Image reading device, image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that can efficiently read images to be composed, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 1, when receiving input of image composition instructions, a control unit of a controller 8 executes first reading processing using a first reading unit 61 and second reading processing using a second reading unit 62 in parallel. Sequentially, the control unit performs processing of composing read images.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image on a medium, and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image reading devices have been known that have a stationary document reading function for reading an image of a document (stationary document) placed on a contact glass, and a moving document reading function for reading an image of a document (moving document) being transported by an automatic document feeder (ADF).As this type of image reading device, an image reading device has been proposed that reads an image of a stationary document, then reads an image of a moving document, and performs a process of synthesizing the former image with the latter image (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-282193 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional image reading devices have a problem in that the image synthesis process takes a long time and the process efficiency is low because the same reading unit is used to read a stationary document and a moving document separately.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device and an image forming apparatus that are capable of efficiently reading each image to be combined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a first medium toward a predetermined reading position, a first imaging unit provided at a first reading position in a transport path of the first medium, a first reading processing unit that causes the first imaging unit to read a first image of the first medium transported by the transport unit, a second imaging unit provided below a medium loading surface, a second reading processing unit that causes the second imaging unit to read a second image of the second medium by moving and scanning the second imaging unit along a reading surface of a second medium placed on the medium loading surface, a reading control unit that controls each of the first reading processing unit and the second reading processing unit to operate in parallel, and a combination processing unit that generates a composite image by combining the first image read by the first reading processing unit and the second image read by the second reading processing unit.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the image reading device described above, and an image forming section that forms an image read by the image reading device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently read each image to be combined. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus including an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic document feeder in an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device in an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of an image synthesis process in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the image synthesis process in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another modified example of the image synthesis process in the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Note that in the following description, the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction shown in each drawing may be used.

[0011] The schematic configurations of an image reading device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus 10 including the image reading device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 10, and Figure 2 is a view showing the internal configuration of the image reading device 1.

[0012] [Image forming apparatus 10] The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having an image reading function, a facsimile function, an image forming function, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 has an image reading device 1, an image forming section 15, an operation display section 16, a paper feed cassette 17, and an ejection section 18. The operation display section 16 is also used as an operation display section of the image reading device 1. Note that, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 having the image reading device 1 according to the present invention is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be an image reading device 1 independent of the image forming apparatus 10, or a facsimile machine or a copier having the image reading device 1.

[0013] The image forming section 15 performs color or monochrome image forming processing (printing processing) according to an electrophotographic method based on image data output from the image reading device 1 or image data input from an information processing device such as an external personal computer. The image forming section 15 includes an image forming unit, an exposure device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and the like. The image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning device (none of which are shown in the figure), and the like. These components are provided in a housing of the image forming section 15. Note that, in this embodiment, the image forming section 15 of an electrophotographic method will be described as an example, but the image forming section 15 is not limited to an electrophotographic method, and may be an inkjet recording type, or any other recording or printing type.

[0014] [Image reader 1] The image reading device 1 is mounted on the top of the image forming apparatus 10. The image reading device 1 reads an image from a document. The image reading device 1 is capable of transporting a document and reading an image of the transported document (an example of a first medium), and is also capable of optically scanning a document (an example of a second medium) placed on the upper surface (an example of a medium placement surface) of a contact glass 65 (see FIG. 2) to read an image. Hereinafter, the transported document may be referred to as a moving document, and the document placed on the contact glass 65 may be referred to as a stationary document.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device 1 includes a device body 11 and a cover unit 12. The device body 11 and cover unit 12 include a cover unit 12a.

[0016] The device body 11 is a housing that houses various devices of the image reading device 1. The cover unit 12 covers the upper surface of the device body 11 and presses down a stationary document placed on a contact glass 65 (see FIG. 2), and is rotatably attached to the device body 11.

[0017] 2, the image reading device 1 further includes an auto document feeder (ADF) 2, a first reading unit 61 (an example of a first imaging unit of the present invention), a second reading unit 62 (an example of a second imaging unit of the present invention), a moving mechanism 7, a control device 8, a contact glass 64, a contact glass 65, etc. These components are housed in a device body 11 of the image reading device 1.

[0018] The automatic document feeder 2 is provided in the cover section 12. The automatic document feeder 2 takes out the document 9 placed on the supply tray 3a and transports the document along the transport path 40 to a reading position by the image reading device 1. When multiple documents 9 are placed on the supply tray 3a, the automatic document feeder 2 takes out the multiple documents one by one and transports them continuously in sequence. This allows the image reading device 1 to read images from the documents transported by the automatic document feeder 2.

[0019] The contact glass 64 and the contact glass 65 are both attached to the upper part of the device body 11. The contact glass 64 and the contact glass 65 are both transparent plate-like members. The contact glass 65 is an area on which a still document to be read from is placed. The contact glass 64 is an area that transmits light irradiated from the second reading unit 62 to the document transported by the automatic document feeder 2.

[0020] In the image reading device 1, when a reading command is input with an original (static original) placed on the contact glass 65 and the cover unit 12 closed, the second reading unit 62 is moved from a predetermined reference position to below the contact glass 65 by the movement mechanism 7 in the device body 11 and moved in the sub-scanning direction along the lower surface of the contact glass 65. Then, while the second reading unit 62 is moving, light irradiated onto the contact glass 65 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction, thereby reading the image of the static original.

[0021] In the image reading device 1, when reading an image from a document (moving document) transported by the automatic document feeder 2, the second reading unit 62 is moved to a reference position (position shown in FIG. 2) where light is irradiated onto the contact glass 64, that is, to a position below the contact glass 64. Then, while the moving document is being transported, light is irradiated onto the contact glass 64 from the light emitting unit 6a of the second reading unit 62, whereby an image of the moving document being transported is read at a reading position P2 (see FIG. 3) above the reference position. The reading position P2 is a position on the upper surface of the contact glass 64, and corresponds to the second reading position of the present invention.

[0022] In addition, in the image reading device 1, when an image synthesis instruction is input, the image of the document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 2 is read by the first reading unit 61 provided in the conveying path 40. In this case, the document is discharged to the outside through a second conveying path 40d (described later) branching off from the conveying path 40.

[0023] 2, the automatic document feeder 2 includes a supply tray 3a (first tray), a first discharge tray 3b (second tray), a transport path 40, a transport device 4 (an example of a transport section of the present invention), a supplied document detection section 5, a transported document sensor 51, and a tray closed sensor 52. The transport path 40 forms a passage through which the document 9 is transported.

[0024] The supply tray 3a and the first discharge tray 3b are each capable of holding documents 9. In this embodiment, the first discharge tray 3b is disposed below the supply tray 3a.

[0025] The supplied document detection unit 5 detects the document 9 placed on the supply tray 3a. The supplied document detection unit 5 includes a first supplied document sensor 5a and a second supplied document sensor 5b. Each of the first supplied document sensor 5a and the second supplied document sensor 5b can detect the document 9 placed on the supply tray 3a.

[0026] For example, each of the first fed document sensor 5a and the second fed document sensor 5b includes a first displacement member and a first detection sensor, both of which are not shown.

[0027] The first displacement member is displaced from an upper position, which is an initial position, to a lower position under the load of the document 9 on the supply tray 3a. The first detection sensor is, for example, a transmissive photointerrupter, and detects the first displacement member displaced to the lower position.

[0028] The conveyed document sensor 51 detects the document 9 sent from the supply tray 3a to the conveying path 40. For example, the conveyed document sensor 51 includes a second displacement member and a second detection sensor, neither of which is shown.

[0029] The second displacement member is displaced from the initial position to the retracted position by contacting the document 9 sent from the supply tray 3a to the transport path 40. The detection sensor is, for example, a transmissive photointerrupter, and detects the second displacement member displaced to the retracted position.

[0030] The transport device 4 sends out the originals 9 on the supply tray 3a one by one to the transport path 40, transports the originals 9 along the transport path 40, and discharges the originals 9 onto the first discharge tray 3b.

[0031] In the following description, the horizontal direction in which the document 9 is sent out from the supply tray 3a is referred to as a first direction D1, the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is referred to as a second direction D2, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is referred to as a third direction D3.

[0032] 3, the conveying path 40 includes an inlet path 40a, a return path 40b (an example of a first conveying path of the present invention), and a first outlet path 40c (an example of a first conveying path of the present invention). The inlet path 40a is a path leading from an inlet 401 corresponding to the supply tray 3a in a first direction D1. The conveyed document sensor 51 detects the document 9 sent to the inlet path 40a.

[0033] The turn-back path 40b is connected to the carry-in path 40a and is a curved path that turns back from the first direction D1 to the second direction D2. The first carry-out path 40c is connected to the turn-back path 40b and is a path that heads in the second direction D2 and reaches a first discharge outlet 403 (an example of a first discharge outlet of the present invention) corresponding to the first discharge tray 3b. The first carry-out path 40c passes through the reading position P2 (a reading position by the second reading unit 62) along the upper surface of the contact glass 64 and reaches the first discharge outlet 403. The first discharge outlet 403 is a discharge outlet of the first carry-out path 40c.

[0034] The transport device 4 includes a delivery mechanism 41 corresponding to the supply tray 3a, and a plurality of transport roller pairs 43 arranged along the transport path .

[0035] The output mechanism 41 outputs the documents 9 on the supply tray 3a one by one to the carry-in path 40a. In this embodiment, the output mechanism 41 outputs the topmost document 9 on the supply tray 3a to the carry-in path 40a.

[0036] The plurality of transport roller pairs 43 are rotated by a motor (not shown) to transport the document 9 along the transport path 40 .

[0037] The first reading unit 61 is provided in the carry-in path 40a. The first reading unit 61 reads an image of the reading surface of the document 9 passing through the carry-in path 40a. Specifically, when the document 9 reaches a reading position (first reading position) by the first reading unit 61 in the carry-in path 40a, the first reading unit 61 irradiates light onto the reading surface of the document 9 being transported, and reads an image of the reading surface of the document 9. The data of the read image is temporarily stored in a RAM 82, which will be described later, by the control unit 81.

[0038] The second reading unit 62 is provided below the contact glasses 64, 65 so as to be movable in the left-right direction of the image reading device 1. The second reading unit 62 reads an image on the reading surface of the document 9 passing through the first discharge path 40c while being disposed at the reference position corresponding to the contact glass 64 (a position below the contact glass 64 shown in FIG. 3). Data of the read image is temporarily stored by the control unit 81 in a RAM 82, which will be described later.

[0039] Further, the second reading unit 62 reads an image of the reading surface of a stationary original placed on the contact glass 65. Specifically, the second reading unit 62 reads an image of the reading surface of the stationary original by scanning the reading surface of the stationary original while moving rightward in the plane of FIG. 2 along the stationary original placed on the contact glass 65. Data of the read image is temporarily stored in a RAM 82, which will be described later, by the control unit 81.

[0040] In this embodiment, each of the first reading unit 61 and the second reading unit 62 includes a light emitting unit 6a, a lens 6b, and an image sensor 6c (see FIG. 1). The light emitting unit 6a, the lens 6b, and the image sensor 6c are each formed to extend along the third direction D3.

[0041] In each of the first reading unit 61 and the second reading unit 62, the light emitting unit 6a irradiates light onto the original 9. The lens 6b guides the light reflected by the original 9 to the image sensor 6c. The image sensor 6c is a line sensor that receives the light reflected by the original 9, detects its intensity (amount of received light), and outputs a detection signal as a signal of the read image. In this embodiment, the line sensor sequentially reads one or more line images from the leading edge of the reading surface of the original, and the detection signals corresponding to the read line images are sequentially output from the line sensor.

[0042] The detection signal output from the image sensor 6c is sequentially converted into digital image data (hereinafter referred to as line image data) showing the line image each time it is output, and the digital image data is sequentially stored in a RAM 82 (see FIG. 4) by a control unit 81 of the control device 8. This conversion process may be performed by the control unit 81, or may be performed by a conversion processing unit different from the control unit 81. The converted line image data is sequentially stored in the RAM 82 each time it is converted. Then, when the line image up to the rear end of the document is read, a set of all line image data from the front end to the rear end of the document is stored in the RAM 82 as a read image of the reading surface of the document.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 2, each of the first reading unit 61 and the second reading unit 62 is a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) in which a light emitting unit 6a, a lens 6b, and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type image sensor 6c are integrated.

[0044] The moving mechanism 7 moves the second reading unit 62 in a range from the reference position (position shown in FIG. 3) facing the contact glass 64 to a position facing the contact glass 65. The moving mechanism 7 transmits a driving force to a carriage (not shown) of the second reading unit 62 to move the second reading unit 62. The moving mechanism 7 is a conventionally known moving mechanism that uses a driving device (electric motor) such as a stepping motor, and is configured to be able to move the carriage in the sub-scanning direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2). The moving mechanism 7 has a transmission mechanism including a belt, pulley, gears, etc. that transmits the driving force from the driving device to the carriage.

[0045] In this embodiment, during non-compositing processing in which image composition processing described later is not performed, when the document 9 is transported by the transport device 4, the movement mechanism 7 holds the second reading unit 62 at the reference position facing the contact glass 64. As a result, light from the light emitting unit 6a of the second reading unit 62 is irradiated onto the reading surface of the document 9 moving on the contact glass 64, and the reflected light is incident on the image sensor 6c. As a result, the image sensor 6c reads the image of the document 9 being transported.

[0046] Furthermore, during the non-combining process, when the original 9 is placed on the contact glass 65, the movement mechanism 7 moves the second reading unit 62 along the contact glass 65. As a result, the image sensor 6c of the second reading unit 62 reads the image of the original 9 while the light of the light emitting unit 6a of the second reading unit 62 scans the original 9 on the contact glass 65.

[0047] During a combining process in which an image combining process to be described later is performed, light from the light-emitting section 6a of the first reading section 61 is irradiated onto the reading surface of the document 9 moving on the contact glass 64, and the reflected light is incident on the image sensor 6c. This causes the image sensor 6c to read the image of the document 9 being transported. At the same time, the second reading section 62 is moved along the contact glass 65, and the image sensor 6c of the second reading section 62 reads the image of the document 9 while scanning the light from the light-emitting section 6a of the second reading section 62 over the contact glass 65.

[0048] The image sensor 6c of the second reading unit 62 may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type sensor. In this case, the moving mechanism 7 moves the light emitting unit 6a and the lens 6b, and the CCD type image sensor 6c is fixed at a predetermined position.

[0049] The operation display unit 16 includes an operation unit that accepts operations by a person. The operation unit is, for example, an operation button and a touch panel. For example, the operation unit accepts input of various signals such as an image synthesis instruction for executing an image synthesis process described below, a synthesis interrupt instruction for interrupting the image synthesis process, and a resume instruction for restarting the interrupted image synthesis process. That is, the operation unit is provided with a read execution key (start button) for inputting the image synthesis instruction or inputting the resume instruction, a cancel key for interrupting the image synthesis process, and the like. The operation display unit 16 also includes a display unit that displays various information. The display unit is, for example, a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display unit.

[0050] In this embodiment, the automatic document feeder 2 further includes a second discharge tray 3c capable of holding the document 9 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0051] 3, the second discharge tray 3c is disposed at a position spaced apart from the supply tray 3a and the first discharge tray 3b in the first direction D1. The second discharge tray 3c is foldable along the outer edge of the cover portion 12.

[0052] The transport path 40 further includes a second discharge path 40d (an example of the second transport path of the present invention). The second discharge path 40d is a passageway that is connected to the carry-in path 40a and extends in the first direction D1, and leads to a second discharge opening 404 (an example of the second discharge opening of the present invention) that corresponds to the second discharge tray 3c. The second discharge path 40d extends substantially straight in the first direction D1, continuing from the carry-in path 40a.

[0053] That is, the conveying path 40 branches from the carry-in path 40a into the turn-back path 40b and the second carry-out path 40d. In other words, the conveying path 40 branches from a branch point P1 (see FIG. 3) near the end of the carry-in path 40a into the turn-back path 40b and the second carry-out path 40d.

[0054] In the following description, the path in the conveying path 40 extending from the carry-in path 40a via the turn-back path 40b to the first carry-out path 40c is referred to as the curved conveying path 40a-40c. Also, the path in the conveying path 40 extending from the carry-in path 40a to the second carry-out path 40d is referred to as the straight conveying path 40a-40d.

[0055] The second discharge tray 3c is supported so as to be displaceable between a closed position where the second discharge outlet 404 is closed and an open position where the second discharge outlet 404 is opened. The second discharge outlet 404 is an outlet of the second conveying path 40d. The second discharge tray 3c can hold the originals 9 when it is in the open position.

[0056] The tray closed sensor 52 detects a tray closed state in which the second discharge tray 3c is in the closed position. For example, the tray closed sensor 52 is a contact-type limit sensor or a non-contact-type photosensor that detects the second discharge tray 3c in the closed position. The tray closed sensor 52 is an example of a tray closed detection unit.

[0057] Furthermore, the automatic document feeder 2 includes a path switching mechanism 44 (an example of a path switching section of the present invention).

[0058] The path switching mechanism 44 selectively guides the document 9 transported along the carry-in path 40a to either the return path 40b or the second carry-out path 40d. In other words, the path switching mechanism 44 selects the transport path of the document 9 to either the curved transport path 40a-40c or the straight transport path 40a-40d.

[0059] The path switching mechanism 44 is a flap supported at the branch point P1 of the conveying path 40 so as to be able to swing. The flap is displaced between a first position and a second position when it receives an external force. The first position is a position where the document 9 conveyed by the conveying device 4 can be guided to the turn-back path 40b. The second position is a position where the document 9 can be guided to the second discharge path 40d. That is, the path switching mechanism 44 (flap) displaces between the first position where the document 9 conveyed on the conveying path 40 can be guided to the turn-back path 40b and the second position where the document 9 can be guided to the second discharge path 40d. When the path switching mechanism 44 is placed at the first position, the curved conveying paths 40a-40c are opened. When the path switching mechanism 44 is placed at the second position, the straight conveying paths 40a-40d are opened.

[0060] When the path switching mechanism 44 is positioned in the first position and the sending mechanism 41 and the multiple pairs of conveying rollers 43 of the conveying device 4 operate, the original 9 is transported toward the return path 40b and discharged from the first discharge outlet 403 to the first discharge tray 3b.

[0061] Furthermore, when the path switching mechanism 44 is positioned in the second position and the sending mechanism 41 and the multiple pairs of conveying rollers 43 of the conveying device 4 operate, the original 9 is transported toward the second discharge path 40d and discharged from the second discharge port 404 to the second discharge tray 3c.

[0062] When the second discharge tray 3c is in the closed position, the path switching mechanism 44 is biased toward the first position by a biasing member such as a spring, and is disposed at the first position. When the second discharge tray 3c is displaced from the closed position to the open position, the path switching mechanism 44 is displaced from the first position toward the second position and disposed at the second position.

[0063] For example, the path switching mechanism 44 is configured to displace from the first position to the second position upon receiving an operating force from an actuator or link member that is linked to the second discharge tray 3c being moved from the closed position to the open position, and to return to the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member when the second discharge tray 3c is returned to the closed position.

[0064] Alternatively, the path switching mechanism 44 may be configured to be displaced from the first position to the second position by a drive unit (solenoid or motor) not shown when a tray closing sensor 52 detects that the second discharge tray 3c has been moved from the closed position to the open position, and to be returned to the second position by the biasing member when the second discharge tray 3c is returned to the closed position.

[0065] The image reading device 1 may further include a third reading unit 63. In this case, the third reading unit 63 reads an image of the original 9 passing through the second discharge path 40d. The third reading unit 63 has the same configuration as the first reading unit 61. When the third reading unit 63 is provided, the third reading unit 63 may be caused to read the other reading surface of the original 9 in the first reading process described later.

[0066] [Control device 8] The control device 8 executes various data processing and control of the image reading device 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the control device 8 includes a control unit 81, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 82, a storage device 83, and a signal interface 84. The control device 8 also includes a communication device 85 that communicates with other devices.

[0067] The storage device 83 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The storage device 83 can store and update the computer programs and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are adopted as the storage device 83.

[0068] The signal interface 84 converts signals output by various sensors into digital data, and transmits the converted digital data to the control unit 81. Furthermore, the signal interface 84 converts control commands output by the control unit 81 into control signals, and transmits the control signals to the devices to be controlled.

[0069] The control unit 81 has a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 81 is a processor that executes various data processing and control by executing a computer program. The RAM 82 is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 82 temporarily stores the computer program executed by the CPU of the control unit 81 and data output and referenced in the course of the CPU of the control unit 81 executing various processes.

[0070] The control unit 81 includes a plurality of processing units that are realized by the CPU executing the computer program. Specifically, the control unit 81 includes a main calculation unit 8a, a transport control unit 8b, a reading control unit 8c, a synthesis processing unit 8d, an output processing unit 8e, and the like. The reading control unit 8c is an example of the reading control unit, the first reading processing unit, the second reading processing unit, and the third reading processing unit of the present invention. The synthesis processing unit 8d is an example of the synthesis processing unit of the present invention. The output processing unit 8e is an example of the output processing unit of the present invention.

[0071] Each of the processing units is not limited to being realized by the control unit 81, and may be realized by, for example, a plurality of processors. Also, each of the processing units is not limited to being realized by the control unit 81, and may be configured by, for example, an electronic circuit capable of realizing the function of each processing unit.

[0072] The main calculation unit 8a executes control to start various processes in response to an operation on the operation section of the operation display unit 16, control to display information on the display section of the operation display unit 16, and the like.

[0073] The transport control unit 8b controls the transport device 4 to control the transport of the document 9.

[0074] Specifically, the transport control unit 8b controls the transport device 4 and the like so as to enable a transport operation (turn-back transport operation) in which the originals 9 on the supply tray 3a are transported via the turn-back path 40b and discharged onto the first discharge tray 3b. In this case, the path switching mechanism 44 is disposed at the first position, and the second discharge tray 3c is disposed at the closed position. By controlling in this manner, the originals 9 on the supply tray 3a are transported one by one along the curved transport paths 40a-40c and discharged onto the first discharge tray 3b.

[0075] The transport control unit 8b also controls the transport device 4 and the like so that the originals 9 on the supply tray 3a are transported along a transport path branched off just before the turn-back path 40b, and discharged onto a second discharge tray 3c different from the first discharge tray 3b (straight transport operation). In this case, the path switching mechanism 44 is disposed at the second position, and the second discharge tray 3c is disposed at the open position. By controlling in this manner, the originals 9 on the supply tray 3a are transported one by one along the straight transport paths 40a-40d, and discharged onto the second discharge tray 3c.

[0076] The reading control unit 8c controls the first reading unit 61, the second reading unit 62, etc. to execute image reading processing.

[0077] Specifically, the reading control unit 8c executes a process (hereinafter referred to as a first reading process) in which the first reading unit 61 reads an image of the reading surface of the document 9 transported by the transport device 4. In this embodiment, when an image synthesis instruction for executing an image synthesis process described later is input, the reading control unit 8c causes the first reading unit 61 to read an image (first image) of the document 9. In this case, the reading control unit 8c functions as a first reading processing unit of the present invention.

[0078] Furthermore, when a plurality of documents 9 are continuously transported in sequence by the transport device 4, the reading control section 8c causes the first reading section 61 to read the images of the documents 9 in sequence.

[0079] The reading control unit 8c also executes a process (hereinafter referred to as a second reading process) in which the second reading unit 62 reads an image (second image) of a still document placed on the contact glass 65 by moving and scanning the second reading unit 62 along the reading surface of the still document. In this embodiment, when an image synthesis instruction for executing an image synthesis process described later is input, or when an instruction to read the still document is input during the non-synthesis process, the reading control unit 8c causes the second reading unit 62 to read the image (second image) of the still document. In this case, the reading control unit 8c functions as the second reading processing unit of the present invention.

[0080] The reading control unit 8c also executes a process (hereinafter referred to as a third reading process) in which the second reading unit 62 reads an image of the reading surface of the document 9 transported by the transport device 4. In this embodiment, when an instruction to read the document 9 by the automatic document feeder 2 is input during the non-combining process, the reading control unit 8c causes the second reading unit 62 to read the image of the document 9. In this case, the reading control unit 8c functions as a third reading processing unit of the present invention.

[0081] Furthermore, when an image synthesis instruction for executing an image synthesis process is input, the reading control unit 8c executes the first reading process and the second reading process in parallel.

[0082] In this embodiment, when the image synthesis instruction is input and the path switching mechanism 44 is placed in the second position, the reading control unit 8c executes the first reading process and the second reading process in parallel.

[0083] When the image synthesis instruction is input, the synthesis processing unit 8d executes a process (synthetic image generation process) of synthesizing the image of the document 9 read by the first reading unit 61 in the first reading process and the image read by the second reading unit 62 in the second reading process to generate a synthetic image. As a synthesis process method, alpha blending can be used, which synthesizes each image using an α value that is a coefficient indicating the degree of transparency.

[0084] For example, when images of multiple documents 9 are read sequentially by the conveying device 4, the synthesis processing unit 8d performs a process of synthesizing each image of each document 9 with the image of one still document read in the second reading process.

[0085] In addition, when the synthesis interruption instruction is input from the operation display unit 16 and the image synthesis process (see Figure 5) executed by the image reading device 1 is interrupted in response to this input, and then the image synthesis process is resumed in response to the resume instruction input thereafter, the reading control unit 8c executes the second reading process again and causes the second reading unit 62 to read the image of the still original.

[0086] In this case, it is preferable that the reading control unit 8c determines whether the document on the contact glass 65 has been changed, and if it is determined that the document has been changed, executes the second reading process again and causes the second reading unit 62 to read the image of the still document.

[0087] The output processing unit 8e outputs image data read by the reading process by the reading control unit 8c and image data of a composite image (composite image data) generated by the synthesis processing unit 8d. Specifically, the output processing unit 8e stores the image data in the storage device 83, outputs the image data to the image forming unit 15, outputs the image data to the display unit of the operation display unit 16, or outputs the image data to an external information processing device or storage device.

[0088] However, conventional image reading devices use the same reading unit to read a stationary document and a moving document separately, so the image synthesis process takes time and the processing efficiency is poor. In contrast, the image reading device 1 of the present embodiment simultaneously reads the stationary document and the moving document in the image synthesis process described below, and synthesizes each read image, so it is possible to efficiently read each image to be synthesized.

[0089] [Image synthesis processing] An example of the procedure of the image synthesis process executed by the control unit 81 of the control device 8 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that the image synthesis function is enabled in the image reading device 1, and that the background density, magnification, document size, color selection, document type, background image selection, and the like required for the image synthesis process have already been set.

[0090] With the image synthesis function set to enabled, it is determined whether or not the image synthesis instruction for executing the image synthesis process has been input (S101). In this embodiment, when the image synthesis function is set to enabled in the image reading device 1 and the reading execution key (start button) is pressed by the operator on the operation unit of the operation display unit 16, the control unit 81 determines that the image synthesis instruction has been input.

[0091] When the image synthesis command is input, in the next step S102, the control unit 81 determines whether or not a document to be read is set on each of the supply tray 3a and the contact glass 65. Specifically, the control unit 81 determines whether or not a document 9 to be read is placed on the supply tray 3a, and determines whether or not a stationary document to be read is placed on the contact glass 65. That is, the control unit 81 detects the presence or absence of a document on each of the supply tray 3a and the contact glass 65. Here, the presence or absence of the document 9 on the supply tray 3a can be detected by the supplied document detection unit 5. In addition, the presence or absence of the stationary document on the contact glass 65 can be detected by, for example, a document detection sensor (document detection unit) such as a reflective photointerrupter provided on the pressing surface of the cover unit 12. The presence or absence of the stationary document can also be determined, for example, by moving the second reading unit 62 below the contact glass 65 immediately after the cover unit 12 is closed, and based on the amount of reflected light received from light irradiated onto a specified width area at the end of the contact glass 65 on the first direction D1 side (the end on the automatic document feeder 2 side) and image data of the specified width area converted from the amount of received light.

[0092] In step S102, if it is determined that no document is set on both the supply tray 3a and the contact glass 65, that is, if it is determined that no document is set on either or both of the supply tray 3a and the contact glass 65, the control unit 81 displays an error message on the display unit of the operation display unit 16 to prompt the user to set documents on both (S1021). Then, the process returns to step S101, and the process from step S101 onward is performed.

[0093] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that documents are set on the supply tray 3a and the contact glass 65, the control unit 81 then determines whether the straight transport paths 40a-40d are open (S103). For example, when the second discharge tray 3c is disposed in the open position and the path switching mechanism 44 is disposed in the second position, it is determined that the straight transport paths 40a-40d are open.

[0094] The open position of the second discharge tray 3c can be determined based on an output signal of the tray closing sensor 52. In addition, in the case where the path switching mechanism 44 is operated by a predetermined drive unit, it can be determined based on whether or not a drive control signal is output by the control unit 81. In the case where the path switching mechanism 44 is displaced to the first position or the second position in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the second discharge tray 3c, the control unit 81 may determine that the straight transport paths 40a-40d are open when it is determined that the second discharge tray 3c is disposed in the open position.

[0095] If it is determined in step S103 that the straight transport paths 40a-40d are not open, the control unit 81 displays, on the display unit of the operation display unit 16, an error message indicating that the second discharge tray 3c is in the closed position and an error message prompting the user to move the second discharge tray 3c to the open position to open the straight transport paths 40a-40d (S1031). After that, the process returns to step S101, and the process from step S101 onward is performed.

[0096] In this embodiment, when the image synthesis function is enabled, the document 9 transported by the transport device 4 is transported to the straight transport paths 40a-40d, and is not transported to the curved transport paths 40a-40c. Therefore, unless the straight transport paths 40a-40d are opened, the first reading process in step S104 and the second reading process in step S105 are not executed, and the composite image generation process in step S106 is not executed.

[0097] When it is determined in step S103 that the straight conveying paths 40a-40d are open, the control unit 81 executes the first reading process in step S104 and the second reading process in step S105 in parallel. As described above, the first reading process is a process of operating the conveying device 4 to have the first reading unit 61 read an image of the reading surface of the document 9 conveyed by the conveying device 4. The second reading process is a process of having the second reading unit 62 read an image of the reading surface of the stationary document placed on the contact glass 65. In this embodiment, since the straight conveying paths 40a-40d are open, the document 9 conveyed by the conveying device 4 has its image read by the first reading unit 61 in the conveying path 40a, and is then guided by the path switching mechanism 44 to the second conveying path 40d and discharged from the second discharge port 404 to the second discharge tray 3c.

[0098] The data of the images read by the first reading process and the second reading process is temporarily stored in the RAM 82 until the image synthesis process is completed.

[0099] Thereafter, in step S106, the control unit 81 executes a process (composite image generation process) of generating a composite image by combining the image (read image) of the document 9 read by the first reading process in step S104 and the image (read image) of the still document read by the second reading process in step S105. For example, when the image of the still document is set as the base image (background image), the read image of the still document is combined with the read image of the document 9 as the background image of the image of the document 9. Also, when the image of the document 9 is set as the base image (background image), the read image of the document 9 is combined with the read image of the still document as the background image of the image of the still document. The composite image data generated by the composite image generation is stored and saved in the storage device 83.

[0100] Next, in step S107, the control unit 81 performs a process of outputting the composite image data generated in step S106. The output destination of the composite image data is the display unit of the operation display unit 16 when there is a display request, a processing unit that executes image formation processing when there is an image formation request, and a transfer destination information processing device or storage device when there is a data transfer request. This completes the series of image synthesis processes.

[0101] When a plurality of documents 9 are placed on the supply tray 3a, the process from steps S104 and S105 onwards can be repeated to composite the still document images onto all of the documents 9.

[0102] [First modified example of image synthesis processing] In this embodiment, in the above-mentioned image synthesis process, an example of processing in which the processes from step S104 to S105 are performed on each document 9 when multiple documents 9 are placed on the supply tray 3a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example of processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second reading process may be performed only once on a still document 9 placed on the contact glass 65, and each time an image of each document 9 is read, the read image of the still image may be synthesized with the read image of the document 9. Note that in FIG. 6, the same step numbers are used to omit detailed explanations of steps that are the same as or equivalent to the steps of the above-mentioned image synthesis process.

[0103] 6, after the determination processes of steps S101 and S102, the control unit 81 determines that the straight transport paths 40a-40d are open (Yes in S103), and executes the first reading process (S104) for the first document 9 and the second reading process (S105) for the stationary document in parallel. Thereafter, the control unit 81 executes the composite image generating process (S106). After the composite image generating process is performed, the control unit 81 determines in step S111 whether or not the next document 9 is present in the supply tray 3a of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 2.

[0104] After the first sheet of document 9 has been conveyed, when the supplied document detection unit 5 detects that there is a document 9 in the supply tray 3a, the control unit 81 determines that there is a second sheet of document 9 in the supply tray 3a. When it is determined in step S111 that there is a second sheet of document 9 in the supply tray 3a, the control unit 81 operates the conveying device 4 to convey the document 9 from the supply tray 3a and executes the first reading process (S112) again. In this case, the control unit 81 does not execute the second reading process, and causes the second reading unit 62 to wait at the reference position.

[0105] Thereafter, the control unit 81 returns to step S106 and executes a process of generating a composite image by synthesizing the read image of the second document 9 that has been read and the read image of the still document stored in the RAM 82 (the image read in step S105). Note that the process from step S112 to step S106 is repeated until it is determined in step S111 that no document 9 is present on the supply tray 3a.

[0106] If it is determined in step S111 that there is no document 9 on the supply tray 3a, the control unit 81 performs a process of outputting the composite image data generated in step S106 (S107).

[0107] [Second modified example of image synthesis processing] When a synthesis interruption command is input during execution of the image synthesis process described in the above embodiment, there is a high possibility that the still document on the contact glass 65 has been replaced with another document. In this case, as shown in Fig. 7, the second reading process of step S105 may be executed again to read the image of the still document. Note that in Fig. 7, steps that are the same as or equivalent to the steps of the image synthesis process described above are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0108] 7, the processes in steps S101 to S106 are executed, and then the determination process in step S111 is performed. Then, in the next step S121, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the synthesis interrupt instruction for interrupting the image synthesis process has been input. In this embodiment, when the image synthesis function is enabled in the image reading device 1 and the operator presses the cancel key on the operation unit of the operation display unit 16, the control unit 81 determines that the synthesis interrupt instruction has been input. Note that the control unit 81 may also determine that the synthesis interrupt instruction has been input when a sensor or the like detects that the cover unit 12 has been opened during the image synthesis process.

[0109] When the synthesis interruption instruction is input, the control unit 81 interrupts the series of image synthesis processes (S122) after the currently executed transport of the document 9, each of the reading processes (S104, S105, S112), and the synthesis image generation process (S106) are completed.

[0110] Thereafter, the control unit 81 judges whether or not the restart instruction for restarting the image synthesis process has been input (S123). In this embodiment, when the image synthesis process is interrupted in the image reading device 1 and the operator presses the reading execution key (start button) on the operation unit of the operation display unit 16, the control unit 81 judges that the restart instruction has been input.

[0111] When the resume instruction is input, the control unit 81 determines in the next step S124 whether the still document on the contact glass 65 has been changed to another document. The control unit 81 can determine that the still document has been changed when one or more of the following conditions are met: the cover unit 12 has been opened or closed during the interruption, the output signal of the document detection sensor has changed during the interruption, and there is a difference between the amount of light received or image data from a predetermined width area at the end of the contact glass 65 acquired by the second reading unit 62 after the input of the resume instruction and the read image of the still document that has already been read.

[0112] If it is determined in step S124 that the still original has been changed (Yes in S124), it is necessary to read the image of the changed still original, so the control unit 81 executes the second reading process in step S105 again in parallel with the first reading process in step S104, and then performs the processes in and after step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S124 that the still original has not been changed (No in S124), it is not necessary for the control unit 81 to read the still image, so it performs the processes in and after step S112.

[0113] In the above-mentioned second modified example, a process example in which the process of determining whether or not the still original has been changed is executed in step S124 has been exemplified, but for example, the reading processes of steps S104 and S105 may be executed in parallel when the following conditions are satisfied without executing the determination process of step S124. For example, when the synthesis interruption instruction is input and the resume instruction is input while the original 9 is present in the supply tray 3a, it is considered that the still original has been changed. For this reason, without determining whether or not the still original has actually been changed, when the two conditions of the synthesis interruption instruction being input in step S121 and the resume instruction being input in step S123 are satisfied, the still original may be considered to have been changed and the processes of steps S104 and S105 may be executed.

[0114] As described above, in the image reading device 1 of this embodiment, when the image synthesis instruction is input, the first reading process using the first reading unit 61 and the second reading process using the second reading unit 62 are executed in parallel. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously read the image of the document 9 conveyed by the automatic document feeder 2 and the image of the stationary document on the contact glass 65. As a result, it is possible to efficiently read each image to be synthesized, and the processing time for the synthesis process of each read image can be shortened.

[0115] In addition, in this embodiment, when the image synthesis command is input, the document 9 is transported along the straight transport paths 40a-40d without passing through the curved transport paths 40a-40c. Therefore, the document 9 is less likely to tilt during transport, and a synthesis misalignment is less likely to occur. In other words, the accuracy of the synthesized image is improved.

[0116] In addition, when the image synthesis process is interrupted by inputting the synthesis interruption instruction and then resumed, the second reading process is executed and the image of the still document is read again. In other words, when there is a high possibility that the still document has been changed, the reading process of the image of the still document is automatically executed. This eliminates the need for the operator to previously set that the still document has been changed.

[0117] In this embodiment, when the restart instruction is input, it is determined whether the still document has been changed, and if the still document has been changed, the image of the still document is read by the second reading process. This makes it possible to reliably obtain the image of the changed still document. Also, when the still document has not been changed, it is possible to prevent the second reading process from being executed unnecessarily.

[0118] In the above embodiment, when the image composition function of the image reading device 1 is not enabled (disabled) and the document 9 is placed only on the supply tray 3a, the control unit 81 executes either the first reading process or the third reading process when the image composition function of the image reading device 1 is not enabled (disabled) and the document 9 is placed only on the supply tray 3a. Specifically, the control unit 81 executes the third reading process when the curved transport paths 40a-40c are open. The control unit 81 executes the first reading process when the straight transport paths 40a-40d are open.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the contact glass 64 and the contact glass 65 are provided on the upper surface of the device body 11 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the contact glass 64 is not provided, and the contact glass 65, whose end on the first direction D1 side extends to the reading position P2, is provided on the upper surface of the device body 11.

[0120] Moreover, the present invention can be understood as an invention of an image forming apparatus 10 including the image reading device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Image reader 2: Automatic document feeder 3a: Supply tray 3b: First output tray 3c: Second output tray 4: Transport device 5: Document feed detection section 8: Control device 8a: Main calculation section 8b: Transport control section 8c: Reading control unit 8d: Synthesis processing section 8e: Output processing section 9: Manuscript 10: Image forming device 40: Transport path 40b: Turnaround 40c: 1st unloading path 40d: 2nd unloading path 44: Route switching mechanism 51: Document transport sensor 52: Tray close sensor 61: First reading unit 62: Second reading unit 63: Third reading unit 64: Contact glass 65: Contact glass 81: Control section 403: 1st outlet 404:Second outlet D1: 1st direction D2 :Second direction D3: Third direction P1: Branch point P2: Reading position

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports the first medium toward a predetermined reading position; a first imaging unit provided at a first reading position in a transport path of the first medium; a first reading processing unit that causes the first imaging unit to sequentially read first images of the plurality of first media that are sequentially transported by the transport unit; a second imaging unit provided below the medium placement surface; a second reading processing unit that reads a second image of the second medium by moving and scanning the second imaging unit along a reading surface of the second medium placed on the medium placement surface; and a read control unit that controls the first read processing unit and the second read processing unit to operate in parallel; a synthesis processing unit that generates a synthesis image by synthesizing the first image read by the first reading processing unit and the second image read by the second reading processing unit, The synthesis processing unit synthesizes the second image with each of the plurality of first images sequentially read by the first reading processing unit, When the compositing process by the compositing processing unit is interrupted in response to an input of a compositing interruption instruction by an operator and the compositing process by the compositing processing unit is subsequently resumed in response to an input of a resume instruction by the operator, the reading control unit operates the second reading processing unit again to cause the second imaging unit to read the second image, The synthesis processing unit generates a synthetic image by synthesizing the first image read by the first reading processing unit after the synthesis process is resumed and the second image read by the second reading processing unit after the synthesis process is resumed, the image reading device.

2. the second imaging unit moves from a predetermined reference position to scan the reading surface of the second medium when reading the second medium; The transport path is a first conveying path extending from a predetermined branch point through a second reading position of the second image capturing unit disposed at the reference position to a first discharge port; a second conveying path extending from the branch point to a second discharge port without passing through the second reading position, The image reading device includes: a path switching unit that is located at either a first position where the first medium transported by the transport unit is guided to the first transport path or a second position where the first medium is guided to the second transport path; a third reading processing unit that causes the second imaging unit to read the first image of the first medium transported by the transport unit at the second reading position when the path switching unit is disposed at the first position, The reading control unit is 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising: a path switching unit that switches between the first and second reading processing units and controls the first and second reading processing units to operate in parallel when an image synthesis instruction is input and the path switching unit is disposed at the second position.

3. 2. The image reading device of claim 1, wherein when the resume instruction is input, the reading control unit determines whether the second medium on the medium loading surface has been changed, and when the second medium has been changed, operates the second reading processing unit again to read the second image.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an output processing unit that outputs the composite image generated by the composition processing unit.

5. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an image forming unit that forms an image read by the image reading device.

Images