JPH11112699A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader which reads a thick original, also continuously and even carries automatically a sheet original and reads it. SOLUTION: A pair of opening and closing parts 8 and 9 which are double openable are formed on an original platen, and one becomes a paper feeding tray 8 and the other becomes a paper ejecting tray 9 with both parts opened. Thus, a thick original such as a book or a file can be read with the parts 8 and 9 closed. Meanwhile for sheet originals, plural sheets of them are set on the tray 8 by opening the parts 8 and 9, carried toward the tray 9, and read automatically through a sheet-through system.

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 for reading an original placed upward from above by a reading means, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus capable of reading a thick original, and also capable of reading a sheet original. The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of continuously and automatically reading (feeding / discharging) and reading.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image reading apparatus for photographing an original placed upward, an image reading apparatus for a thick original such as a book and an image reading apparatus for a sheet-like flat original (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet original). An image reading device is known.

In an image reading apparatus for a thick original, even if the original is a spatially curved original such as a book, the height of the original is detected, and the image distortion is corrected based on the detected height.

In an image reading apparatus for a sheet document,
There is an apparatus equipped with an automatic sheet document feeder (ADF) so that a flat sheet document can be automatically and quickly scanned (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-115516).

[0005]

In the above-described conventional image reading apparatus for thick originals, a sheet original may be read by using the apparatus. In this case, there is no problem if there is only one original, but if there are many originals, it is necessary to repeat the work of setting and reading each sheet by hand, and then removing it. Poor workability.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned conventional image reading apparatus for sheet documents has a problem that it cannot be used for thick documents because it is not intended to read thick documents such as books.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reading thick originals and automatically and continuously reading sheet originals.

[0008]

The above object is achieved by the following invention. (1) Reading means for reading a document from above, a pair of opening / closing portions which are formed to be openable on the top of a document table, one of which is a paper feed tray and the other is a discharge tray in an open state, and placed on the document table. A shape recognizing means for recognizing the height shape of the placed thick document, and a sheet document for conveying the sheet document fed from one of the open / close sections to the other open / close section with the pair of open / close sections opened. When the opening / closing section is in the closed state, the height of the document is recognized by the shape recognition section, and the image read by the reading section is processed based on the recognition. In this case, the image reading apparatus includes a control unit that controls reading of an image by the reading unit while conveying the document by the sheet document conveying unit. According to the present invention, an opening / closing unit that can open both sides is provided on an upper portion of a platen of a device capable of reading a thick original such as a book or a file. With the opening / closing unit open, one side is used as the paper feed tray and the other side is used as the paper output tray.The sheet document set in this paper feed tray is automatically transported, the image is read by the reading unit, and the paper is transported toward the paper output tray. I do.

(2) When reading an image, the control means adjusts the focus to a predetermined point on a document table based on the open / close state of the open / close unit, and reads the document in accordance with the position at which the document is read. Is set to a predetermined initial position. In this case, first, the focus adjustment and the position adjustment of the reading unit are performed according to whether the document is a thick document or a sheet document, so that reading can be started quickly.

(3) A first original reading start switch arranged on the upper surface of the upper part of the original platen with the openable opening / closing portion closed, and a second original reading start arranged on a fixed portion of the apparatus. And a control means,
An operable switch of the two original reading start switches is determined based on the open / close state of the open / close unit.

(4) The control means enables both the first and second document reading start switches when the opening / closing portion is closed, and when the opening / closing portion is open. Only the second document reading start switch can be operated. In this case, it is possible to prevent a situation in which reading control is performed due to erroneous operation.

(5) The control means enables only the first document reading start switch when the opening / closing section is closed, and when the opening / closing section is open,
Only the second document reading start switch is operable.

(6) A guide plate is provided below the opening / closing section when the opening / closing section is in a closed state, and is located above a sheet document to be conveyed when the opening / closing section is in an open state. The guide plate can be opened and closed with the opening and closing portion opened. In this case, if a jam occurs during the conveyance of the sheet document, the guide plate can be opened to open the conveyance path, and the jammed document can be easily removed.

(7) Further, reading means for reading the original from above, illumination means provided with a slit illumination mode for partially illuminating the original in a slit shape of a predetermined width and an overall illumination mode for illuminating the entire surface of the original, In the case of the first original reading mode in which the entire surface of the original is read while the reading unit is moved, the entire surface of the original is read while the reading unit is fixed and the original is conveyed while the illumination unit illuminates the entire original in the illumination mode. In the case of the second document reading mode, the image reading apparatus includes: a control unit that controls the illumination unit to perform illumination in the slit illumination mode. According to the present invention, power consumption can be reduced in the second document reading mode, that is, in reading a sheet document.

(8) The illuminating means includes a first illuminating section for partially illuminating a slit having a predetermined width, and a second illuminating section for illuminating other portions. In the case of the second document reading mode, the first illumination unit is operated, and in the case of the first document reading mode, the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit are operated.

(9) The first illuminator is provided at a position for illuminating the vicinity of the center of the document table, and the second illuminator is provided at a position sandwiching the first illuminator.

(10) The light distribution to the vicinity of the center of the document table is made stronger than other parts. In this case, the illuminance distribution is brightened only in the vicinity of the center, so that even when the distance from the illuminating section to the document surface is slightly longer at the time of reading a sheet document, a decrease in the amount of illumination is prevented. It is possible to prevent a reduction in the amount of illumination light due to the height distribution having a concave shape at the center.

(11) The first illuminator is set so that the illuminance on the document table is higher than that of the second illuminator.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when a thick document is read, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where a thick document is placed on the apparatus.

This apparatus has a document table 1 on which a thick document 35 (see FIG. 2) such as a book or a file can be placed upward. Above the platen 1, an image pickup camera unit 4 having a CCD line image sensor 12 (refer to FIG. 4; hereinafter, abbreviated as an image sensor) as an image pickup device and reading an image of a document by scanning thereof is provided. Is provided. An illumination unit 5 for illuminating the document surface is disposed on the upper rear side of the document table, and a distance measuring mirror 7 is provided at the back of the document table surface.
The height of the document surface is detected from the image at the upper end of the document shown in FIG.

An operation panel 6 is disposed above the distance measuring mirror 7, and two independent document reading start switches 3 are provided on the document table 1. Various modes are set by the operation panel 6, and reading of one page, reading of both pages, and continuous shooting of pages can be easily performed only by these two key operations by the original reading start switches 3 and 3. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, the original reading start switches 3 and 3 are provided on the original platen 1 so that they can be easily operated even when the opened pages of the book original are pressed by hand so as not to close or float.
It is provided on the upper side with a slight slant in the horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, a depression 2 is formed at the center of the document table 1. By opening the upper part of the document table 1 by putting a hand in the recess 2, the opening of the document table 1 is detected by a sensor or a switch, and the sheet document automatic feed and reading mode is entered. Accordingly, various setting modes for the sheet document are automatically set. In the thick original reading mode shown in FIG. 1, if the sheet originals are manually set one by one, the reading can be performed as before.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the apparatus when a sheet document is read, FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the overall configuration of the apparatus in a state where the upper part of a document table is opened, and FIG. It is a figure for explaining a composition. In FIG. 4, a part of the internal structure is shown in a see-through manner.

A pair of openable and closable parts 8 and 9 are formed on the upper part of the original table 1 so as to be openable. One of the open / close units 8 and 9 is configured to be the paper feed tray 8 and the other is configured to be the paper discharge tray 9 when opened. In FIG. 3, the sheet original 36
Are set in the paper feed tray 8 and the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9.

When the open / close sections 8 and 9 are closed, they are arranged below the open / close sections 8 and 9. When the open / close sections 8 and 9 are open, they are located above the conveyed sheet original 36. Positioned guide plates 32 and 33 are provided, and the sheet document reading unit 11 is formed between the two. The sheet document reading section 11 is a slit-shaped opening along the front-rear direction of the apparatus. If the sheet document reading unit 11 is covered with the transparent glass, there is a possibility that a reading error of the document may occur due to reflection of an illumination system or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, document side regulating plates 18 and 19 for moving the sheet document 36 to one side are provided on the front side where the sheet feeding tray 8 is opened. The regulating plate 18 is of a fixed type. On the other hand, the regulating plate 19 also has a document size detecting mechanism, and is slidable in the direction of arrow C in the figure. When the sheet document 36 is set, the size of the sheet document 36 in the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the sheet document transport direction) is detected by setting the regulating plate 19 at an optimum position that matches the set document. In this case, for example, the regulating plate 1
By installing a reed switch or the like below 9 and a magnet or the like on the regulating plate 19 side, the size can be detected. As a result, the sheet document 36 is arranged at a predetermined position, and accurate document conveyance and reading are performed.

Since the document side regulating plates 18 and 19 are arranged on the front side with the sheet feeding tray 8 opened, the document side regulating plates 18 and 19 are accommodated inside the document table 1 in a state where the sheet feeding tray 8 is closed. Can be planned. In addition, the regulating plates 18 and 1
The risk of the device 9 being inadvertently interfering with the outside and being destroyed is reduced.

The image on the document surface is mirror 16 and lens 1
5, an image is formed on the surface of an image sensor 12 which is an image sensor. The image of the distance measuring mirror 7 arranged on the back side of the document table 1 is also formed on the image sensor 12 in the same manner.

The illumination unit 5 uses, for example, a halogen lamp as a light source. As shown in FIG.
The illuminating unit 5 includes a first illuminating unit 5a for partially illuminating a slit having a predetermined width, and a second illuminating unit 5 for illuminating other portions.
b, 5c. FIG. 5B shows the illuminance distribution on the document table (in a state where the opening / closing portions 8 and 9 are closed), and the central portion is bright as shown in the drawing.

In such a configuration of the illuminating section 5, only the first illuminating section 5a disposed at the center is turned on when reading a sheet original, and all of the first illuminating section 5a and the second illuminating sections 5b and 5c are turned on when reading a thick original. Can be controlled to be turned on. This has the advantage that power consumption is reduced when reading a sheet document. FIG.
As shown in (B), by increasing the illuminance distribution only in the vicinity of the center, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of illumination due to a slight increase in the distance from the illumination unit 5 to the document surface when reading a sheet document, and to read a thick document. In some cases, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the amount of illumination light due to the height distribution of the original document having a concave shape at the center.

Image sensor 1 inside imaging camera unit 4
Numeral 2 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4) on the focal plane of the image. The image sensor 12 is moved by an image sensor drive motor 13. The lens 15 is moved by an arrow B in the drawing by the lens drive motor 14 for focus adjustment according to the height of the document surface.
It is designed to move in both directions. When reading a thick original, the original surface is read while the image sensor 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. On the other hand, when a sheet document is automatically supplied and read, a sheet-through method is adopted in which the image sensor 12 is set at a fixed position and the document is read while being transported. In FIG. 4, reference numeral "17" indicates a reading optical path.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view for explaining a sheet document conveying path. In this apparatus, a pair of opening / closing sections 8 and 9 are opened, and a sheet feeding tray 8 serving as one of the opening / closing sections is provided.
A sheet document transport unit 44 is provided for transporting the sheet document fed from the printer to the discharge tray 9 which is the other opening / closing unit. The sheet original transport section 44 includes the paper feed roller 21, the transport belt 23, the discharge rollers 22 and 30, and the double-sided original transport belt 25.

A series of sheet document conveying operations are performed by a document reading start switch 10 provided at a fixed portion on the front of the apparatus.
(See FIGS. 1 to 4), the paper feed roller 2 is pressed.
1 starts sheet document feeding. The fed sheet document is placed on the transport belt 23 and carried.

The guide plate 32 is bent downward at the center of the apparatus to form a document holding bent portion 20. Thus, the original can be pressed down so that the original is as flat as possible on the reading surface. Further, by pressing the document downward, paper jam can be prevented.

After the conveyed sheet document is read by a sheet-through method, in the case of a single-sided document, the sheet document is discharged onto the discharge tray 9 by the discharge rollers 22 and 30 as it is.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a document near the paper discharge unit when reading a double-sided document, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a document near the paper feed unit.

When the sheet document is a double-sided document, the same operation as that for the single-sided document is performed on one side (see A1 and A2 in FIG. 7). When the document trailing edge sensor 28 detects the trailing edge of the document after reading the one surface, the sheet discharge roller 30 is rotated backward to return the sheet document (see A3 in FIG. 7). The sheet document enters the lower path along the document reversing guide plate 29 that has been swung downward (see A4 in FIG. 7), and is conveyed by the double-sided document conveyance belt 25. ing.

The document reversing guide plate 29 is made of a mylar or the like, and can be swung up and down in the direction of an arrow in FIG. The document reversing guide plate 29 is set on the upper side in the case of a single-sided document and in the case of a double-sided document immediately after reading one side, and reads the other side after reading one side of a double-sided document. Therefore, when the paper discharge roller 30 is rotated backward and returned, it is set on the lower side.

The sheet original returned to the sheet feeding unit by the double-sided original conveying belt 25 (see B1 in FIG. 8) is turned over as shown in FIG. 8 (see B2 and B3 in FIG. 8) and read again. After being performed, it is carried to the paper discharge tray 9. Reference numeral "31" in FIG. 8 is a document guide plate for double-sided reading. In this manner, both sides of a document can be read.

The sheet original placed on the paper feed tray 8 is picked up from below, and the above operation is repeated until the sheet original on the paper feed tray 8 is exhausted.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a main part showing a state in which a pair of opening / closing portions of the present apparatus are opened, FIG. 10 is an external view of a main part explaining a method for processing a jam, and FIG. 11 is a side view of the same. .

As shown in FIG. 9, the guide plates 32, 33 located above the conveyed sheet document are connected to the apparatus main body via hinge portions 32a, 33a on the inner side thereof, and can be opened and closed. I have. Therefore, when a jam occurs during the conveyance of the sheet document, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the front side of the guide plate 32 can be lifted to open the transport path, and the paper jammed document can be easily removed.

FIG. 12 is a circuit block diagram of a control system of the present apparatus. The above-described various switches, various sensors, a lighting unit, various driving systems, and the like are connected to the CPU 40, and control the entire apparatus.

The sheet original reading mode switch 41 is operated when the paper feed tray 8 is open, and is turned on when the paper feed tray 8 is opened, for example, several cm from the closed state. Is set.

As shown in FIG. 6, the document transport sensor 24 is provided in the vicinity of the document pressing and bending portion 20 and detects the transport of the document.

The document trailing edge sensor 28 is used to detect the end of document ejection as shown in FIG. The document size detection sensor 42 can detect the document size in the width direction in conjunction with the movement of the document side regulation plate 19. The document presence / absence detection sensor 43 is embedded in the paper feed tray 8 and detects the presence / absence of a document placed on the paper feed tray 8.

Next, the reading operation control by this apparatus will be described. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine of a reading operation control executed by the CPU 40 of the apparatus, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a mode set shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a sheet original reading mode shown in FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the thick original reading mode shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an interrupt operation, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a subroutine of reading control shown in FIG. .

As shown in FIG. 13, when the power supply (not shown) is turned on (step S1), the process proceeds to step S5, where the reading mode is set according to the type of the original. In this mode setting, as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined whether the opening / closing portions 8 and 9 of the document table 1 are open or closed by detecting the sheet document reading mode switch 41 (step S3).
0). When the switch 41 is on, that is, when the open / close units 8 and 9 of the document table 1 are open (YE in step S30).
S), the subroutine of the sheet original reading mode is executed (step S35), and when the switch 41 is turned off, that is, when the opening / closing portions 8 and 9 of the original platen 1 are closed (NO in step S30), the thick original reading mode is set. (Step S40).

When setting to the sheet original reading mode, focus adjustment is first performed as shown in FIG. 15 (step S50).

That is, in the sheet original reading mode,
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the sheet document is fed and conveyed from the sheet feed tray 8 by the sheet feeding roller 21 and the conveying belt 23, and after passing the document pressing and bending portion 20, the sheet document is read. The image is read by the image sensor 12 through the unit 11. While the image sensor 12 is fixed, the reading is performed while conveying the document. At this time, since the distance from the image sensor 12 to the document surface is longer than in the thick document reading mode, the lens 15 is moved by the lens drive motor 14 in accordance with this distance.
Adjust the focus. Further, the image sensor 12 is driven to a position where a document is read through the sheet document reading unit 11 (step S55). Then, a flag SMF indicating the sheet document reading mode is set (step S6).
0).

When setting to the thick original reading mode,
As shown in FIG. 16, first, focus adjustment and image sensor position adjustment are performed (steps S70 and S7).
5). That is, the height of a document for reading a thick document (for example, the document table 1 with the sheet feed tray 8 closed).
Height of the upper surface of the
The image sensor 12 is set at an initial position for scanning a document. In the thick document reading mode, the reading of the document is performed while adjusting the focus. The flag SMF is reset (Step S80).

As described above, when the power is turned on, the focus and the position of the image sensor are adjusted according to the reading mode, so that reading can be started quickly.

When the setting of the reading mode is completed, FIG.
Then, the subroutine of the reading control is executed (step S10). This reading control will be described later. After the execution of the reading control, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (step S15),
If the power is turned off (YES in step S15), the reading operation ends, and if the power is not turned off (step S15).
15 (NO), and returns to step S10.

Here, the original reading start switches 3, 1
When 0 changes from the off state to the on state, or when the paper feed tray 8 changes from the closed state to the open state or from the open state to the closed state, the interruption operation shown in FIG. 17 is executed. In the interrupt operation, first, the changed state of the switch is stored (step S100), and the above-described mode set subroutine (see FIG. 14) is executed to adjust the focus and the position of the image sensor (step S105). Return to the front.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the reading control,
First, it is determined whether or not the flag SMF is set, that is, whether or not the sheet original reading mode is set (step S).
120), if in the sheet original reading mode, step S1
Then, the process proceeds to step S25, where the information setting of the one-side reading mode or the two-side reading mode is performed (step S125). In this case, a display as shown in FIG. 19A is made on the operation panel 6, and the user sets the single-sided reading mode or the double-sided reading mode.

Next, it is determined whether or not the document reading start switch 10 has been turned on (step S130).
At this time, by not accepting the operation of the document reading start switch 3, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the reading control is performed by erroneous operation.

When the original reading start switch 10 is turned on (YES in step S130), the inversion flag F indicating the inversion conveyance control of the original is reset, and the light illumination control is performed (step S140). That is, as described above, in the sheet document reading mode, control is performed to turn on only the first illuminating unit 5a disposed at the center (see FIG. 5A).

In step S145, the sheet feed tray 8
The control of feeding and conveying of the sheet document placed on the sheet is performed. Then, the process waits until the document feed sensor 24 is turned on. If the document feed sensor 24 is turned on (YES in step S150), it is determined that the document has been fed to the vicinity of the sheet document reading unit 11.
The reading by the image sensor 12 is started (step S160). Further, the density is detected from the density data for several lines (step S165), and the amount of illumination is adjusted based on the density (step S170).

If the document feed sensor 24 is turned off (YES in step S175), the reading is terminated (step S180), and the process stands by until the document trailing edge detection sensor 28 is turned off (step S190). The document trailing edge detection sensor 28 is turned on when the document is passing, and is turned off when the document is passed. However, this and on
It is also possible to design so that the off is reversed.

If the document trailing edge detection sensor 28 is turned off (YES in step S190), it is determined whether the mode is the double-sided reading mode (step S195). Here, if the reading mode is the double-sided reading mode (YES in step S195), it is determined whether or not the reversal flag F has been reset (step S200). move on. Then, the reversal flag F is set (step S205), and the reversal control of the document transport is performed to transport the document (step S210,
6 and 7), and returns to step S150.

If the inversion flag F has not been reset in step S200, it is determined that double-sided reading has been completed, and the inversion flag F is reset (step S21).
5) Go to step S220. In step S220, it is determined whether the reading of the document set on the paper feed tray 8 has been completed, that is, whether the document has been removed from the paper feed tray 8 or not. Then, the lighting unit 5 is turned off (step S225), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

If there is a document on the paper feed tray 8 in step S220, the process returns to step S145, and a series of controls from the document feeding are performed. Also, in step S195,
If the mode is not the duplex reading mode, the process proceeds to step S220 without resetting the inversion flag F.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S120 that the reading mode is the thick original reading mode (SMF = 0), the process proceeds to step S25.
0, a display as shown in FIG. 19B is displayed on the operation panel 6, and the user reads the left and right pages of the opened thick original, reads only the left page, or reads only the right page. Is set in one of the modes.

Next, it is determined whether one of the document reading start switches 3 and 10 has been turned on (steps S255 and S260). When one document reading start switch is turned on, the process advances to step S265 to perform light illumination control. That is, as described above, control is performed to turn on all of the first illumination unit 5a and the second illumination units 5b and 5c when reading a thick original (see FIG. 5A). It is also possible to configure so that only the document reading start switch 3 is operable and it is determined whether or not this switch is turned on.

After the light illumination control is performed, the original is read while moving the image sensor 12, and a preliminary scan is executed to obtain focus data, density data, and the like based on the data (step S270). Then, after the completion of the preliminary scan, an image is read while moving the image sensor 12 and performing focus adjustment, density adjustment and magnification correction (distortion correction), and a main scan for inputting the image to the memory is executed (step S275).

Steps S270 and S270
Regarding the sequence control of H.275, automatic focusing (AF), and image distortion detection / correction, a known technique (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-9797) is used.
5 and the like, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in this embodiment, the document table 1
A pair of opening and closing parts 8, 9 are formed on the upper part of the
With the opening / closing sections 8, 9 open, one of the sheet feeding trays 8
Since the other is configured as the paper discharge tray 9, it is possible to read a thick document such as a book or a file while keeping the open / close sections 8, 9 closed. By opening the sheets 8 and 9, a plurality of sheet documents can be set in the sheet feed tray 8 and conveyed toward the sheet discharge tray 9 while being automatically read by a sheet-through system while being compactly read. Can be provided. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to read a thick original as well as a sheet original while setting one sheet at a time, and it is possible to easily input an image with good workability.

When reading a sheet document, the first illuminator 5
a, the first illuminator 5a and the second
Since all of the illuminators 5b and 5c are turned on, it is possible to reduce power consumption when reading a sheet document. Furthermore, since the illuminance distribution is brightened only in the vicinity of the center, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of illumination due to a slightly longer distance from the illumination unit 5 to the document surface when reading a sheet document.
At the time of reading a thick original, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of illumination light due to the height distribution of the original presenting a concave shape at the center.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical concept of the present invention.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, a thick original can be read, and even if there are a plurality of sheet originals, the original can be continuously and automatically conveyed and read. And image input can be performed easily.

In the reading operation, if only the first illuminating unit is turned on when reading a sheet document, and the first and second illuminating units are turned on when reading a thick document, power consumption when reading the sheet document can be reduced. . In addition, by making the illuminance distribution bright only near the center, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of illumination light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when reading a thick document.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where a thick original is placed on the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the apparatus when reading a sheet document.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of the apparatus in a state where an upper portion of a document table is opened.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting unit;
FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an illuminance distribution on the document table in a state where the opening and closing unit is closed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a sheet document conveyance path.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a document near a paper discharge unit when reading a double-sided document.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the movement of a document in the vicinity of the sheet feeding unit.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a main part showing a state in which a pair of opening and closing portions of the present apparatus are opened.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a main part for explaining a jam processing method.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a jam processing method.

FIG. 12 is a circuit block diagram of a control system of the present apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine of reading operation control of the apparatus.

14 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a mode set shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a sheet original reading mode shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a thick original reading mode shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an interrupt operation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a reading control subroutine shown in FIG.

19A is a display on the operation panel when the reading mode for a sheet document is set, and FIG. 19B is a display on the operation panel when the reading mode for a thick document is set.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Original platen, 3 ... Original reading start switch, 4 ... Imaging camera part, 5 ... Illumination part, 5a ... First illumination part, 5b ... Second illumination part, 6 ... Operation panel, 7 ... Distance measuring mirror, 8 ... Paper feed tray (opening / closing section), 9: paper ejection tray (opening / closing section), 10: document reading start switch, 11: sheet document reading section, 12: image sensor (reading means), 15: lens, 21: paper feeding roller Reference numerals 22 and 30: discharge rollers, 23: transport belt, 25: transport belt for double-sided originals, 32, 33: guide plate, 35: thick originals, 36: sheet originals.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoneichi Onoda 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Kuniaki Obayashi 2-3-1, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Otsuka 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading a document from above, a pair of opening / closing portions formed on the upper portion of a document table so as to be openable, one of which is a paper feed tray and the other is a discharge tray in an open state, A shape recognizing means for recognizing the height of a thick original placed on a sheet, and conveying the sheet original fed from one of the open / close sections to the other open / close section with the pair of open / close sections open. When the opening / closing section is in a closed state, the height of the document is recognized by the shape recognizing section, and the image read by the reading section is processed based on the recognition result. An image reading device having control means for controlling reading of an image by the reading means while the document is being conveyed by the sheet document conveying means when in the state. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts a focus on a predetermined point on a document table based on an open / close state of the open / close unit when reading the image, and controls the read unit in accordance with a position where the document is read. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for setting the image reading apparatus to a predetermined initial position is performed. 3. A first document reading start switch disposed on an upper surface of the document table with a double-openable opening / closing unit in a closed state, and a second document reading start switch disposed on a fixed portion of the apparatus. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines an operable switch among the two document reading start switches based on an open / close state of the open / close unit. apparatus. 4. The control means enables both the first and second document reading start switches when the opening / closing section is closed, and when the opening / closing section is open, 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein only the second document reading start switch is operable. 5. The control means enables only the first document reading start switch when the opening / closing section is in a closed state, and when the opening / closing section is in an open state, the second document reading start switch is operable. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein only the document reading start switch is operable. 6. A guide plate disposed below the opening / closing section when the opening / closing section is in a closed state, and located above a sheet document to be conveyed when the opening / closing section is in an open state, 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate is openable and closable in a state where the opening and closing unit is opened. 7. A reading means for reading an original from above, an illuminating means having a slit illumination mode for partially illuminating the original in a slit shape having a predetermined width and an overall illumination mode for illuminating the entire original, and the reading means In the case of the first original reading mode in which the entire surface of the original is read while moving the original, the illumination unit illuminates the whole surface of the original while the reading unit is fixed and the original is conveyed. A control unit that controls the illumination unit to illuminate in the slit illumination mode in the document reading mode. 8. The illumination unit includes a first illumination unit that partially illuminates a slit having a predetermined width, and a second illumination unit that illuminates other portions. The first illuminating section is operated in the case of the original reading mode, and the first illuminating section and the second illuminating section are operated in the case of the first original reading mode. Item 8. The image reading device according to Item 7. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first illuminator is provided at a position for illuminating the vicinity of the center of the document table, and the second illuminator is provided at a position sandwiching the first illuminator. 8. The image reading device according to 8. 10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the light distribution to the vicinity of the center of the document table is made stronger than other parts. 11. The image reading device according to claim 9, wherein the first illuminator is set so that the illuminance on the document table is higher than that of the second illuminator. apparatus.