JPS6331264A - Document reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively press a document having a thickness by providing a document pressing member being divided into at least three areas of the center part of a reading area and both side thereof and respectively movably supported in a substantially vertical direction on the lower surface of a transparent plate. CONSTITUTION:The document is mounted between a lower frame 1 and an upper frame 8 with a reading surface directed upward and the reading surface of the document is held on the plate by a document pressing glass 9 supported on the lower surface of the upper frame 8. A document reading means is constituted of the upper frame 8, a motor 10, a sensor unit 11, wire 12 and a rail 13. The sensor unit 11 has a means for illuminating the document and a photoelectrically transferring means therein, supported movably in parallel to the document pressing glass 9 abutting against the transparent plate by the rail 13 and driven at a prescribed speed by the motor 10 and the wire 12. A main operation for reading the document can be instructed from a control panel 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading device constituting an image processing system of information equipment such as a computer input terminal, high-speed facsimile, electronic file system, and intelligent copying machine.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of digital circuit networks, many systems having image databases have been announced in addition to intelligent copying machines, digital facsimile machines, electronic file systems, and the like. When reading a document used for such purposes, it is necessary to input a large amount of image information at high speed.

2. Description of the Related Art Document reading and scanning systems that convert image information contained in a document into electrical signals such as video signals are conventionally known.

For example, a manuscript reading device such as the one shown in Nikkei Electronics September 1984 IO Ro issue pages 161-194 and Nikkei Computer using them - 1985 111
In an image processing system such as the one shown on pages 75 to 91 of the 4th issue, originals are input in the same way as in a normal copying machine.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, unlike ordinary copying machines, if the input image is turned upside down due to a mistake in placing the original, or if the vertical and horizontal directions of the original do not match those in memory, the subsequent Various problems occurred during the editing process, and it was necessary to re-enter the information.

Regarding this point, there is a hand scanner that enables manual work while visually checking the reading surface, and
Examples include Publication No. 57 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 141075/1983.

In this case, since the scanning surface of the original is facing upward, the position where the original is placed can be seen and the above problem is greatly improved. However, for thick originals such as books, the position where the original is placed Phenomena such as the number of pages changing during suppression, the document itself being misaligned during suppression, and the edges of the pages becoming slanted often occur, so this method was effective only for limited documents.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has been developed to provide a document reading system that can hold not only sheet-like originals but also thick originals such as books in a flat state with the reading surface facing upward, and the image can be read from above. It provides equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the document reading device of the present invention includes:
a document reading means, a transparent flat plate, and a document pressing member that is divided into at least three areas, a central part of the reading area and both sides thereof, and supported so as to be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the flat plate; The document pressing member is provided with a driving means for pressing the document pressing member against or separating the document pressing member from the flat plate.

Effect of the Invention The present invention has the structure described in section 2, so that when a document is placed, the document pressing member is located at the lowest point of the range of movement by the driving means, and the document pressing members located at the center are located on both sides of the center. Since it is located below the document pressing member, it is easy to position the closed white portion when placing a document such as a book. Furthermore, after the document is placed, the document pressing member moves perpendicularly to the flat plate and presses the document, so there is no displacement of the document due to pressure that tends to occur at the side of the station, and the book can be printed without compromising operability. An object of the present invention is to provide a document reading device that can satisfactorily press documents having the same thickness.

Embodiment Hereinafter, a document reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a document reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, 1 is a frame, 2 is a control panel, 3°4 is a side pressure plate,
5 is a center pressing plate, 6 is a hinge, 7 is an original, 8 is a lower frame, 9 is an original pressing glass, 10 is a motor for moving the sensor unit, 11 is a sensor unit, and 12 is a sensor unit powered by the motor. 13 is a rail for guiding the sensor unit.

Here, the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 8 are rotatably connected by a hinge 6. The original is placed between the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 8 with its reading surface facing upward, and the reading surface of the original is held flat by an original pressing glass 9 supported on the lower surface of the upper frame 8. The document reading means includes an upper frame 8, a motor 10, a sensor unit 11,
It is composed of a wire 12, a wire L, and a wire 13. The sensor unit 11 has inside it a means for illuminating the original and a means for photoelectric conversion, and is supported by a rail 13 so as to be movable parallel to the original pressing glass 9 which is a transparent flat plate. It is driven by a wire 12 at a predetermined speed. The main operation of reading the original can be instructed from the control panel 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor unit 11 of the document reading device shown in FIG. In this figure, 15 is a photoelectric conversion element, 16 is a fluorescent lamp, 17 is a 1-magnification rod lens array, 18 is an optical axis, 19 is an alumina substrate that holds the photoelectric conversion element, and 2o is a protective glass that encapsulates the photoelectric conversion element. ,
21 is the frame of the sensor unit, 22 is a preamplifier for the output signal of the photoelectric conversion element, 23 is a cover for the photoelectric conversion element, 24 is a spring for adjusting the optical axis, 25 is an optical axis adjustment screw for the photoelectric conversion element, and 2G is a screw for adjusting the optical axis of the photoelectric conversion element. Spacer for regulating the height of the photoelectric conversion element, 27, height adjustment spring for the photoelectric conversion element, 28
is a light shielding plate. The alumina substrate 19 holding the photoelectric conversion element 15 is supported by an optical axis adjusting screw 25 and a spring 24 to prevent deviation of the optical axis 18 of the lens array 17, and by a spacer 26 to correct deviation in the focal direction. Height adjustment blade 2
The position is determined by 7. The document reading surface that is in close contact with the lower surface of the document pressing glass 9 is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 1G, and the reflected light is imaged by the rod lens array 17 on the photoelectric conversion element 15'2. The photoelectric conversion element 15 sequentially outputs signals corresponding to the amount of light incident in its longitudinal direction. A cover 23 for the photoelectric conversion element, a light shielding plate 28, a fluorescent lamp 16, a rod lens array 17, and a preamplifier 22 are held by the sensor frame 21.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the document reading device shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, 3 and 4 are Zyte pressure plates, 31.3
7.41 is the driving link, 32.4 (1 is the driven link, 3
5, 38, and 42 are link drive motors, and 5 is a center pressing plate. 33 is a gear fixed to link 3], 3
A gear 4 is fixed to the shirt 1 of the motor 35 and meshed with the gear 33. Here, the site pressing plates 3, 4 and the center pressing plate 5 are document pressing members, and the driving links 3], 37.41, the driven links 32, 4.0, the link driving motors 35, 38.42, and the gear 33 .3
4 forms a driving means. Side pressing (because the opposite 3 forms a parallel link to the frame 1 by the links 31 and 32, when the motor 35 is rotated, the gear 3
4.33, the link 31 rotates, and the site pressing plate 3
moves up and down parallel to the document pressing glass 9 on the lower surface of the upper frame 8. The side pressing plate 4 also has a similar mechanism,
By rotation of the motor 42, the document is lowered parallel to the document pressing glass 9. The center pressing plate 5 is supported by a link 37, and the site pressing plates 3, 4 are driven by a motor 38.
The vertical stroke is larger than the stroke of the site pressing plates 3 and 4, and the lowest point of the movement is lower than the lowest point of the side suppressing plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a thick original 14 such as a book is placed in the original reading device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the document suppressing section (a) when the document is placed. As shown in this figure, when an instruction is given to read a book manuscript from the control panel 2, the site press plates 3, 4 and the center press plate 5 descend to the lowest point of their movement strokes, and enter a document placement standby state. At this time, the center pressing plate 5 is located one step lower than the side pressing plates 3 and 4, so the positioning of the original is very easy by placing the closing white part of the book manuscript 14 so that it fits into this recessed part. be.

6 and 7 show a typical pressed state of the book manuscript 14. FIG. After setting the document as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the links 31, 32, 40° 4I are moved by the motors 35, 38, 42, and the side press plates 3, 4 and center press plate 5 are pressed against the book document. 14 upward, and the reading surface is brought into close contact with the document pressing glass 9 with a predetermined pressing force, and then stopped. Since the document pressing member is divided into three parts, each part generates a pressing force independently depending on the thickness of the document. As shown in these figures, book manuscript 1
By placing the closing white portion of 4 at the position of the center pressing plate 5, the reading surface of a book whose thickness is less than the vertical stroke of the side pressing plates 3 and 4 can be brought into close contact with the document pressing glass 9. . When the pressing of the original is completed, the reading operation of the original is started. First, the fluorescent lamp 17 inside the sensor unit 11 is turned on, and the photoelectric conversion element 15 starts a reading operation. The sensor unit 11 is pulled by the motor 10 with a wire 12 at a predetermined speed and scans the reading surface of the original from the top of the original pressing glass 9 to read the original.At the same time as the reading is completed, the motor 35.38°42 By performing the reverse operation, the side pressure plates 3゜4 and the center pressure plate 5 descend to release the pressure on the document, and the operator opens the upper frame 8 and sets the next document, or in the case of a book. All you have to do is open the next page, close the -L frame 8, and instruct to start reading.

As described above, if the document pressing portion is lowered when the document is placed and its central portion becomes concave as shown in this embodiment, placing the document becomes very simple. Also,
Since the original is pressed perpendicularly to the original pressing glass, there is almost no occurrence of phenomena such as misalignment of the white body of the waste manuscript or slanting of the periphery of the page. Furthermore, since document suppression is performed by a motor, the pressing force can be set optimally.

It should be noted that what has been described below in -1- is one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even if the structure uses a photoelectric conversion element such as 1, CC', 1) and a reduction lens for reading a document, it is difficult to use a structure that uses a fully contact type photoelectric conversion element without an optical system. It may be. The light source includes 1. , E I) Even if the configuration uses arrays, halogen lamps, hot cathode tops, cold cathode tubes, etc.
L. Even if the transparent flat plate is made of a material other than glass, the driving stage may be equipped with an elastic member, or the original may be moved using compressed air or hydraulic pressure. 1. The structure may be such that the stand moves up and down.

Effects of the Invention As shown in J-, the present invention includes a document reading means for photoelectrically converting image information of a document oriented in the negative direction, and a document reading device located in a reading area of the document reading device to regulate the reading surface of the document to be flat. a transparent flat plate to be read, and a document presser supported movably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the flat plate, which is divided into three or seven longitudinal parts at the center of the reading area and on both sides thereof. and a driving means for pressing or separating the document suppressing member from the flat plate,
The lowest point of the range of movement of the document pressing member located at the central portion is located below the lowest point of the range of movement of the document pressing members located on both sides of the central portion. However, when the document is placed, the document pressing member is located at the lowest point of the range of movement by the driving means, and the document pressing member located in the center is located below the document pressing members located on both sides of the center. When placing a manuscript such as a book, etc., it is easy to position the closed white part.

Furthermore, after the original is placed, the original pressing part (A) moves perpendicularly to the flat plate and presses the original, so the pressing that would otherwise occur on the perfectly circular side causes misalignment (I7). operation M)
Documents having a thickness of r+, such as books, can be pressed well regardless of size.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a document reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the sensor 1-2 which is the document reading means, Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the original pressing part of the original reading device η, and Figure 5 is a schematic of the original pressing part when a book is placed. Cross-sectional view, Figures 6 to 7
The figure is a schematic cross-sectional view of a document pressing portion when a book is pressed. 1... lower frame, 2... control 11
-Rubaneru, 3.4...Side pressure plate, 5.
...Center pressure plate, 6...Hinge, 7
...Manuscript, 8...L frame, 9...
...Original pressing glass, IO...Motor,
11... Senzayu Yunoto, 35.42...
...4" Id pressing plate drive motor, 38...
・Motor for center press temporary drive.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) a document reading device that photoelectrically converts image information of the document facing upward; a transparent flat plate located in the reading area of the document reading device to regulate the reading surface of the document to be flat; and a central portion of the reading area; a document pressing member that is divided into at least three areas on both sides and supported movably in directions substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the flat plate; and a drive that presses or separates the document pressing member from the flat plate. and a lowermost point of the range of movement of the original pressing member located at the central portion is lower than the lowest point of the range of movement of the original pressing members located on both sides of the central portion. A document reading device characterized in that it is located at the bottom. (2) The document reading device according to claim 1, wherein the document pressing member is configured to be at the lowest point of its movement range when the document is placed by the driving means.