preset.

On the other hand, after scanning the document image, that is, at the time of carriage return until the first carriage 16 reaches the document end and returns to the predetermined home position, a predetermined motor speed selectable as necessary. Is set in advance.

For example, when it is necessary to continuously scan a document a plurality of times, it is necessary to return the first carriage 16 having scanned from the home position to the document end to the home position at a high speed. The first carriage 16 is driven. In the high-speed return mode, a drive signal corresponding to the motor speed MAXV (PPS) at which the first carriage 16 can move at the maximum speed is output to the motor drive circuit 150, and the pulse motor PMT is driven at the maximum rotation speed.

When a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when it is not necessary to scan the document a plurality of times, it is not necessary to return the first carriage 16 that has scanned from the home position to the document end to the home position at high speed. The first carriage 16 is driven in the low-speed return mode. In the low-speed return mode, a drive signal corresponding to a predetermined motor speed V × n (PPS) applied at a predetermined image reading magnification set in advance is output to the motor drive circuit 150,
Pulse motor P at lower rotation speed than high-speed return mode
MT is driven. Here, n is from 25% to 400%
Is any integer between.

The motor speed set in the low speed return mode can be arbitrarily changed by the user. That is, the user can arbitrarily set the motor speed in the low-speed return mode via the control panel 200 from among motor speeds corresponding to any of the reading magnifications during carriage scanning. For this reason, the user can select a motor speed that does not cause touch to his or her preference.

Next, the page memory unit 302 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. A page memory unit 302 controls access to the page memory (PM) 323 from the basic unit 301, a system control unit 304 including a communication memory 305, a page memory 323 for temporarily storing image data, An address control unit 306 that generates an address of the memory 323, an image bus 320 that transfers data between devices in the page memory unit 302, and a control signal between each device in the page memory unit 302 and the system control unit 304. Control bus 321 for transferring, image bus 3
And a data control unit 307 that controls data transfer when data is transferred between the page memory 323 and another device via the device 20.

An image data interface (I / F) for interfacing image data when transferring image data to / from the basic unit 301 via the basic unit image interface 317.
308, when image data is transmitted to a device having a different resolution, the image data is converted into a resolution of another device;
Conversion / binary rotator 3 that converts the resolution of the printer unit 6 to the image data and executes a 90-degree rotation process of the binary image data.
25.

The page memory unit 302 compresses the input image data or compresses the input image data for a device that compresses and transmits image data such as facsimile transmission and optical disk storage. A compression / decompression unit 324 for decompressing the image data of the form via the printer unit 6 for visualization is connected to the image data I / F 308. When the image data is output from the printer unit 6, the image data is turned 90 degrees or-. A multi-value rotation memory 309 and the like used when outputting the image by rotating it by 90 degrees are provided.

Next, the image forming operation of the copying apparatus thus configured, for example, the copying operation by the copying function will be described in detail.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the copying apparatus is initialized, the fixing device 50 is heated to a predetermined temperature, the rotational speeds of the respective motors are stabilized, and the standby state is maintained.

Then, after predetermined copy conditions are input by the user via the control panel 200, the copy button 210 for instructing the start of copying is turned on, so that the document is placed on the automatic document feeder 8 and Originals are guided to the original table 11 one by one.

Then, the document D set on the document table 11 is optically scanned by the scanner unit 2 and
The image of the document D is read via the D image sensor 24. That is, the image reading magnification for reading the original image is set according to the copy magnification among the input copy conditions.
The motor drive circuit 1 refers to the parameter table based on the input copy magnification and drives the pulse motor PMT at a motor speed corresponding to the corresponding image reading magnification.
50 is controlled.

Then, the pulse motor PMT is driven based on the drive signal output from the motor drive circuit 150. When the pulse motor PMT is driven, the first carriage 16 is moved from the home position to the end of the original substantially in parallel with the original table 11. The second carriage is moved following the movement of the first carriage 16. While the first carriage 16 is moving,
The exposure lamp 13 is turned on to illuminate the original.

With the movement of the first and second carriages, the reflected beam from the original is reflected by the first mirror 15 and the second mirror.
An image is formed by the CCD sensor 24 by the mirror 21, the third mirror 22, and the imaging lens 23.

Then, the read image data is temporarily stored in a memory and subjected to predetermined image processing.

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is uniformly charged by the charging device 31. Subsequently, the light emission of the laser exposure device 32 is controlled based on the image data on which the image processing has been performed, and a predetermined exposure position of the photosensitive drum 30 is irradiated with a laser beam. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 30.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is developed into a visible image by a developing device 33 containing toner, and is converted into a toner image on the photosensitive drum 30.

The leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 is taken out of one of the paper cassettes of the multi-stage paper feeder 40 at a predetermined transfer position, and aligned by a aligning roller 56 at a predetermined timing. Is aligned with the tip. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer / separation bias supplied from the transfer / separation device 34.

On the other hand, the residual toner which has not been transferred onto the photosensitive drum 30 after the toner image has been transferred onto the paper is
Each is cleaned by the cleaning device 36.

The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 58 by a conveying belt 57. After the toner image heated by the fixing device 58 is fused and fixed on the sheet, the sheet is discharged to a finisher 59.

When copying conditions are input via the control panel 200 so as to read both sides of a document, the automatic document feeder 8 causes one side of the document to face the document table 11. Documents on document table 1
After the document is set at a predetermined position and the document is read, the document D is turned upside down and the other side of the document is placed on the document table 1.
The document is again set at a predetermined position on the document table 11 so as to face the document 1, and the document is read.

Further, in the printer section 6, when copying conditions are input via the control panel 200 so as to form images on both sides of the sheet, the sheet on which the image has been fixed is turned by the sorting gate 63 into a reversing mechanism. Guided to 64. Then, the sheet is again conveyed toward the photosensitive drum 30 in a state where the sheet is turned over, and after an image is formed on the back surface of the sheet, the sheet is discharged to the finisher 59.

Next, a description will be given of motor speed selection control during carriage return for returning the first and second carriages to the home position after the image reading operation is completed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for controlling the selection of the motor speed upon carriage return.

First, copying conditions are input by the user via the control panel 200. Then, when the copy button 210 is turned on by the user, the copy operation is started.

At this time, it is determined whether the copy is a single copy or a multi-copy based on the input copy conditions and the output signal from the document detection sensor 73 provided in the automatic document feeder. ST1).

Here, the single copy is a case where the image forming operation is performed only once for one document. That is, this is a case where one document is copied one sheet. A multi-copy is a case other than the single copy. For example, when two or more copies are made by performing an image forming operation a plurality of times on a single document, To perform an image forming operation.

The single copy means that the document is not detected by the document detection sensor 73 after one document is taken in to the document table 11 by the automatic document feeder 8 and that the One copy operation, that is, determination can be made by setting copy conditions so that copying is performed only on one side of one sheet.

The multi-copy operation is performed when the document is detected by the document detection sensor 73 after a single document is taken into the document table 11 by the automatic document feeder 8 or in a copy condition. If it is set to form an image on two or more sheets, that is, to make a copy, or if it is set to form an image on both sides of a sheet, the document is read on both sides and the image on each side is read. This can be determined when each of them is set to be formed on paper.

In ST1, if it is determined that the copy is a single copy, a carriage scan is executed, and
A copy operation is started (ST2).

That is, the pulse motor is rotated at a motor speed corresponding to the copy magnification set in the copy condition, and the first
The carriage 16 is moved from the home position to the document end, and the second carriage 20 is moved following the first carriage 16. Then, based on the reflected beam from the document, an image corresponding to the document image is formed on one side of the sheet in the printer unit 6.

Then, at the time of carriage return for moving the first carriage 16 moved to the document end to the original home position, the low-speed return mode is selected (ST3). That is, the motor speed V corresponding to a predetermined image reading magnification at the time of carriage scanning in advance.
At xn (%), the first carriage 16 is moved from the position of the document end to the home position.

Then, the apparatus is prepared for the next image forming operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in ST1 that the copy is a multi-copy, a carriage scan is executed and a copy operation is started (ST4).

That is, the pulse motor is rotated at a motor speed corresponding to the copy magnification set in the copy condition, and the first
The carriage 16 is moved from the home position to the document end, and the second carriage 20 is moved following the first carriage 16. Then, based on the reflected beam from the document, the printer unit 6 corresponds to an image formed on one side of the first sheet and one side of the first sheet fed from the automatic document feeder 8. An image is formed.

Subsequently, the original 1 is set according to the input copy condition.
If two or more copies are made per sheet, it is determined whether or not the count value of the copy counter indicating the remaining number of copies is 0 (ST5). The fact that the copy counter is 0 indicates that the sheet on which an image is currently formed is the last sheet on which an image is to be formed.

When the copy counter is 0, the low-speed return mode is selected at the time of carriage return for moving the first carriage 16 moved to the document end to the original home position (ST3). That is, the first carriage 16 is moved from the position of the document end to the home position at a motor speed corresponding to a predetermined image reading magnification at the time of carriage scanning.

Then, the system is prepared for the next image forming operation.

If the copy counter is not 0, it is subsequently determined whether or not it is possible to select the low-speed return mode during carriage return (ST).
6). That is, it is determined whether or not the time until the next image forming operation is started is longer than the time for moving the carriage to the home position. In other words, the time from the completion of one image forming operation, that is, the state in which the carriage has moved to the document end, to the start of the next image forming operation, ie, the time from when the document reading operation can be started from the home position, If it is longer than the time required to return the carriage moved to the document end to the home position, the low-speed return mode is selected at the time of carriage return (ST3).

Here, when the low-speed return mode can be selected, there are the following cases.

For example, when both sides of a document are read and an image is formed on one side of two sheets or on both sides of one sheet, the time required for the automatic document feeder 8 to reverse the front and back of the document is set. There is. Therefore, the time from reading one side of the document and forming a document image on one side of the sheet until starting to read the other side of the document is the time for reversing the front and back of the document. The time for returning the first carriage that has reached the position to the home position is sufficiently secured, and it is not necessary to select the high-speed return mode and move the first carriage at the maximum speed. Therefore, the low-speed return mode is selected.

When one side or both sides of a document are read and images are sequentially formed on both sides of one sheet corresponding to the read document image, the front and back of the sheet having the image fixed on one side are used. In the reversing mechanism 64 for reversing the paper, there is a time for reversing the front and back of the sheet. For this reason, the time from reading a document and forming a document image on one side of the sheet until starting to form an image on the other side of the sheet is a time for reversing the front and back of the sheet. The time for returning the first carriage that has reached the position to the home position is sufficiently secured, and it is not necessary to select the high-speed return mode and move the first carriage at the maximum speed. Therefore, the low-speed return mode is selected.

Further, this case also applies to a retry due to an error in feeding the original, and the low-speed return mode is selected at the time of carriage return.

Then, the first carriage moves to the home position, and prepares for the next image forming operation.

In ST6, if a low-speed return is not possible, that is, it does not correspond to the above-mentioned case,
For example, when it is not necessary to reverse the sheet and it is necessary to perform the image forming operation continuously, it is necessary to make a copy at a high speed. The carriage is moved to the home position at the highest speed (ST7). That is, the first motor speed of the preset maximum speed MAXV
The carriage 16 is moved from the position of the document end to the home position.

Then, in preparation for the next image forming operation, S
Return to T4.

As described above, in the case of single copy,
The slow return mode is always selected during carriage return, but even in the case of multi-copy,
When copying the original image on the final sheet, or when the time until the next image forming operation is started is longer than the time to move the carriage to the home position, etc.
It is possible to select the low speed return mode.

Therefore, when it is not necessary to return the carriage to the home position at high speed, it is not necessary to rotate the pulse motor at high speed by returning the carriage at low speed. The noise of the touch can be reduced.

The motor speed selected in the low-speed return mode is not constant due to the structure and size of the image forming apparatus, the performance of the pulse motor for driving the carriage, and the like. Can be arbitrarily selected from the motor speeds corresponding to the image reading magnifications set in advance in the parameter table with reference to. In the experiment, by executing the carriage return at the same speed as that during the carriage scan, it was possible to prevent generation of a tactile high-frequency sound.

Such control of motor speed selection during carriage return is particularly effective in medium-speed and low-speed copying apparatuses in which single copy is frequently performed.

[0146]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the carriage is returned from the original end position to the home position after scanning the original, the rotation speed of the motor for driving the carriage is adjusted as necessary. By reducing the speed, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing noise, an image reading apparatus applied to the image forming apparatus, and an image reading method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus, that is, a digital copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a control panel provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a carriage driving mechanism in a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling selection of a motor speed of a carriage applied to the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a basic unit and a page memory unit included in the control unit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a basic control unit included in the basic unit illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating motor speeds when the carriage shown in FIG. 4 scans and returns.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Image forming apparatus 4 Scanner unit 6 Printer unit 100 Main CPU 102 ROM 104 RAM 122 Internal interface 123 External interface 126 Facsimile interface 128 Printer interface 137 External communication device 138 External device 150 ... Motor drive circuit 200 ... Control panel 202 ... Copy button 204 ... FAX button 206 ... Printer button 240 ... Display panel 300 ... Control unit 301 ... Basic unit 302 ... Page memory unit 402 ... Printer cable 404 ... Telephone line

Claims (18)

[Claims] A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; and a driving means for driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. A driving unit that drives to return the reading unit to the predetermined position; and a control unit that outputs a driving signal corresponding to a predetermined image reading speed to the driving unit to return the reading unit to the predetermined position. An image reading device, comprising: 2. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. A driving unit that drives the device to return to the predetermined position; and a data signal output to the driving unit, the data signal defining a plurality of image reading speeds when the reading unit reads the document image. A data holding unit for holding a signal; and a data signal for defining a predetermined image reading speed held by the data holding unit for returning the reading unit to the predetermined position, to the driving unit. An image reading apparatus, comprising: control means; 3. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. A driving means for driving the document image to return to the predetermined position, and a first data signal output to the driving means, the data signal being output when the reading means reads the original image at a first speed. Data holding means for holding a data signal and a second data signal output when the reading means reads the document image at a second speed; and a data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting one of the first data signal and the second data signal held by the holding means to the driving means, and Place. 4. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. And a data signal to be output to the driving means, wherein the reading means reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive at a first speed; and a first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the document image at a second reading magnification. A data holding means for holding a second data signal, and a first data signal and a second data signal held by the data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Image reading apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for outputting the deviation or one with respect to the driving means. 5. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a document supply means for sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to said reading means; A driving unit that drives from the position to the document end and drives the reading unit that has reached the document end to return to the predetermined position; and a next after the document is supplied to the reading unit by the document supply unit. If the time required for the original to be supplied to the reading means is longer than the time required for the reading means to return to the predetermined position, after reading the image at the first image reading speed, Control means for outputting to the drive means a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed, for returning to the position. Image reading device. 6. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a document supply means for placing a plurality of documents and sequentially supplying the reading means to the reading means, and a loading means for placing on the document supply means. Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a read original; driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to an original end; and driving the reading means which has reached the original end to return to the predetermined position. A driving unit that performs a reading operation when the original is supplied to the reading unit by the original supplying unit and the detecting unit detects that the original is not placed on the original supplying unit; After the image is read at the first image reading speed, a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed is sent to the driving unit in order to return to the predetermined position. An image reading device comprising: a control unit that outputs 7. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a single-sided mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means; and a one-sided mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means. A document supply unit having a double-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by reversing the document later; and driving the reading unit from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and reaching the document end. Driving means for driving the reading means to return to the predetermined position; and when the double-sided mode is selected by the document supply means, one side of the document is read by the reading means at a first image reading speed. Control to output a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving means in order to return to the predetermined position after being read by Image reading apparatus characterized by comprising: a stage, a. 8. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving said reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and said reading means reaching said document end. A driving unit that drives to return the reading unit to the predetermined position; and a control unit that outputs a driving signal corresponding to a predetermined image reading speed to the driving unit to return the reading unit to the predetermined position. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit. 9. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. A driving unit that drives the device to return to the predetermined position; and a data signal output to the driving unit, the data signal defining a plurality of image reading speeds when the reading unit reads the document image. A data holding unit for holding a signal; and a data signal for defining a predetermined image reading speed held by the data holding unit for returning the reading unit to the predetermined position, to the driving unit. Control means; and image forming means for forming an image based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading means. An image forming apparatus. 10. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving said reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for reading an image, and said reading means reaching said document end. A driving means for driving the document image to return to the predetermined position, and a first data signal output to the driving means, the data signal being output when the reading means reads the original image at a first speed. Data holding means for holding a data signal and a second data signal output when the reading means reads the document image at a second speed; and a data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting one of the first data signal and the second data signal held by the holding means to the driving means; and an original output by the reading means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data corresponding to a draft image. 11. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving the reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and the reading means reaching the document end. And a data signal to be output to the driving means, wherein the reading means reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive at a first speed; and a first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the document image at a second reading magnification. A data holding means for holding a second data signal, and a first data signal and a second data signal held by the data holding means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. Control means for outputting any one of the driving means to the driving means; and image forming means for forming an image based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading means. Image forming device. 12. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a document supply means for sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to said reading means; A driving unit that drives from the position to the document end and drives the reading unit that has reached the document end to return to the predetermined position, based on image data corresponding to the document image output by the reading unit. An image forming unit that forms an image, and a time period from when the image forming operation is performed by the image forming unit to when the next image forming operation is performed is longer than a time period when the reading unit returns to the predetermined position. In this case, after reading the image at the first image reading speed, the first image reading is performed by the driving unit in order to return to the predetermined position. A control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the speed. 13. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, a document supply means for placing a plurality of documents and sequentially supplying the reading means, and a loading means for placing on the document supply means. Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a read original; driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to an original end; and driving the reading means which has reached the original end to return to the predetermined position. A driving unit, an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit, and when a document is supplied to the reading unit by the document supply unit, If the detecting means detects that a document is not placed on the document supply means, and the image forming operation performed by the image forming means is only one time, A driving signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed is transmitted to the driving unit in order to return to the predetermined position after reading the image at the first image reading speed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that outputs: 14. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a document supply means for placing a plurality of documents thereon and sequentially supplying the reading means to the reading means; Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a read original; driving the reading means from a predetermined position for reading an image to an original end; and driving the reading means which has reached the original end to return to the predetermined position. A driving unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit, and an image formed on one surface by the image forming unit. A reversing means for reversing the formed paper, and when reversing the paper on which an image is formed on one surface by the reversing means, the reading means is used to read an image at a first image reading speed. After forming an image on one surface of, for returning the reading means to the predetermined position,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving unit. 15. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a single-sided mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means; and a one-side mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means. A document supply unit having a two-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by reversing the document later; and driving the reading unit from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and reaching the document end. A driving unit that drives the reading unit to return to the predetermined position; an image forming unit that forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit; A reversing unit for reversing a sheet on which an image is formed on one side by the image forming unit; and a reading unit when the double-sided mode is selected by the document supply unit. Therefore, after one surface of the document is read at the first image reading speed, the drive means is returned to the predetermined position, so that the driving means is driven at a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a drive signal corresponding to the image forming apparatus. 16. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data; a single-sided mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means; and a one-side mode for supplying one side of the document to the reading means. A document supply unit having a two-sided mode for supplying the other side of the document by reversing the document later; and driving the reading unit from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and reaching the document end. A driving unit that drives the reading unit to return to the predetermined position; an image forming unit that forms an image on one surface of a sheet based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit; A reversing unit for reversing a sheet on which an image is formed on one side by the image forming unit; and the duplex mode is selected by the document supply unit;
In the case where the sheet on which an image is formed on one side is reversed by the reversing unit, after the one side of the document is read at a first image reading speed by the reading unit,
Control means for outputting a drive signal corresponding to a second reading speed different from the first image reading speed to the driving means in order to return to the predetermined position. Forming equipment. 17. A reading means for reading a document image while moving and outputting image data, and driving said reading means from a predetermined position to a document end for image reading, and said reading means reaching said document end. And a data signal to be output to the driving means, wherein the reading means reads the original image at a first reading magnification. A first data signal output to drive at a first speed; and a first data signal output to drive the reading unit at a second speed when the reading unit reads the document image at a second reading magnification. Data holding means for holding a second data signal, and a first data signal corresponding to a first speed and a second data signal corresponding to a second speed held in the data holding means. Setting means for setting one of them as a drive speed for returning the reading means to the predetermined position; and setting a driving speed corresponding to the speed set by the setting means for returning the reading means to the predetermined position. A control unit that outputs a data signal to the driving unit with reference to the data holding unit; and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data corresponding to a document image output by the reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: 18. An image reading step of scanning a document from a predetermined home position to a document end position at a reading speed corresponding to a reading magnification by a reading means, and sequentially outputting image data corresponding to a document image; After reading the document up to the end position, the time required until the next image reading step is started is required for the reading means to return from the document end position to the home position at a reading speed corresponding to the reading magnification. A determining step of determining whether or not the time is longer than a time; and if it is determined that the time is longer than the time, the document is returned from the document end position to the home position at a reading speed corresponding to the reading unit and the reading magnification. An image reading method, comprising: a return step.