JP2006174373A - Document reading apparatus, image forming apparatus and document reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document reading apparatus capable of preferentially reading any smaller image even when a user designates the desired size of a document. <P>SOLUTION: The document reading apparatus has a preference mode for deciding as to which region is to be given with preference as a reading target between a region of "actual size" and a region of "designated size" when the "designated size" is designated. In a "minimum preference mode", any smaller one of the regions of the "actual size" and the region of the "designated size" is read (step S25). On the contrary, "designated size preference mode", the region of the "designated size" is read irrespective of the "actual size" (step S24). Accordingly, setting at the "minimum preference mode" enables preferentially reading any smaller one of the region of the "actual size" and the region of the "designated size", even if the "actual size" is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring an image by reading a document.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an MFP (MFP apparatus) having a function of reading a document for facsimile transmission or copying, an ADF (automatic document feeder) capable of feeding a plurality of documents continuously in time. Is adopted.

  In the document reading process using the ADF, first, the uppermost document among a plurality of set documents is taken in by the ADF and conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path. Then, the image sensor fixedly arranged at a predetermined reading position in the document conveyance path scans and reads one document being conveyed, and acquires image data indicating the contents of the one document. A plurality of set originals are continuously fed to the reading position by the ADF for each original. As described above, image data relating to all the originals is acquired by performing the same reading for all the continuously supplied originals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-290678

  By the way, in the above-described multi-function peripheral, there is also known that the user can set the size of an area to be read out of a document area as a specified size (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, even when the specified size is set in this way, the smaller one of the area related to the specified size and the area related to the actual document size than to uniformly read the area related to the specified size. There may be a scene where the user desires to read. For example, in facsimile transmission or the like, it is desired that the amount of image data handled is small.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preferentially reading a smaller one even when a user specifies a desired document size. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention of claim 1 is a document reading apparatus that reads a document, and receives a selection from the user to select which of the first mode and the second mode is activated. A first receiving unit; a second receiving unit that receives a user-desired original size as a designated size from a user; and a reading unit that reads an original fed by a paper feeding device and acquires an image. In the first mode, the smaller one of the area related to the actual size as the actual size of the document to be read and the area related to the designated size is read. In the second mode, the designated area is read. Read the size area.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the original reading device according to the first aspect as an image input unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading method, a first receiving step for receiving from the user a selection of which one of the first mode and the second mode to be activated, and a user-desired step. A second receiving step for accepting a document size as a designated size from a user, and a reading step for reading a document fed by a paper feeding device and acquiring an image. In the reading step, in the first mode, The smaller one of the area related to the actual size as the actual size of the document to be read and the area related to the specified size is read, and in the second mode, the area related to the specified size is read. .

  According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, if the first mode is selected, even if the user designates a desired document size, the area related to the actual size and the area related to the designated size The smaller one can be preferentially read, and the amount of image data can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, as a specific example, a case where the document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.

<1. Outline of configuration>
1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating an external configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a multifunction peripheral (MFP apparatus) having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a copy function, a scan function, and a print function.

  Here, the facsimile function is a function for transmitting / receiving image data to / from a partner apparatus via a public switched telephone network (PSTN). At the time of facsimile transmission, an original on a paper medium to be transmitted is read, and thereby image data to be transmitted is acquired.

  The copy function is a function of copying (copying) the content of a document by reading the document, acquiring image data indicating the content of the document, and printing the image data on a recording sheet.

  The scan function is a function for reading image data to acquire image data and storing it in the image forming apparatus 1. Image data indicating the content of a document acquired by the scan function can be used via a LAN from another terminal connected to the LAN. Furthermore, the print function is a function for printing image data on recording paper.

  Among these functions, the facsimile function, the copy function, and the scan function read an original. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 1 has three operation modes corresponding to each of these three functions, that is, a facsimile mode, a copy mode, and a scan mode, as operation modes related to document reading. In these three operation modes, image data acquisition purposes are different from each other. The selection of which operation mode is to be activated (validated) is accepted from the user.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is roughly divided into a main body HS and a book cover 17 provided on the upper portion of the main body HS. The book cover 17 is pivotally supported on the main body HS via a hinge 171 so that the book cover 17 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body HS. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the book cover 17 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the book cover 17 is opened.

  In the following description, three-dimensional XYZ orthogonal coordinates shown in the figure are used as appropriate when indicating directions and orientations. The XYZ axes are fixed relative to the main body HS. Here, the Y-axis direction is the horizontal depth direction (-Y side is the front side), the X-axis direction is the horizontal left-right direction (+ X side is the right side), and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction (+ Z side is the upper side).

  The main body HS includes a scanner 11 (see FIG. 2) for reading an original document at the top, a paper feed unit 15 for supplying recording paper to the bottom, and a display unit 13 and an operation unit 14 as a user interface on the front side. Are provided. Further, a printer 12 that performs printing on recording paper is provided inside the main body HS, and a finisher 16 that processes printed recording paper is mounted on the side surface of the main body HS on the −X side, below the finisher 16. Is provided with a LAN interface 18.

  The scanner 11 has a document reading function in each of a facsimile function, a copy function, and a scan function. The scanner 11 is provided with an image sensor such as a CCD (hereinafter referred to as “line sensor”) in which a plurality of pixels (photodiodes) are arranged one-dimensionally along the Y-axis direction. The scanner 11 reads the document for each line along the Y-axis direction by this line sensor, and acquires image data indicating the content of the document. Hereinafter, the direction (Y-axis direction) in which the line sensor of the scanner 11 reads at a time in the document is also referred to as “main scanning direction”, and the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction in the document is also referred to as “sub-scanning direction”.

  The paper feed unit 15 includes four paper feed cassettes 151 to 154 that can each accommodate recording paper. Each of the paper feed cassettes 151 to 154 stores recording paper of a predetermined standard size (for example, A4, B5, etc.).

  The operation unit 14 includes a plurality of switches that accept user operations such as input of various commands and data. Selection of which of the three operation modes described above is activated is performed by pressing a predetermined switch included in the operation unit 14. The display unit 13 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information to be given to the user. The display unit 13 has a touch panel function, and also bears a part of a function for receiving a user operation.

  The printer 12 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer having an LED printer head, and prints on recording paper supplied from the paper supply unit 15 based on image data to be printed.

  The finisher 16 performs finishing processing such as stapling and punching on the recording paper printed by the printer 12. The recording paper after the finishing process is discharged in the direction of the arrow AP1 shown in the drawing, and is accumulated in a paper discharge tray 161 attached to the finisher 16.

  The LAN interface 18 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to connect to a LAN (Local Area Network), and performs processing such as protocol conversion necessary for Ethernet (registered trademark) communication. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the LAN, and can transmit and receive data to and from another client terminal 9 (see FIG. 3) connected to the LAN. ing.

  The book cover 17 is a cover for preventing ambient light from entering the scanner 11. The book cover 17 is provided with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 172 which is an automatic document feeder. The ADF 172 supplies the plurality of documents to the reading surface of the scanner 11 sequentially in sequence in order to cause the scanner 11 to continuously read a plurality of documents. The scanner 11 and ADF 172 will be described in detail later.

<2. Internal configuration>
Next, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a microcomputer as a control unit. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an MPU (microprocessor unit) 20, a ROM 21, and a RAM 22. A control program is stored in the ROM 21 in advance, and various functions for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized by the MPU 20 performing arithmetic processing according to the control program. The RAM 22 is used as a work area in arithmetic processing by the MPU 20.

  The MPU 20 is connected to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 such as the scanner 11, the printer 12, the display unit 13, the operation unit 14, the ADF 172, the finisher 16, and the LAN interface 18 through the bus line 200. As a result, the operations of these units are controlled by the MPU 20. In addition, the user operation received by the operation unit 14 is input as a signal to the MPU 20, whereby the image forming apparatus 1 performs an operation corresponding to the user operation.

  The image forming apparatus 1 further includes an image memory 23, an NCU (network control circuit) 24, and a modem 25. These units are also connected to the bus line 200 and controlled by the MPU 20.

  The image memory 23 is a storage device for storing image data obtained by reading an original by the scanner 11, and is configured by a memory such as a DRAM that can be read and written. The image data stored in the image memory 23 in the facsimile mode is used for facsimile transmission, and the image data stored in the image memory 23 in the copy mode is used for printing (copying) on recording paper. Further, the image data stored in the image memory 23 in the scan mode can be handled from the external client terminal 9 connected via the LAN interface 18 via the LAN.

  The NCU 24 and the modem 25 are processing units that implement a facsimile function. That is, the NCU 24 is a hardware circuit that performs operations such as closing and opening a DC loop of an analog public telephone exchange network, and connects the modem 25 to the public telephone exchange network as necessary. The modem 25 modulates and demodulates image data for facsimile communication.

<3. Scanner>
Next, the scanner 11 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the book cover 17 including the ADF 172 and the schematic configuration of the scanner 11 as seen from the front side (−Y side).

  The scanner 11 reads a document by any one of an FBS (Flat Bed Scanner) method that reads a document placed at a predetermined position as it is and an ADF method that reads a document conveyed by the ADF 172. In the present embodiment, the former is referred to as “FBS reading” and the latter is referred to as “ADF reading”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, two contact glasses 111a and 111b made of a flat transparent glass plate are disposed on the upper surface of the main body HS. The relatively large first contact glass 111a serves as a document reading surface during FBS reading, while the relatively small second contact glass 111b serves as a document reading surface during ADF reading.

  A reading mechanism 113 is provided inside the main body HS below the two contact glasses 111a and 111b. The reading mechanism 113 is integrally provided with an irradiation light source for illuminating a document and the above-described line sensor, and a driving mechanism (not shown) such as a motor or a belt is provided in a space below the two contact glasses 111a and 111b. ) Is movable in the X-axis direction. The irradiation light source irradiates the original with illumination light, and the line sensor receives the reflected light from the original, whereby the reading mechanism 113 reads the original.

  In the case of FBS reading, a document is placed on the first contact glass 111a with its reading target surface facing downward. Then, the book cover 17 is closed as shown in FIG. 1 in order to block ambient light. In this state, when a predetermined user operation is performed via the operation unit 14, the reading mechanism 113 moves from the initial position x2 below the −X side end of the first contact glass 111a to the right side (+ X side) in the drawing. It is moved at a predetermined speed. During this movement, illumination light is emitted from the irradiation light source toward the document, and at the same time, reflected light from the document is received line by line by the line sensor. Thereby, the reading of the original is realized.

  On the other hand, in the case of ADF reading, the reading mechanism 113 is fixedly disposed at a predetermined reading position x1 below the second contact glass 111b. The upper part of the second contact glass 111b is a conveyance path 177 of the document Dc by the ADF 172, and the reading mechanism 113 scans the document Dc passing immediately above the second contact glass 111b by the conveyance of the ADF 172, and the contents thereof. Will be read.

  A document sensor 112 for detecting whether or not the document Dc exists at the reading position x1 is provided at the detection position x0 in the vicinity of the reading position x1. The document sensor 112 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and detects the presence or absence of the document Dc immediately above it using the fact that the amount of received light varies depending on whether or not the document Dc exists. In the present embodiment, since the detection position x0 and the reading position x1 are close to each other, the presence / absence of the document Dc at the detection position x0 is regarded as the presence / absence of the document Dc at the reading position x1. The presence / absence of the document Dc at the reading position x1 is strictly detected based on the presence / absence of the document Dc at the detection position x0, the distance between the detection position x0 and the reading position x1, and the conveyance speed of the document Dc. Also good.

<4. ADF>
Next, the ADF 172 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the ADF 172 is provided with a document feed tray 173 on which an unread document Dc is set at an upper portion thereof, and a document discharge tray 179 on which a read document Dc is discharged at a lower portion thereof. Is provided. The document Dc is taken into the apparatus from the document feed tray 173 via the intake port 177a, conveyed along the conveyance path 177, and then discharged to the document discharge tray 179 via the discharge port 177b. Become.

  As shown in the figure, a part of the transport path 177 includes a position directly above the second contact glass 111b that becomes a reading surface of the document Dc at the time of ADF reading, that is, a position immediately above the reading position x1. .

  Further, a pressing member 178 is provided directly above the second contact glass 111b with a conveyance path 177 interposed therebetween. The pressing member 178 sandwiches the conveyed document Dc with the second contact glass 111b, and does not hinder the conveyance of the document Dc (more precisely, the portion of the document Dc that passes immediately above the reading position x1). Is pressed against the second contact glass 111b. For this reason, the lower end portion of the pressing member 178 is configured to have an elasticity that can be pressed against the conveyed document Dc while maintaining a low friction state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document feed tray 173 is provided with two document guides 174a and 174b. An insertion portion 175 into which the document Dc is inserted is provided on the −X side of the document feed tray 173. An intake port 177a is formed at the end of the insertion portion 175 on the −X side (see FIG. 4). The document Dc before reading is set in a space defined by these two document guides 174a and 174b and the end portion on the −X side of the insertion portion 175.

  Of the two document guides 174a and 174b, the first document guide 174a on the back side (+ Y side) is fixedly arranged on the document feed tray 173, whereas the second document guide 174b on the front side (−Y side). Is slidable within a predetermined range AR2 along the Y-axis direction. The position of the second document guide 174b in the Y-axis direction is adjusted by the user according to the length of the document Dc to be read in the main scanning direction.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the intake port P 177a is provided with an intake roller P1 and a separator P2. The separator P2 and the take-in roller P1 play a role of taking only the uppermost one of the plurality of originals stacked on the original feed tray 173 into the transport path 177. That is, by rotating the take-in roller P1, the uppermost document Dc is taken into the transport path 177 while being sandwiched between the take-in roller P1 and the separator P2. At that time, the second and lower originals Dc from the top are prevented from being taken in by the separator P2.

  In the document Dc conveyance path 177, first to third document conveyance units C1, C2, and C3 are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. Each of these document conveying sections C1 to C3 is composed of a pair of rollers arranged to face each other with a document Dc conveying path 177 in between. Each of these rollers is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. The document Dc is transported along the transport path 177 by being sandwiched between the take-in roller P1 and the separator P2 and being sandwiched between the respective rollers of the document transport units C1 to C3.

<5. Detection of actual size of document>
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the actual size (hereinafter referred to as “actual size”) of a document to be ADF scanned. Hereinafter, this detection method will be briefly described.

  First, the length of the actual size in the main scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “main scanning length”) corresponds to the Y of the second document guide 174b according to the main scanning length of the document Dc set on the document feed tray 173. It is detected using the fact that the position in the axial direction is adjusted. This is realized, for example, by providing a position sensor for detecting the position of the second document guide 174b.

  Note that the actual size main scanning length detection method is not limited to this, and for example, corresponds to the end position of the standard size on the surface of the second document feed tray 173 on which the document Dc is placed. A plurality of photoelectric sensors may be provided for each position, and the main scanning length may be detected from the detection results of the photoelectric sensors.

  On the other hand, the actual length in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “sub-scanning length”) is detected based on the number of line data actually acquired by the ADF reading. This is because the document Dc is conveyed by the ADF 172 at a predetermined speed (hereinafter referred to as “reading speed”) during ADF reading.

  The actual size sub-scanning length detection method is not limited to this. For example, the time from when the document sensor 112 detects the leading edge of the document Dc until the trailing edge of the document Dc is detected; For example, the sub-scanning length may be detected based on the reading speed.

  As will be described later, in the image forming apparatus 1, a user-desired document size can be input by a user operation via the operation unit 14 and set as a “specified size”. For this reason, the “real size” may be different from the “specified size”. In this case, when reading the document, which of the “real size” area and the “specified size” area is read? Is a problem.

  In general, when “specified size” is specified, it is preferable to read an area related to “specified size”. However, depending on the user, even when the “specified size” is set, the area related to the “specified size” and the area related to the “real size” are more uniformly read than the area related to the “specified size”. Sometimes it is desirable to read the smaller of the two. For example, a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 exclusively for the facsimile function is desired to reduce the amount of image data to be transmitted by facsimile.

  For this reason, when “specified size” is specified, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment gives priority to either the area related to “real size” or the area related to “specified size” as a reading target. It has a priority mode for determining. There are two priority modes. That is, the “first priority mode” is the first mode, and the “specified size priority mode” is the second mode.

  The “minimum priority mode” is a mode in which the smaller one of the area related to “specified size” and the area related to “actual size” is read even when “specified size” is specified. On the other hand, the “specified size priority mode” is a mode in which the area related to the “specified size” is uniformly read when the “specified size” is specified. The selection of which of these two modes is to be activated (validated) is accepted from the user via the operation unit 14.

<6. ADF reading>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 related to ADF reading will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of this operation. At the start of this operation, it is assumed that a plurality of documents are set on the document feed tray 173 with the surface to be read facing upward. At this time, it is assumed that the “real size” main scanning length is detected by the above-described method and recognized by the MPU 20.

  First, a priority mode to be activated is selected from the “minimum priority mode” and the “specified size priority mode” by a user operation via the operation unit 14, and is accepted by the MPU 20 (step S11). Note that the selection of the priority mode does not have to be performed every time the document is read by ADF reading, but may be made as necessary. Generally, it may be set only once when the image forming apparatus 1 is introduced.

  Next, a user-desired document size is input by a user operation via the operation unit 14, and is received by the MPU 20 as a “specified size” (step S12). Specifically, a list display showing a list of standard sizes such as “A4” and “B4” is displayed on the display unit 13. The user selects one of the items of the list display via the operation unit 14 while referring to such a display. In this way, the size of the document designated by the user is set as the designated size. Note that the setting operation of the designated size is not compulsory and can be arbitrarily performed by the user. For this reason, there may be a scene where the designated size is not set (scene where step S12 is not performed).

  Next, when a reading start instruction is given by a user operation via the operation unit 14 (Yes in step S13), the reading operation is started.

  First, the uppermost one of a plurality of set originals is taken as a reading target and taken in from the take-in port 177a (step S14). The document sensor 112 monitors whether the leading edge of the captured one document has reached the reading position x1 (step S15). When the arrival of the leading edge of the one original at the reading position x1 is detected, a reading process for the one original is performed (step S16).

  When the reading process of the one original is completed, the read one original is discharged to the original discharge tray 179 through the discharge port 177b, and the next uppermost original at that time is a new one. The same processing as described above (steps S14 to S16) is repeated.

  Thereafter, in the same manner, all set originals are targeted for reading, and when the reading process for all originals is completed (Yes in step S17), the operation related to ADF reading of the image forming apparatus 1 is completed. Will do.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has the priority mode, and in the reading process in the case where “specified size” is specified, either the area related to “real size” or the area related to “specified size” is selected. Is read in accordance with the priority mode. FIG. 6 shows a detailed flow of this reading process. In the following, description will be given separately for each case.

<6-1. When the specified size is not set>
In the first place, when “specified size” is not set (No in step S21), it is not necessary to consider the difference between “real size” and “specified size”. That is, in this case, the area related to the “actual size” of the document is read (step S23).

  As described above, the document is read by repeating reading of each line of the document, that is, acquisition of line data along the main scanning direction. When acquiring the line data, only the data of the pixels related to the “real size” main scanning length region among the plurality of pixels of the line sensor is used, and the data of the other pixels are discarded. As a result, line data adjusted to a length corresponding to the “real size” main scanning length is acquired.

  Further, as described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the “real size” sub-scanning length of the document is detected based on the number of line data acquired. Therefore, the sub-scan length of the “real size” of the document is not known until the document is actually read to the trailing edge of the document.

  For this reason, the sub-scanning length is adjusted by continuing the reading of the document until the document sensor 112 detects that the trailing edge of the document reaches the reading position x1. As a result, the number of line data corresponding to the “real size” sub-scan length is acquired. When the reading of the area related to “actual size” is completed by such processing, the reading processing ends.

<6-2. Specified size priority mode>
Next, a case where “specified size” is set (Yes in step S21) and the priority mode is “specified size priority mode” (No in step S22) will be described. In this case, the area related to the “specified size” is read regardless of the “actual size” of the document (step S24).

  When acquiring the line data, only the data of the pixel relating to the main scanning length region of “specified size” among the plurality of pixels of the line sensor is used, and the data of the other pixels are discarded. At this time, the “real size” main scanning length is not considered. Thereby, line data adjusted to a length corresponding to the main scanning length of “specified size” is acquired.

  On the other hand, the sub-scanning length is adjusted by continuing reading of the document until the number of acquired line data reaches a number corresponding to the sub-scanning length of “specified size”. At this time, the arrival of the trailing edge of the document at the reading position x1 is not considered. Thereby, the number of line data corresponding to the sub-scanning length of “specified size” is acquired. When the reading of the area related to the “specified size” is completed by such processing, the reading processing ends.

<6-3. Minimum priority mode>
Next, a case where “specified size” is set (Yes in step S21) and the priority mode is “minimum priority mode” (Yes in step S22) will be described. In this case, the smaller one of the area related to “actual size” and the area related to “specified size” in the document is read (step S25).

  When acquiring the line data, only the data of the pixel of the shorter one of the “real size” main scanning length and the “specified size” main scanning length among the plurality of pixels of the line sensor is used. Pixel data is discarded. As a result, line data adjusted to a length corresponding to the shorter one of the “real size” main scanning length and the “specified size” main scanning length is acquired.

  As for the sub-scanning length, “the arrival of the trailing edge of the document at the reading position x1 is detected” or “the number of acquired line data reaches a number corresponding to the sub-scanning length of“ specified size ””. It is adjusted by continuing until either of these conditions is satisfied.

  “The arrival of the trailing edge of the document at the reading position x1 is detected” corresponds to the acquisition of the number of line data corresponding to the sub-scan length of “actual size”. On the other hand, “the number of acquired line data reaches the number corresponding to the sub-scanning length of“ specified size ”” corresponds to the acquisition of the number of line data corresponding to the sub-scanning length of “specified size” To do. Therefore, if any one of these conditions is satisfied, the number of line data corresponding to the shorter of the “real size” sub-scan length and the “specified size” sub-scan length has been acquired. It will be.

  When the reading of the smaller one of the area related to “actual size” and the area related to “specified size” is completed by such processing, the reading processing ends.

<7. Summary>
As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, selection of which of “minimum priority mode” and “specified size priority mode” to activate is accepted from the user. In the reading process when the “specified size” is specified, in the “minimum priority mode”, the smaller one of the area related to the “real size” and the area related to the “specified size” is read. In the “specified size priority mode”, the area related to the “specified size” is read regardless of the “real size”.

  For this reason, if “minimum priority mode” is selected, even if the user designates a desired “specified size”, an area related to “actual size” and an area related to “specified size” Can be read preferentially. Thereby, the data amount of the acquired image data can be reduced effectively.

<8. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reading light source 113 and the line sensor are described as being integrated in the reading mechanism 113. However, the line sensor is fixed at a predetermined position and reflects light from the document to the line sensor. An aspect in which the optical system including the reflecting mirror or the like is moved in the X-axis direction together with the irradiation light source may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to scan the original by transporting the original side while the reading mechanism side is fixedly arranged in the ADF reading. Even in the case of ADF reading, similarly to FBS reading, the captured original may be transported to the first contact glass 111a and stopped, and the reading mechanism may be moved to scan the original in the same manner as FBS reading. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the “specified size” is specified as the standard size. However, an arbitrary size may be specified as the “specified size” by inputting a numerical value or the like. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the “real size” sub-scanning length is detected afterwards when the trailing edge of the document reaches the reading position x1, but the “real size” main scanning is performed. Similarly to the length, an “actual size” sub-scanning length may be detected in advance by the photoelectric sensor or the like provided in the document feed tray 173 before ADF reading is performed when the document is set.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a book cover and a scanner. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of an image forming apparatus related to ADF reading. It is a figure which shows the flow of the reading process for every one original document.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Scanner 14 Operation part 17 Book cover 112 Document sensor 113 Reading mechanism 172 ADF
177 Transport route

Claims (3)

An original reading apparatus for reading an original,
First receiving means for receiving from the user a selection of which to activate between the first mode and the second mode;
Second accepting means for accepting a user-desired document size as a designated size from the user;
Reading means for reading an original fed by a paper feeding device and acquiring an image;
With
The reading means includes
In the first mode, the smaller one of the area related to the actual size as the actual size of the document to be read and the area related to the designated size is read,
In the second mode, the document reading apparatus reads an area related to the designated size. The document reading device according to claim 1 as image input means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: A method for reading a document,
A first reception step of receiving from the user a selection of which one of the first mode and the second mode to activate;
A second accepting step for accepting a user-desired document size as a designated size from the user;
A reading process of reading an original fed by a paper feeding device and acquiring an image;
With
In the reading step,
In the first mode, the smaller one of the area related to the actual size as the actual size of the document to be read and the area related to the designated size is read,
In the second mode, an area relating to the specified size is read.

Images