JP2005345623A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that requires no complex conveying means, is easy to operate, even for physically impaired persons and is highly reliable. <P>SOLUTION: A copying machine 100 includes an ADF 11 disposed in the highest part of the machine; a first image reading section 1; an image forming section 2; a manually inserted paper feed section 3 disposed lower than the first image reading section 1; and a second image reading section 4 disposed near the manually inserted paper feed section 3. The second image reading section 4 is located near the manually inserted paper feed section 3 and on the common path of the first conveyance path 5 and second conveyance path 6. A branch point, at which the first conveyance path 5 and the second conveyance path 6 are separated, is located downstream of the second image reading part 4. A conveyance-path switching guide 7 is disposed at the branch point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reads and takes an image of a document and reproduces the read image on a recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with improved operability in consideration of use by not only healthy people but also elderly people, young people, and physically handicapped people.

  In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, there is a need for a so-called universal design that is designed to allow anyone to operate comfortably. Accordingly, an operation panel having a variable angle function has been proposed on the assumption that a short child, a wheelchair user, or the like operates the image forming apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1).

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) is usually placed at the top of the apparatus, giving priority to the operability of a healthy person. When the ADF is placed at the top of the apparatus in this way, the document must be set at a high position. This work is not so burdensome for healthy people, but it is a heavy burden for elderly people, young people, disabled people, especially wheelchair users.

As a technique paying attention to this problem, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which a document tray is provided at a position lower than an image reading unit in addition to a normal uppermost part of the apparatus (for example, Patent Document 2). That is, it is possible to place and collect originals and operate the image forming apparatus even at a low position of the image forming apparatus. This makes it easier for wheelchair users and short children to use the device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-323084 JP 2003-319116 A

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus described above has the following problems. That is, since the document is set below the image reading unit, a mechanism for conveying the document to the image reading unit provided in the upper part of the apparatus is required. Accordingly, the conveyance path becomes long and complicated, the reliability of document conveyance is lowered, and there is a negative effect that maintenance when a jam occurs becomes difficult. In addition, the apparatus itself becomes a hindrance to downsizing and cost reduction.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require complicated conveying means and is easy to operate and highly reliable for operators other than healthy persons.

  An image forming apparatus for solving this problem is an image forming apparatus that reads and captures an image of a document and reproduces the image read on a recording medium, and is capable of placing a document. A first image reading unit that reads and captures an image of a document placed on the first document placing unit, and a first image reading unit that is positioned below the first document placing unit and capable of placing a document. A second document reading unit; a second image reading unit that is positioned below the first image reading unit and reads an image of a document placed on the second document setting unit; and a first image reading Or an image forming unit that reproduces an image read by the second image reading unit on a recording medium.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, two places for placing a document are provided: a first document placement unit and a second document placement unit. The second document placing portion is provided at a position below the first document placing portion. Therefore, the operator can select the document placement section, and can use the one that is easy to operate for each operator. For example, a wheelchair user can place a document without difficulty by using a second document placing unit provided below the apparatus. On the other hand, a healthy person may use the first document placement section provided at the top of the apparatus, as in the conventional image forming apparatus. Thereby, the operativity with respect to persons other than a healthy person can be improved, without impairing the operativity of a healthy person.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention also has a first image reading unit provided in the upper part of the apparatus and a second image reading unit provided in the lower part of the apparatus for the image reading unit. doing. The original conveyed from the first original placing unit is read by the first image reading unit, and the original conveyed from the second original placing unit is read by the second image reading unit. This eliminates the need for a mechanism for transporting the document placed on the second document placement unit to the first image reading unit provided at the upper part of the apparatus. Therefore, the transport mechanism is simplified and the path length of the transport path is shortened. Therefore, the reliability of document conveyance is high. In addition, even if a jam occurs during document conveyance, the return operation can be easily performed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first transport path for discharging the transported body fed into the apparatus from the second document placing section to the outside of the apparatus via the image forming section, and a second document placing. And a second transport path for discharging the transported body fed into the apparatus from the placing section to the outside of the apparatus without passing through the image forming section, and the transported body fed into the apparatus from the second document placing section. It is better to have a transport path guide part that selectively guides the transport path of the transport body to either the first transport path or the second transport path.

  That is, the transported body fed into the apparatus from the second document placing portion includes a document and a recording medium. The recording medium includes not only ordinary recording paper but also an OHP sheet. Then, the conveyance path guide unit switches the recording medium conveyance path (first conveyance path) and the document conveyance path (second conveyance path). Note that selection of the transport route may be instructed from the operation panel or the external terminal device. As a result, the second document placement portion of the image forming apparatus of the present invention can serve as both the placement location of the document and the placement location of the recording medium. Therefore, the conveyance path can be simplified and the entire apparatus can be made compact.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention analyzes the image read by the second image reading unit to determine whether there is image information, and based on the determination result, the conveyance in the conveyance path guide unit. A second image reading unit located on the upstream side of the conveyance path guide unit in the conveyance path of the conveyed object fed into the apparatus from the second document placement unit; It is better if the control unit selects the first transport path when it is determined that there is no image information, and selects the second transport path when it is determined that there is image information.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image read by the second image reading unit is analyzed. Specifically, it is determined whether there is image information such as characters and drawings in the read image, and it is determined whether the transported object sent from the second document placement unit is a document or a recording medium. Deciding. The control unit automatically switches the conveyance path guide unit according to the result of the image analysis. Therefore, the operator does not need to set the transport path of the transported body. Therefore, the operation is simplified. Further, it is possible to prevent the original from being sent to the image forming unit due to an operation mistake of the operator. Therefore, it is possible to avoid document damage.

  Another image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that reads and captures an image of a document and reproduces the image read and recorded on a recording medium. A first image reading unit that reads and captures an image of the document placed on the first document placement unit, and a second document that is positioned below the first document placement unit and on which the document can be placed A placement unit; a second image reading unit that is positioned below the first image reading unit and reads an image of a document placed on the second document placing unit; and a first image reading unit or And an image forming unit that reproduces an image read by the second image reading unit on a recording medium, and the conveyance path of the recording medium is a portion downstream of the image forming unit from the second document placing unit. The second image reading unit is located at a position where the document conveyance path and the recording medium conveyance path are common, in common with the conveyance path of the document fed into the apparatus. It is characterized in that also functions to take read image formed on the recording medium.

  Even in such an image forming apparatus, since the document placement section is provided at two places, the operability is good even for short children and wheelchair users. In addition, since the image reading unit is provided at two locations, the conveyance path is simple and the reliability of document conveyance is high. Further, since the second image reading unit is located downstream from the image forming unit in the conveyance path of the recording medium, in addition to the function of reading the image of the document, the second image reading unit also has a function of reading the image formed on the recording medium. I have. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the image output on the recording paper. Thereby, for example, it is possible to provide a function for preventing counterfeiting of banknotes and securities.

  Further, it is assumed that the recording medium conveyance path of the image forming apparatus described above is branched into at least two on the downstream side of the image forming unit and on the upstream side of the position where it merges with the original conveyance path. Good.

  That is, a plurality of paper discharge paths are provided by providing branch points in the recording medium conveyance path. That is, it is possible to provide a conveyance path for discharging the recording paper without going through the document conveyance path. As a result, when reading an image of a document, it is possible to perform image reading of the document and image formation in parallel. In addition, when only image formation is performed, there are a plurality of paper discharge paths, so that the recording paper discharge destination can be distributed according to the application. As a result, work efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, it is better to have a third image reading unit that is located on the downstream side of the image forming unit in the conveyance path of the recording medium and reads an image formed on the recording medium. As a result, the image output on the recording paper can be reliably monitored.

  According to the present invention, by providing the document placement portion at two locations, the operability for a person other than the healthy person can be improved without impairing the operability of the healthy person. Further, by providing an image reading unit corresponding to each document placement unit, the document transport path is simplified. Therefore, there is provided an image forming apparatus that does not require complicated conveying means and is easy to operate and highly reliable for operators other than healthy persons.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine.

[First embodiment]
The copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment is an electrophotographic digital copying machine, and as shown in FIG. 1, an ADF 11 provided at the top of the apparatus and a first image reading unit 1 provided immediately below the ADF 11. And an image forming unit 2 for forming an image on the recording paper, a second image reading unit 4 provided below the first image reading unit 1, and storing the recording paper by size or type. And a paper feed cassette 12 to be used. For example, a line scanner can be applied to the second image reading unit 4. Further, the copying machine 100 includes a manual paper feed unit 3 including a manual feed tray 31 on which a document or recording paper is placed, and a carry-in roller 32 that supplies the document placed on the manual feed tray 31 to the inside of the apparatus. I have.

  Further, the copying machine 100 includes a first paper discharge tray 10 provided below the first image reading unit 1 and a second paper discharge tray 9 provided below the manual paper feed unit 3. ing. The recording paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 12 or the manual paper feed unit 3 via the image forming unit 2 is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 10. That is, the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 2 is placed on the first paper discharge tray 10. On the other hand, the document conveyed from the manual sheet feeding unit 3 via the second image reading unit 4 is discharged to the second sheet discharge tray 9. In other words, the original after image reading is placed on the second paper discharge tray 9. In this embodiment, the path from the manual paper feed unit 3 to the first paper discharge tray 10 through the image forming unit 2 is referred to as a “first transport path 5”, and the original is fed from the manual paper feed unit 3. A path to the second paper discharge tray 9 is referred to as a “second transport path 6”.

  An operation panel 90 capable of changing the tilt angle is installed on the front surface of the copying machine 1. Various functions can be set on the operation panel 90. In particular, the operation panel 90 of the copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a switch for selecting an operation mode when an original or recording paper is placed on the manual paper feed unit 3. Specifically, the operation mode selected on the operation panel 90 is a mode for reading an image of a transported object (original) placed on the manual paper feed unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as “image reading mode”). ) And a mode (hereinafter referred to as “paper feed mode”) in which a transported body (recording paper) placed on the manual paper feed unit 3 is transported to the image forming unit 2.

  Further, the first transport path 5 and the second transport path 6 are common in that the manual sheet feeding unit 3 is used as a starting point. Further, the second image reading unit 4 is located in the vicinity of the manual feed unit 3 and on the common path of the first transport path 5 and the second transport path 6. A branch point between the first transport path 5 and the second transport path 6 is provided downstream of the second image reading unit 4, and a transport path switching guide 7 is provided at the branch point. The switching guide 7 is provided so as to be switched depending on the operation mode selected on the operation panel 90. Specifically, when the image reading mode is selected, the position is switched to the position 7a in FIG. 1, and when the sheet feeding mode is selected, the position is switched to the position 7b in FIG.

  Subsequently, regarding the image reading operation of the document in the copying machine 100, the ADF 11 is used, that is, the image is read by the first image reading unit 1, and the manual sheet feeding unit 3 is used, that is, the second image. This will be described separately for the case where the reading unit 4 reads and takes an image. The selection between the ADF 11 and the manual sheet feeder 3 is set in advance on the operation panel 90. Further, when the manual sheet feeding unit 3 is selected, the image reading mode is selected in advance.

  When the first image reading unit 1 performs image reading of a document, the operator first sets the document on the document placing tray 13 of the ADF 11 and presses the start button on the operation panel 90. Place the original so that the image reading side is on the upper side. Thus, the originals are automatically conveyed one by one to the image reading position, and the first image reading unit 1 reads and takes an image of the original. After reading the image, the document is discharged to a discharge tray 14 of the ADF 11.

  On the other hand, when the second image reading unit 4 performs image reading of the document, the operator sets the document in the manual sheet feeding unit 3 and presses the start button on the operation panel 90. Place the original so that the image reading side is on the upper side. As a result, the originals are conveyed one by one from the manual paper feed unit 3 into the apparatus, and the second image reading unit 4 reads the original image. Thereafter, when the image reading mode is selected, the switching guide 7 is arranged at the position 7a in FIG. It is conveyed to the path 6 side. Then, the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 9 through the second transport path 6.

  Next, the image forming operation in the copying machine 100 will be described separately for the case where the recording paper is supplied from the paper feeding cassette 12 and the case where the recording paper is supplied from the manual paper feeding unit 3. The selection between the paper feed cassette 12 and the manual paper feed unit 3 is set in advance on the operation panel 90. Also, when selecting a paper feed cassette 12 is previously select whether to use the advance which the paper feed cassette. When the manual sheet feeding unit 3 is selected, a sheet feeding mode is selected in advance.

  When recording paper is supplied from the paper cassette 12, the recording paper is set in the paper cassette 12 in advance. When an image formation instruction is received, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 2. Then, the recording paper is transported from the paper feed cassette 12 to the image forming unit 2 through the first transport path 5. The toner image is transferred by the image forming unit 2 to the conveyed recording paper. The recording sheet after transfer is discharged to the first discharge tray 9 through a fixing device.

  On the other hand, when recording paper is supplied from the manual paper feeding unit 3, the recording paper is set in the manual paper feeding unit 3 in advance. When an image formation instruction is received, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 2. Then, the recording paper is fed into the apparatus from the manual paper feed unit 3. After that, when the paper feed mode is selected, the switching guide 7 is disposed at a position 7b in FIG. 1, so that the recording paper conveyed from the manual paper feed unit 3 is the first conveyance. It is conveyed to the image forming unit 2 through the path 5. Thereafter, similar to the paper feeding from the paper feeding cassette 12, the toner image is transferred and discharged to the first paper discharge tray 10.

  The copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a place where a document is placed at a position lower than the ADF 11 in addition to the ADF 11, that is, the manual paper feeding unit 3. It has the following characteristics. That is, by providing the document placement position at a low position, it is easy for an operator other than a healthy person to set a document. Further, since the normal ADF 11 is also provided, the operability of the healthy person is not impaired. Thereby, the operativity with respect to persons other than a healthy person can be improved, without impairing the operativity of a healthy person.

  Further, a second image reading unit 4 is provided for reading an image of a document conveyed from the manual sheet feeding unit 3. That is, since the second image reading unit 4 is provided in the vicinity of the manual sheet feeding unit 3, a mechanism for conveying a document to the first image reading unit 1 at the upper part of the apparatus is unnecessary. For this reason, the document transport path is simple and the path length is short. Therefore, the reliability of document conveyance is high. Furthermore, since the document transport path is simple, the apparatus itself can be made compact and low in cost. Further, since the path length of the second transport path 6 is short, the occurrence of document jam is suppressed. In addition, even if a jam occurs during document conveyance, it can be easily restored.

[Second form]
As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 200 according to the second embodiment includes an ADF 11, a first image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a manual paper feeding unit 3, a second image reading unit 4, and a feeding unit. And a paper cassette 12. These configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. The copying machine 200 according to the present embodiment is attached so that the image reading surface of the second image reading unit 4 coincides with the printing surface of the image forming unit 2. That is, the copying machine 200 of this embodiment is different from the copying machine 100 of the first embodiment in that the image reading surface of the second image reading unit 4 is on the lower side.

  Next, the operation of the copying machine 200 will be described. Note that image reading in the first image reading unit 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. First, a manuscript or recording paper is set in the manual paper feed unit 3 by an operator, and a start key on the operation panel 90 is pressed. When setting the document, the print side is the bottom side.

  Thereafter, the manuscript or the recording paper is conveyed from the manual paper feed unit 3 to the second image reading unit 4, and the second image reading unit 4 reads and takes an image. Next, the read image is analyzed to determine whether there is image information. That is, it is determined whether a document on which some characters or drawings are drawn is read or photographed or a blank recording sheet is photographed. When it is determined that there is image information, that is, when it is determined that an image of a document has been read and taken, the switching guide 7 is automatically switched to the position 7a in FIG. Then, the document that has passed through the second image reading unit 4 is discharged to the second discharge tray 9 through the second transport path 6. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no image information, that is, when it is determined that the recording paper is used, the switching guide 7 is automatically switched to a position 7b in FIG. Then, the recording paper that has passed through the second image reading unit 4 is conveyed to the image forming unit 2 through the first conveyance path 5, and printing is performed by the image forming unit 2 to the first paper discharge tray 10. The paper is ejected.

  That is, in the copying machine 200 according to the second embodiment, based on the image read and photographed by the second image reading unit 4, the transported body transported from the manual sheet feeding unit 3 is a document or a recording sheet. And the position of the switching guide 7 is automatically switched. For this reason, when using the manual sheet feeder 3, the operator does not need to set an operation mode. Therefore, it is easier to operate than the first embodiment.

  Further, in the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment, since the operator manually switches the operation mode, an operation error is inevitable. Therefore, the document may be mistakenly conveyed to the image forming unit 2 and the document may be damaged. However, in the copying machine 200 of this embodiment, the position of the switching guide 7 is automatically switched, so that an operator's operation mistake can be avoided. As a result, the document is prevented from being damaged.

  Note that the operator may be able to select the automatic switching of the operation mode described above and the manual switching as in the copying machine 100 of the first embodiment. In this case, selection between automatic switching and manual switching is performed by, for example, a switch operation on the operation panel 90.

[Third embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 3, the copying machine 300 according to the third embodiment includes an ADF 11, a first image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a manual sheet feeding unit 3, a second image reading unit 4, and a first image reading unit 4. A two-manual paper feeder 8 and a paper cassette 12 are provided. In the copying machine 300 of this embodiment, a manual paper feed unit 3 for placing recording paper and a second manual feed unit 8 for placing a document are provided separately. A second image reading unit 4 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port of the first discharge tray 10. A second manual sheet feeder 8 is provided in the vicinity of the fixing device.

  In this embodiment, the path from the manual paper feed unit 3 or the paper feed cassette 12 to the first paper discharge tray 10 through the image forming unit 2 is referred to as a “first transport path 5”, and the original is fed into the second manual feed. A path from the paper supply unit 8 to the first paper discharge tray 10 is referred to as a “second transport path 6”. The first transport path 5 is common to the second transport path 2 in a portion downstream from the image forming unit 2. A second image reading unit 4 is provided at a location where the first transport path 5 and the second transport path 6 are common. Therefore, the second image reading / writing unit 4 can read and take an image formed on a recording medium in addition to reading and taking an image of a document.

  In the copying machine 300 of the present embodiment, when the recording paper is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 10 via the image forming unit 2, the second image reading unit 4 disposed on the print surface side near the discharge port is used. , The image printed on the recording paper is read. Thereby, the output image can be monitored. Therefore, for example, it becomes possible to add a function for preventing counterfeiting of banknotes and securities to the apparatus.

  Further, the second manual paper feed unit 8 is arranged at a position lower than the first image reading unit 1. Therefore, by using the second manual sheet feeder 8 for setting a document, a wheelchair user or the like can easily operate. Further, since the second conveyance path 6 is simple and has a short path length, reliability in document conveyance is high.

[Fourth form]
As shown in FIG. 4, the copying machine 400 according to the fourth embodiment includes an ADF 11, a first image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a manual sheet feeding unit 3, a second image reading unit 4, and a first image reading unit 4. A two-manual paper feeder 8 and a paper cassette 12 are provided. The copying machine 400 of this embodiment is provided with a second discharge tray 9 above the first discharge tray 10 with respect to the copying machine 300 of the third embodiment, and further, the recording paper is placed on the first transport path 5. A switching guide 13 is provided that enables selection of the delivery path of the discharge destination. Further, a third image reading unit 14 is provided near the discharge port of the first paper discharge tray 10, and a second image reading unit 4 is provided near the discharge port of the second paper discharge tray 9.

  The switching guide 13 is provided so as to be switched depending on the operation mode selected on the operation panel 90. Specifically, the switching guide 13 is positioned at a position 13a in FIG. 4 when discharging the recording paper to the first paper discharge tray 10, and 13b in FIG. 4 when discharging the recording paper to the second paper discharge tray 9. The position is switched to.

  In the copying machine 400 of this embodiment, a branch point is provided in the recording paper conveyance path, and a plurality of paper discharge paths are provided. That is, the conveyance path 5 is branched into a conveyance path 51 that discharges the recording paper without passing through the original conveyance path and a conveyance path 52 that merges with the original conveyance path and discharges the recording paper. Thus, the copying machine 400 according to the present embodiment, when reading an image of a document, uses the second conveyance path 6 for reading an image of the document and the conveyance path 51 for image formation, thereby reading the image and forming the image. Can be performed in parallel. Further, when only image formation is performed, the switching guide 13 is appropriately switched and the conveyance paths 51 and 52 are used, respectively, so that the recording paper discharge destination can be distributed according to the application. As a result, work efficiency can be improved.

  Specifically, when a document is supplied from the second manual sheet feeder 8 and a document image is read and photographed, the switching guide 13 is fixed at a position 13a in FIG. Thereby, the recording paper conveyance path from the image forming unit 2 and the original conveyance path from the second manual paper feeding unit 8 can be separated. Therefore, the image forming operation and the image reading operation can be performed in parallel, and the work efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, when performing image formation, the position of the switching guide 13 is appropriately switched between the position 13a and the position 13b. As a result, it becomes possible to sort the paper discharge destinations according to the type of recording paper and the like, and work efficiency can be improved.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a copying machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can be applied to a printer, scanner, FAX, word processor, or the like. Further, it may be a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a printer function.

  The means for selecting whether the manual sheet feeder 3 is set to the image reading mode or the sheet feeding mode is not limited to the switch operation from the operation panel 90. For example, a switching lever may be provided at a position lower than the operation panel, and the selection may be made by operating the switching lever. It may be selectable by an external terminal device.

  In addition, for the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment or the copying machine 200 according to the second embodiment, a third image reading unit may be provided in the vicinity of the recording paper discharge port. This makes it possible to monitor the output image of these copying machines.

  In the copying machine 400 of the fourth embodiment, the first transport path 5 is branched into two transport paths, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a plurality of branch points may be provided. In that case, a paper discharge tray is provided for each conveyance path. Further, if a third image reading unit is provided for each branch path, the output image can be monitored more reliably.

It is sectional drawing which shows the copying machine which concerns on a 1st form. It is sectional drawing which shows the copying machine which concerns on a 2nd form. It is sectional drawing which shows the copying machine which concerns on a 3rd form. It is sectional drawing which shows the copying machine which concerns on a 4th form.

Explanation of symbols

1 First image reading unit (first image reading unit)
2 Image forming unit (image forming unit)
3 Manual feed section (second document placement section)
4 Second image reading unit (second image reading unit)
5 First transport path (first transport path)
6 Second transport path (second transport path)
7 Switching guide (Conveyance path guide)
8 Second manual feed unit (second document placement unit)
9 Second paper discharge tray 10 First paper discharge tray 11 Automatic document feeder (first document placement section)
12 Paper Feed Cassette 13 Switching Guide 14 Third Image Reading Unit (Third Image Reading Unit)
90 Operation panel 100 Copying machine (image forming apparatus)

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that reads and captures an image of a document and reproduces the image read on the recording medium,
A first document placement section capable of placing a document;
A first image reading unit for reading and taking an image of a document placed on the first document placing unit;
A second document placement section that is positioned below the first document placement section and is capable of placing a document;
A second image reading unit that is positioned below the first image reading unit and reads an image of the document placed on the second document placing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that reproduces an image read by the first image reading unit or the second image reading unit on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A first transport path for discharging a transported body fed into the apparatus from the second document placing section to the outside of the apparatus through the image forming section; and a second transport path for feeding into the apparatus from the second document placing section A second conveyance path for discharging the conveyed object to the outside of the apparatus without going through the image forming unit,
A conveyance path guide unit that selectively guides a conveyance path of a conveyance object fed into the apparatus from the second document placement section to either the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path; An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
An image read by the second image reading unit is analyzed to determine whether there is image information, and based on the determination result, there is a control unit that selects a transfer route in the transfer route guide unit. And
The second image reading unit is located upstream of the conveyance path guide unit in a conveyance path of a conveyance target that is fed into the apparatus from the second document placing unit,
The control unit selects a first transport path when it is determined that there is no image information, and selects a second transport path when it is determined that there is image information. In an image forming apparatus that reads and captures an image of a document and reproduces the image read on the recording medium,
A first document placement section capable of placing a document;
A first image reading unit for reading and taking an image of a document placed on the first document placing unit;
A second document placement section that is positioned below the first document placement section and is capable of placing a document;
A second image reading unit that is positioned below the first image reading unit and reads an image of the document placed on the second document placing unit;
An image forming unit that reproduces an image read by the first image reading unit or the second image reading unit on a recording medium;
The conveyance path of the recording medium is common to the conveyance path of the document fed into the apparatus from the second document placement unit at a portion downstream from the image forming unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image reading unit is located at a position where the document conveyance path and the recording medium conveyance path are in common, and also serves as a function of reading an image formed on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance path of the recording medium is branched into at least two downstream of the image forming unit and upstream of a position where the recording medium is merged with the conveyance path of the document. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a third image reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording medium and is positioned downstream of the image forming unit in a recording medium conveyance path.

Images