Image reading device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that, despite a change in a reading condition, can reduce the time from input to completion of a reading job more than before.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a first reading unit (205) that reads an image of a document; an operating section 405 for inputting reading settings; an image processing section 325 that performs predetermined image processing on image data that is a result of reading performed by the first reading unit (205); and a CPU 321 that sets an operation condition according to the reading settings to the first reading unit (205) and performs a preparation operation, and sets an image processing condition according to the reading settings to the image processing section 325. When a current first operation condition set to the first reading unit (205) and a second operation condition to be set according to the reading settings are the same, the CPU 321 does not perform the preparation operation for the first reading unit (205).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image from a document and an image forming apparatus equipped with the image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] The efficiency of business workflows using information processing technology is improving. For example, in accounting processing, it has been proposed to digitize accounting-related documents such as receipts and invoices and incorporate them into the business workflow. The documents are digitized by reading them with an image reading device such as a scanner. The image quality of the read document needs to be appropriate for the application in the business workflow. Therefore, the reading settings when reading accounting-related documents are different from those for copying, for example. Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device that performs shading control at a reading resolution set by an input unit before the start of a reading job, and then executes the instructed reading job. This image reading device performs shading control before the start of a reading job, so that the time from the start to the completion of a reading job can be shortened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-087148 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the reading mode is set, various reading settings (reading resolution, reading color, etc.) are performed in sequence. Therefore, in the image reading device of Patent Document 1, shading control is performed continuously every time each setting of the reading mode is changed one by one. In this case, the movement of the reading unit to read the image is repeated, and a small movement sound is generated intermittently. Also, if an instruction to start a reading job is given during shading control, the start operation of the reading job is delayed because the reading preparation of the reading unit is not completed. As a result, the time from input of the reading job to completion of reading becomes longer.

[0005] Such a phenomenon may also occur when an automatic document feeder that automatically feeds a document is used. The image reading device reads images by "pressure plate reading," in which a document is placed on a document glass and read, and by "scanning," in which a document transported by an automatic document feeder is read. The settings of shading control differ between pressure plate reading and scan reading due to differences in reading luminance caused by differences in reading speed and reading configuration. This increases the time from input of a reading job to completion of reading. In other words, the time from input of a reading job to completion of reading increases due to changes in reading conditions including reading settings and document placement position.

[0006] In an image reading device, it is necessary to change the settings of the reading unit that reads the image according to the settings of the reading color and reading resolution. In this case, it is possible to reflect the reading settings not only by switching the settings of the reading unit, but also by image processing of the reading result. Image data according to the reading settings is generated by performing image processing according to the reading settings on the image data that is the reading result of the reading unit.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In view of the above problems, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an image reading device that can reduce the time from input to completion of a reading job compared to the conventional method, even when the reading conditions are changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image reading device of the present invention comprises a reading means for reading an image of a document, an operation means for inputting reading settings, an image processing means for performing a predetermined image processing on image data read by the reading means, and a control means for setting operating conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the reading means to perform a preparatory operation, and for setting image processing conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the image processing means, wherein the control means causes the reading means to read the image of the document without performing a preparatory operation of the reading means if the current first operating conditions set in the reading means are the same as second operating conditions set in accordance with the reading settings. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, even when the reading conditions are changed, the time from input to completion of a reading job can be shortened compared to the conventional method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image reading device. [Diagram 3] Control system configuration diagram. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of an image reading device. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing a shading control process. [Figure 7] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an image read when a document is skewed. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reading setting list. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion procedure of image data. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14]11 is a flowchart showing a notification process of a reading setting. [Figure 15] 6 is an explanatory diagram of a combination of image processing on the reader side corresponding to the reading setting. [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart showing a process before an instruction to start a reading job is obtained. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing a process at the start of reading a pressure plate. [Figure 18] Flowchart when skimming begins. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] 11 is a flowchart showing a process before an instruction to start a reading job is obtained. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (First embodiment) 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment includes an image reading device 2000 that reads an image from a document, a printer 500 that forms an image on paper, and an operation unit 405. The image reading device 2000 includes a reader 200 and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF 100") for feeding a document.

[0013] In order to print an image on paper, the printer 500 is equipped with a photosensitive drum 511 which is an image carrier, a charger 512, an exposure control unit 510, a developing unit 513, a transfer unit 516, and a fixing unit 517. The printer 500 is equipped with paper feed cassettes 514 and 515 in which paper is stored, a manual paper feed unit 525, and a paper output tray 519 into which paper is output after an image is printed. In order to feed paper, the printer 500 is equipped with paper feed rollers 527 and 528, transport rollers 529 and 530, a registration roller 526, an output roller 518, a flapper 521, a transport path 520, an inversion path 522, and a double-sided transport path 524.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 511 is a drum-shaped photoconductor having a photosensitive layer on its surface. The photosensitive drum 511 rotates around the drum axis in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The charger 512 uniformly charges the photosensitive layer of the rotating photosensitive drum 511. The exposure control unit 510 modulates and outputs a laser beam based on an image signal representing an image to be formed. The laser beam is scanned by a polygon mirror 510a and irradiates the photosensitive layer of the rotating photosensitive drum 511. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 511 by the irradiation of the laser beam. The developer 513 visualizes the electrostatic latent image by attaching a developer to the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 511, forming a toner image on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 511.

[0015] Paper is fed from either paper feed cassette 514, paper feed cassette 515, or manual feed unit 525, and transported to registration rollers 526 on transport path 520. Paper stored in paper feed cassette 514 is fed by paper feed rollers 527, and transported by transport rollers 529 to registration rollers 526 via transport path 520. Paper stored in paper feed cassette 515 is fed by paper feed rollers 528, and transported by transport rollers 530 to registration rollers 526 via transport path 520. Manual feed unit 525 is used when feeding hard paper such as cardboard, and transports paper placed on a tray to registration rollers 526 via transport path 520.

[0016] The registration rollers 526 correct the skew of the paper. After the leading edge of the paper in the transport direction reaches the registration rollers 526, the registration rollers 526 transport the paper between the photosensitive drum 511 and the transfer unit 516 after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timing when the exposure control unit 510 starts irradiating the laser light. The transfer unit 516 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 511 onto the paper transported from the registration rollers 526.

[0017] The paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 517. The fixing device 517 fixes the toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure to the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred. The paper that has passed through the fixing device 517 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 519 via a flapper 521 and a discharge roller 518.

[0018] When the paper is discharged with the image forming surface facing downward (face down), the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 517 is once transported to a reversing path 522 by a flapper 521, and after the trailing end passes the flapper 521, it is switched back and discharged by discharge rollers 518. This type of paper discharge mode is called reverse discharge. Reversing discharge is performed when forming images in order from the first page, such as when forming an image by reading an original on the ADF 100 (copying process) or when forming an image instructed from an external computer (printing process). Reversing discharge ensures that the paper order after discharge is correct page order.

[0019] When forming an image on hard paper such as cardboard, it is difficult to transport the paper to the reverse path 522. For this reason, the flapper 521 does not transport the paper to the reverse path 522. The paper is discharged by the discharge rollers 518 with the image forming surface facing upward (face up).

[0020] When forming images on both sides of the paper, flapper 521 transports the paper to inversion path 522. The paper is transported to double-sided transport path 524 via inversion path 522, and the image forming side of the paper is inverted. The paper with the image forming side inverted in this manner is transported to registration rollers 526 via double-sided transport path 524, and an image is formed on the inverted image forming side in the same manner as above.

[0021] 2 is a configuration diagram of an image reading device 2000. The ADF 100 is attached to a housing of a reader 200 by a hinge (not shown). The housing of the reader 200 supports a platen glass 209 and a flow-reading glass 201. The ADF 100 can be opened and closed with respect to the platen glass 209 and the flow-reading glass 201 by rotating by a hinge (not shown). Note that a shading white board 202 serving as a reference member during shading correction is provided between the platen glass 209 and the flow-reading glass 201 within the housing of the reader 200.

[0022] In this embodiment, the reader 200 has a first reading unit 205 in the housing. The first reading unit 205 reads an image formed on one side of the document and generates image data representing the read image. The ADF 100 has a second reading unit 105. The second reading unit 105 reads an image formed on the other side of the document and generates image data representing the read image.

[0023] The ADF 100 includes an original tray 30 capable of stacking an original stack S of one or more sheet-like originals, a transport path along which the originals are transported, and a discharge tray 10 onto which the originals are discharged after being read.

[0024] The document tray 30 is provided with a document guide plate 31 that is movable in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the document transport direction. The document guide plate 31 abuts against an end of the document in the width direction and regulates the position of the document in the width direction. In this embodiment, a configuration in which two document guide plates 31 are provided to regulate both ends of the document in the width direction will be described, but a configuration in which one document guide plate 31 is provided may also be used. When there is one document guide plate 31, the other end of the document in the width direction is regulated by a fixed regulating plate.

[0025] The two original guide plates 31 move in conjunction with one another as one of them moves, due to an interlocking mechanism (not shown) provided inside the original tray 30. In this embodiment, the center of the original document transport is the center in the width direction. The two original guide plates 31 are configured to move closer to or farther away from the center in the width direction. Therefore, the center of the original document transport is at the same position as the center in the width direction regardless of the size of the original document.

[0026] The document tray 30 is provided with document length sensors 17 and 18 at different positions in the document transport direction (length direction). The document length sensors 17 and 18 detect the presence or absence of a document. By providing the document length sensors 17 and 18 at different positions in the transport direction, it is possible to detect an approximate length of the document in the transport direction (document length) based on the detection results of the document presence or absence by each of the document length sensors 17 and 18. For example, when the document length sensor 17 detects a document but the document length sensor 18 does not detect a document, the document length is determined to be equal to or greater than the length from the base end of the document tray 30 to the position of the document length sensor 17 and less than the length from the base end of the document tray 30 to the position of the document length sensor 18.

[0027] An original presence / absence detection sensor 11 for detecting the presence or absence of an original is provided in the original tray 30. Whether or not an original is placed on the original tray 30 is determined based on the detection result of the original presence / absence detection sensor 11. The original presence / absence detection sensor 11 is disposed at the base end portion of the original tray 30 so as to be able to detect an original regardless of its size.

[0028] ADF 100 has a transport path including, in order from the upstream side in the document transport direction, a feed roller 1, a separation roller 2, a separation pad 21, a pull-out roller 3, a transport roller 4, a first transport auxiliary roller 41, a second transport auxiliary roller 42, lead rollers 5 and 7, and a discharge roller 9. Between the lead roller 5 and the lead roller 7, a front side reading upstream roller 51 and a front side reading downstream roller 52 are provided. Between the lead roller 7 and the discharge roller 9, a back side reading upstream roller 53 and a back side reading downstream roller 54 are provided.

[0029] The feed roller 1 is provided on the rotation axis of the separation roller 2 so as to be able to swing freely, and when feeding a document from the document tray 30, the feed roller 1 drops onto the surface of the topmost document in the document stack S and rotates. When no document is being fed, the feed roller 1 retracts upward so as not to interfere with the placement of documents on the document tray 30. By dropping onto the surface of the documents and rotating, the feed roller 1 takes in the topmost document in the document stack S placed on the document tray 30 and transports it to the separation roller 2. The separation roller 2 separates the documents into single sheets by a separation nip portion formed between the separation roller 21 and the separation pad 21. Separation of the documents is a well-known separation technique.

[0030] The document separated into one sheet by the separation roller 2 and separation pad 21 is transported to the lead roller 5 by the pull-out roller 3, the transport roller 4, the first transport auxiliary roller 41, and the second transport auxiliary roller 42. The lead roller 5 transports the transported document to the reading position (above the flow reading glass 201) of the first reading unit 205. When the first document is transported, the document is temporarily stopped between the transport roller 4 and the first transport auxiliary roller 41, and waits until the first reading unit 205 is ready to read it.

[0031] The flow reading glass 201 is disposed at a reading position of the first reading unit 205 when reading an image of a document transported by the ADF 100. A white opposing member 6 is provided at a position facing the first reading unit 205 across the flow reading glass 201. The front surface reading upstream roller 51 is provided on the upstream side of the opposing member 6, and the front surface reading downstream roller 52 is provided on the downstream side of the opposing member 6. The document is transported between the flow reading glass 201 and the opposing member 6 by the front surface reading upstream roller 51. The first reading unit 205 reads an image of a first side (front side) of the document, line by line, through the flow reading glass 201 from the document passing between the flow reading glass 201 and the opposing member 6.

[0032] The document that has passed the reading position of the first reading unit 205 is transported to the lead roller 7 by the front side reading downstream roller 52. The document is transported by the lead roller 7 from the reading position of the first reading unit 205 to the reading position of the second reading unit 105. A flow reading glass 101 is provided at the reading position of the second reading unit 105. A shading white plate 102 is provided on the flow reading glass 101. A white opposing member 8 is provided at a position facing the second reading unit 105 across the flow reading glass 101. A back side reading upstream roller 53 is provided on the upstream side of the opposing member 8, and a back side reading downstream roller 54 is provided on the downstream side of the opposing member 8. The document is transported between the flow reading glass 101 and the opposing member 8 by the back side reading upstream roller 53. The second reading unit 105 reads an image on the second side (reverse side) of the document passing between the flow reading glass 101 and the facing member 8.

[0033] The document that has passed the reading position of the second reading unit 105 is transported by the back-side reading downstream rollers 54 to the discharge rollers 9 provided downstream. The discharge rollers 9 discharge the document to the discharge tray 10. When reading an original image on one side of the document, the first reading unit 205 reads the original image on the first side of the document, and the second reading unit 105 does not operate. When reading an original image on both sides of the document, the first reading unit 205 reads the original image on the first side of the document, and the second reading unit 105 reads the original image on the second side of the document, line by line.

[0034] The method of reading an image from a document being transported by the ADF 100 as described above is called "skim reading."

[0035] An original is placed on the original platen glass 209 of the reader 200 with the image-formed surface facing the original platen glass 209. In this case, the first reading unit 205 reads the image of the original placed on the original platen glass 209 line by line while moving at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow A. The process of reading the image of the original on the original platen glass 209 is called "pressure plate reading."

[0036] The first reading unit 205 includes light sources 203a and 203b, reflecting mirrors 204a to 204c, and a reading sensor 210. The light sources 203a and 203b are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and irradiate light onto a document passing over the flow reading glass 201 or onto a document placed on a document table glass 209. The irradiated light from the document is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 204a to 204c and received by the reading sensor 210. The reading sensor 210 is configured with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the direction of the arrow A. The reading sensor 210 generates image data by performing a predetermined process on an electric signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light received by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. This image data represents an image of the first surface of the document. The image data is generated each time the image is read line by line. The direction in which the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged is the main scanning direction. The direction of the arrow A is the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning direction corresponds to the width direction of the document, and the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length direction of the document.

[0037] The second reading unit 105 has the same configuration as the first reading unit 205, and reads the document image on the second side of the document in the same manner. That is, the second reading unit 105 includes light sources 103a and 103b, reflecting mirrors 104a to 104c, and a reading sensor 110. The light sources 103a and 103b irradiate light onto the document passing between the flow reading glass 101 and the opposing member 8. The irradiated light from the document is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 104a to 104c and received by the reading sensor 110. The reading sensor 110 generates image data by performing a predetermined process on the electrical signals obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light received by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. The image data is generated each time the image is read line by line. This image data represents the image on the second side of the document. The direction in which the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged is the main scanning direction. The transport direction of the document perpendicular to the main scanning direction is the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning direction corresponds to the width direction of the document, and the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length direction of the document.

[0038] The shading white boards 102 and 202 are used during shading control and are members that serve as a white reference. Shading control using the shading white board 102 is performed before the start of reading of the document. The shading white board 102 moves to the reading position of the second reading unit 105 as the flow reading glass 101 moves during shading control, and moves out of the reading position of the second reading unit 105 as the flow reading glass 101 moves during flow reading. Shading processing using the shading white board 202 is performed before the start of image reading in both cases of pressure plate reading and flow reading.

[0039] On the transport path, a separation sensor 12, a pull-out sensor 13, a registration sensor 14, a lead sensor 15, and a paper discharge sensor 16 are provided in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the document. Transport of the document is controlled according to the detection results of the separation sensor 12, the pull-out sensor 13, and the registration sensor 14. The start timing of the reading operation by the first reading unit 205 and the second reading unit 105 is determined according to the detection result of the lead sensor 15. Discharge of the document is detected according to the detection result of the paper discharge sensor 16.

[0040] (Control System) 3 is a configuration diagram of a control system that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1000. The control system includes a reader controller 2001, a controller 400, and a printer controller 5000 that control the operation of the ADF 100 and the reader 200. The reader controller 2001 is provided in the reader 200. The controller 400 and the printer controller 5000 are provided in the printer 500. The ADF 100 does not have a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its operation is controlled by the reader controller 2001.

[0041] The reader controller 2001 includes a CPU 321, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 322, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 323. The CPU 321 executes a computer program stored in the ROM 322 to control the operations of the ADF 100 and the reader 200. The RAM 323 provides a work area for this purpose. The CPU 321, the ROM 322, and the RAM 323 are connected to each other via a bus B1 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0042] The components of the ADF 100 are also connected to the bus B1 via the input and output ports of the ADF 100. Specifically, the document presence / absence detection sensor 11, the transport system sensor 120, the paper feed motor 121, the transport motor 122, the glass motor 123, the light sources 103a and 103b, the size detection sensor 130, and the reading sensor 110 are connected to the bus B1. The transport system sensors 120 include a separation sensor 12, a pull-out sensor 13, a registration sensor 14, a lead sensor 15, and a paper discharge sensor 16, which are provided on the transport path of the ADF 100. The paper feed motor 121 is a drive source that drives the paper feed roller 1 and the separation roller 2. The transport motor 122 is a drive source that drives each transport roller provided on the transport path except for the paper feed roller 1 and the separation roller 2. The glass motor 123 is a drive source that moves the running reading glass 101. The size detection sensor 130 is a sensor for detecting the size of the document placed on the document tray 30, and includes document length sensors 17 and 18 and a sensor (not shown) that detects the distance between the two document guide plates 31.

[0043] The CPU 321 controls the feeding of the original by controlling the feed motor 121 and the transport motor 122 in response to the timing of detection of the original by the transport system sensor 120. The CPU 321 can also detect the presence or absence of an original on the original tray 30 based on the detection result of the original presence / absence detection sensor 11, and can detect the size (original width, original length) of the original placed on the original tray 30 based on the detection result of the size detection sensor 130. When the original is read by the second reading unit 105, the CPU 321 moves the flow reading glass 101 to the reading position by the glass motor 123, and causes the light sources 103a and 103b to emit light.

[0044] The reading sensor 110 of the second reading unit 105 has a light receiving sensor and a control unit for the light receiving sensor. In this embodiment, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 111 is used as the light receiving sensor. A CCD control unit 112 is a control unit for the light receiving sensor, and drives and controls the CCD sensor 111. The CCD sensor 111 converts reflected light into image data, and transmits the image data to the reader controller 2001 via an image data communication line 355 and a bus B1 under the control of the CCD control unit 112.

[0045] The optical system motor 326, the light sources 203a and 203b, the reader sensor 327, the pressure plate open / close sensor 328, the backup unit 330, and the image processing unit 325 are connected to the bus B1. The reader sensor 327 is a sensor such as a pressure plate size detection sensor for detecting the length of the document placed on the document table glass 209, and a home position sensor for detecting that the first reading unit 205 is at a reference position. The home position sensor enables the first reading unit 205 to read the document at a correct position under the document table glass 209. The pressure plate open / close sensor 328 is a sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the ADF 100 relative to the reader 200. The backup unit 330 backs up part of the working data used to control the ADF 100 and the reader 200, the setting values ​​for each machine, and the like. The optical system motor 326 is a drive source for moving the first reading unit 205 in the direction of the arrow A.

[0046] The image processing unit 325 includes a shading RAM 331, a shading correction unit 332, a skew detection unit 333, a skew correction unit 334, a thinning unit 335, and a color conversion unit 336. The image processing unit 325 performs various image processing on the image data acquired from the reading sensors 210 and 110, such as shading processing, detection and correction processing of dust images such as streak images on the image data, and detection and correction processing of the amount of skew of the document.

[0047] The thinning unit 335 performs thinning processes such as main scanning thinning, which reduces the number of pixels in the main scanning direction by half, and sub-scanning thinning, which reduces the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction by half, on the image data acquired from the reading sensors 210 and 110. For example, the thinning unit 335 can convert image data generated at a resolution of 600 dpi to a resolution of 300 dpi. The color conversion unit 336 converts the three-color (R (red) / G (green) / B (blue)) image data acquired from the reading sensors 210 and 110 into black and white image data based on the optical characteristics of the reading sensors 210 and 110.

[0048] The image memory 329 provides a working area for image processing. The image data after image processing is sequentially transmitted to the controller 400 via a controller interface image communication line 353 including a clock signal line for image transfer. The CPU 321 transmits an image tip signal, which is a reference for the leading edge of the image data, to the controller 400 via a controller interface control communication line 352 with timing adjustment.

[0049] The light sources 203a and 203b emit light under the control of the CPU 321 to irradiate the document with light. The reflected light of the light irradiated on the document is received by the reading sensor 210 and converted into image data. The reading sensor 210 has a light receiving sensor and a control unit for the light receiving sensor. In this embodiment, a CCD sensor 211 is used as the light receiving sensor. The CCD control unit 212 is a control unit for the light receiving sensor, and drives and controls the CCD sensor 211. The CCD sensor 211 converts the reflected light into image data, and transmits the image data to the image processing unit 325 via the image data communication line 354 under the control of the CCD control unit 212.

[0050] The controller 400 includes a control unit 401, a rotation and magnification unit 402, a correction unit 403, an image memory 404, an external I / F 406, and an image analysis unit 407. The control unit 401, the rotation and magnification unit 402, the correction unit 403, the image memory 404, the external I / F 406, and the image analysis unit 407 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus B2. An operation unit 405 is also connected to the bus B2.

[0051] The controller 400 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1000. The control unit 401 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1000 by executing a predetermined computer program. The control unit 401 is communicably connected to the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 and a printer control unit 501 (described later) of the printer controller 5000. The rotation and magnification unit 402 performs image processing such as conversion of reading resolution, image enlargement and reduction by digital zoom, and vertical and horizontal rotation control on the image data acquired from the reader controller 2001. The correction unit 403 performs brightness / density correction on the image data based on the reading brightness characteristics and the image density characteristics of the printer 500. The image analysis unit 407 performs format conversion of the image data into PDF format or JPEG format, and color conversion processing to convert a color image into a black and white image.

[0052] The image data that has been subjected to image processing by at least one of the rotation and scaling unit 402, the correction unit 403, and the image analysis unit 407 is stored in an image memory 404. Depending on the content of the processing, the image data that has been temporarily stored in the image memory 404 may be converted by the rotation and scaling unit 402 in accordance with the output size and then stored again in the image memory 404. The above processing is performed on the image data in the document image area, and a read image of the document is generated.

[0053] The external I / F 406 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device such as a computer via an external network. The external I / F 406 acquires an image reading operation instruction from the external device and transmits the read image to the external device. The network may be a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a public line, or the like. When transmitting image data to an external device, the control unit 401 transmits the image data stored in the image memory 404 via the external I / F 406.

[0054] The operation unit 405 is a user interface having an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is various key buttons, a touch panel, etc. The output interface is a display, a speaker, etc. A user can input image reading instructions and various settings for image reading through the input interface. A user can check the screen when various inputs are made through the output interface.

[0055] The operation unit 405 performs input processing and display processing between the operation unit 405 and the control unit 401 in order to receive image reading operation instructions from the user and display the read image. The image reading operation instructions include reading conditions such as instructions for single-sided / double-sided reading, instructions for color / black and white, designation of reading size, and designation of image quality. Note that the image reading operation instructions from the operation unit 405 are not directly notified to the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001. The CPU 321 is notified of the results of selection from several patterns of reading resolution and reading color that are compatible with the reader controller 2001 as reading conditions, except for processing that can be handled by the image processing (rotation / magnification unit 402, etc.) of the controller 400.

[0056] The printer controller 5000 includes a printer control unit 501, an image forming unit 502, and a paper transport control unit 503. The printer control unit 501 can communicate with the control unit 401 of the controller 400, and controls the overall operation of the printer 500. The printer control unit 501 controls the operation of the image forming unit 502 and the paper transport control unit 503. The image forming unit 502 acquires image data from the image memory 404, and forms an image according to the image data by controlling the exposure control unit 510 and the developing unit 513 based on the acquired image data. The paper transport control unit 503 controls the feeding of the paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 514, 515 or the manual paper feed unit 525, passing through the transfer unit 516 and the fixing unit 517 until the paper is discharged to the paper output tray 519.

[0057] (Image reader using a pressure plate) Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of a modified example of an image reading device 2000. The image reading device 2000 in Fig. 4 shows an example in which the ADF 100 in Fig. 2 is replaced with a pressure plate 230. In a configuration including the pressure plate 230, only pressure plate reading is performed, and skimming reading is not performed.

[0058] (Processing during skimming) Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an original transport mechanism used for controlling the transport of an original by the ADF 100. As shown in Fig. 2, an original is transported by each roller provided on the transport path. Each roller provided on the transport path is rotated and driven by the paper feed motor 121 and the transport motor 122. As described above, the paper feed motor 121 is the drive source for the paper feed roller 1 and the separation roller 2, and the transport motor 122 is the drive source for the other rollers. In this way, the drive source for each roller is shared between the paper feed motor 121 and the transport motor 122.

[0059] The CPU 321 stops the feed motor 121 and the separation roller 2 immediately after the leading edge of the document reaches the pull-out roller 3, and thereafter the document is transported by the transport force of the pull-out roller 3 alone. The transport motor 122 matches the transport speed of the document by the pull-out roller 3 to the reading speed by the first reading unit 205, so that the document can be transported to the reading position of the first reading unit 205 without changing the speed. If the feed speed by the separation roller 2 is faster than the transport speed by the pull-out roller 3, the document will be pushed in front of the pull-out roller 3. In this case, by immediately stopping the separation roller 2, the document is momentarily evacuated to the upper space just before the pull-out roller 3, making it possible to transport the document without causing a paper jam.

[0060] When scanning one side of a document (single-sided reading) As described above, a stack of documents S, which is composed of one or more documents, is loaded on the document tray 30. When feeding documents, the feed roller 1 is rotated by the transport motor 122, and the topmost document of the stack of documents S loaded on the document tray 30 is fed. The fed document is separated into one sheet by the separation roller 2 and the separation pad 21.

[0061] CPU 321 stops feed motor 121 when the time when the leading edge of the document separated into one sheet is detected by pull-out sensor 13 has elapsed since the leading edge of the document is predicted to reach pull-out roller 3. By stopping feed motor 121, rotation of feed roller 1 on document tray 30 stops, and feeding of the next document is inhibited. Since separation roller 2 also stops at the same timing as feed roller 1, the document that was previously fed is transported only by pull-out roller 3 for a while.

[0062] The pull-out rollers 3 transport the document to the transport rollers 4. A transport path is provided downstream of the transport rollers 4 to transport the document that has passed the transport rollers 4 toward the flow-reading glass 201. The document transported along the transport path is transported by the first transport auxiliary rollers 41, the second transport auxiliary rollers 42, the lead rollers 5, and the front surface reading upstream rollers 51 to a reading position for the first surface (front surface) by the first reading unit 205. When the first document is to be read, the document stops temporarily between the transport rollers 4 and the first transport auxiliary rollers 41 and waits. During the waiting period for the document, the first reading unit 205 completes preparation for reading and moves to directly below the opposing member 6.

[0063] When the first reading unit 205 has completed moving to directly below the opposing member 6, the CPU 321 restarts the rotation of the conveying roller 4 and the first auxiliary conveying roller 41 by the conveying motor 122 to restart conveying the original. When the original passes between the flow reading glass 201 and the opposing member 6, the image on the first side (front side) is read line by line by the first reading unit 205.

[0064] The document that has passed the reading position of the first reading unit 205 is transported to the lead roller 7 by the front side reading downstream roller 52. The document is further transported by the lead roller 7, the back side reading upstream roller 53, and the back side reading downstream roller 54, and then discharged to the discharge tray 10 by the discharge roller 9. In this manner, one side of one document is read. If there are multiple documents on the document tray 30, the above operations are repeated until one side reading of the final document is completed.

[0065] When scanning both sides of a document (double-sided scanning) The process up to the reading of the first side (front side) is the same as when reading one side. The document transported to the lead roller 7 by the front side reading downstream roller 52 is transported by the lead roller 5 and the front side reading upstream roller 51 to a reading position for the second side (back side) by the second reading unit 105. Before the document reaches the reading position for the second side (back side), the CPU 321 moves the flow reading glass 101 to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the glass motor 123. As the document passes between the flow reading glass 101 and the opposing member 8, the image of the second side (back side) is read line by line by the second reading unit 105.

[0066] The document that has passed the second side (reverse side) reading position is transported by the reverse side reading downstream rollers 54, and then discharged to the discharge tray 10 by the discharge rollers 9. In this manner, both sides of one document are read. If there are multiple documents on the document tray 30, the above operations are repeated until both sides of the final document are read.

[0067] (Document transport control) As described above, the rollers used to transport the document are rotated by the drive sources of the feed motor 121 and the transport motor 122. Each process of feeding, separating, transporting, reading, and discharging the document is performed according to the detection result by the transport system sensor 120 of the presence or absence of the document or the position of the document on the transport path.

[0068] In particular, the start timing of the reading process of the first surface by the first reading unit 205 is determined based on the detection timing of the leading edge of the document being conveyed by the lead sensor 15 and the distance from the lead sensor 15 to the reading position of the first surface (front surface). Similarly, the start timing of the reading process of the second surface by the second reading unit 105 is determined based on the detection timing of the leading edge of the document by the lead sensor 15 and the distance from the lead sensor 15 to the reading position of the second surface (back surface).

[0069] During the document feeding operation by ADF 100, CPU 321 periodically monitors the detection results (detection signals) of separation sensor 12, pull-out sensor 13, registration sensor 14, lead sensor 15, and discharge sensor 16. If the detection signal of each sensor does not change for a predetermined period of time or more during the document feeding operation, CPU 321 determines that a jam has occurred as an abnormality in document transport. If a jam occurs, CPU 321 notifies the user of the occurrence of the jam and the location of the jam via operation unit 405. The location of the jam is determined from the position of the sensor whose detection signal does not change.

[0070] (Shading Control) Shading control of the first reading unit 205 is performed by moving the first reading unit 205 to just below the shading whiteboard 202 immediately after the start of a reading job and before starting image reading, after setting reading conditions such as reading resolution, reading speed, and reading color. After the shading control is completed, the first reading unit 205 moves to a reference position. The reference position is, for example, a position at a predetermined distance to the left of just below the shading whiteboard 202 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Thereafter, the first reading unit 205 reads the document while moving in the direction of the arrow A. The reference position is determined based on a distance at which stable image reading processing can be performed by ensuring time for the first reading unit 205 to accelerate to the set reading speed and for vibrations accompanying the movement to converge during the subsequent movement in the direction of the arrow A.

[0071] Shading control of the second reading unit 105 is performed by setting the reading conditions immediately after the start of a reading job and before starting image reading, and then moving the flow reading glass 101 to move the shading whiteboard 102 to the reading position of the second reading unit 105.

[0072] The shading whiteboards 202 and 102 are whiteboards for creating reference data of the white level by shading control. In shading control, the shading whiteboard 202 is read by the first reading unit 205, and the shading whiteboard 102 is read by the second reading unit 105. Based on the reading result of the shading whiteboard 202 by the first reading unit 205, reference data used for shading correction by the first reading unit 205 is generated. Based on the reading result of the shading whiteboard 102 by the second reading unit 105, reference data used for shading correction by the second reading unit 105 is generated.

[0073] The reference data based on the luminance value included in the read result of the shading whiteboard 202, 102 with the light sources 203a, 203b, 103a, 103b turned off is the reference data of the black level. The reference data based on the luminance value included in the read result of the shading whiteboard 202, 102 with the light sources 203a, 203b, 103a, 103b turned on is the reference data of the white level. The acquisition target of the reference data is all pixels in the main scanning direction. The acquisition process of the reference data of the black level is called "black shading". The acquisition process of the reference data of the white level is called "white shading". The luminance value included in the read result of the document is normalized by the reference data of the black level and the reference data of the white level, so that the luminance value can be corrected to an appropriate value. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the shading control process of the first reading unit 205.

[0074] When performing shading control processing of the first reading unit 205, the CPU 321 moves the first reading unit 205 to directly below the shading white board 202 by the optical system motor 326 (S601). The CPU 321 supplies power to the first reading unit 205 to make the reading sensor 210 in a readable state (S602). At this time, the CPU 321 sets reading conditions such as reading resolution, reading color, and reading speed for the reading sensor 210. The CPU 321 performs black shading. In black shading, the CPU 321 obtains the reading result of the shading white board 202 by the reading sensor 210 while keeping the light sources 203a and 203b turned off (S603). The CPU 321 checks whether the level of the obtained reading result (luminance value) is within a first predetermined range that is a criterion for determining whether the black shading has been performed normally (S604).

[0075] If the luminance level of the read result is not within the first predetermined range (S605: N), the CPU 321 determines that the first reading unit 205 may be broken or that the position of the first reading unit 205 is inappropriate. In this case, the CPU 321 cuts off the power supply to the first reading unit 205 (S612), and if the number of black shading occurrences is less than two (S613: N), it starts the process again from moving the first reading unit 205 (S601). This is to avoid the device being unable to be used immediately due to a sudden problem such as electrical noise or the first reading unit 205 getting stuck during movement, when the first reading unit 205 is unable to accurately read the shading whiteboard 202. In order to prevent black shading from having to be repeated multiple times when there is actually a malfunction, if black shading fails twice (S613: Y), the CPU 321 determines that the first reading unit 205 is malfunctioning (S614) and ends the shading control process.

[0076] If the luminance value level of the read result is within the first predetermined range (S605: Y), the CPU 321 determines that the first reading unit 205 is operating normally and turns on the light sources 203a and 203b (S606). The CPU 321 starts moving the first reading unit 205 from directly under the shading white board 202 to directly under the flow reading glass 201, which is the position for reading an image (reading position), by the optical system motor 326 (S607). The CPU 321 performs white shading while the first reading unit 205 is moving. In white shading, the CPU 321 acquires the reading result of the shading white board 202 by the reading sensor 210 with the light sources 203a and 203b turned on (S608). The CPU 321 checks whether the level of the acquired reading result (luminance value) is within a second predetermined range that is a criterion for determining whether the white shading has been performed normally (S609).

[0077] The CPU 321 checks whether the movement of the first reading unit 205 to directly below the reading position has been completed (S610). When the movement of the first reading unit 205 is completed (S610: Y), the CPU 321 judges whether the reading result of the white shading is normal (S611). If the luminance value level of the reading result is within the second predetermined range (S611: Y), the white shading is performed normally, and the CPU 321 ends the shading control process while keeping the light sources 203a and 203b on.

[0078] When the white shading is performed normally, the CPU 321 generates reference data for each of the black level and the white level based on the reading results of the black shading and the white shading, and stores the generated reference data in the shading RAM 331. The shading correction unit 332 performs shading correction on the image data generated from the first side of the document by the first reading unit 205, based on the reference data for each of the black level and the white level stored in the shading RAM 331.

[0079] If the luminance level of the read result is not within the second predetermined range (S611: N), white shading has not been performed normally, and the CPU 321 restarts the process from black shading. To do so, the CPU 321 turns off the light sources 203a and 203b (S615) and cuts off the power supply to the first reading unit 205 (S612). If the number of times white shading has been performed is less than two (S613: N), the CPU 321 restarts the process from moving the first reading unit 205 (S601). If white shading has failed two times (S613: Y), the CPU 321 determines that the first reading unit 205 is broken (S614) and ends the shading control process.

[0080] The shading control process of the first reading unit 205 is performed as described above. The shading control process of the second reading unit 105 is similar in that it performs black shading and white shading, and generates reference data for the black level and the white level when both processes are performed normally. However, the shading white plate 102 is attached to the flow reading glass 101 configured to be movable by the glass motor 123. When the shading control process is started, the CPU 321 moves the flow reading glass 101 by the glass motor 123 so that the shading white plate 102 is positioned on the opposing surface of the second reading unit 105. This enables the second reading unit 105 to read the shading white plate 102. The black shading and white shading are performed based on the reading result (brightness value) of the shading white plate 102. After reading the shading white plate 102, the CPU 321 moves the flow reading glass 101 by the glass motor 123 to the opposing surface of the second reading unit 105 and reads the document.

[0081] (Skewing detection) The image reading device 2000 starts reading the document by the first reading unit 205 based on the timing when the leading edge of the document is detected by the lead sensor 15. The first reading unit 205 starts reading the image a predetermined time before the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position on the flow reading glass 201. This is to prevent image loss due to skew of the document even when the document is transported at the upper limit of the allowable range of skew of the ADF 100.

[0082] 7 is an explanatory diagram of an image read when the document is skewed. When the document is skewed (right diagram in FIG. 7), the opposing member 6 is also read as the background of the document image. Therefore, the reading result of the first reading unit 205 includes the document image and the background image. The skew detection unit 333 of the image processing unit 325 extracts the boundary between the document image and the background image of the opposing member 6 from such a read image (right diagram in FIG. 7).

[0083] 8 is an explanatory diagram of the state of the document at the reading position of the first reading unit 205. As shown in FIG. 8, when the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position of the first reading unit 205, the leading edge of the document is not clamped. Therefore, during reading, a shadow is generated between the document and the opposing member 6 by the light irradiated from the light sources 203a and 203b. This shadow is included in the read image. The skew detection unit 333 performs edge extraction processing using the image of the shadow, and can detect the position, size, and skew angle of the document in the read image from the extracted edge.

[0084] The image (image data) read by the first reading unit 205 is stored in the image memory 329 with the image of the original document skewed. When the image data is transmitted to the controller 400, the skew correction unit 334 extracts only the image portion of the original document (left diagram in FIG. 7) based on the position, size, and skew angle of the original document detected by the skew detection unit 333, thereby correcting the skew of the image data.

[0085] (Reading resolution, reading color settings) When a user acquires a reading job from the operation unit 405, the control unit 401 of the controller 400 selects reading settings from a list of reading settings that can be set in the reader 200, and determines the processing contents of the rotation / magnification unit 402 and the image analysis unit 407 based on the reading job. The reading conditions specified by the reading settings are reflected in the image processing by the controller 400 and the reading processing by the first reading unit 205 and the second reading unit 105.

[0086] 9 is an example diagram of a list of reading settings that can be set by the reader 200. In this example, the configurable items (reading conditions) include document placement position (document position), reading color, main scanning resolution (main dpi), sub-scanning resolution (sub-dpi), reading speed, and the number of pages read per minute for an A4 size document (when reading one side / when reading both sides). The main scanning resolution is the resolution in the main scanning direction during the reading process. The sub-scanning resolution is the resolution in the sub-scanning direction during the reading process.

[0087] As shown in the scan settings No. 5 and No. 6, the number of scanned pages per minute during skimming using the ADF 100 is not twice as high for double-sided scanning as for single-sided scanning. This is due to limitations imposed by the transmission capacity of image data via the controller interface image communication line 353. The higher the scan resolution or the greater the number of scan colors (there are more color than black and white), the more susceptible it is to the effects of transmission capacity limitations.

[0088] Based on the list of reading settings, the control unit 401 selects a reading setting that causes as little degradation of the image as possible in response to an instruction for reading resolution and reading color acquired from the operation unit 405. Among them, the control unit 401 selects a reading setting that allows a large number of pages to be read per hour during skimming.

[0089] The selection process of the reading settings (reading conditions) will be described using the following conditions acquired from the operation unit 405 as an example. ·Original position: ADF Scanning surface: double-sided Reading color: Color Scanning resolution: Main scanning resolution 200 [dpi] x Sub-scanning resolution 200 [dpi] Data format: JPEG format

[0090] When the control unit 401 is notified by the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 that an original is placed on the original tray 30, the control unit 401 sets the original position to "ADF", and when the control unit 401 is notified that an original is not placed, the control unit 401 sets the original position to "pressure plate". When the original position is set to "ADF", the original is placed on the original tray 30, and when the original is set to "pressure plate", the original is placed on the original table glass 209.

[0091] According to the list of scan settings, there are three scan settings, No. 5 to No. 7, for which the document position is "ADF" and the scan color is "color." The scan resolution is specified as 200 [dpi] for both the main scan resolution and the sub-scan resolution, so any of scan settings No. 5 to No. 7 will have a scan resolution equal to or higher than the specified resolution. However, if the product specifications stipulate that the main scan resolution when outputting in JPEG format is, for example, 600 [dpi], the scan settings are narrowed down to No. 5 or No. 6. Finally, the scan settings No. 5 and No. 6 are compared, and the scan setting No. 6, which has the highest number of scan surfaces per specified time, is selected.

[0092] The read settings are selected in this manner. When starting a read job, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 of the selected read settings. That is, the control unit 401 instructs the CPU 321 to execute reading of the document with the document position set to "ADF", double-sided reading, a reading resolution of main scanning resolution 600 [dpi]×sub-scanning resolution 300 [dpi], and color reading. At the same time, the control unit 401 also determines the processing contents to be performed by the rotation / magnification unit 402, correction unit 403, and image analysis unit 407 on the image data that is the read result.

[0093] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the image data conversion procedure by the image processing of the controller 400. First, the correction unit 403 performs color correction on the image data, which is the result of reading, with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi] as a correction of the luminance characteristics of the reader 200. Here, the processing is completed by generating image data in JPEG format by the image processing of the controller 400, so no processing related to the printer 500 is required. Next, the image analysis unit 407 converts the image data corrected by the correction unit 403 into JPEG format. Finally, the rotation and magnification unit 402 converts the JPEG format image data with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi] into JPEG format image data with a main scanning resolution of 200 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 200 [dpi]. As a result of the above, image data corresponding to the reading setting specified in the reading job is generated.

[0094] In order to respond to the instruction for the reading settings from the operation unit 405 in this manner, the control unit 401 determines the selection of the reading settings by the reader 200 and the processing contents of the image processing by the controller 400 .

[0095] When the user sets the read settings for a read job using the operation unit 405, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the read settings every time the read settings change, even before the user issues an instruction to start the read job. By the control unit 401 notifying the CPU 321 of the settings in advance, the reader 200 can prepare for image reading with the expected read settings before the instruction to start the read job is issued.

[0096] In preparation for image reading by the reader 200, it takes time for the shading control of the first reading unit 205 and for it to move to the reference position, which is the reading start position. Depending on the settings of the reading job, the second reading unit 105 may also be involved, but since its behavior is basically the same as that of the first reading unit 205, a description of it will be omitted. The first reading unit 205 moves to a position directly below the shading white plate 202 in the case of pressure plate reading, and directly below the skimming glass 201 in the case of skimming reading.

[0097] The reader 200 prepares for image reading in advance, thereby eliminating the waiting time due to shading control and movement of the first reading unit 205. This makes it possible to reduce the time from when the control unit 401 instructs the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 to start a reading job to when the first reading unit 205 starts reading the document.

[0098] 11, 12, and 13 are exemplary views of setting screens displayed on the display of the operation unit 405 when instructing reading settings for a reading job. The user inputs reading settings for a reading job using these setting screens by using the operation unit 405.

[0099] 11 is a setting screen for transmitting image data to an external device via the external I / F 406. The external device to which the image data is to be transmitted is set by a destination button 1101. The destination button 1101 includes an "address book" button in which destinations are registered in advance, a "one-touch" button that allows a frequently used button to be quickly selected, and a "new input" button for setting a new destination.

[0100] By selecting the "Specify Color" button 1102, the setting screen in Fig. 12 is displayed, and the reading color can be set. As shown in Fig. 12, the setting contents of the reading color can be selected from five types in a selection screen 1201. Here, two types of "Auto" buttons, a "Full Color" button, a "Grayscale" button, and a "Black and White Binary" button can be selected.

[0101] When the "Auto" button in FIG. 12 is selected, it is determined whether the document is color or black and white from the image data obtained by scanning in color. For this purpose, the reader 200 is notified of the setting to scan the document in color. The image data obtained by scanning in color is analyzed by the image analysis unit 407. In the case of the "Auto (Color / Black and White Binary)" button, the image analysis unit 407, which has determined that the document is black and white, converts the image data obtained by scanning in color into black and white image data. In the case of the "Auto (Color / Grayscale)" button, the image analysis unit 407, which has determined that the document is black and white, converts the image data obtained by scanning in color into grayscale image data. For this purpose, the control unit 401 sets the reader 200 to black and white reading only when the "Black and White Binary" button is selected, and sets the reader 200 to color reading when the other buttons are selected.

[0102] By selecting the "Reading resolution" button 1103 in Fig. 11, the setting screen in Fig. 13 is displayed, and the reading resolution can be set. As shown in Fig. 13, the setting contents of the reading resolution can be selected from eight types in a selection screen 1301. The selection screen 1301 displays a combination of main scanning resolution and sub-scanning resolution.

[0103] The control unit 401 notifies the reader 200 of the reading settings based on the reading resolution set by the user. The reading settings are related to not only the reading resolution set by the user but also the format of the image data. The format of the image data is set by the "Specify data format" button 1113 in FIG. 11. By selecting the "Specify data format" button 1113, a data format specification screen (not shown) is displayed. Regular PDF, JPEG, TIFF, and highly compressed PDF can be selected.

[0104] The setting of the "Data Format Designation" button 1113 shown in Fig. 11 is high-compression PDF. When high-compression PDF is set as the product specifications, the main scanning resolution of the reader 200 is basically 300 [dpi], unlike, for example, 600 [dpi] for normal PDF or JPEG, and the reading color is also color.

[0105] In addition, image data generated in high-compression PDF also has a limited resolution of the scanned image, for example, 300 [dpi] in the main scanning direction × 300 [dpi] in the sub-scanning direction, as a product specification. Therefore, when high-compression PDF is set with the "Specify data format" button 1113, the reading resolution setting is automatically updated to 300 [dpi] × 300 [dpi]. Also, since the reading color is specified as color, the reading color of the "Specify color" button 1102 is also set to "Auto (color / grayscale)."

[0106] On the other hand, the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 judges whether or not an original is placed on the original tray 30 based on the detection results of the pressure plate open / close sensor 328 and the original presence / absence detection sensor 11. The CPU 321 notifies the control unit 401 of the controller 400 of the judgment result at any time. Even if the original presence / absence detection sensor 11 detects the presence of an original on the original tray 30, if the pressure plate open / close sensor 328 does not detect the closed state of the ADF 100, the original cannot be transported correctly. In this case, the CPU 321 notifies the control unit 401 that an original is not placed on the original tray 30. If an original is present on the original tray 30, the control unit 401 reads the original on the original tray 30, and if no original is present on the original tray 30, the control unit 401 reads the original on the original tray 30, and if no original is present on the original tray 30, the control unit 401 reads the original on the original table glass 209.

[0107] The reading setting of the second reading unit 105 is related to the "Double-sided reading setting" button 1112 in Fig. 11. Either single-sided reading or double-sided reading can be set by the "Double-sided reading setting" button 1112. When double-sided reading is set, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the double-sided reading setting, so that when a document is placed on the document tray 30, the control unit 401 can notify the CPU 321 of the reading setting that includes the second reading unit 105 as a preparation target.

[0108] As a result, a combination of the reading resolution, reading color, data format setting, double-sided / single-sided reading, and the position of the document to be read is selected as the reading settings (reading conditions). Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the notification process of the reading settings (reading conditions).

[0109] The control unit 401 judges whether or not the high-compression PDF is selected as the data format in the read setting (S1401). If the high-compression PDF is selected (S1401: Y), the control unit 401 judges whether or not the platen glass 209 is selected as the original placement position in the read setting, that is, whether or not the pressure plate reading is selected (S1402). Here, the high-compression PDF specifies that the main scanning resolution during reading is 300 [dpi] and the read color is color. Therefore, when the original placement position is the original tray 30 (S1402: N), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the read setting to read the original conveyed from the original tray 30 in color with a main scanning resolution of 300 [dpi] x sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi].

[0110] When the original is placed on the platen glass 209 (S1402:Y), the control unit 401 selects a read setting for reading the original placed on the platen glass 209 in color with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi]×sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi]. However, such a read setting is not available for the reader 200 illustrated in FIG. 9. Therefore, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of a read setting for exceptionally reading the original placed on the platen glass 209 in color with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi]×sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi]. In this case, the control unit 401 converts the resolution in the main scanning direction (600 [dpi]→300 [dpi]) for the image data acquired from the reader 200 using the rotation / magnification unit 402.

[0111] If high compression PDF is not selected (S1401: N), the control unit 401 judges whether or not black and white binary is selected as the read color (S1403). If the read color setting is black and white binary (S1403: Y), the reader 200 performs black and white reading. In this case, the control unit 401 determines the read setting based on the original placement position and the read resolution (S1404, S1405, S1406). It is judged whether the read resolution is any of main scanning resolution 200 [dpi] × sub scanning resolution 400 [dpi], main scanning resolution 400 [dpi] × sub scanning resolution 400 [dpi], and main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] × sub scanning resolution 600 [dpi].

[0112] If the document is placed on the document tray 30 and the reading resolution is not any of the above (S1404: N, S1405: N), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings. That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the document placed on the document tray 30 in black and white with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi].

[0113] When the document is placed on the document tray 30 and the reading resolution is one of the above (S1404: N, S1405: Y), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings. That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the document placed on the document tray 30 in black and white with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 600 [dpi].

[0114] If the original is placed on the platen glass 209 and the reading resolution is not any of the above (S1404: Y, S1406: N), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings: That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the original placed on the platen glass 209 in black and white with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi].

[0115] When the original is placed on the platen glass 209 and the reading resolution is one of the above (S1404:Y, S1406:Y), the reading resolution needs to be set to main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] x sub-scanning resolution 600 [dpi]. In this case, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading setting for reading the original placed on the platen glass 209 in black and white at main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] x sub-scanning resolution 600 [dpi].

[0116] If the reading color setting is not black and white (S1403: N), the reader 200 will perform color reading. In this case, the control unit 401 determines the reading setting based on the document placement position and reading resolution as follows (S1407, S1408, S1409), similar to S1404 to S1406. The control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the determined reading setting.

[0117] If the document is placed on the document tray 30 and the reading resolution is not any of the above (S1407: N, S1408: N), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings: That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the document placed on the document tray 30 in color with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi].

[0118] When the document is placed on the document tray 30 and the reading resolution is one of the above (S1407: N, S1408: Y), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings. That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the document placed on the document tray 30 in color with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 600 [dpi].

[0119] If the original is placed on the platen glass 209 and the reading resolution is not any of the above (S1407: Y, S1409: N), the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the following reading settings: That is, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading settings for reading the original placed on the platen glass 209 in color with a main scanning resolution of 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution of 300 [dpi].

[0120] When the document is placed on the document glass 209 and the reading resolution is one of the above (S1407:Y, S1409:Y), the reading resolution needs to be set to main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] x sub-scanning resolution 600 [dpi]. In this case, the control unit 401 notifies the CPU 321 of the reading setting for reading the document placed on the document glass 209 in color at main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] x sub-scanning resolution 600 [dpi].

[0121] The control unit 401 monitors the read settings inputted by the operation unit 405 and the change in the placement position of the document to be read. When the read settings are changed in the process of Fig. 14, the control unit 401 notifies the reader 200 of the changed read settings. Every time the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 acquires the notified read settings, it performs shading control as necessary.

[0122] When the CPU 321 does not receive an instruction to start a reading job from the control unit 401 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since performing shading control, the CPU 321 determines that there is no need to execute the reading job urgently. The CPU 321 cancels the preparation state of the first reading unit 205, and returns the first reading unit 205 to a standby position provided immediately below and in the vicinity of the shading whiteboard 202. When the CPU 321 receives an instruction to start a reading job from the control unit 401, the CPU 321 prepares the first reading unit 205 for reading again.

[0123] (Reading resolution and color settings by reader) The reading settings (reading conditions) according to the reading setting list configurable for the reader 200 illustrated in Fig. 9 can be realized using not only the first reading unit 205 but also the thinning unit 335 and the color conversion unit 336. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a combination of image processing on the reader 200 side corresponding to the reading settings. In Fig. 15, the left side shows the reading settings by the control unit 401, the center shows the settings of the first reading unit 205, and the right side shows the settings of the thinning unit 335 and the color conversion unit 336.

[0124] The setting of the first reading unit 205 is represented by an operation type (Type) that indicates the operating conditions according to the reading setting. In FIG. 15, three operation types (Type A, Type B, Type C) can be set for the first reading unit 205. For each operation type, the reading color, the reading resolution (main scanning resolution, sub-scanning resolution), and the reading speed are set. The settings of the thinning unit 335 and the color conversion unit 336 set image processing conditions that indicate whether or not to perform thinning in the main scanning direction, thinning in the sub-scanning direction, and color conversion processing from a color image to a black and white image according to the reading setting. In this way, the operating conditions of the first reading unit 205 and the image processing conditions of the image processing unit 325 are set in order to perform image reading processing according to the reading setting.

[0125] For example, a case will be described where the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 acquires the reading setting No. 4 from the control unit 401. The reading setting No. 4 is pressure plate reading, black and white, main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution 300 [dpi], and reading speed 260 [mm / sec]. The CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 sets Type A, which is color reading, main scanning resolution 600 [dpi] × sub-scanning resolution 600 [dpi], and reading speed 260 [mm / sec], to the first reading unit 205 and performs image reading operation. The CPU 321 also performs a process of reducing the image data to 1 / 2 in the sub-scanning direction only by the thinning unit 335, and a process of converting the color image data to black and white image data by the color conversion unit 336.

[0126] 15, the reading settings of No. 1 to No. 4, which are pressure plate reading, are all set to Type A for the first reading unit 205, and correspond to the reading settings by the control unit 401 through selection of subsequent image processing (thinning unit 335, color conversion unit 336). Similarly, for reading of documents placed on the document tray 30, the settings of No. 5 and No. 8, which are set to Type B for the first reading unit 205, are common, and the settings of No. 6, No. 7, and No. 9, which are set to Type C, are common.

[0127] In this way, although there are only three operation types of the first reading unit 205, by combining them with the thinning process and color conversion process, nine types of reading operations can be supported. Note that if the operation type of the first reading unit 205 is the same, the shading control will be the same regardless of whether the thinning process or color conversion process is performed or not.

[0128] (Scan settings before scanning job) The control unit 401 performs the process of FIG. 14 every time the setting contents via the operation unit 405 are changed, notifies the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001 of the reading setting, and prompts the first reading unit 205 to prepare.

[0129] The CPU 321 compares the operation type of the first scanning unit 205 that is prepared at that point in time with the operation type of the first scanning unit 205 determined from the reading settings notified from the control unit 401. If the operation types match, the CPU 321 omits shading control, which is a preparatory operation for the first scanning unit 205, and only updates the setting values ​​of the thinning unit 335 and the color conversion unit 336. Updating the setting values ​​of the thinning unit 335 and the color conversion unit 336 can be completed in a very short time, since it is sufficient to set the setting in the register of the image processing unit 325.

[0130] 16 to 18, the preparatory operation of the first reading unit 205 when a notification of the reading settings before starting a reading job is obtained from the control unit 401, and the reading start operation when a reading job start instruction is obtained will be described. The CPU 321 compares the current operating conditions of the first reading unit 205 with the contents of the reading settings obtained from the control unit 401 to determine the necessity of shading control of the first reading unit 205, and omits shading control if it is not necessary.

[0131] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process before obtaining an instruction to start a reading job.

[0132] When the CPU 321 receives a notification of the reading settings from the control unit 401 (S1601: Y), it converts the received reading settings into an operation type (operating conditions) of the first reading unit 205 and whether or not each function of the image processing unit 325 is to perform processing (image processing conditions) based on Fig. 15 (S1602). The CPU 321 updates the register settings of the image processing unit 325 according to the conversion result of the processing of S1602 (S1603).

[0133] The CPU 321 compares the operation type of the first scanning unit 205 according to the acquired reading setting with the current operation type of the first scanning unit 205 (S1604). If the operation types are the same (S1604: Y), the CPU 321 does not perform shading control. The CPU 321 checks whether or not a read job start instruction has been acquired from the control unit 401 (S1611). If a read job start instruction has been acquired (S1611: Y), the CPU 321 determines the placement position of the document to be read in order to start the read job (S1615). If the document placement position is the document platen glass 209 (S1615: Y), the CPU 321 starts platen reading. If the document placement position is the document tray 30 (S1615: N), the CPU 321 starts skimming reading.

[0134] If the start instruction of the reading job has not been acquired (S1611: N), the CPU 321 judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S1612). If the predetermined time has elapsed (S1612: Y), the CPU 321 judges that there is no need to shorten the time required to start reading by notifying the reading setting before the start of the reading job. In this case, the CPU 321 moves the first reading unit 205 to a standby position directly below the shading whiteboard 202 and stops it (S1613, S1614). The CPU 321 also sets the first reading unit 205 to a standby state. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S1612: N), the CPU 321 returns to the process of S1601 so that the notification of the reading setting can be acquired again.

[0135] If the notification of the read setting is not obtained in the process of S1601 (S1601: N), the CPU 321 checks whether or not a read job start instruction is obtained (S1616). If the read job start instruction is not obtained (S1616: N), the CPU 321 returns to the process of S1601 so that the read setting notification can be obtained again. If the read job start instruction is obtained (S1616: Y), the CPU 321 determines the placement position of the document to be read in order to start the read job (S1615). If the document placement position is the document glass 209 (S1615: Y), the CPU 321 starts the pressure plate reading. If the document placement position is the document tray 30 (S1615: N), the CPU 321 starts the skimming reading.

[0136] If the operation type is different in the process of S1604 (S1604: N), the CPU 321 executes the shading control again. In this case, the CPU 321 moves the first reading unit 205 to immediately below the shading whiteboard 202 (S1605). The CPU 321 updates the first reading unit 205 to the operation type determined in the process of S1602 and then restarts it (S1606). The CPU 321 executes the shading control (S1607). The CPU 321 checks the placement position of the original (S1608). If the placement position is the original platen glass 209 (S1608: Y), the CPU 321 moves the first reading unit 205 to a standby position for reading the pressure plate (S1610). If the placement position is the document tray 30 (S1608: N), the CPU 321 moves the first reading unit 205 to a standby position for skimming (S1609).

[0137] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the process when the pressure plate reading starts. Fig. 18 is a flowchart when the skimming reading starts. If the settings of the first reading unit 205 and the image processing unit 325 can be properly prepared by the reading setting before the job starts in Fig. 16, it is expected that the time from the start instruction of the reading job to the reading of the document image can be shortened.

[0138] The process at the start of reading the pressure plate will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The CPU 321 converts the reading setting of the reading job acquired from the control unit 401 into the operation type (operating condition) of the first reading unit 205 and the presence or absence of processing of each function of the image processing unit 325 (image processing condition) based on the device processing combination list in Fig. 15 (S1701). The CPU 321 updates the setting of the register of the image processing unit 325 (S1702).

[0139] The CPU 321 compares the operation type of the first scanning unit 205 prepared by the scanning settings before the start of the scanning job with the operation type of the first scanning unit 205 by the scanning settings of the scanning job start process (S1703). If the operation types are the same (S1703: Y), the CPU 321 reads the document as is.

[0140] If the operation type is different (S1703: N), the CPU 321 re-executes the shading control. The operation type is different when the setting contents are changed by the operation unit 405 and the reading job start is immediately instructed, so that the setting contents cannot be reflected in the setting of the reader 200. Also, the operation type is different when time has passed between the notification of the reading setting before the start of the reading job and the notification of the start of the reading job, causing the first reading unit 205 to be stopped. The CPU 321 re-executes the shading control (S1704 to S1706) as in S1605, S1606, and S1607 of FIG. 16, and then starts reading the document (S1710).

[0141] The process at the start of skimming will be described with reference to Fig. 18. When the CPU 321 is notified of a read start instruction, it starts feeding the documents stacked on the document tray 30 (S1801). The CPU 321 converts the read settings of the read job acquired from the control unit 401 into the operation type (operating conditions) of the first reading unit 205 and the presence or absence of processing of each function of the image processing unit 325 (image processing conditions) based on the device processing combination list in Fig. 15 (S1802). The CPU 321 updates the register settings of the image processing unit 325 (S1803).

[0142] The CPU 321 compares the operation type of the first reading unit 205 prepared by the reading settings before the start of the reading job with the operation type of the first reading unit 205 by the processing of S1802 (S1804). If the operation types are the same (S1804: Y), the CPU 321 determines that it is not necessary to change the settings of the first reading unit 205. In this case, the preparation processing of the first reading unit 205 is not necessary, and therefore the processing of temporarily stopping the transport of the document between the transport roller 4 and the first auxiliary transport roller 41 is also not necessary. For this reason, the CPU 321 allows the document to pass as it is (S1805). The CPU 321 starts reading the document in accordance with the timing when the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position.

[0143] If the operation type is different (S1804: N), preparation of the first reading unit 205, that is, shading control, is required, as in the case of pressure plate reading. For this purpose, the CPU 321 temporarily stops the document between the conveying roller 4 and the first conveying auxiliary roller 41 (S1806). Thereafter, the CPU 321 re-executes the shading control similarly to S1605, S1606, and S1607 in FIG. 16 (S1807 to S1809). After the shading control, the CPU 321 resumes conveying the document and starts reading the document (S1810, S1811).

[0144] Through the above-described processing, the reader controller 2001 obtains a notification of the reading settings from the control unit 401 of the controller 400 before starting a reading job, and prepares for the reading job according to the reading settings. If there is no change in the operating conditions of the first reading unit 205 due to a change in the reading settings, the reader controller 2001 can omit unnecessary shading control.

[0145] Second embodiment The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1000 and the configuration of the control system in the second embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, a process for determining the placement position of the document is added.

[0146] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the image reading device 2000. In Fig. 19, the ADF 100 is in an open state relative to the reader 200. The reader 200 and the ADF 100 are connected by a hinge 220, and various signal lines for connecting the reader 200 and the ADF 100 are housed inside a pantograph 221. A pressure plate open / close sensor 328 is disposed near the hinge 220. The pressure plate open / close sensor 328 electrically detects that a protrusion is pressed when the ADF 100 is closed around the hinge 220 as a rotation axis, thereby detecting the closed state of the ADF 100.

[0147] 19, when the ADF 100 is opened, the flow reading glass 201 is separated from the front surface reading upstream roller 51, the opposing member 6, and the front surface reading downstream roller 52. This makes it difficult to transport the document. Therefore, when the CPU 321 detects the open state of the ADF 100 by the pressure plate open / close sensor 328, it notifies the control unit 401 of the controller 400 that no document is loaded on the document tray 30 even if the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 detects the document.

[0148] The operation of placing documents on the document tray 30 will now be described. After being loaded on the document tray 30, the document stack S is aligned by being sandwiched from both sides in the width direction by the document guide plate 31. At this time, if the document stack S contains a large number of documents, the documents cannot be aligned properly by the document guide plate 31 due to friction between the documents. In this case, the user may temporarily remove the document stack S from the document tray 30, realign the document stack S in another location, and then load it again on the document tray 30.

[0149] The detection result of the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 indicates that documents are present when the document stack S is first loaded, and indicates that documents are not present when the document stack S is removed for alignment. When the document stack S is loaded again after alignment, the detection result of the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 returns to indicating that documents are present. When the document placement position is changed from the document tray 30 to the document glass 209, not only is the document stack S removed from the document tray 30 required, but thereafter, the ADF 100 must be opened and the document placed on the document glass 209.

[0150] The control unit 401 of the controller 400 notifies the reader 200 of the reading settings according to the contents of the reading settings (reading surface, reading color, reading resolution) input from the operation unit 405 and the placement position of the document to be read notified from the CPU 321 of the reader controller 2001. In this case, if there is no document in the document tray 30, the control unit 401 determines that the document to be read is placed on the document table glass 209, and determines the reading settings.

[0151] For this reason, as described above, when the document stack S to be read that was once placed is removed from the document tray 30 for alignment, the control unit 401 changes the document position according to the reading settings for the reader 200 from the document tray 30 to the document glass 209 and notifies the reader 200. In this way, in the operation before the start of a reading job, the need for a preparatory operation of the first reading unit 205 arises simply by temporarily removing the document stack S from the document tray 30. In the second embodiment, a process is performed to prevent such an unnecessary operation.

[0152] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the process before acquiring a start instruction of a reading job in the second embodiment. In this process, unnecessary operations are prevented. The process after the start of the reading job is omitted because it is the same as the process in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 in the first embodiment, and only the operation before the start of the reading job will be described.

[0153] When the CPU 321 receives a notification of the reading setting from the control unit 401 (S2001: Y), it checks the detection result of the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 (S2002). If a document is placed on the document tray 30 (S2002: Y), the CPU 321 determines whether to wait, start platen reading, or start skimming reading by the same process as S1602 to S1614 in FIG. 16 (S2006 to S2018).

[0154] If no document is placed on the document tray 30 (S2002: N), the CPU 321 considers the possibility that the document stack S has been temporarily removed. To this end, the CPU 321 checks whether the current shading control result is the setting for skim reading (S2003). If the current shading control result is not the setting for skim reading (S2003: N), the CPU 321 performs the process from S2006 onwards.

[0155] If the reading setting is for skimming (S2003: Y), the CPU 321 checks whether the ADF 100 is open after the shading control is executed (S2004) since there is a possibility that skimming will be switched to pressure plate reading. If the ADF 100 is open after the shading control is executed (S2004: Y), the CPU 321 executes the process from S2006 onwards.

[0156] If the ADF 100 has never been opened after the shading control has been executed (S2004: N), there is a possibility that the document stack S will be loaded on the document tray 30 again. Therefore, the CPU 321 changes the position of the document to be read to the document tray 30 in accordance with the read setting notified from the control unit 401 of the controller 400 (S2005). After that, the CPU 321 performs the processes in S2006 and onward. In this way, the CPU 321 performs the processes in S2006 and onward after making changes to the read setting notified from the control unit 401 as necessary based on the setting at the time of the most recent shading control execution and the detection result of the pressure plate open / close sensor 328.

[0157] By such a process, even if the document is temporarily removed from the document tray 30 after the document is placed on the document tray 30 and the reading setting is prepared, the reading setting preparation can be prevented from having to be performed again.

[0158] As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the image reading device 2000, which notifies the reading settings before starting a reading job and prepares the first reading unit 205 in advance, determines operating conditions that make shading control unnecessary. This reduces the number of cases in which shading control needs to be redone, thereby suppressing the generation of unnecessary operating sounds of the first reading unit 205. In addition, the time from input to completion of a reading job can be shortened compared to the conventional case.

Claims

1. A reading device for reading images of the manuscript, A means for inputting reading settings, Image processing means that performs predetermined image processing on image data obtained from the reading means, The system includes a control means that sets operating conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the reading means to perform a preparatory operation, and sets image processing conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the image processing means, The control means is characterized in that, if the current first operating condition set on the reading means and the second operating condition set according to the reading setting are the same, it causes the reading means to read the image of the document without performing the preparatory operation of the reading means according to the second operating condition. Image reading device.

2. The control means is characterized in that, after performing a preparatory operation of the reading means according to the first operating condition, it determines whether the first operating condition and the second operating condition are the same. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. The control means is characterized in that, when the first operating condition and the second operating condition are the same, the reading means reads an image using the result of the preparatory operation of the reading means performed in accordance with the first operating condition. The image reading device according to claim 1.

4. The control means is characterized in that it determines whether the first operating condition and the second operating condition are the same by comparing the contents of the first reading setting for setting the first operating condition and the contents of the second reading setting for setting the second operating condition. The image reading device according to claim 1.

5. The control means is characterized in that, even when the first operating condition and the second operating condition are the same, it updates the setting of the image processing condition of the image processing means according to the reading setting. The image reading device according to claim 1.

6. The control means is characterized in that it performs a preparatory operation of the reading means in accordance with the reading settings acquired before receiving the instruction to start the reading job. The image reading device according to claim 1.

7. The image processing means is characterized by performing at least one of the following processes on the image data, depending on the reading setting: reducing the number of pixels and converting a color image to a black and white image. The image reading device according to claim 1.

8. The control means is characterized in that, if the first operating condition and the second operating condition are different, it sets the second operating condition to the reading means and causes it to perform a preparatory operation, and then causes the reading means to read the image of the document. The image reading device according to claim 1.

9. If the first operating condition and the second operating condition are the same, the control means will cause the reading means to read the image of the document if it receives an instruction to start the reading job before a predetermined time has elapsed. The control means is characterized in that, if the first operating condition and the second operating condition are different, it sets the second operating condition to the reading means and causes it to perform a preparatory operation, and then, if it receives a start instruction for a reading job before the predetermined time has elapsed, it causes the reading means to read the image of the document. The image reading device according to claim 1.

10. The control means is characterized in that if it does not receive an instruction to start a reading job after the predetermined time has elapsed, it puts the reading means into a standby state. The image reading device according to claim 9.

11. A reference member used for shading control, The system further includes a driving means for moving the reading means, The control means is characterized in that, if it does not receive an instruction to start the reading job after a predetermined time has elapsed, it moves the reading means to a position where it can read the reference member using the driving means. The image reading device according to claim 10.

12. A reference member used for shading control, The system further includes a driving means for moving the reading means, The control means is characterized in that it causes the reading means to read the reference member in the preparation operation and performs shading control. The image reading device according to claim 1.

13. The control means is characterized in that, in the preparation operation, the reading means is moved by the driving means to a position where the reference member can be read, and when the preparation operation is completed, the driving means moves the reading means to a position for the next process. The image reading device according to claim 12.

14. A document tray on which a document is placed, and a transport means for transporting the document from the document tray, It is further equipped with a document glass on which the document is placed, The reading means can perform a first reading process for reading a document being transported by the transport means and a second reading process for reading a document placed on the document glass. The control means, upon acquiring the reading settings, determines whether to have the reading means read the document using the first reading process or the second reading process, based on the presence or absence of a document in the document tray. The image reading device according to claim 1.

15. The reading setting includes whether to have the reading means read the document in the first reading process or the second reading process. The control means, upon acquiring the reading setting, determines whether the preparatory operation of the reading means has been performed according to the reading setting for which the first reading process is set, if there is no document in the document tray, and if not, sets the operating conditions corresponding to the reading setting for the reading means. The image reading device according to claim 14.

16. The transport means is a pressure plate that can be opened and closed relative to the document glass, The control means is characterized in that, when the preparatory operation of the reading means is performed in a reading setting in which the first reading process is set, it determines whether the pressure plate has opened relative to the document glass after the preparatory operation, and if it has opened, it sets the operating conditions corresponding to the reading setting for the reading means. The image reading device according to claim 15.

17. The control means is characterized in that, if the pressure plate is not open relative to the document glass after the preparation operation, it changes the reading setting to the second reading process and sets the operating conditions corresponding to the changed reading setting in the reading means. The image reading device according to claim 16.

18. An image reading device for reading images of a document, The system includes an image forming means for forming the image read by the image reading means onto paper, The image forming means is A reading means for reading the image of the aforementioned manuscript, A means for inputting reading settings, Image processing means that performs predetermined image processing on image data obtained from the reading means, The system includes a control means that sets operating conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the reading means to perform a preparatory operation, and sets image processing conditions corresponding to the reading settings in the image processing means, The control means is characterized in that, if the current first operating condition set on the reading means and the second operating condition set according to the reading setting are the same, it causes the reading means to read the image of the document without performing the preparatory operation of the reading means according to the second operating condition. Image forming apparatus.

Images