JPH11146149A - Image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce wasted time in reading images on both sides of a document and transferring image data to an external device. Reduces the time and effort required to check for blank pages. Easy recognition of whether image reading is completed. Recognition is allowed on both the front and back sides. A document conveying means (9-12), first reading means (2-6,38) for reading front and back images of a document at a reading position (B, C), a second reading means (27), and image data. Image storage means 34 and 35 for temporarily storing, means 24 for determining whether each of the front and back sides is blank, and image data having an image surface are transferred to the external device 33, and the blank data is stored in the image data. Data transfer means 2 for providing blank information to an external device in place of
2 to 24, 29. Marker 3 for printing a mark on at least one of the front and back sides to indicate whether image transfer has been completed.
6,37.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of simultaneously reading a two-sided original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image reading apparatus, when reading a document in which a two-sided image and a one-sided image are mixed, an unnecessary page is deleted after all pages are read, or a two-sided original and a one-sided original are sorted in advance. There is a problem that useless time such as reading an image is generated.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-129938 discloses an electronic filing apparatus which issues a warning and cancels the registration of blank data when a single-sided original is read by mistake in a mode in which both sides are simultaneously read. ing.

[0004]

However, in the conventional apparatus, the read data on the front and back sides is transferred from the image reading apparatus to the external storage device and stored therein, and the external apparatus checks whether there is a blank page in the read original. Is determined by operator intervention or automatic check, and if there is a blank page,
Erases the blank read data from the external storage device. Therefore, when there is a blank page, useless time is consumed in transferring the blank page read data from the image reading apparatus to the external storage device, and the operating efficiency of electronic filing is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce wasted time in reading an image of an original in which both-sided originals and one-sided originals are mixed and in transferring image data to an external device. A second object is to reduce the time and labor for checking for the presence or absence of a blank page in an external device. A third object of the present invention is to make it easy for an operator to easily recognize whether or not the read double-sided document is blank and determine whether or not the read data has been transmitted to an external device. A fourth object is to enable recognition on each of the back surfaces.

[0006]

(1) Conveying means (9 to 12) for conveying a document to a reading position in an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
And the first for reading the surface image of the original at the reading position (B, C).
Reading means (2 to 6, 38) and second reading means (27) for reading the back side image; and image data for reading the front and back side images.
Image storage means (34, 35) for temporarily storing data,
Means for determining whether each of the backsides has an image or a blank page (2
4) and the image data of the surface determined to have an image
(33) and data transfer means (22 to 24, 29) for giving information indicating blank to the external device in place of the image data for the surface determined to be blank. Prepare. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, symbols of corresponding elements or corresponding items in the embodiments shown in the drawings and described later are added for reference in parentheses.

A determination means (24) determines whether each of the front and back sides of the document has an image or a blank page, and when it is determined that the document is a blank page, the data transfer means (22 to 24, 29) determines that Since the data indicating that the data is blank is transferred without transferring the read data of the side to the external device, useless data is transferred from the image reading apparatus to the external device.
There is no transfer of image data (image data obtained by reading a blank page). This saves the wasted time of reading images and transferring image data to external devices when both originals and duplex documents are mixed. The time and labor for checking the presence or absence of a page are reduced.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (2) Marker (36) for printing a display (FIG. 6) representing the surface to which image data has been transferred on a document
(FIG. 4). According to this, the operator
It is possible to easily confirm which side of the image has been read and the image data transfer has been completed on the document whose image has been read by the image reading apparatus.

(3) Markers (36, 37) for marking on each side of the original to which the image data has been transferred are provided.
(FIG. 7). According to this, the operator can easily confirm whether the reading of the image on the front side and the image data transfer on the front and back sides of the document whose image reading has been completed by the image reading apparatus and the transfer of the image data have been completed. .

(4) Conveying means (9 to 12) pulls in the original and conveys it along a substantially U-shaped return conveying path; first reading means (2 to 6, 38) Reading an image of the U-shaped outwardly facing surface (front surface) of the original at the bottom shape portion (B);
The image reading device according to (1), wherein the reading means (27) reads an image of the U-shaped inwardly facing surface (back surface) of the document at the substantially U-shaped linear portion (C). According to this, by the time the document moves along the U-shaped return conveyance path and is discharged from the conveyance path,
One of the front and back sides (front side) of the original using the first reading means (2 to 6, 38)
Is read by the second reading means (27).

(5) The U-shaped folded conveyance path includes a conveyance drum (11) on which the U-shaped round bottom portion is attached with a document; the first reading means (2 to 6, 38) includes a conveyance drum. An illumination lamp (3) for illuminating the original attached to (11), a first mirror (2) for reflecting the reflected light of the original in a radial direction of the drum in a direction parallel to a tangent line of the drum, and an opposite direction for the reflected light. (4) The image of (4) above, including a direction conversion mirror (4,5) for reflecting light, a lens (38) for converging the reflected light, and a photoelectric conversion element (6) for converting the converged light into an electric signal. Reader. According to this, it is possible to change the image reading magnification in the drum axis direction (main scanning direction) by changing the distance of the lens (38) to the photoelectric conversion element (6). The image reading magnification in the drum circumferential direction (sub-scanning direction) can be changed by the document conveying speed and / or the image signal sampling frequency (line reading cycle) of the photoelectric conversion element (6).

(6) Contact glass for placing an original parallel to the light reflection direction (A) of the direction changing mirrors (4, 5)
(1) The first that can reciprocate in the area extending to the transport drum (11)
The illumination lamp (3) and the first mirror (2) are mounted on the carriage, and the direction changing mirrors (4, 5) are moved in the same direction as the first carriage at half the moving speed of the first carriage. The image reading apparatus according to (5), wherein the direction changing mirrors (4, 5) are mounted on the movable second carriage. According to this, when the first carriage is at the position of the transport drum (11), it is of course possible to read an image of one surface (front surface) of the document sent through the U-shaped return transport path by the photoelectric conversion element (6). By scanning the first carriage along the contact glass (1), the image on the glass contact surface of the original placed on the contact glass (1) can be scanned and read at a variable magnification.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an outline of a mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The original placed on the contact glass 1 includes an illumination light source 3 mounted on a first carriage (not shown) together with the first mirror 2.
And the reflected light of the original on the contact glass 1 is reflected by the first mirror 2 in a direction parallel to the contact glass 1, and is mounted on a second carriage (not shown) for reversing the direction. Mirror 4 and third mirror 5
The light is reflected by the lens, converged by the lens, irradiates the CCD 6 and photoelectrically converted.

When reading an image of an original on the contact glass 1, the first carriage on which the first mirror 2 and the irradiation light source 3 are mounted and the second carriage on which the second mirror 4 and the third mirror 5 are mounted run. The body motor 7 is driven as a drive source in the direction A (left to right: document scanning) and backward (right to left: return). The moving speed of the second carriage is 1/2 of the moving speed of the first carriage.

When reading an image of a document stacked on the document tray 8, the first carriage is positioned immediately below the document transport drum 11. The document stacked on the document tray 8 is fed out by a pickup roller 9, pulled in by a pair of registration rollers 10, and conveyed by a conveying roller 12 to a conveying drum 11.
When the conveying drum 11 rotates clockwise, it passes through the front surface reading position B, is then sent by the intermediate conveying roller, passes through the back surface reading position C, and is pulled out by the sheet discharging roller 14. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 15.

When a document passes the front surface reading position B, the document is illuminated by the irradiation light source 3 on the first carriage moving near the front surface reading position B, and the reflected light on the front surface of the document is reflected by the first mirror 2 and the second mirror. 2nd mirror 4 on 2 carriage
The light is reflected by the third mirror 5, focused by the lens 38, irradiated on the CCD 6, and photoelectrically converted.

The document sent out by the transport drum 11 is sent to the transport roller pair 13, and when passing through the reverse reading position C, the image on the reverse side is read by the unit-size reading unit 27. The unit-size reading unit 27 has one end of a number of optical fibers arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface and the other end arranged with a CCD, and reads an image at a magnification of one. Note that the magnification of the image read by the unit-size reading unit 27 can be changed by image data processing by scaling processing of an image processing circuit at the subsequent stage.

The pickup roller 9 and the register roller pair 10 are driven by a paper feed motor (not shown), and the transport drum 11, transport rollers 12, 13 and the discharge roller 14 are driven by a transport motor 16.

A paper discharge tray 15, a document tray 8, and
The transport system for feeding out the originals stacked thereon, transporting the originals to the front surface reading position B, and discharging the originals to the paper output tray 15 through the rear surface reading position C is an automatic original supply device.
Is a document presser for pressing a document placed on the contact glass 1. The automatic document feeder can be rotated about an axis at the right end in FIG. 7 to facilitate the work of placing and removing a document on the contact glass 1. In FIG. 7, the automatic document feeder is at a closed position where the original on the contact glass 1 is pressed against the glass 1, but the automatic document feeder can be raised and rotated clockwise to stand up to nearly 90 degrees. In FIG. 2, FIG.
1 shows a system configuration of an electric system of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.
The scanner driver (energizing circuit & controller) 30
The traveling body motor 7 is driven according to a command from the reading control unit 18, and the light source 3 is turned on via an internal inverter (lamp driver). C on the image reading board 17
The reflected light from the surface of the document entering the CD 6 is converted by the CCD 6 into an analog signal (image signal) having a voltage level corresponding to the light intensity.

The analog signal is output while being divided into an odd-numbered element and an even-numbered element of a large number of photoelectric conversion element arrays in a pixel unit (pixel) on the CCD 6.

The analog signal is supplied to the read control unit 1
8, the dark potential portion is removed, the odd-numbered and even-numbered analog signals are serially combined in time series, and the gain is adjusted to a predetermined amplitude.
And is digitized. The digital data is called image data or read data.

The image data is stored in the system control unit 20.
After shading correction, gamma correction, MTF correction and the like are performed by the upper image processing circuit (NIPU) 21, the image data is binarized and output as a video signal together with a page synchronization signal, a line synchronization signal, and an image clock. Image data output from the NIPU 21 is input to a memory controller (SIBC) 22 that manages reading, writing, and DMA transfer of the DRAM 34, and is stored in the DRAM 34. The image data output from the SIBC 22 is sent to an external device 33 via a communication controller (SCSI) 23. The external device 33 is a printer, a computer, a display, an external storage device, or an electronic filing device.

The reflected light from the back side of the original, which has entered the CCD in the unit-size reading unit 27, is converted into an analog signal (image signal) having a voltage level corresponding to the light intensity in the unit-size reading unit 27. The analog signal is output while being divided into an odd-numbered element and an even-numbered element of a large number of pixel-based photoelectric conversion element arrays on the CCD. These analog signals have their dark potential portions removed by the AMP in the equal-magnification reading unit 27, and the odd-numbered and even-numbered analog signals are serially synthesized in time series, and the gain is adjusted to a predetermined amplitude. It is input to a D converter and digitized. The digitized image data is sent to an image processing circuit (NIPU) on the system control unit 20.
After shading correction, gamma correction, MTF correction and the like are performed at 28, the image is binarized and output as a video signal together with a page synchronization signal, a line synchronization signal, and an image clock. The image data output from the NIPU 28 is D
The data is input to a memory controller (SIBC) 29 for managing reading / writing of the RAM 35 and DMA transfer, and
Stored in AM35. Image data output from the SIBC 29 is sent to the external device 33 via the SCSI 23.

In the data bus from the SIBC 22 and the SIBC 35, while one of the SIBCs is outputting data, the other is high impedance, so that data does not collide.

FIG. 3 shows the system control unit 20 (C
An overview of the image reading control when a double-sided reading of a document stacked on the document tray 8 is instructed by the PU 24) is shown. Note that this control mode is a case where a SCSI I / F is used as a communication interface to the external device 33. With respect to I / Fs other than SCSI, the following operations can be used based on each I / F specification.

A Set Window (read parameter) command is transmitted from the external device 33 to the system control unit 20, and in response to this, the system control unit 20
Image reading parameters are set (step 101).
Thereafter, when a double-sided Read command is transmitted from the external device 33, the system control unit 20 starts image reading in response to the command (Steps 102 and 103).

The image data read from the CCD 6 is stored in the DRAM 34, and the image data read from the unit-size reading unit 27 is stored in the DRAM 35 (step 10).
3). The document is continuously transported and driven until one document is fed from the document tray 8 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 15.

When the tail end of the document has passed the unit-size reading unit 27, the CPU 24 checks the image data in the DRAM 34 by the CPU 24 to determine whether the surface of the read document is white (step 104). Assuming that the image data transmitted from the reading unit is binary data, "0" for black pixel information, and "1" for white pixel information, basically, it is transmitted in blank page detection. When it is detected that all the pixel information of one page is “1”, it is determined that the sheet is a blank sheet. However, in actuality, the reading of the blank section is caused by stains (fine black spots) on the document and reading noise. Since black point data may be mixed with data, if there is an area in which several consecutive bits are "0" in one page, it is determined that the data is not blank (image is present) and the data is continued in one page. If there is no area where several bits are '0', it is determined to be blank. The above-mentioned several bits can be arbitrarily set, and EPR
It is in the OM25. If the image data is three-level or more gradation data, the image data is binarized and the determination is made as described above. Threshold value for binarization is EPROM
It is within 25.

If it is determined that the sheet is not blank (image crisp), D
The image data in the RAM 34 is transferred to the external device 33 (1).
05). If it is judged blank, check the condition.
(Surface blank error) Information is transmitted to the external device 33 to notify that it is blank (step 106). At this time, the image data is not transmitted to the external device 33 (step 10).
7).

The same-size reading unit 27 reads and reads the DRAM.
Regarding the image data on the back side of the document stored in 35,
The same processing as that for the image data on the original surface of the DRAM 35 is performed (steps 108 to 111).

The processing of steps 103 to 111 is
The process is sequentially repeated for each of the originals stacked on the original tray 8. When the original tray 8 has no more originals and the above-described processing is completed for the last original, the apparatus waits for a new instruction from the external device 33.

Second Embodiment FIG. 4 shows an outline of a mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a marker 36 for selectively printing three types of marks on the tail margin of the front side of the document is provided between the unit-size reading unit 27 and the discharge roller 14. The driver of the marker 36 is connected to the reading control unit 18 (FIG. 2). The rest of the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the image reading control of the system control unit 20 of the second embodiment when double-sided reading is instructed. In the second embodiment, the system control unit 20 reads the images on the front and back sides of one document and stores the image data in the DRAMs 34 and 35. Is reached (step PTI), and it is checked whether the document is blank.

Then, as in the first embodiment, the image data of the non-blank surface is transferred to the external device 33, and the image data of the non-blank surface is not transferred. Instead, the Check Condition is used.
The n (blank surface error) information is transmitted to the external device 33 (steps 104 to 111). Next, four types of determination are performed, that is, the read original is blank on both sides, blank on the front side, blank on the back side, and not blank on both sides (image is present), and the determination result is marked on the tail margin of the front side of the original. . In this embodiment, when it is determined that there is an image on both sides, FIG.
(A) is printed with a mark of a large circle and a small circle, and if it is determined that there is an image only on the front surface, a mark of only a large circle is printed as shown in (b) of FIG. If it is determined that there is only an image, a mark consisting of only a small circle as shown in FIG. 6C is printed. If it is determined that both sides are blank (no image), no marking is performed (steps 112 to 118).

When the printing process is completed, the discharge rollers 14
Is driven to discharge the temporarily stopped document to the discharge tray 15 (step PTF). Steps 103 to above
The PTF processing is sequentially repeated for each of the originals stacked on the original tray 8, and when there is no more original in the original tray 8, and the above-described processing for the last original is completed, a new instruction is received from the external device 33. Wait to do.

Third Embodiment FIG. 7 shows an outline of a mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a marker 3 that prints a mark indicating the end of image reading and image data transfer is printed in the margin at the tail end of the document surface.
6 and the image reading & image data
Marker 37 that prints a mark indicating the end of data transfer
The reading control unit 18 (FIG. 2) is connected to the drivers of these markers 36 and 37. The rest of the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of the image reading control by the system control unit 20 according to the third embodiment when double-sided reading is instructed. In the third embodiment, the system control unit 20 reads the images on the front and back surfaces of one document and stores the image data in the DRAMs 34 and 35. , 37, the conveyance of the document is temporarily stopped (step PTI), and it is checked whether or not the sheet is blank.

Then, as in the first embodiment, the image data of the non-blank side is transferred to the external device 33, and the image data of the non-blank side is not transferred.
The n (blank surface error) information is transmitted to the external device 33 (steps 104 to 111). Next, when the transfer of the image data on the front and back sides is completed, the markers 36 and 37 are set.
Is driven to print marks (circles in this embodiment) on the front and back surfaces of the original. When only the front side image data is transferred, the marker 36 is driven to print a mark only on the front side of the document, and when only the back side image data is transferred, the marker 37 is driven. The mark is printed only on the back of the document,
If image data is not transferred on both sides, no printing is performed (112 to 118).

When the printing process is completed, the discharge roller 14
Is driven to discharge the temporarily stopped document to the discharge tray 15 (step PTF). Steps 103 to above
The PTF processing is sequentially repeated for each of the originals stacked on the original tray 8, and when there is no more original in the original tray 8, and the above-described processing for the last original is completed, a new instruction is received from the external device 33. Wait to do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a mechanism section of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric control system incorporated in the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of image reading control performed by the system control unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 when an instruction to read images on both sides of a document is issued;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an outline of a mechanism section of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system control unit 20 according to a second embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of image reading control when an instruction to read an image on both sides of a document is issued.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the tail end of the front surface of a document from which the image reading device of the second embodiment has read an image, and FIG. A mark indicating that the transfer has been completed is printed, (b) a mark indicating that the image reading of the front side has been completed and the image data transfer has been printed, and (c) a mark indicating that the transfer of the image data has been completed. Shown is a mark printed to indicate that image reading on only the back side and image data transfer have been completed.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing an outline of a mechanism section of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system control unit 20 according to a third embodiment;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of image reading control when an instruction to read an image on both sides of a document is issued.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Contact glass 2: First mirror 3: Illumination light source 4: Second mirror 5: Third mirror 6: CCD 7: Traveling motor 8: Document tray 9: Big up roller 10: Registration roller pair 11: Conveying drum 12 : Convey rollers 13 and 14: Discharge roller pair 15: Discharge tray 16: Convey motor 27: 1: 1 reading unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] A conveying means for conveying a document to a reading position;
First reading means for reading the front side image of the document at the reading position and second reading means for reading the back side image; image storage means for temporarily storing the image data obtained by reading the front and back side images; Means for determining whether each of the images has an image or a blank page, and transfers image data of the side determined to have an image to an external device, and converts the image data determined to be a blank page to image data. Instead, data that gives information indicating that the page is blank to an external device
And an image reading device. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a marker for printing on a document a display indicating a surface to which the image data has been transferred. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a marker for marking each side of the document to which the image data has been transferred.