Document feeder and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device and an image forming apparatus including the same, configured to cause a notification unit to warn of forgetting to remove a document when reliably recognizing that the last document of multiple documents has been completely read.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a display unit, a notification unit which warns of forgetting to remove a document, and a control unit. During a preview function for displaying, on the display unit, an image corresponding to image data obtained by reading a document prior to print processing of the image, the control unit causes the display unit to display a read start key to start reading the image of the document, and is configured not to actuate the notification unit even if the first document surface of multiple document surfaces has been read, and configured to actuate the notification unit after the last document surface of the document surfaces is completely read.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure provides: Document feeder and The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, multifunction machines, printers, and facsimile machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Documents that contain multiple pages and are fed one by one Feed The image reading device equipped with the device Feed The image reading device includes a document table on which documents are placed and a document reading function for reading the documents placed on the document table, and the image reading device reads the document surfaces one by one. (See, for example, Patent Document 1) .

[0004] Like this Sending manuscripts In the device, The document loading tray has a notch. The notch is provided to make it easier for the user to insert their hand between the document loading tray and the document ejection tray, and is likely to be noticed when removing a document. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-312106 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In this regard, It is desirable to make the illumination of the light easier to see when removing the document.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure Makes it easier to see the light when removing the document It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides the following: Document feeder Reach Art An imaging device is provided.

[0011] (1) Sending manuscripts Device In accordance with the present disclosure Sending manuscripts The device is A document feeding device having a document discharge tray on which discharged documents are stacked, the document feeding device comprising: a document loading tray provided above the document discharge tray on which the documents are placed; an opening provided on the underside of the document loading tray; and a light source that irradiates light toward the document discharge tray through the opening, wherein a notch is provided in a portion of the document loading tray corresponding to a corner between an upstream end in a document feed direction of the document and a front end in a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the document feed direction, and the opening is provided in the underside of the document loading tray near the notch. It is characterized by:

[0012] (2 ) picture image forming device In connection with this disclosure Ru picture The image forming device An image forming apparatus including a document feeder according to the present disclosure, further comprising: a display unit provided downstream of a center of the document feeder in a document discharge direction and on a front side in the front-to-rear direction; the display unit displays software keys for executing a job on a display screen; and the software keys are displayed downstream of the center of the document discharge direction on the display screen. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure: Makes it easier to see the light when removing the document It becomes possible to do this. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 2 is a plan view showing an operation device in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the document transport device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the document transport device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of the document transport device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of the document transport device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view showing the vicinity of the light source housing portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the position of a light source relative to the document discharge tray. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a control operation for notifying that a document has been left behind; [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in a normal mode. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a preview mode. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a large volume document reading mode. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a next job operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing an operation device 120 in image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a system block diagram of a control system in image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 and 2, symbol X indicates the horizontal direction (left-right direction), symbol Y indicates the width direction (front-rear direction), and symbol Z indicates the height direction (up-down direction).

[0017] The image forming device 100 is a multifunction device having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and transmits to the outside an image of an original document read by the image reading device 102. The image forming device 100 also forms an image of the original document read by the image reading device 102 or an image received from the outside on a sheet of paper in color or monochrome.

[0018] Above the image reading unit 130, there is provided a document transport device 160 (automatic document feeder (ADF)) that is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the image reading unit 130. The image reading device 102 is equipped with the document transport device 160. The document transport device 160 transports multiple documents one by one in sequence. The image reading device 102 reads the multiple documents transported one by one by the document transport device 160. The image reading device 102 is equipped with a document placing table 130a on which a document is placed, and a placed document reading function that reads a document placed on the document placing table 130a. When the document transport device 160 is opened, the image forming apparatus 100 opens the document placing table 130a above the image reading unit 130, allowing a document to be placed thereon manually. Furthermore, the document transport device 160 is equipped with a document placement tray 161 on which documents are placed, and a document discharge tray 162 on which documents discharged to the outside are stacked. The image reading device 102 is equipped with a transported document reading function that reads documents transported by the document transport device 160. The document transport device 160 transports the documents placed on the document placement tray 161 onto the document reading unit 130b in the image reading unit 130. The image reading unit 130 scans the scanning optical system 130c to read the document placed on the document placement table 130a or reads the document transported by the document transport device 160 to generate image data.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a drum cleaning device 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt 7, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, a paper feed cassette 18, and an internal discharge tray 141.

[0020] Image forming apparatus 100 handles image data corresponding to color images using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or monochrome images using a single color (e.g., black). Image transfer unit 50 of image forming apparatus 100 is provided with four developing devices 2, four photosensitive drums 3, four drum cleaning devices 4, and four chargers 5 for forming four types of toner images, each corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and forming four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd.

[0021] The optical scanning device 1 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. The drum cleaning device 4 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. Through the series of operations described above, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3.

[0022] An intermediate transfer roller 6 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 via an intermediate transfer belt 7. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched around a transfer drive roller 7a and a transfer driven roller 7b, and moves in a circular motion in the direction of arrow C. In the image forming apparatus 100, a belt cleaning device 9 removes and collects residual toner, and the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed to form a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0023] A nip area is formed between the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer unit 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the paper conveyed through the paper conveying path S is sandwiched in the nip area and conveyed. As the paper passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to the paper, and the paper is conveyed to the fixing device 12.

[0024] The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 31 and a pressure roller 32 that rotate while sandwiching the paper. The fixing device 12 sandwiches the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred between the fixing roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, and applies heat and pressure to fix the toner image to the paper.

[0025] The paper feed cassette 18, which is provided below the optical scanning device 1, stores paper sheets used for image formation. The paper sheets are pulled out of the paper feed cassette 18 by a paper pickup roller 16 and transported to a paper transport path S. The paper sheets transported to the paper transport path S pass through the secondary transfer unit 11 and the fixing device 12, are transported to the discharge rollers 17, and are then discharged to an internal discharge tray 141. The paper transport path S is provided with a transport roller 13, a registration roller 14, and a discharge roller 17. The transport roller 13 facilitates the transport of the paper sheets. The registration roller 14 temporarily stops the paper sheets and aligns their leading edges. The registration roller 14 transports the stopped paper sheets in synchronization with the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to the paper sheets in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a.

[0026] Although FIG. 1 shows one paper feed cassette 18, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be provided in which multiple paper feed cassettes 18 are provided, each containing a different type of paper.

[0027] Furthermore, when forming an image on the back side of the paper in addition to the front side, the image forming apparatus 100 transports the paper in the reverse direction from the discharge rollers 17 to the paper reversal path Sr. The image forming apparatus 100 inverts the paper transported in the reverse direction and guides it again to the registration rollers 14. The image forming apparatus 100 also forms an image on the back side of the paper guided to the registration rollers 14 in the same manner as on the front side, and then discharges the paper to the internal discharge tray 141.

[0028] Image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming unit 110, operation device 120 (operation panel), image reading unit 130, discharge unit 140, support unit 150, document transport device 160, and control unit 170. Discharge unit 140 discharges paper between image forming unit 110 and image reading unit 130. Support unit 150 supports image reading unit 130 so as to provide a space SP between image forming unit 110 and image reading unit 130.

[0029] Image forming apparatus main body 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An image reading unit 130 is provided on the top surface of image forming apparatus main body 101, and a document transport device 160 is attached on image reading unit 130. Operation device 120 is adjacent to image reading unit 130 and is provided on the front side of image reading unit 130 provided on the top surface of image forming apparatus main body 101. Here, the front side is the operation side where an operator operates operation device 120. The operation device 120 is provided at an end (specifically, the right end) in the horizontal direction X of the image reading unit 130. The operation device 120 is configured to be able to swing (tilt) in the height direction Z relative to the image reading unit 130.

[0030] (Various keys) The operation device 120 is provided with various keys 121 operated by an operator and a display unit 122 (liquid crystal display device). The various keys 121 and the display unit 122 are electrically connected to the control unit 170. The various keys 121 (hardware keys) include a power key 121a and a power-saving key 121b. The power key 121a is a key for turning on and off the power supply to the image forming apparatus 100 when a mechanical main power switch (not shown) is on. More specifically, the power key 121a is an electrical sub-power switch, and when it is off, only certain components, such as a facsimile function via a telephone line and an Internet facsimile function, function. The power-saving key 121b is a key for turning on and off the image forming apparatus 100 when it is in a standby state. When it is on, the image forming apparatus 100 enters an energy-saving mode that reduces power consumption during standby, and when it is off, the energy-saving mode is canceled.

[0031] Also, on the display screen of the display unit 122, job execution keys 122a (software keys) (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for executing jobs (copy job, scan job, facsimile job) are displayed so that they can be input. Here, a "job" refers to a series of operations from when the user performs the desired image formation operation until the image formation operation is completed. Also, on the display screen of the display unit 122, a cancel key 122b (see FIG. 4) for canceling the reading of a document while it is being read, and a document reading end key 122c (see FIG. 4) for instructing the final reading of multiple reading operations in the bulk document reading function may be displayed.

[0032] 3, reference numeral 121c denotes a hardware key that is a home screen key for transitioning to a home screen (initial screen). Reference numerals 122d to 122i denote software keys that respectively denote a color mode key for selecting a color mode, an original size key for selecting an original size, a paper selection key for selecting a paper size, a double-sided copy key for selecting double-sided copying, a magnification selection key for selecting a magnification, and a copy density key for selecting a copy density.

[0033] (Operation unit) In the image forming apparatus 100, the front surface of the image reading unit 130, the front surface of the support unit 150, and the operation device 120 constitute an operation unit 103.

[0034] (Control unit) The control unit 170 has a processing unit 171 made up of a microcomputer such as a CPU, and a storage unit 172 including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The control unit 170 controls the operation of various components by having the processing unit 171 load a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 172 onto the RAM of the storage unit 172 and execute the program.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a notification unit (in this example, a light source 180). The light source 180 is electrically connected to the output system of the control unit 170, and can be turned on or off in response to an activation signal from the control unit 170.

[0036] <Notification of manuscript forgotten> The control unit 170 includes a determination unit 171a that determines whether the final document among a plurality of documents has been read.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the judgment unit 171a judges whether the final document among multiple documents has been read (completion of document reading), so that the notification unit (light source 180) can notify the user that a document discharged onto the document discharge tray has been forgotten to be removed, after reliably recognizing that the final document has been read.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the document transport device 160 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the document transport device 160 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a front view of the document transport device 160 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side view of the document transport device 160 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is an enlarged bottom view showing the vicinity of the light source storage section 168. Fig. 10 is a schematic side view showing the position of the light source 180 relative to the document discharge tray 162.

[0039] The document discharge tray 162 holds documents discharged from the document discharge port 163 in the discharge direction H. In the document transport device 160, a transport unit 164 is provided at one end (left side in FIG. 6 ) in the horizontal direction X along the front, and a document placement tray 161 and a document discharge tray 162 are provided at the other end (right side in FIG. 6 ). The document placement tray 161 and the document discharge tray 162 are provided side by side in the height direction Z, with the document placement tray 161 located at the upper level and the document discharge tray 162 located at the lower level. In other words, the document placement tray 161 is provided extending from a document insertion port 165 provided at the top of the transport unit 164 to the other end. The document discharge tray 162 is provided extending from the document discharge port 163 provided at the bottom of the transport unit 164 to the other end. Therefore, the direction in which the document is inserted from document placement tray 161 (leftward in FIG. 6) is opposite to the document discharge direction H of document discharge tray 162 (rightward in FIG. 6).

[0040] In the document transport device 160, a document placed on a document placement tray 161 is taken into the inside of a transport section 164 through a document insertion port 165. Then, inside the transport section 164, the document is read by the image reading device 102 and discharged from the transport section 164 via a document discharge roller 166 provided in a document discharge port 163, and is then stacked on a document discharge tray 162. In this example, the direction perpendicular to the discharge direction H is the width direction Y (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 6).

[0041] The document placement tray 161 is inclined so that the end facing the document insertion slot 165 is lower than the end (document placement tray extended end 161a) opposite the document insertion slot 165. In other words, the inclination is provided so that when a document is placed on the document placement tray 161, the document slides toward the document insertion slot 165 due to its own weight.

[0042] Similar to the document placement tray 161, the document discharge tray 162 is inclined so that the end opposite the document discharge outlet 163 (document discharge tray extended end 162a) is higher. When a document is discharged from the document discharge outlet 163, the document is given a slight momentum in the discharge direction H by the document discharge rollers 166. To prevent the document from falling from the document discharge tray 162 due to this momentum, the document is slid toward the document discharge outlet 163, thereby arranging the documents on the document discharge tray 162. Note that the angle of inclination of the document placement tray 161 and the document discharge tray 162 may be the same or approximately the same, or may be different.

[0043] Further, the document loading tray 161 has a notch 167 at an end portion thereof that is downstream in the discharge direction H (the right end in FIG. 6) and on the front side of the document transport device 160 in the width direction Y (the lower side in FIG. 6). The document loading tray 161 and the document discharge tray 162 are arranged so as to overlap in a plan view (for example, FIG. 6), but the document discharge tray 162 is exposed at a portion corresponding to the notch 167. Note that, for the sake of explanation below, the front side of the document transport device 160 (image forming apparatus 100) in the width direction Y may be referred to as the front side, and the back side of the document transport device 160 may be referred to as the back side (the upper side in FIG. 6).

[0044] 6, document placement tray 161 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and notches 167 are provided in portions corresponding to corners of document placement tray 161. With respect to the outer edge of document placement tray 161 in the portion where notch 167 is provided, a side relatively along the lateral direction X is referred to as notch first side 167a, and a side relatively along the width direction Y is referred to as notch second side 167b. In other words, notch first side 167a is located further back (upper in FIG. 6) than the side of document placement tray 161 itself along the lateral direction X (lower side in FIG. 6), and notch second side 167b is located upstream (leftward in FIG. 6) than the side of document placement tray 161 itself along the width direction Y (right side in FIG. 6). 6, the range (cutout region KR) in which the cutout 167 is provided in the discharge direction H is shown based on the cutout first side 167a and the cutout second side 167b.

[0045] Image forming apparatus 100 is usually designed to be operated by a user standing at the front, and operation device 120 (operation panel) and the like are provided at the front side. Also, it is designed so that it is easy to insert your hand from the front side when collecting documents or paper.

[0046] A light source storage section 168 that stores a light source 180 is provided on the underside of document placement tray 161 near cutout 167. Light source storage section 168 is provided on the outer edge of document placement tray 161 along cutout 167, and slightly further back than cutout 167. The structure in the vicinity of light source storage section 168 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0047] The document discharge tray 162 is inclined so that the document discharge tray extension end 162a is higher, and an inclined surface is set based on this inclination. The document discharge tray 162 is provided with a convex portion 162b and a concave portion 162c so that the positions of the convex portion 162b and the concave portion 162c in the height direction Z are partially different from each other relative to the inclined surface. The shapes of the convex portion 162b and the concave portion 162c will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0048] The document discharge tray 162 also has a standing wall 162d provided along the outer edge. The top surfaces of the standing wall 162d are at the same height and are parallel to the lateral direction X and the width direction Y. In other words, the portion of the document discharge tray 162 where the standing wall 162d is located is not inclined but is horizontal.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows the document placement tray 161 as viewed from below, enlarging the vicinity of the light source housing 168 located along the first side edge 167a of the notch. A light source 180 is provided inside the document placement tray 161 in a portion facing the light source housing 168. The light source housing 168 also has an opening 169 that opens the housing on the lower side of the document placement tray 161, and a portion of the light source 180 is exposed through the opening 169. The light source 180 includes a light-emitting element such as an LED, and light emitted from the light source 180 is emitted through the opening 169. The notch 167 of the document placement tray 161 is provided to make it easier for a user to insert their hand between the document placement tray 161 and the document ejection tray 162, and is likely to attract attention when removing a document. Therefore, by locating the light source 180 nearby, it becomes more visible to the user, making it easier for them to see the light being emitted.

[0050] Fig. 10 schematically shows the document transport device 160 as seen from the side where the document discharge tray extended end 162a is provided. Note that only the document discharge tray 162 is shown in cross section at the portion facing the light source 180 and is hatched to emphasize the unevenness. Also, in Fig. 10, one document G is shown loaded on the document discharge tray 162 for ease of viewing, but this is not limiting and multiple documents G may be loaded on the document discharge tray 162. Furthermore, the document G shown in Fig. 10 is the document G with the largest length in the width direction Y among the documents G transported by the document transport device 160.

[0051] A convex portion 162b that protrudes upward from the surrounding area is provided at approximately the center of the document discharge tray 162 in the width direction Y, and a concave portion 162c is provided adjacent to the front side (left side in FIG. 10) of the convex portion 162b. A standing wall 162d is provided at the outer edge of the document transport device 160, at the end on the front side. In other words, the concave portion 162c exists in the portion between the standing wall 162d and the convex portion 162b. In the cross section shown in FIG. 10, in the height direction Z, the convex portion 162b is the highest, the standing wall 162d is the second highest, and the concave portion 162c is the lowest.

[0052] In this embodiment, the convex portion 162b is provided in a wide portion of the document discharge tray 162 in the width direction Y, and is trapezoidally raised in a side view. In the cross section shown in FIG. 10, the convex portions 162b have approximately the same height at their peaks, and a steep step is provided at the end in the width direction Y. At the boundary between the adjacent convex portion 162b and concave portion 162c, the height difference between the two combines to form an even larger step, and a wall portion 162e is provided standing in the height direction Z. Note that the wall portion 162e does not have to be completely vertical, as long as it is inclined relative to the top surface of the convex portion 162b to clearly define the boundary. Furthermore, the upper and lower ends may be rounded to prevent the document G from getting caught.

[0053] The convex portion 162b is located slightly further back than the approximate center of the document discharge tray 162 in the width direction Y, and its length in the width direction Y is shorter than the maximum document size. A large portion of the document G on the document discharge tray 162 overlaps with the convex portion 162b in the width direction Y, and an end portion of the document G slightly protrudes outside the convex portion 162b. The portion of the document G that protrudes forward from the convex portion 162b is located above the wall portion 162e and the concave portion 162c, and hangs downward due to the difference in height with the convex portion 162b, causing the document G to curve in a mountain shape.

[0054] In the cutout portion 167, the cutout first side edge 167a is provided at approximately the same position as the wall portion 162e in the width direction Y. The light source 180 is provided near the cutout first side edge 167a and emits light toward the document discharge tray 162 (downward). The dashed-dotted line in FIG. 10 indicates the range (illumination range SR) illuminated by the light from the light source 180, and the vicinity of the boundary between the convex portion 162b and the concave portion 162c in the width direction Y is included in the illumination range SR. Note that the illumination range SR in the discharge direction H may be set as appropriate, and is preferably set to include both the stacked documents G and the document discharge tray 162.

[0055] (Example of control for notifying of document removal) Next, notification of a forgotten document will be described. The notification unit that notifies that a document has been left behind can be, for example, a mode in which the notification is made by lighting up the light source, sounding an alarm, or sounding a voice, or by a combination of at least two of these. In this example, notification that document G has been left behind is made by lighting up the light source 180.

[0056] However, if the light source 180 is kept lit until the user removes the document when notifying the user that the document has been left behind, the light source 180 will remain lit until the user removes the document, resulting in an excessive alarm. In this regard, in the present embodiment, when notifying the user that the document has been left behind, the control unit 170 turns off the light source 180 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the light source 180 was turned on. For example, the control unit 170 turns on the light source 180 in a predetermined lighting pattern. An example of the predetermined lighting pattern is a lighting pattern in which the light source 180 flashes multiple times (e.g., three times) within a predetermined time (e.g., 12 seconds) (e.g., two seconds on, two seconds off). This makes it possible to avoid an excessive alarm, such as the light source 180 remaining lit until the user removes the document G.

[0057] The image reading device 102 further includes an original placement detection unit 191 and an original discharge detection unit 192. The original placement detection unit 191 detects whether an original is placed on the original placement tray 161. The original discharge detection unit 192 detects whether an original has been discharged onto the original discharge tray 162, i.e., whether an original is to be discharged onto the original discharge tray 162. The original placement detection unit 191 and the original discharge detection unit 192 are electrically connected to an input system of the control unit 170. The original placement detection unit 191 transmits a signal indicating whether an original has been placed on the original placement tray 161 to the control unit 170. This allows the control unit 170 to recognize (detect) whether an original has been placed on the original placement tray 161. Furthermore, the original discharge detection unit 192 transmits a signal indicating whether an original has been discharged onto the original discharge tray 162 to the control unit 170. This allows the control unit 170 to recognize (detect) whether or not a document has been discharged onto the document discharge tray 162. The document placement detection unit 191 and the document discharge detection unit 192 can be conventionally known, and representative examples include a light reflection type sensor that detects light from the document, and a light transmission type sensor equipped with an actuator that turns on and off depending on the presence or absence of a document.

[0058] Incidentally, the image reading device 102 has a predetermined maximum number of documents (a predetermined allowable number) that can be placed on the document placement tray 161, and the maximum number of documents cannot be placed on the document placement tray 161. Therefore, without a bulk document reading function, it is not possible to read more than the maximum number of documents in a single job. In this regard, the image reading device 102 also has a bulk document reading function. The bulk document reading function is a function that reads multiple documents in multiple batches in a single job. This makes it possible to read documents even if the maximum number of documents in a single job is exceeded. The image reading device 102 also has a display unit 122 and a preview function. The preview function is a function that displays an image (thumbnail image) corresponding to image data obtained by scanning a document on the display unit 122 prior to execution of the job. The control unit 170 executes the bulk document reading function and the preview function by selectively accepting a user's operation via the operation unit 103.

[0059] 11 to 15 are flowcharts showing an example of a control operation for notifying that a document has been left behind. In the following flowcharts, when reading a document, the control unit 170 displays a message such as "If you want to stop reading the document, press the 'cancel key'" on the display unit 122, and also displays the cancel key 122b on the display unit 122 so that it can be operated for input.

[0060] <Main routine> 11 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the control operation for notifying that a document has been left behind. As shown in FIG. 11, in the main routine, first, control unit 170 determines whether or not a document is placed on document tray 161 using document placement detection unit 191 (S1), and if no document is placed thereon (S1: No), waits until the placed document reading function is performed (S2: No). When a document is placed on document tray 130a by the user and job execution key 122a (so-called start key) is pressed (ON), control unit 170 executes the placed document reading function (S3) and returns to S1.

[0061] On the other hand, if documents are placed on the document placement tray 161 (S1: Yes), the control unit 170 determines whether the large-volume document reading function is enabled (S4), and if the large-volume document reading function is disabled (S4: No), it determines whether the preview function is enabled (S5). Next, if the preview function is disabled (S5: No), the control unit 170 executes a normal mode subroutine (S10) and proceeds to S6. Also, if the preview function is enabled (S5: Yes), the control unit 170 executes a preview mode subroutine (S20) and proceeds to S6. On the other hand, if the large-volume document reading function is enabled (S4: Yes), the control unit 170 executes a large-volume document reading mode subroutine (S30) and proceeds to S6.

[0062] Next, the control unit 170 determines whether a document has been discharged onto the document discharge tray 162 and the document discharge detection unit 192 is on (S6), and if the document discharge detection unit 192 is on (S6: Yes), the control unit 170 turns on the light source 180 in a predetermined lighting pattern (S7), executes the subroutine for the next job operation (S40), and ends the process. On the other hand, if the document discharge detection unit 192 is off (S6: No), the control unit 170 does not turn on the light source 180 in the predetermined lighting pattern, executes the subroutine for the next job operation (S40), and ends the process.

[0063] <Normal mode subroutine> Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in normal mode. As shown in Fig. 12, in the subroutine in normal mode, first, control unit 170 starts reading the document (S11). At this time, unless cancel key 122b is pressed (ON) by the user (S12: No), the processes of S11 to S13 are performed until reading of the document is completed (S13: No). If cancel key 122b is pressed (S12: Yes), reading of the document is stopped (S14), and the process returns to S6 shown in Fig. 11. On the other hand, when reading of the document is completed (S13: Yes), control unit 170 turns on a job start signal to start the job (S15), and the process returns to S6 shown in Fig. 11.

[0064] <Preview mode subroutine> FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the preview mode. As shown in FIG. 13, in the subroutine of the preview mode, first, the control unit 170 starts reading the document (S21). At this time, if the user does not press the cancel key 122b (S22: No), the control unit 170 performs the processes of S21 to S23 until the reading of the document is completed (S23: No). If the cancel key 122b is pressed (S22: Yes), the control unit 170 stops reading the document (S24) and returns to S6 shown in FIG. 11. Up to this point, the process is the same as in the normal mode. On the other hand, if the reading of the document is completed (S23: Yes), the control unit 170 displays a preview image (S25). If the user does not press the cancel key 122b (S26: No), the control unit 170 performs the processes of S25 to S27 until the user presses the job execution key 122a (S27: No). If the cancel key 122b is pressed (S26: Yes), the control unit 170 returns to S6 shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, when the job execution key 122a is pressed (S27: Yes), the control unit 170 turns on the job start signal (S28) and returns to S6 shown in FIG.

[0065] <Subroutine for large volume document scanning mode> 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the bulk document reading mode. As shown in FIG. 14, in the subroutine of the bulk document reading mode, first, the control unit 170 starts reading the document (S31). At this time, if the user does not press the cancel key 122b (S32: No), the control unit 170 performs the processes of S31 to S33 until the document reading is completed (S33: No). If the cancel key 122b is pressed (S32: Yes), the control unit 170 stops reading the document (S34) and returns to S6 shown in FIG. 11. Up to this point, the process is the same as in the normal mode. On the other hand, when the document reading is completed (S33: Yes), the control unit 170 performs the processes of S35 to S36 until the user presses (turns on) the document reading end key 122c (S35: No) or further presses the job execution key 122a (S36: No). At this time, the control unit 170 displays a message on the display unit 122 such as "If you want to continue reading the document, press the 'Job Execution Key'; if you want to end reading, press the 'Document Reading Finish Key'", and also displays the Job Execution key 122a and the Document Reading Finish key 122c on the display unit 122 so that they can be input. When the Job Execution key 122a is pressed (S36: Yes), the control unit 170 proceeds to S31. On the other hand, when the Document Reading Finish key 122c is pressed (S35: Yes), the control unit 170 turns on the job start signal (S37) and returns to S6 shown in Figure 11.

[0066] <Subroutine for next job operation> 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the next job operation. As shown in FIG. 15, in the subroutine for the next job operation, first, when the lighting pattern of light source 180 is completed (S41: Yes), control unit 170 returns to S6 shown in FIG. 11. However, when the lighting pattern of light source 180 is not completed (S41: No, S42: No), when the next job starts (S42: Yes), control unit 170 determines whether the placed document reading function (reading of a document placed on document table 130a) has been executed (whether job execution key 122a for the placed document reading function has been pressed) (S43). Next, when the placed document reading function has been executed (S43: Yes), control unit 170 maintains the lighting pattern of light source 180 until the placed document reading function is completed (S45: No) (S44, S45: No). When the placed document reading function is completed (S45: Yes), control unit 170 returns to S41. On the other hand, if the placed document reading function is not being executed (S43: No), the control unit 170 ends the lighting of the lighting pattern of the light source 180 (S46) and returns to S6 shown in FIG.

[0067] (First embodiment) In the first embodiment, when the large-volume document reading function is being executed, the control unit 170 determines whether the final document has been read in the final reading operation among multiple reading operations. By doing so, even when the large-volume document reading function is being executed, the notification unit (light source 180) can notify the user that the document has been left behind (by lighting up the light source 180) in a state where it is reliably recognized whether the final document has been read.

[0068] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the control unit 170 determines whether the last document has been read, and activates (lights up) the notification unit (light source 180) when the document discharge detection unit 192 detects that a document has been discharged onto the document discharge tray 162. In this way, it is possible to notify the user that a document discharged onto the document discharge tray 162 has been forgotten to be removed, while reliably recognizing whether the last document has been read.

[0069] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, when the control unit 170 is executing the preview function, the light source 180 is activated (lighted on) when the job execution key is turned on. This makes it possible to notify the user that the document has been left behind even when the preview function is being executed.

[0070] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 170 activates (lights on) the light source 180 when the cancel key 122b is turned on while the document is being read. This makes it possible to notify the user that the document has been left behind even when the cancel key 122b is turned on while the document is being read.

[0071] (Fifth embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, when the control unit 170 has activated (turned on) the notification unit (light source 180) after completing a job, and the next job is started, the control unit 170 stops the activation (lighting on) of the notification unit (light source 180). In this way, when the next job starts, it is possible to end the notification to the user that the document for the current job has been left behind, and in this state it is possible to notify the user that the document for the next job has been left behind.

[0072] (Sixth embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, when the control unit 170 executes the placed document reading function while the notification unit (light source 180) is activated (lit) after completing a job, the control unit 170 keeps the notification unit (light source 180) activated (lit). This makes it possible to keep the notification unit (light source 180) activated (lit) for notifying the user that the document has been left behind in the transported document reading function, which reads multiple documents transported by the document transport device 160, while the placed document reading function is being executed. This makes it possible to notify the user that the document has been left behind in the transported document reading function, even if the placed document reading function is executed after the transported document reading function.

[0073] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the embodiments are merely examples in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100 Image forming device 101 Image forming apparatus main body 102 Image reader 103 Operation section 110 Image forming unit 120 Operating device 122 Display section 122a Job execution key 122b Cancel key 122c Document scanning end key 130 Image reading unit 130a Document stand 130b Document reading unit 130c Scanning Optical System 160 Document transport device 161 Document tray 162 Document output tray 170 Control Unit 171 Processing section 171a Judgment part 172 Memory section 180 light source 191 Document placement detector 192 Document discharge detection unit G Manuscript H Discharge direction SR irradiation range X horizontal direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. A document feeder equipped with a document discharge tray for loading discharged documents, a document placement tray provided above the document discharge tray and on which the document is placed; an opening provided on a lower surface of the document placement tray; a light source that irradiates light toward the document discharge tray through the opening; and a notch is provided in the document placement tray at a portion corresponding to a corner between an upstream end in a document feed direction and a front end in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the document feed direction, The document feeder is characterized in that the opening is provided in the vicinity of the notch on the lower surface of the document placement tray.

2. A document feeder according to claim 1, the document discharge tray has a convex portion that is provided at approximately the center in the front-rear direction in the document discharge area, and that protrudes using as a reference surface an upper surface of an upright wall that is provided at an outer edge of the document feeder at an end on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a concave portion that is provided adjacent to the front side of the convex portion in the front-rear direction and that is recessed using as a reference surface the upper surface of the upright wall, A document feeding device characterized in that the opening is provided on the underside of the document loading tray above the top of a wall portion that rises from the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom surface of the recess in the document ejection tray.

3. 2. The document feeder according to claim 1, the document ejection tray has a recess provided on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction, A document feeding device characterized in that the opening is provided on the underside of the document loading tray above the top of a wall portion that rises from the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom surface of the recess in the document ejection tray.

4. 2. The document feeder according to claim 1, the document ejection tray has a recessed portion provided closer to the front than the center in the front-rear direction, and a wall portion rising from the rear side in the front-rear direction of a bottom surface of the recessed portion of the document ejection tray, The document feeder is characterized in that the wall portion is provided below the opening portion.

5. 3. The document feeder according to claim 2, A document feeding device characterized in that the document discharged onto the document discharge tray is placed in a mountain shape in the front-to-back direction, with the central area of ​​the convex portion higher and in contact with both ends of the convex portion.

6. 5. The document feeder according to claim 3, wherein: the document discharge tray has a convex portion provided at approximately the center in the front-rear direction in the document discharge area, A document feeding device characterized in that the document discharged onto the document discharge tray is placed in a mountain shape in the front-to-back direction, with the central area of ​​the convex portion higher and in contact with both ends of the convex portion.

7. 7. The document feeder according to claim 1, A document feeding device characterized in that the opening is provided near the first side edge of the notch at the corner portion between a first side edge of the notch on the underside of the document loading tray, which is aligned closer to the feed direction than the front-to-back direction of the notch, and a second side edge of the notch, which is aligned closer to the front-to-back direction than the feed direction.

8. A document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The document feeder is characterized in that the opening is provided along the notch in the lower surface of the document placement tray.

9. A document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The document feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided in the lower surface of the document placement tray at a position above and on the front side of the center of the document discharge tray in the front-rear direction.

10. An image forming apparatus equipped with a document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a display unit provided downstream of a center of the document feeder in a document discharge direction and on a front side in the front-rear direction; the display unit displays software keys for executing jobs on a display screen; The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the software key is displayed downstream of the center of the display screen in the ejection direction.

Images