JPH11187174A - Image reading device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading device and an image forming device with high operability which can improve the image reading quality for the originals which are manually set, never gives burden to an automatic original feeding device and also can detect the information on the sizes and positions of the originals via the prescanning. SOLUTION: An automatic original feeding device (1st original press- contacting means) 11 is provided to automatically feed the originals to an original board glass (original mounting part) 12 together with an original press- contacting belt (2nd original press-contacting means) 1 which press-contacts the original that is mounted on the glass 12 while the device 11 is being saved from the glass 12 and a store part 51a which is provided for an image reading/ forming device body to store the belt 1.

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 image on a document and an image forming apparatus for forming the read image information on a sheet material. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying machine FK as an image forming apparatus, an original placing section 10 as shown in FIG.
ADF automatic document feeder ADF that can be opened and closed
Some have 1.

In the automatic document feeder ADF1, originals G stacked on an original stacking tray 101 are fed one by one from the bottom, and a driving roller 102 and a driven roller 1 are driven.
The original G is conveyed to a predetermined image reading position of the original placing section 100 by the original conveying belt 104 stretched around the original 03, is stopped, and the original reading carriage 1 of the copying machine FK is moved.
05 is scanned to read the original image (fixed reading).

[0004] Alternatively, a document image is read by a document reading carriage 105 stopped while a document G is conveyed over a document placing portion 100 by a document conveying belt 104 (flow reading).

In the automatic document feeder ADF1, the document on the transport belt 104 is
Automatic Document Feeder A
A plurality of pressing rollers 107 in the DF 1 for pressing the transport belt 104 downward by the restoring force of the spring, the driving roller 102 of the document transport belt 104 and the driven roller 10
3 are provided.

In the copying machine FK, the use of the automatic document feeder ADF1 is restricted depending on the conditions such as the material, thickness and shape of the document G.
Is once separated from the platen glass, and the automatic document feeder A
The original G is placed on the original glass 10 without using the DF1.
6, and again placed in the automatic document feeder ADF
1 is closed, and the original placing operation and the pressing operation are performed by manual operation such as reading the image by pressing the original G in close contact with the original platen glass 106.

On the other hand, in a full-color copying machine or the like, an openable and closable original pressing plate having no original feeding function is constituted by a mirror-like reflecting surface whose original pressing surface is appropriately roughened. By performing a pre-scan of the original G placed on the original platen glass 106 before reading the image of the original G, regardless of whether the original G is a black-and-white or color original, Position and size can be detected.

An automatic sheet material selection function is also used to automatically select a sheet material on which an image is to be formed based on the detected information on the document G.

[0009]

However, in the automatic document feeder described above, the two rollers 102, 10 which stretch the document conveying belt of the automatic document feeder are particularly preferred.
In the vicinity of 3, a wedge-shaped (when viewed from the conveyance width direction) original press-fitting region R1 occurs in which the pressing of the original is incomplete compared to other regions as shown in FIG. If this operation is performed, a shadow may be formed on the background, or an abnormality may occur in the document density, as shown in FIG.

[0010] This is to prevent the original illuminating section of the copying machine from being directly irradiated with the light emitted from the halogen lamp 151 by the regulating plate 152 or the like as shown in FIG.
The light is condensed and irradiated on the original G on the original platen glass 106 by 54 and 155. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the distance from the original platen glass 106 (platen glass) decreases the irradiation light amount. That is what happens.

When reading an image of an original having a shape (such as a round shape or a triangular shape) difficult to be conveyed by the automatic document feeder ADF1, a small-sized original such as a postcard, or a thick original such as a book. In this case, an original is placed by manual operation without performing automatic feeding.

However, in this operation, in order to firmly press the original placed on the floating region R1 of the original, the original is automatically pressed from above the automatic document feeder ADF1. This is one of the factors that cause backlash or breakage in the feeding mechanism of the apparatus ADF1 and the hinge part to be opened and closed.

Also, it is very difficult to make the outer peripheral surface of the original transport belt 104 of the automatic original feeder ADF1 into a mirror shape.
Since the document 04 is partly distant from the document surface, the information on the size and position of the document could not be detected even if the pre-scan was performed when the document was placed or replaced in the manual operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to improve the image reading quality of an original when the original is placed by manual operation. An image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus with good operability, in which a load is not imposed on the automatic feeding apparatus, and information on the size and position of the original document is detected by performing pre-scanning. I will provide a.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a transparent document table and image information of a document placed or conveyed on the upper surface of the document table are stored. ,
Image reading means for reading from the underside of the original placing portion, and an openable / closable arrangement with respect to the upper surface of the original placing portion. The original can be pressed against the original placing portion and automatically fed. A first original pressing unit, and a second original pressing the original placed on the upper surface of the original mounting unit when the first original pressing unit is retracted from the original mounting unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a pressing unit and a storage unit provided in the apparatus main body for storing the second document pressing unit.

It is also preferable that the second document pressing means is a rollable sheet member.

It is also preferable that the second document pressing means is a plate-like member and is rotatably fixed to the apparatus main body.

The original pressing surface of the second original pressing unit may be white.

The document pressing surface of the second document pressing device may be a reflection surface.

The image reading means may detect the original position and the original size by recognizing the original pressing surface of the second original pressing means and the original being pressed. It is suitable.

A design may be provided on the original pressing surface of the second original pressing unit.

The symbol may be changeable.

The symbol may be a frame for setting the size of the document.

An image forming apparatus includes the image reading apparatus described above and image forming means for forming image information of a document obtained by the image reading apparatus on a sheet material.

[0025]

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an upper part of a digital copying machine FK as an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine FK using the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a digital copying machine FK
An image reading unit 51 functioning as an image reading device of the copying machine main body, an operator operation unit 53, and the like are arranged above the printer unit.
Is arranged.

A transparent platen glass 12 serving as a document placing portion is disposed above the image reading section 51. A rotating shaft located on the back side of the upper surface of the main body of the digital copying machine FK is rotated with respect to the platen glass 12. Automatic document feeder 11 as first document pressing means for opening and closing by rotating about the center
Is provided.

A magnet 19 is provided in the vicinity of the leading end of the automatic document feeder 11 on the release side. The magnet 19 is attracted to the magnet catch plate 5 of the copying machine main body, so that the automatic document feeder 11 can be reliably mounted. The closing is realized.

The digital copying machine FK has a second
The document pressing belt 1 is provided as a document pressing unit, and when not in use, the take-up unit 3 disposed in the storage unit 51a provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 51 causes the document to be pressed by the winding unit 3 shown in FIG.
It is wound up and stored as shown in FIG.

Original document pressing belt 1 according to this embodiment
Is a sheet-like member that almost covers the document table glass 12, and the document pressing surface is white.

The configuration of the image reading section 51 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 30 denotes a first carriage that moves along the document, and includes a document illuminating unit 33 and one reflection mirror 34. The document illuminating unit 33 has the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 12, and when the document is separated upward from the platen glass 12, the light irradiation amount of the document decreases as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a second carriage which moves along the original at half the speed of the first carriage.
And two reflection mirrors 36 and 37 each having a relative angle of.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a condensing lens which reflects the reflected light of the original incident through these three reflecting mirrors on a line CCD 38.
Imaged above. By scanning these two carriages 30 and 31 along the original, the image data of the original is fetched as an analog original signal, A / D converted by the electrical unit 39, and stored in a frame memory in the electrical unit. The original image is stored as image data, and the printer unit 52 can reproduce the original image as needed.

Alternatively, an original image can be read by the carriages 30 and 31 stopped by the automatic original feeder 11 while the original is conveyed over the original platen glass 12.

Next, the characteristic operation of the digital copier FK according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described. Here, a procedure for placing a document and a reading operation by a manual operation using the document pressing belt 1 and not performing automatic document feeding by the automatic document feeder 11 will be described in accordance with a procedure actually operated by an operator.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the operator places the original G at a predetermined position on the original platen glass 12, and pulls out the original pressing belt 1 with the handling portion 2 at the leading end of the original pressing belt 1. .

As shown in FIG.
The magnet provided in a part of the handling unit 2 is fixed to the magnet catch plate 5 shared with the automatic document feeder 11 provided on the near side of the upper surface of the copying machine as shown in FIG.

Here, when the original cover 1 is fixed as described above, the winding portion 3 on the rear side is always urged in the direction of winding the original cover 1 by a spring mechanism (not shown). Therefore, it functions so that the original is brought into close contact with the original platen glass 12.

The entire length of the original pressing belt 1 is about 100 mm longer than when no original is placed.
It is possible to smoothly press a document (book document such as a book or a magazine) having a thickness of about mm, and also easily press a document by an operator or the like.

When the use of the original pressing belt 1 is finished, the handling unit 2 is separated from the magnet catch plate 5 of the copying machine main body, and the original pressing belt 1 is automatically taken up by the take-up unit 3 and the handling unit 2 Comes to the position of the guide roller 4, and the winding is completed.

Thereafter, when the automatic document feeder 11 is closed, the handling unit 2 protruding from the upper surface of the copying machine main body.
Enters the storage section 51a of the automatic document feeder 11,
This is not an obstacle when closing the automatic document feeder 11.

Therefore, since the original G is pressed manually in the manual operation by the original pressing belt 1 serving as the second original pressing means, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of shadows on the background and the occurrence of abnormalities in the original density. Also, when reading the book document, the operator presses the document pressing belt 1, so that the feeding mechanism of the automatic document feeder 11 and the hinge portion to be opened and closed do not cause backlash or breakage.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the original document retracting plate 22 is retracted from the original table glass 12 and the original cover 22 is used. FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a pressure bonding plate 22 is stored.

The digital copying machine FK according to the second embodiment is capable of reading a full-color image, and the image reading section 51 scans two carriages along a document, as in the first embodiment. By condensing the condenser lens 35 on the CCD 28, it is stored in the frame memory of the electrical component unit 39 as full-color image data separated into RGB.

Then, the stored image data is taken into another CPU by the data communication means, or sent to the printer unit 52 to form an image and copy it. The CCD 28 is a three-line CCD sensor having an RGB color filter and shown in detail in FIG.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an original document pressing plate made of a plate-like member used for manual original exchange, which does not perform automatic original feeding, and rotates about a rotation shaft 23, and its central portion 24 is foldable. And can be easily opened and closed by holding the handle 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the automatic document feeder 11 is used, it can be stored in a storage portion 52a provided on a side surface of the main body which can be retracted from now.

The original pressing surface of the original pressing plate 22 is a mirror-like reflecting surface. By performing prescanning before a normal image reading sequence, even if automatic original feeding is not performed, the original It realizes recognizing the position and any document size within the image reading range. Therefore, an automatic sheet material selecting function can be exhibited.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment includes a document pressing belt having substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 91 denotes an original pressing belt which can be stored in the copying machine main body; 92, a handling portion of the belt 91; and 93, a magnet for fixing the belt 91 during use.

The features of the third embodiment are as follows.
In the image reading unit of the copier having the same configuration as that of the embodiment, the design is printed on the original pressing surface of the original pressing belt 91, and the original pressing belt 91 is used as an image of a document using a transparent sheet material, By using a document smaller than the image reading area, it is possible to add a background to the read image.

Further, by using a frame that allows the size of the original to be detected by prescanning as a design, the placed original can be recognized as an original of a predetermined size without using the original pressing surface as a reflection surface. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an original pressing plate according to the embodiment. The fourth embodiment is a document pressing unit of a copying machine having substantially the same configuration as that of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 95 denotes an original cover which can be stored in the main body of the copying machine. Reference numeral 96 denotes a sheet storage portion which is disposed on the original press side of the original cover 95 and is made of a transparent material such as PET film. ing. A mirror sheet or a sheet having a design is stored in the sheet storage section 96 as necessary, thereby realizing the proper use of the original pressing plate 95.

(Other Embodiments) The first to fourth embodiments have been described.
In the above embodiments, the present invention is particularly applied to a digital copying machine. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and an image reading apparatus having two original pressing units including a storable original pressing unit or Any image forming apparatus may be used.

Further, in the embodiment, only the original pressing belt or the original pressing plate is shown as the second original pressing unit that can be stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0056]

As described in the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve image reading quality of a document in manual operation, not to impose a burden on an automatic document feeder, and to perform prescan. It was possible to detect information on the size and position of the original document, and thus an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus with good operability were obtained.

When the second document pressing means is a sheet-like member capable of being wound, restrictions on the shape of the document are relaxed, and the document is easily pressed in manual operation.

By using the document pressing surface of the second document pressing device as a reflecting surface, it is possible to detect the position / size information of the document placed by pre-scanning, thereby exhibiting an automatic sheet material selection function. Becomes possible.

Further, by providing a pattern and a format frame on the original pressing surface, in the case of a transparent original, the design of the original pressing surface can be superimposed and read in addition to the image information of the original. By providing a frame for setting the size of the document, the size of the document having a special shape can be detected as a fixed size or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a copying machine showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the copying machine showing the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a copying machine showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a three-line CCD sensor used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a document pressing belt according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an original cover according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of a copier according to the prior art.

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view of a document conveying belt of a copying machine.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of image reading data in which a background fog has occurred.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a document illuminating section of the copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the depth of document illumination of the copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 original pressing belt 2 handling unit 3 take-up unit 4 guide roller 5 magnet catch plate 11 automatic document feeder (first original pressing unit) 12 original platen glass (document placing unit) 22 original pressing plate 23 rotating shaft 24 Central unit 30 First carriage 31 Second carriage 33 Document illumination unit 34 Reflection mirror 35 Condensing lens 36, 37 Reflection mirror 38 CCD 39 Electrical unit 51 Image reading unit 51a Storage unit 52 Printer unit (image forming means) 53 Operator operation section

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image reading unit configured to read image information of a document placed or conveyed on an upper surface of the document placing unit from a lower surface side of the document placing unit; A first manuscript crimping means disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the upper surface of the manuscript placing part, and crimping a manuscript to the manuscript placing part to enable automatic feeding; A second document pressing unit that presses a document placed on the upper surface of the document placing unit when the document is retracted from the document placing unit; and an apparatus for storing the second document pressing unit. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a storage unit provided in a main body. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second document pressing unit is a rollable sheet member. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second document pressing unit is a plate-shaped member, and is rotatably fixed to the apparatus main body. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original pressing surface of the second original pressing unit is white. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original pressing surface of the second original pressing unit is a reflection surface. 6. The document reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit recognizes the original pressing surface of the second original pressing unit and the pressed original to detect the original position and the original size. The image reading device according to claim 5. 7. A document is provided on a document pressing surface of said second document pressing device.
The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said symbol is changeable. 9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the symbol is a frame for setting a size of the document. 10. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: image forming means for forming image information of a document obtained by the image reading apparatus on a sheet material. Image forming apparatus characterized by the following