JPH11313198A - Device and method for reading image and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time for reading a document sheet by sheet with a scanner while it is transported by pulling it out of a document bundle where the documents of large and small sizes coexist. SOLUTION: After performing initialization and setting the value of a counter to '1', whether or not the document of the large size is present in the document bundle is judged. The scanner is moved to the read position A for the small size when it is not present and it is moved to the read position B for the large size when it is present (S101-S105). Then, after establishing a document size by a DF (automatic document feeder), it is read and image data are stored. Then, '1' is added to the value of the counter and then, whether or not the document is the final one is judged. When it is the final one, read end is judged, the scanner is moved to a standby position and then, the value of the counter is substituted for the sheet number (n) of the document.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading device such as an image reading unit, a scanner, and the like of a digital copying machine, which has a function of reading a document image while the document is being conveyed. It relates to a possible storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image reading apparatus having a function of reading a document image while the document is being conveyed. In this apparatus, even when a document of a different size is to be flow-read, the reading position is determined at the same predetermined position regardless of the document size.

[0003]

However, as described above,
Since the document size is not considered at all, there is a problem that when reading a document bundle in which a plurality of document sizes are mixed, it is not possible to perform an appropriate reading process according to the document size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the image quality of a document bundle in which a plurality of document sizes are mixed, without increasing the reading time in a document flow reading function for reading a document image during document transport. .

[0005]

In an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, a conveying means for sequentially conveying a plurality of documents to a predetermined path, a reading means for reading the conveyed documents at a predetermined reading position, Detecting means for detecting the sizes of the plurality of originals and control means for controlling the reading position of the reading means to be different according to the detected size are provided.

Further, in another image reading apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided a conveying means for conveying a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight traveling portion, and a reading means for reading the conveyed document. And the reading unit reads the document in a state where most of the document is conveyed through the straight traveling portion and is not curved.

In the image reading method according to the present invention, a conveying means for sequentially conveying a plurality of originals to a predetermined path, a reading procedure for reading the conveyed originals at a predetermined reading position by a reading means, A detection procedure for detecting the size of the document and a control procedure for controlling the reading position of the reading unit to be different according to the detected size are provided.

In another image reading method according to the present invention, a transporting procedure for transporting a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight-moving portion; A reading procedure for reading the document by the reading means in a state where the document is conveyed and not curved.

In the storage medium according to the present invention,
A conveyance process for sequentially conveying a plurality of documents to a predetermined path;
A reading process for reading the conveyed document at a predetermined reading position by a reading device, a detection process for detecting the size of the plurality of documents, and changing a reading position by the reading device according to the detected size. And a control program for executing the control process.

Further, in another storage medium according to the present invention, a transport process for transporting a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight portion, and most of the document is transported through the straight portion. A program for executing a reading process of reading the document by the reading unit in a state where the document is not bent and stored is stored.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a case where an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the image memory unit 3. Printer unit 2
Records an image corresponding to the image data from the image memory unit 3 on a recording sheet.

The image memory unit 3 compresses the image data transferred from the reader unit 1, stores the compressed compressed image data, and decompresses the stored compressed image data to expand the decompressed image data. The image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.
In addition, it transfers the stored image data to the external I / F processing unit 4, and stores the image data transferred from the external I / F processing unit 4. The external I / F processing unit 4 performs predetermined processing on the image data transferred from the image memory unit 3, outputs the processed data to an external device, performs predetermined processing on the image data sent from the external device, and performs image processing. The data is transferred to the memory unit 3. The automatic document feeder 5 is connected to the reader unit 1 and feeds the placed document to a predetermined reading position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a digital copying machine. In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes the main body of the digital copying machine, and reference numeral 6 denotes the automatic document feeder (DF) shown in FIG. Reference numeral 201 denotes a platen glass as a document mounting table, and 202 denotes a scanner, which includes a document illumination lamp 203, a scanning mirror 204 and the like.
The scanner 202 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original is transmitted through the lens 207 via the scanning mirrors 204 to 206, and the image sensor 208
An image is formed on the CCD sensor inside.

Reference numeral 209 denotes an exposure control unit composed of a laser, a polygon scanner, or the like. A laser light converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 208 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing described later. 219 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 211. Around the photosensitive drum 211, a primary charger 212, a developing device 213, a transfer charger 21
6. A pre-exposure lamp 214 and a cleaning device 215 are provided. In the image forming unit 210, the photosensitive drum 211 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 212, the laser light 219 from the exposure control unit 209 is emitted. Irradiation forms an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 211 is developed by the developing device 213 and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, pickup rollers 225, 226, and 2 are supplied from the right cassette deck 221, the left cassette deck 222, the upper cassette 223, or the lower cassette 224.
Transfer paper fed by the feed rollers 27 and 228
The toner image is sent to the main body 200 by the transfer rollers 29, 230, 231 and 232, is fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 233, and is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 216. After transfer, the photosensitive drum 211 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 215, and residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 214. The transfer paper after the transfer is transferred to the photosensitive drum 2 by the separation charger 217.
11 is separated from the fixing device 2 by the transfer belt 234.
Sent to 35. In the fixing device 235, the toner is fixed by pressure and heat, and is discharged to the outside of the main body 200 by the discharge roller 236.

The main body 200 is equipped with a deck 250 capable of storing, for example, 4000 transfer papers. The lifter 251 of this deck 250 is
The transfer paper rises according to the amount of the transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the transfer paper 2, and the transfer paper is sent to the main body 200 by the paper feed roller 253. Further, a multi-bypass tray 254 capable of storing 100 transfer sheets is provided.

Reference numeral 237 denotes a paper discharge flapper,
The path on the 38 side and the path on the discharge path 243 side are switched. 240
A lower conveyance path guides the transfer sheet sent out from the sheet discharge roller 236 through the reversing path 239 to turn the transfer sheet upside down and guide the transfer sheet to the re-feeding path 241. The transfer paper fed from the left cassette deck 222 by the paper feed roller 230 is also guided to the refeed path 241. Reference numeral 242 denotes a transfer sheet,
Is a paper re-feed roller for re-feeding paper. The paper discharge flapper 237 is disposed near the paper discharge flapper 237.
This is a discharge roller that discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge path 243 side to the outside of the apparatus.

At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the copied transfer sheet is guided to the re-feeding path 241 via the transport path 238, the reverse path 239, and the lower transport path 240. At this time, the rear end of the transfer paper is completely pulled out of the transport path 238 by the reversing roller 245, and is pulled into the reversing path 239 to a position where the transfer paper is bitten by the reversing roller 245. Send to pass 240. When the transfer paper is inverted and discharged from the main body 200, the discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the transfer paper is pulled into the reversing path 239 by the reversing roller 245 to a position where the rear end of the transfer paper remains in the conveyance path 238. By inverting the transfer paper 245, the transfer paper is turned over and sent out to the discharge roller 244 side.

Reference numeral 290 denotes a sheet discharge processing device for aligning and binding the transfer sheets discharged from the main body 200, and stacks and aligns the transfer sheets discharged for each sheet on a processing tray 294. When the discharge of a part of the image formation is completed, the transfer paper bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 292 or 293 as a bundle. The discharge tray 293 is controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), and moves to the position of the processing tray 294 before the image forming operation starts. Reference numeral 291 denotes a sheet tray on which separator sheets to be inserted between the discharged transfer sheets are stacked. Reference numeral 295 denotes a Z-folding machine that Z-folds the discharged transfer sheets. Also, 2
Reference numeral 96 denotes a bookbinding machine which performs bookbinding by folding the center of a part of the discharged transfer papers together and performing stapling. The bundle of bound paper is discharged to a discharge tray 297.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram in the main body 200 of the digital copying machine. Reference numeral 171 denotes a CPU for performing basic control of the digital copying machine; a ROM 174 as a storage medium according to the present invention in which a control program including flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 to be described later is written; a work RAM 175 for performing processing; 173 is connected to the address bus and the data bus. As the ROM 174, a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic medium or the like is used. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the digital copying machine, and inputs (not shown) such as a sensor for detecting the position of the paper. CPU 171 is ROM 174
The input / output control is sequentially performed via the input / output port 173 according to the contents of the above, and the image forming operation is executed.

An operation section 172 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls display means and key input means of the operation section 172. The operator instructs the CPU 171 to switch the display between the image forming operation mode, the scanner reading mode, and the print output mode via the key input unit.
U171 displays the state of the digital copying machine and the operation mode setting by key input. Further, the CPU 171 includes:
An image processing unit 170 that processes a signal converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 208 in FIG. 2 and an image memory unit 3 that stores a processed image are connected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image processing section 170. The image sensor unit 20 via the lens 207 in FIG.
The original image formed on the CCD sensor 8 is input as luminance data, and is converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor. The converted image information is sent to the signal processing unit 5
01, sample and hold, dark level correction, etc. are performed, and then analog-to-digital conversion (A / D
Conversion), and further performs shading correction of the digitized signal (correction of variations in the sensor that reads the original and the light distribution characteristics of the original illumination lamp). Then log
Sent to conversion section 502.

The log conversion unit 502 stores an LUT (lookup table) for converting the input luminance data into density data, and outputs a table value corresponding to the input data, thereby obtaining the luminance. Convert the data to concentration data. After that, the image is scaled to a desired magnification by the scaling unit 503, and then input to the γ correction unit 504. When outputting the density data, the γ correction unit 504 performs conversion using an LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit 172.

Thereafter, the data is sent to the binarizing section 505, where the multi-valued density data is binarized, and the density value becomes "0" or "255". The 8-bit image data is binarized and converted into 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, and the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced. However, when the image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 to two. Therefore, when image data having a large number of halftones such as a photographic image is binarized, the image is generally significantly deteriorated.
Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data.

Here, an error diffusion method is used as a technique for pseudo-halftone expression using binary data. According to this method, when the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold value, it is determined that the density data is “255”. In this method, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The distribution of the error is performed by multiplying a weight coefficient on a matrix prepared in advance by the error generated by the binarization and adding the result to surrounding pixels. As a result, the density average value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be represented in a pseudo binary manner.

The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 where it is stored. The image data from the computer input from the external I / F processing unit 4 is processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit 4 and is sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is. The image memory unit 3 has a high-speed page memory and a large-capacity memory (hard disk) capable of storing a plurality of page image data. The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk are sequentially output according to the editing mode specified by the operation unit 172.

For example, in the case of sorting, images of a document bundle read from the DF 6 are sequentially output. The image data of the document once stored is read from the hard disk, and this is repeated a plurality of times and output. Thereby, it can play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins. The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to a smoothing unit 506 in the printer unit 2. The smoothing unit 506 performs data interpolation so that the leading end of the binarized image becomes smooth, and outputs image data to the exposure control unit 209. The exposure control unit 209 forms image data on transfer paper by the above-described processing.

Next, details of the image memory unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the image memory unit 3, a page controller 301 including a memory such as a DRAM stores a memory controller 30.
2, a binary image is written from the external I / F processing unit 4 and the image processing unit 170, and the image is read out to the external I / F processing unit 4 and the printer unit 2; An image input / output access to the hard disk 304 as a device is performed.

The memory controller 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory unit 301 and arbitrates access from the external I / F processing unit 4, image processing unit 170, and hard disk 304 to the page memory unit 301. . Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, control is performed on a write address to the page memory unit 301, a read address from the page memory unit 301, a read direction, and the like. Accordingly, the CPU 171 performs layout by arranging a plurality of document images in the page memory unit 301, and controls a function of outputting to the printer unit 2, a function of cutting out and outputting only a part of an image, and an image rotating function.

Next, the configuration of the external I / F processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The external I / F processing unit 4 fetches the binary image data of the reader unit 2 via the image memory unit 3 as described above, and receives the external I / F via the image memory unit 3.
The binary image data from the F processing unit 4 is output to the printer unit 2 to form an image. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 406, a facsimile unit 401, and a facsimile unit 4
Hard disk 40 for storing communication image data 01
2. It has a computer interface unit 403 connected to the external computer 11, a formatter unit 404, and an image memory unit 405.

A facsimile unit 401 is a modem (not shown).
, And receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line. The facsimile unit 401 stores a facsimile image on the hard disk 402 and performs processing such as performing facsimile transmission at a specified time or transmitting image data in response to an inquiry about a specified password from a partner. Thus, once the image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 401 and the facsimile hard disk 402 via the image memory unit 3, the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 are not used for the facsimile function. And fax transmission.

The computer interface unit 403 is an interface unit for performing data communication with an external computer, and is a local area network (hereinafter referred to as L).
AN), a serial I / F, an SCS II / F, and a centro I / F for inputting data to a printer. This I / F
The external computer 11 notifies the external computer 11 of the status of the printer unit 2 and the reader unit 1 via an external computer 11.
Or to Further, it receives print image data from the external computer 11.

Since the print data notified from the external computer 11 via the computer interface unit 403 is described in a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 404 converts the code into an image in the printer unit 2 through the image memory unit 3. It is converted into raster image data to be formed. The formatter unit 404 develops raster image data in the image memory unit 405. The image memory unit 405 is thus the formatter unit 404
Is used as a memory for developing raster image data, or when the image of the reader unit 1 is sent to the external computer 11 via the computer interface unit 403 (image scanner function), the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 Is developed once in the image memory unit 405, converted into a format of data to be sent to the external computer 11, and sent out from the computer interface unit 403.

The core unit 406 includes a facsimile unit 401,
It controls and manages data transfer among the computer interface unit 403, the formatter unit 404, the image memory unit 405, and the image memory unit 3. This allows
Even if the external I / F processing unit 4 has a plurality of image output units and the image memory unit 3 has only one image transfer path, exclusive control and priority control under the management of the core unit 406 The image is output.

Next, the structure and operation of the automatic document feeder (DF) 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to 10 (m) and FIGS. I do. First, the configuration of the DF 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 601 denotes a paper feed roller, which drops on the paper surface of a document bundle 621 composed of at least one sheet material placed on a document tray 620 and rotates, thereby causing the uppermost document of the document bundle 621 to be rotated. Feed paper. Reference numeral 611 denotes a stopper, which is used as shown in FIG.
2B, the original bundle 621 is restricted by the stopper 611 and cannot advance downstream. The document fed by the paper feed roller 601 is separated into one sheet by the operation of the separation roller 602 and the separation belt 603. Separation is achieved by the well-known retard separation technique.

A transport roller 604 transports the separated document to a registration roller 605. By hitting the document against the registration roller 605 and forming a loop, skew in the conveyance of the document is eliminated. Below the registration roller 605, a paper feed path 6 serving as a conveyance path in the direction of the platen 201 for transferring the document passing through the registration roller 605.
52 or a reversing paper feed flapper 613 for guiding to the reversing entrance path 653. A first reversing roller 614 and a second reversing roller 615 rotate when reversing a document. A reversing flapper 612 guides a document coming from the direction of the second reversing roller 615 to the reversing path 650 or the re-feeding path 651.

Reference numeral 606 denotes a belt driving roller for driving a feeding belt 607 for arranging a document on a platen. The feeding belt 607 is in contact with the platen 201. Reference numeral 617 denotes a paper feed / discharge roller, and a manual paper feed port 622 is provided.
And feeds the original fed by the feeding belt 607 to the original discharge port 623. 6
Reference numeral 16 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which guides a document to a manual feed / discharge path 654 or a document discharge path 655. The paper discharge flapper 616 acts to prevent the document from being discharged toward the manual paper feed port 622 when the document is discharged.

Reference numeral 619 denotes a manual feed / discharge roller for feeding / discharging a manual document. 618 is a paper discharge roller,
The original is discharged. Further, three sensors 608 to 610 are arranged below the document tray 620. The sensor 610 is a document set detection sensor that is a transmission type optical sensor that detects that the document is set on the document bundle 621.
A sensor 608 is a document trailing edge detection sensor that is a reflective optical sensor for determining whether the document is a half-size document. A sensor 609 between the document set detection sensor 610 and the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 is a final document detection sensor that is a reflection type optical sensor for determining whether the document being transported is the last document.

Reference numerals 624, 625, and 626 denote original size detection sensors for detecting the size of the original being conveyed. Three original size detection sensors are arranged in the width direction of the original. The width is detected in three stages, and the widths of the originals A and B or A4 and A5 are determined. Also, the original length is detected based on the passage time of the original. This makes it possible to detect individual document sizes even in a document bundle in which documents of different sizes are mixed. However, in this case,
It is assumed that the document bundle is placed with the rear side in the document width direction aligned.

Next, the operation of the automatic document feeder 6 when reading both sides of a document printed on both sides (double-sided document) will be described. 7B to 8H, (1) showing the front and (2) showing the back are displayed at both ends of one document on the uppermost surface of the document bundle 621. When the automatic document feeder 6 is instructed to start feeding double-sided documents, the stopper 611 is lowered, and the paper feed roller 601 is further dropped on the upper surface of the document (FIG. 7B). Paper feed roller 601, separation roller 602, separation belt 603, transport roller 604
The document is separated from the uppermost surface of the document bundle 621 by only one sheet and fed to the registration roller 605 (FIG. 7C). At this time, the reversing paper feed flapper 613 is set in a direction for transporting the document to the reversing path.

When the registration roller 605 rotates, the original is conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 8E via the path shown in FIG. 7D. From here, the driving directions of the first reversing roller 614 and the second reversing roller 615 are reversed, the document is fed onto the platen, and stops at the position shown in FIG. When the reading of the document is completed, the document is turned over via the re-feed path 651 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (h), the sheet is fed onto the platen 201 again.

When the reading of the document is completed, the document is fed rightward, and is discharged from the document discharge port 623 to the outside of the automatic document feeder 6. By repeating the above operation,
The two-sided document can be separated one by one from the top surface, read the screen, and discharged with the top surface facing down (face down).

Next, the scanner 202 is fixed at a predetermined position, and the original is read (moving) by moving the original to read an image. I will explain separately. In the present embodiment, the reading position is varied depending on the size of the document in consideration of the stability at the time of document conveyance, the first copy time, and the like. The small size is a size at which the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 does not detect a document when the document bundle 621 is placed on the document tray 620 (for example, A
4, B5, etc.), and the large size is a size (for example, A3, B4) at which the document trailing edge detection sensor 608 detects a document when the document bundle 621 is placed on the document tray 620.
Etc.).

First, the flow reading of a small-sized document will be described. The operation until the document reaches the registration roller 605 is as described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the flow reading, as shown in FIG. 9I, the reversing sheet feeding flapper 613 guides the document onto the platen 201. The document is conveyed at a predetermined speed above point A in the figure, and the image of the document is read by the scanner 202 waiting below point A (FIG. 9 (j)). Point A is defined as the position where the trailing edge of the small size document has passed the registration roller 605. The original is conveyed to the right in the figure as it is, and is discharged out of the automatic document feeder 6 from the original discharge port 623 (FIG. 9 (k)).

Next, the flow reading of a document including a large size document will be described. The operation until the document reaches the registration roller 605 is as described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the flow reading, as shown in FIG. 10 (l), the reversing sheet feeding flapper 613 guides the document onto the platen 201. The original is conveyed at a predetermined speed over point B in the figure,
The image of the document is read by the scanner 202 waiting below point B. Point B is defined as the position where the trailing edge of the large-sized document has passed the registration roller 605. The original is conveyed to the right in the figure as it is, and is discharged out of the automatic document feeder 6 from the original discharge port 623 (FIG. 10 (m)). By defining the reading position according to the document size in this way, the effect of vibration transmitted to the document when the document is conveyed from the paper feed roller 601 by the registration roller 605 is eliminated, and the image quality of the read image is improved. be able to.

Next, the document tray 6 of the automatic document feeder 6
FIG. 11 shows how the direction of the document bundle 621 set in the document tray 20 and the direction of the document bundle 621 conveyed and discharged to the document discharge port 622 correspond to each other. The original shown on the left side of FIG. 11 is the original bundle 6 set on the original tray 620.
21. Since the document is conveyed in order from the number 1 document on the uppermost surface of the document and is output with its front and back reversed, FIG.
As shown on the right side of FIG. 1, the uppermost document is turned upside down and discharged as the lowermost surface.

Next, in the image reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, the reading of the original image of the original bundle in which the originals of different sizes are mixed is performed by the automatic original feeder 6 when reading the image data. A control example at the time of reading will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control example at the time of reading image data.
The operation starts when the operation unit 172 sets the scan in the mixed original mode using the original bundle in which the originals of different sizes are mixed.

First, in step S101, initialization is performed, and 1 is set to a counter value count. Next, the process proceeds to step S102, where it is determined whether or not the placed document bundle includes a large-size document. If it is not included, since the document is a mixed document of only the small size, the process proceeds to step S103, and the scanner is moved to A, which is the reading position of only the small size. If it is included, the process proceeds to step S104, and the scanner is moved to B, which is the reading position when the large size is included.

Next, the flow advances to step S105 to feed the first document. Then, the process proceeds to step S106, in which the document size is determined by the automatic document feeder 6, and in the next step S107, the document having the document size determined in step S106 is read, and the image data is stored in the count page. The document image stored at this time has a mirror image relationship as compared with the case where reading by moving the scanner is performed. Next, the process proceeds to step S108, where the counter value c
Add 1 to the count. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.
It is determined whether or not the read image is the final sheet. If it is not the last sheet, the process returns to step S105, and the operations from step S105 to step S108 are repeated until step S109 is satisfied.

The image data is stored in an arbitrary free area of the image data storage area shown in FIG. 13, and the head address of the stored area and the image information in which the storage size, the document width, and the document length are provided in different areas. The data is stored in the management area in the reading order. At this time, the number of original pages is also stored as the original ID.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S110, and since the reading has been completed, the scanner is moved to the standby position. Finally, in step S111, the counter value co
Unt is substituted and the processing ends. The control method at the time of reading the image data when the reading of the original image of the original bundle in which the originals of different sizes are mixed is performed by the automatic original feeder 6 is described above.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of control when reading image data. The operation is started when image data can be output to the external I / F processing unit 4. First, initialization is performed in step S201, and 1 is set to a counter value count. Next, step S202
And waits until output to the external I / F processing unit 4 becomes possible. In step S203, the image data of the count page stored in the hard disk 304 of the image memory unit 3 is output. At this time, since the described data is mirror image data, the image data is read out so as to be a mirror image of the mirror image, that is, the same original image as the original document.

Next, the process proceeds to step S204, where 1 is added to the counter value count. Then, step S205
To determine whether or not the value of the counter is equal to the stored document number n.
02, and thereafter, steps S202 to S204 are repeatedly executed until step S205 is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, all output is completed, so
It ends. The above is the control method when reading the stored image data.

By controlling as described above, the reading of the original image of the original bundle in which the originals of different sizes are mixed is performed by the automatic original feeder 6 and the external I
The image data can be output to the / F processing unit 4.

In FIG. 12, if there is at least one large-size document in the document bundle, the scanner is set to the reading position B and all the documents are read at this position B.
If there is a large-sized document in the bundle, the document is read at the reading position A until the first large-sized document appears, and the reading position B is set after the first large-sized document.
May be read.

[0056]

As described above, claims 1, 9, 1
According to the seventh aspect, when a large-sized document and a small-sized document are mixed in the document to be read,
The image quality of the read image can be further improved without lowering the productivity of the device due to the longer read time.

According to the present invention, the original image can be read when the original being transported is in a stable state, so that the quality of the read image can be further improved. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image memory unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an external I / F processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the operation of the automatic document feeder 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the operation of the automatic document feeder 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the operation of the automatic document feeder 6;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the operation of the automatic document feeder 6;

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating conveyance of a document bundle.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control example when reading image data.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating a storage area of image data in an image memory unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control example at the time of reading image data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image memory part 4 External I / F processing part 6 Automatic document feeder 170 Image processing part 171 CPU 172 Operation part 173 I / O port 174 ROM 624, 625, 626 Document size detection sensor

Claims (24)

[Claims] A transport unit configured to sequentially transport a plurality of documents to a predetermined path; a reading unit configured to read the transported documents at a predetermined reading position; a detection unit configured to detect a size of the plurality of documents; A control unit for controlling the reading position of the reading unit to be different according to the detected size. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects whether or not there is a document larger than a prescribed size among said plurality of documents. 3. The control means moves the reading means to a first position when a document larger than the prescribed size is detected, and moves the reading means to the first position when no document larger than the prescribed size is detected. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit is moved to the second position. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, in the predetermined path, the second reading position is located upstream of the first reading position in a direction in which the document is transported. 5. When the control means detects that there is a document larger than the specified size, the control means controls the reading means to the second document until the reading means reads the first document larger than the specified size. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein reading is performed at a position. 6. A transport device for transporting a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight portion, and a reading device for reading the transported document, wherein most of the document travels straight. An image reading device configured to read the document in a state where the sheet is conveyed and is not curved. 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said reading means can read at a plurality of reading positions. 8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the original is conveyed to the rectilinear portion via the curved portion by the conveying means. 9. A transport unit for sequentially transporting a plurality of originals to a predetermined path, a reading procedure for reading the transported originals at a predetermined reading position by a reading unit, and detecting the sizes of the plurality of originals. An image reading method, comprising: a procedure; and a control procedure for controlling a reading position of the reading unit to be different according to the detected size. 10. The image reading method according to claim 9, wherein said detecting step detects whether or not there is a document larger than a prescribed size among said plurality of documents. 11. The control procedure according to claim 1, wherein when a document larger than the specified size is detected, the reading means is set to the first state.
11. The image reading method according to claim 10, wherein the reading unit is moved to a second position, and when it is detected that there is no document larger than the specified size, the reading unit is moved to a second position. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the predetermined path, the second reading position is located upstream of the first reading position in a direction in which the document is transported.
The image reading method described. 13. The control procedure, when it is detected that there is a document larger than the specified size, the reading means keeps the reading means until the first document larger than the specified size is read. 13. The image reading method according to claim 12, wherein reading is performed at a position. 14. A transporting procedure for transporting a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight portion, and a reading device in a state where most of the document is transported through the straight portion and not curved. A reading procedure for reading the document. 15. The image reading method according to claim 14, wherein said reading step is capable of reading at a plurality of reading positions of said reading means. 16. The image reading method according to claim 14, wherein the original is conveyed to the rectilinear portion via the curved portion by the conveying procedure. 17. A transport process for sequentially transporting a plurality of documents to a predetermined path; a reading process for reading the transported documents at a predetermined reading position by a reading unit; and detecting the size of the plurality of documents. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process and a control process of controlling a reading position of the reading unit to be different according to the detected size. 18. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein said detection processing detects whether or not there is a document larger than a prescribed size among said plurality of documents. 19. The control process according to claim 1, wherein when a document larger than the specified size is detected, the reading means is set to the first position.
19. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the reading means is moved to a second position, and when it is detected that there is no document larger than the prescribed size, the reading means is moved to a second position. 20. The computer-readable computer according to claim 19, wherein in the predetermined path, the second reading position is upstream of the first reading position in the transport direction of the document. Storage media. 21. When the control process detects that there is a document larger than the specified size, the reading means controls the reading means until the first process reads a document larger than the specified size. 21. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20, wherein reading is performed at a position. 22. A transport process for transporting a document along a predetermined path formed by a curved portion and a straight portion, and a reading device in which most of the document is transported through the straight portion and is not curved by the reading means. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the reading process for reading the document. 23. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein said reading processing is readable at a plurality of reading positions of said reading means. 24. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the document is conveyed to the rectilinear portion via the curving portion by the conveying process.