Image reading device, image forming device

Abstract

To obtain a composition in which a display unit is disposed between a placement plane and an imaging unit in vertical device direction, with which it is possible to suppress the unevenness of brightness occurring to a document due to that light of an irradiation unit and light of a display screen overlap, as compared with a composition in which only one instance of the irradiation unit is disposed in proximity to the imaging unit.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: a placement unit in which a placement plane is formed for placing a document; an imaging unit which is disposed upward of the placement plane in the vertical device direction, at the center of the placement plane in the widthwise device direction; a display unit having a display screen that is disposed between the placement plane and the imaging unit in the vertical device direction, in the back of the placement plane in the depth device direction, and at the center of the placement plane in the device widthwise direction; an irradiation unit that is disposed upward of the display unit in the vertical device direction and at the center of the placement plane in the widthwise device direction, and that irradiates the placement plane with light; and a pair of other irradiation units which are arranged upward of the display unit in the vertical device direction and on both sides of the irradiation unit in the widthwise device direction, and which irradiate the placement plane with light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device and an image forming device.

Background Art

[0002] The document camera device described in Patent Document 1 includes a stage on which documents and the like are placed, imaging means for imaging an optical image of the documents and the like on this stage, and first and second reflecting means sequentially arranged on the optical path between the stage and the imaging means to convert the optical path of the optical image of the documents and the like on the stage by reflection, and illumination means for irradiating light directly toward the first reflecting means disposed closer to the stage among the first and second reflecting means, and irradiates the reflected light by the first reflecting means directly onto the stage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An image reading device for reading a document may include an imaging unit for imaging the document, a placing unit on which a placing surface for placing the document is formed, an irradiation unit for irradiating light toward the placing surface, and a display unit having a display screen for displaying information related to reading.

[0005] In a configuration where the imaging unit is arranged on the center side of the placing surface in the device width direction and the display unit is arranged between the placing surface and the imaging unit in the device vertical direction. In such a configuration, only one irradiation unit is arranged close to the imaging unit, and uneven brightness may occur on the document due to the overlap of the light from the irradiation unit and the light from the display screen.

[0006] The object of this disclosure is to suppress brightness unevenness that occurs on the original document due to the overlap of light from the illumination unit and light from the display screen, in a configuration in which the display unit is arranged between the mounting surface and the imaging unit in the vertical direction of the device, compared to a configuration in which only one illumination unit is arranged close to the imaging unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image reading device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a mounting section having a mounting surface on which an original document is placed; an imaging section positioned above the mounting surface in the vertical direction of the device and towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device, for capturing an image of the original document; a display section having a display screen positioned between the mounting surface and the imaging section in the vertical direction of the device, at least a portion of which is positioned towards the rear of the mounting surface in the depth direction of the device and towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device; an illumination section positioned above the display section in the vertical direction of the device and towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device, for irradiating light toward the mounting surface; and a pair of other illumination sections positioned above the display section in the vertical direction of the device and on both sides of the illumination section in the width direction of the device, respectively, for irradiating light toward the mounting surface.

[0008] An image reading device according to a second aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the first aspect, the irradiation unit is provided in a pair with the optical axes of the imaging optical system of the image captured by the imaging unit in the width direction of the device.

[0009] The image reading device according to the third aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the second aspect, the pair of irradiation units have similar performance and are arranged on the central side of the mounting surface, with the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device.

[0010] An image reading device according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in an image reading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the pair of other irradiation units are arranged on the end sides of the mounting surface, with the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device.

[0011] An image reading device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an image reading device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that a window for taking in an image captured by the imaging unit is located on the rear side with respect to the center of the mounting surface in the depth direction of the device, the illumination unit is located on the rear side with respect to the window in the depth direction of the device, and a pair of other illumination units are located on the rear side with respect to the illumination unit in the depth direction of the device.

[0012] An image reading device according to a sixth aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the fifth aspect, it comprises a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a reflection obstruction that is reflected from the original document and appears in the captured image, and an adjustment unit that, when the determination unit determines that there is a reflection obstruction, adjusts the amount of light from the other illumination unit to be greater than the amount of light from the illumination unit.

[0013] An image reading device according to the seventh aspect of this disclosure is an image reading device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the display screen of the display unit displays a screen for inputting reading instructions, another determination unit determines whether or not there is brightness unevenness in the original document, and a correction unit, when the other determination unit determines that there is brightness unevenness, corrects the amount of light on the display screen when the imaging unit captures the original document to be less than the amount of light on the display screen when inputting reading instructions.

[0014] The image reading device according to the eighth aspect of this disclosure is characterized in that, in the image reading device described in the seventh aspect, when the other determination unit determines that there is brightness unevenness, the amount of light on the display screen when the imaging unit captures the original document is set to 0.

[0015] The image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect of this disclosure is: Any one of the eight embodiments (1 to 8) The present invention is characterized by comprising an image reading device described above, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information read by the image reading device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the first aspect of the present disclosure, the image reading device, in which the display unit is arranged between the mounting surface and the imaging unit in the vertical direction of the device, can suppress brightness unevenness that occurs on the original document due to the overlap of light from the illumination unit and light from the display screen, compared to a configuration in which only one illumination unit is arranged close to the imaging unit.

[0017] The image reading device according to the second aspect of this disclosure has other illumination units arranged on both sides of the illumination unit in the width direction of the device, and compared to the case where there is only one illumination unit, it is possible to reduce reflective interference that occurs when light emitted from the illumination unit is reflected from the original document and appears in the captured image.

[0018] The image reading device according to the third aspect of this disclosure has the same amount of light emitted from the illuminating units onto the original document on one side and the other side in the width direction of the device, compared to a case where a pair of illuminating units are arranged on either side of the center of the mounting surface, with the center of the mounting surface in between.

[0019] The image reading device according to the fourth aspect of this disclosure can suppress brightness unevenness in the original document caused by the light from the illuminating unit weakening at the edges of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device, compared to the case where other illuminating units are located towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device.

[0020] The image reading device according to the fifth aspect of this disclosure has a configuration in which the window portion of the imaging unit is located towards the back of the center of the mounting surface in the depth direction of the device, and the illumination unit is located towards the back of the window portion in the depth direction of the device. Compared to the case in which other illumination units are located in the same position as the illumination unit in the depth direction of the device, this configuration can reduce reflective interference caused by light emitted from the illumination unit reflecting off the original document and appearing in the captured image.

[0021] The image reading device according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure can suppress reflection interference when it is determined that reflection interference is present, compared to the case where the amount of light from different irradiating units is the same.

[0022] When it is determined that there is uneven brightness, the image reading apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure can suppress uneven brightness as compared with a case where the light amount of the display screen when the imaging unit images a document is the same as the light amount of the display screen when a reading instruction is input.

[0023] The image reading apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure can suppress uneven brightness as compared with a case where there is a light amount of the display screen when the imaging unit images a document.

[0024] The image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure can suppress uneven brightness occurring in the formed image as compared with a case where an image reading unit in which only one irradiation unit is arranged close to the imaging unit is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing a toner image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view mainly showing a support portion of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a side view showing an imaging unit, an adjustment unit, etc. of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is a front view showing an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a rear view showing an adjustment unit of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a side view showing an imaging unit, an adjustment unit, a cover, etc. of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]This is a cross-sectional view showing the cover and support portion of an image reading device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a bottom view showing the irradiation section, etc., of an image reading device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 12] (A)(B) This is a block diagram showing the control unit of the image reading device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the process for determining reflection defects in an image reading device according to a second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 14] (A)(B) This is a block diagram showing the control unit of an image reading device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a flowchart showing the process for determining brightness unevenness in an image reading device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] <First Embodiment> An example of an image reading unit and an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In each figure, arrow H is in the vertical direction and indicates the up-down direction of the apparatus, arrow W is in the horizontal direction and indicates the width direction of the apparatus, and arrow D is in the horizontal direction and indicates the depth direction of the apparatus.

[0027] (Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 10) As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 110 that reads an image formed on a document G, an image forming unit 12 that forms a toner image using an electrophotographic method, and a transport unit 14 that transports a sheet member P as a recording medium along a transport path 16. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a storage member 18 that houses the sheet member P and a control unit 28 that controls the entire apparatus.

[0028] In the image forming apparatus 10 with the above configuration, the image reading unit 110 reads the image formed on the original document G. The transport unit 14 transports the sheet member P housed in the storage member 18 along the transport path 16. Furthermore, the toner image formed by the image forming unit 12 is formed on the transported sheet member P, and the sheet member P with the toner image formed on it is discharged to the outside of the apparatus body 10a.

[0029] [Image forming unit 12] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 30, each forming a toner image of a different color, and a transfer unit 32 that transfers the toner images formed by the toner image forming units 30 to a sheet member P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 12 includes a fixing device 34 that fixes the toner images transferred to the sheet member P by the transfer unit 32 to the sheet member P.

[0030] -Toner image forming unit 30- Multiple toner image forming units 30 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, toner image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K for a total of four colors—yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)—are provided. In the following description, if it is not necessary to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the designations Y, M, C, and K will be omitted from the reference numerals.

[0031] Each toner image forming unit 30 is basically configured similarly, except for the toner used, and as shown in Figure 2, it includes a rotating cylindrical image holder 40 and a charger 42 for charging the image holder 40. Furthermore, the toner image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 44 that irradiates the charged image holder 40 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 46 that develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image with a developer Z containing toner. Thus, each toner image forming unit 30 forms an image of each color using the corresponding color toner.

[0032] Furthermore, each colored image holder 40 is in contact with a circulating transfer belt 50 (details will be described later), as shown in Figure 1. In the circulating direction of the transfer belt 50 (see arrows in the figure), the toner image forming units 30 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0033] -Transfer section 32- As shown in Figure 1, the transfer unit 32 includes a transfer belt 50 and primary transfer rolls 52, each positioned on the opposite side of the image holders 40 of each color from the transfer belt 50, which transfer the toner images formed on the image holders 40 of each color to the transfer belt 50.

[0034] Furthermore, the transfer section 32 includes a winding roll 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound, and a drive roll 58 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and which transmits rotational force to the transfer belt 50. As a result, the transfer belt 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0035] Furthermore, the transfer section 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the winding roll 56, with the transfer belt 50 in between, and includes a secondary transfer roll 54 that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P. A transfer nip NT is formed between the secondary transfer roll 54 and the transfer belt 50, which transfers the toner image to the sheet member P.

[0036] In this configuration, the toner image is first transferred to the transfer belt 50 by the primary transfer roll 52 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image is then transferred from the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P, which is transported sandwiched between the transfer belt 50 and the secondary transfer roll 54, by the secondary transfer roll 54. The sheet member P, on which the toner image has been transferred, is then transported toward the fuser unit 34.

[0037] - Fixing device 34 - As shown in Figure 1, the fixing device 34 is positioned downstream of the transfer nip NT in the transport direction of the sheet member P. The fixing device 34 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the sheet member P to fix it to the sheet member P.

[0038] [Conveying section 14] As shown in Figure 1, the transport unit 14 includes a delivery roll 20 that sends the sheet member P housed in the storage member 18 to the transport path 16, and a prevention roll 22 that prevents double feeding of the sheet member P sent out by the delivery roll 20. Furthermore, the transport unit 14 includes an adjustment roll 24 that adjusts the timing of the sheet member P being sent to the transfer nip NT, and an discharge roll 26 that discharges the sheet member P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 34, to the outside of the device body 10a.

[0039] [Image reading unit 110] As shown in Figure 1, the image reading unit 110 is located in the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 and is designed to read the image formed on the original document G. The image reading unit 110 is an example of an image reading device. The image reading unit 110 will be described in detail later.

[0040] (Main part configuration) Next, the image reading unit 110 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the image reading unit 110 includes a top plate 112 on which a mounting surface 112a for placing the document G is formed, and an imaging unit 120 for imaging the document G placed on the mounting surface 112a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the image reading unit 110 includes a support unit 140 for supporting the imaging unit 120 and an adjustment unit 150 for adjusting the position of the imaging unit 120. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the image reading unit 110 includes a cover 170 that covers the imaging unit 120 and the support unit 140, and a display unit 180 having a display screen 182 for displaying information related to the reading. Furthermore, the image reading unit 110 includes an irradiation unit 190 (see Figure 6) for irradiating light onto the document G placed on the mounting surface 112a, and a management unit 114 for managing each part.

[0041] [Top plate 112] As shown in Figure 3, the top plate 112 is provided on the main body 110a of the image reading unit 110, with its surface facing upwards. The top plate 112 is an example of a mounting surface. In this embodiment, the main body 110a is the upper part of the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the top plate 112 has a mounting surface 112a (shaded area in the figure) on which a sheet-like document G can be placed. In this embodiment, as an example, a document G up to A3 size can be placed on the mounting surface 112a.

[0043] Here, the mounting surface 112a is the area surface on which the document G of the maximum readable size can be placed. The mounting surface 112a is rectangular in shape, extending in the width direction of the device, when viewed from above, and is symmetrical with respect to the center of the device body 110a in the width direction of the device.

[0044] [Support part 140] As shown in Figure 4, the support section 140 includes a pair of vertical frames 142 that rise upward from the rear portion of the device body 110a in the device depth direction and from both sides of the device body 110a in the device width direction. Furthermore, the support section 140 includes a horizontal frame 144 that spans the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 142.

[0045] Here, the device depth direction is the direction of approach and away from a user standing in front of the image reading unit 110 to use the image reading unit 110, the front side in the device depth direction is the side closer to the user, and the back side in the device depth direction is the side further away from the user.

[0046] Furthermore, the device width direction refers to the left-right direction for a user standing in front of the image reading unit 110 to use the image reading unit 110.

[0047] -Vertical frame 142- The pair of vertical frames 142 have a similar configuration and are formed from metal material. As shown in Figure 4, the vertical frames 142 extend vertically and have a rectangular cylindrical cross-section. The base ends of the vertical frames 142 are attached to the main body 110a of the device.

[0048] -Horizontal frame 144- The horizontal frame 144 is formed from a metal material and extends in the width direction of the device, as shown in Figure 4. The horizontal frame 144 also includes a pair of cylindrical frames 146 and a bracket 148.

[0049] The pair of cylindrical frames 146 are symmetrical in the width direction of the device, with respect to the center of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device. The base ends of the cylindrical frames 146 are connected to the ends of one of the vertical frames 142, and the end of one cylindrical frame 146 extends toward the end of the other vertical frame 142. The cylindrical frames 146 have a rectangular cross-section, and the hollow parts of the cylindrical frames 146 and the hollow parts of the vertical frames 142 are connected.

[0050] Bracket 148 is stretched between the tip of one cylindrical frame 146 and the tip of the other cylindrical frame 146. As shown in Figure 5, bracket 148 is formed in a Z shape by bending a plate member, and comprises a vertical plate 148a whose thickness direction is in the direction of the depth of the device, and an inclined plate 148b that extends inclined toward the front in the direction of the depth of the device from the tip of the vertical plate 148a. Furthermore, bracket 148 includes a flange plate 148c that extends upward from the tip of the inclined plate 148b.

[0051] Furthermore, both ends of the vertical plate 148a in the device width direction are connected to the ends of a pair of cylindrical frames 146 (see Figure 4).

[0052] [Imaging unit 120] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the imaging unit 120 is positioned in the center of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device (see CL01 in Figure 6), and in the depth direction of the device, it is positioned towards the rear of the center of the mounting surface 112a (see CL02 in Figure 7).

[0053] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing 122 of the imaging unit 120 is inclined horizontally such that the front side in the depth direction of the device is positioned higher than the rear side when viewed from the width direction of the device, and the front part in the depth direction of the device is beveled, giving it the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0054] Furthermore, an imaging optical system is provided inside the housing 122, and a window portion 124 for taking in the captured image is formed on the front side in the depth direction of the device on the lower surface 122a of the housing 122. This window portion 124 is located at the center CL01 (see Figure 6) of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device.

[0055] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, the harness connected to the imaging unit 120 extends through the inside of the cylindrical frame 146 and the vertical frame 142 to the main body of the device 110a.

[0056] [Adjustment section 150] As shown in Figure 5, the adjustment unit 150 includes a bracket 152 attached to the imaging unit 120 and a bracket 162 attached to the flange plate 148c of the bracket 148.

[0057] The adjustment unit 150 is provided with a rod 158 that extends in the width direction of the device and forms the shaft. By rotating the imaging unit 120 around this rod 158, the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging unit 120 (K01 in the figure) moves in the depth direction of the device.

[0058] Furthermore, when the adjustment unit 150 is viewed from the rear side in the depth direction of the device, it is shown in Figure 8 that the adjustment unit 150 is provided with a rod 168 that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the depth direction of the device. By rotating the imaging unit 120 around this rod 168, the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the imaging unit 120 (K01 in the figure) moves in the width direction of the device.

[0059] [Cover 170] As shown in Figure 3, the cover 170 covers the imaging unit 120, the adjustment unit 150, and the support unit 140. The cover 170 is an example of a covering unit.

[0060] The cover 170 is made of a resin material and, as shown in Figure 7, is L-shaped when viewed from the width direction of the device. Specifically, the cover 170 includes a rising portion 172 that rises upward from the rear part of the device body 110a in the depth direction of the device, and a canopy portion 176 that extends from the upper end of the rising portion 172 towards the front in the depth direction of the device.

[0061] -Startup section 172- As shown in Figure 3, the riser portion 172 covers the support portion 140 from the front and rear sides in the depth direction of the device. Also, as shown in Figure 6, an opening 172a is formed in the riser portion 172 that penetrates in the depth direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device. Specifically, the opening 172a is rectangular in shape and extends in the width direction of the device when viewed from the depth direction of the device.

[0062] -Eave 176- As shown in Figure 9, the canopy portion 176 covers the imaging unit 120, the adjustment unit 150, and the support unit 140 (see Figure 4) from the upper side in the vertical direction of the device, the front side in the depth direction of the device, and the rear side in the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of plate-shaped ribs 176a are formed inside the design surface of the canopy portion 176 so as to be positioned between the imaging unit 120 in the width direction of the device. The portion of the canopy portion 176 that is outside the ribs 176a in the width direction of the device has a hollow cross-section, as shown in Figure 10.

[0063] [Display section 180] As shown in Figure 7, the display unit 180 is positioned between the mounting surface 112a and the imaging unit 120 in the vertical direction of the device, and on the rear side relative to the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device.

[0064] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the display unit 180 comprises a plate-shaped main body 180a and a support part 180b that rotatably supports the main body 180a. The main body 180a is plate-shaped, rectangular in shape extending in the width direction of the device, and is positioned so that its surface faces diagonally upward relative to the front side in the depth direction of the device. The main body 180a is provided with a display screen 182 on which reading information is displayed in liquid crystal.

[0065] The display screen 182 is positioned at least partially towards the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction, and is symmetrical with respect to the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction.

[0066] In this configuration, when the user places the document G on the placement surface 112a and instructs the display screen 182 to read the document G, the imaging unit 120 captures an image of the document G. As a result, the image reading unit 110 reads the document G.

[0067] [Irradiation unit 190] As shown in Figure 6, the irradiation unit 190 comprises a pair of irradiation units 192 located on both sides of the window 124 in the width direction of the device, and a pair of irradiation units 202 located on both sides of the irradiation units 192 in the width direction of the device. Irradiation units 202 are examples of other irradiation units.

[0068] -Irradiation section 192- In this embodiment, the illumination unit 192 is an LED light and, as shown in Figure 5, is attached to the lower surface 122a of the housing 122 of the imaging unit 120. The illumination units 192 are provided in pairs and have similar performance, and, as shown in Figure 6, are symmetrical with respect to the window 124 in the device width direction and are positioned towards the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction. In other words, the pair of illumination units 192 are symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the image captured in the device width direction and are positioned towards the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction. Here, similar performance means that the irradiance of one is within ±10% of the irradiance of the other, and the irradiance of the other is within ±10% of the irradiance of the other.

[0069] Here, the central side of the mounting surface 112a is, as shown in Figure 6, the region from the center of the mounting surface 112a to one side, or the region from the center of the mounting surface 112a to the other side, when the length of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction is L01.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the pair of irradiation units 192 are positioned towards the back of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device, and towards the back of the window portion 124 in the depth direction of the device.

[0071] Furthermore, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the optical axis K02 of the pair of irradiation units 192 is directed toward the center of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device, as shown in Figure 6 as an example. Moreover, when viewed from the width direction of the device, the optical axis K02 of the pair of irradiation units 192 is directed toward the center of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device, as shown in Figure 7 as an example.

[0072] -Irradiation section 202- In this embodiment, the illumination unit 202 is an LED light and is attached to the cylindrical frame 146 of the support unit 140 via a bracket 128, as shown in Figure 10. The illumination unit 202 is also located inside the eaves portion 176 of the cover 170, and the portion 176b of the eaves portion 176 through which the light emitted from the illumination unit 202 passes is made of a transparent resin material.

[0073] Furthermore, the irradiation units 202 are provided in pairs and have similar performance characteristics. As shown in Figure 6, they are symmetrical with respect to the window 124 in the width direction of the device, and are positioned on the end side of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device.

[0074] Here, the end side of the mounting surface 112a is, as shown in Figure 6, the region from the end of the mounting surface 112a to one side, or the region from the end of the mounting surface 112a to the other side, when the length of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction is L01.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 11, the pair of irradiation units 202 are positioned on the rear side of the irradiation unit 192 in the depth direction of the device. In addition, the pair of irradiation units 202 are positioned on the rear side in the depth direction of the device relative to the rear end of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device.

[0076] Furthermore, when viewed from the depth direction of the device, the optical axis K03 of the pair of irradiation units 202 is directed towards the intermediate portion between the center and the edge of the mounting surface 112a in the width direction of the device, as shown in Figure 6 as an example. Moreover, when viewed from the width direction of the device, the optical axis K03 of the pair of irradiation units 202 is directed towards the center of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device, as shown in Figure 7 as an example.

[0077] Furthermore, when viewed from the width direction of the device, the display unit 180 is positioned on the rear side in the depth direction of the device with respect to the straight line L03 that connects the irradiation unit 202 and the rear end of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device. Specifically, even if the inclination angle of the main body 180a of the display unit 180 is changed, the display unit 180 remains positioned on the rear side in the depth direction of the device with respect to the straight line L03.

[0078] (summary) As explained above, in the image reading unit 110, a pair of illumination units 202 are arranged on both sides of the illumination unit 192 in the width direction of the device. With this configuration, the brightness unevenness that occurs in the original document G due to the overlap of the light from the illumination unit 192 and the light from the display screen 182 of the display unit 180 is reduced by the light from the illumination units 202. In other words, compared to a configuration in which only one illumination unit is arranged close to the imaging unit, the brightness unevenness that occurs in the original document G due to the overlap of the light from the illumination unit 192 and the light from the display screen 182 is suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, a pair of illumination units 192 are provided in the device width direction, with the optical axis K01 of the imaging optical system for the image captured by the imaging unit 120 in between. This configuration allows for a reduction in the light intensity of each illumination unit 192 compared to the case where only one illumination unit is used. As a result, reflection interference caused by light from the illumination unit 192 being reflected from the original document G and appearing in the captured image is reduced compared to the case where only one illumination unit is used.

[0080] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the pair of irradiation units 192 are positioned on the central side of the mounting surface 112a, with the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction. As a result, compared to the case where the pair of irradiation units are positioned on the central side and the edge side of the mounting surface, with the center of the mounting surface in between, the amount of light irradiated from the irradiation units 192 onto the original document G is the same on one side and the other side in the device width direction.

[0081] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the pair of illumination units 202 are positioned towards the edges of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction. This suppresses brightness unevenness caused by the light from the illumination unit 192 weakening at the edges of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction, compared to the case where the illumination unit 202 is positioned towards the center of the mounting surface 112a in the device width direction.

[0082] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the illumination unit 192 is positioned towards the rear in the depth direction of the device relative to the center of the mounting surface 112a in the depth direction of the device, and the illumination unit 202 is positioned towards the rear of the illumination unit 192 in the depth direction of the device. With this configuration, the illumination unit 202 illuminates the mounting surface 112a from the rear in the depth direction of the device relative to the illumination unit 192, thereby reducing reflection interference caused by the illumination unit 192. In other words, compared to the case where the illumination unit 202 is positioned in the same position as the illumination unit 192 in the depth direction of the device, reflection interference caused by light emitted from the illumination unit 192 reflecting off the original document G and appearing in the captured image is reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, in the image reading unit 110, the illumination units 192 and 202 are located inside the cover 170. This results in a simpler appearance compared to cases where the illumination units protrude from the cover.

[0084] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10, brightness unevenness in the formed image is suppressed compared to the case where there is only one image reading unit with an illumination unit located close to the imaging unit.

[0085] <Second Embodiment> Next, an example of an image reading unit and an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The second embodiment will primarily describe the differences from the first embodiment. First, the management unit 214 of the image reading unit 210 of the second embodiment will be described.

[0086] (Main part configuration) [Hardware configuration of Management Unit 214] As shown in Figure 12(A), the management unit 214 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 214a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 214b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 214c, storage 214d, and a communication interface (I / F) 214e. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 215 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0087] The CPU 214a is the central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 214a reads programs from ROM 214b or storage 214d and executes them using RAM 214c as the working area. The CPU 214a controls each component and performs various calculations according to the programs recorded in ROM 214b or storage 214d.

[0088] In this embodiment, the ROM 214b or storage 214d stores control programs for controlling the light intensity of the irradiation unit 192 and the light intensity of the irradiation unit 202.

[0089] ROM214b stores various programs and data. RAM214c temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage214d consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. Communication interface214e is an interface for the management unit 214 to communicate with each unit.

[0090] When executing the management program described above, the management unit 214 uses the hardware resources described above to implement various functions. The functional configuration implemented by the management unit 214 will be described below.

[0091] [Functional configuration of Management Unit 214] As shown in Figure 12(B), the control unit 214 includes a determination unit 222 that determines whether or not there is a reflection interference in the image captured when light emitted from the irradiation unit 190 is reflected from the original document G, and an adjustment unit 224 that, if the determination unit 222 determines that there is a reflection interference, adjusts the amount of light from the irradiation unit 202 to be greater than the amount of light from the irradiation unit 192.

[0092] (Function of the main components) Next, the operation of the main components will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 13. Specifically, the process of determining the presence or absence of reflection interference by imaging the judgment sheet S01 used to determine reflection interference, and adjusting the light intensity of the irradiation unit 192 and irradiation unit 202 will be explained.

[0093] When the user places the judgment sheet S01 on the mounting surface 112a of the image reading unit 110 and instructs the display screen 182 to perform a judgment reading (so-called pre-scan) to determine whether or not there is a reflection defect, the system proceeds to step S100.

[0094] In step S100, the illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202 irradiate the judgment sheet S01 with a predetermined amount of light, and the imaging unit 120 captures an image. Once the imaging unit 120 has captured an image of the judgment sheet S01, the process proceeds to step S200. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined amount of light for the illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202 is the amount of light that is the same for both illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202.

[0095] In step S200, the determination unit 222 receives the image and determines whether or not there is a reflection impairment. If it determines that there is a reflection impairment, the process proceeds to step S300; if it determines that there is no reflection impairment, the process proceeds to step S310.

[0096] In step S300, the adjustment unit 224 adjusts the light intensity from the irradiation unit 202 to be greater than that from the irradiation unit 192 when performing the main scan (so-called main scan) of the original document G. The determination unit 222 then displays on the display screen 182 that there is a reflection interference and that the light intensity of the irradiation units 192 and 202 should be adjusted, ending the example operation and preparing for the main scan of the original document G.

[0097] Meanwhile, in step S310, the determination unit 222 displays on the display screen 182 that there is no reflection interference, ending the example operation and preparing for the actual scanning of the original document G.

[0098] (summary) As explained above, the image reading unit 210 adjusts the amount of light from the illumination unit 202 to be greater than the amount of light from the illumination unit 192 when it is determined that reflection interference is present. Therefore, when reflection interference is determined to be present, the reflection interference is suppressed compared to when the amount of light from the illumination unit 202 and the illumination unit 192 is the same.

[0099] <Third Embodiment> Next, an example of an image reading unit and an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Note that the third embodiment will mainly describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment. First, the management unit 314 of the image reading unit 310 of the third embodiment will be described.

[0100] (Main part configuration) [Hardware configuration of Management Unit 314] As shown in Figure 14(A), the management unit 314 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 314a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 314b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 314c, storage 314d, and a communication interface (I / F) 314e. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 315 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0101] The CPU 314a is the central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 314a reads programs from ROM 314b or storage 314d and executes them using RAM 314c as the working area. The CPU 314a controls each component and performs various calculations according to the programs recorded in ROM 314b or storage 314d.

[0102] In this embodiment, the ROM 314b or storage 314d stores a control program for controlling the light intensity of the display screen 182, etc.

[0103] ROM314b stores various programs and data. RAM314c temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage314d consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. Communication interface314e is an interface for the management unit 314 to communicate with each unit.

[0104] When executing the management program described above, the management unit 314 uses the hardware resources described above to implement various functions. The functional configuration implemented by the management unit 314 will be described below.

[0105] [Functional configuration of Management Unit 314] As shown in Figure 14(B), the management unit 314 includes a determination unit 322 that determines whether or not there is brightness unevenness in the original document G. Furthermore, if the determination unit 322 determines that there is brightness unevenness, the management unit 314 includes a correction unit 324 that corrects the amount of light on the display screen 182 when the imaging unit 120 images the original document G to be less than the amount of light on the display screen 182 when a reading instruction is input. The determination unit 322 is an example of another determination unit.

[0106] (Function of the main components) Next, the operation of the main components will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 15. Specifically, the process of determining the presence or absence of brightness unevenness by imaging the judgment sheet S02 used to determine brightness unevenness, and correcting the light intensity of the display screen 182 will be explained.

[0107] When the user places the judgment sheet S02 on the mounting surface 112a of the image reading unit 110 and instructs the system to perform a judgment scan (so-called pre-scan) to determine whether or not there are brightness unevennesses in the original document G, the system proceeds to step S1100.

[0108] In step S1100, the illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202 irradiate the judgment sheet S02 with a predetermined amount of light, and the imaging unit 120 captures an image. Once the imaging unit 120 has captured the image, the process proceeds to step S1200. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined amount of light for the illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202 is the amount of light that is the same for both illumination unit 192 and illumination unit 202.

[0109] In step S1200, the determination unit 322 receives the image and determines whether or not there is brightness unevenness. If it determines that there is brightness unevenness, the process proceeds to step S1300; if it determines that there is no brightness unevenness, the process proceeds to step S1310.

[0110] In step S1300, the correction unit 324 corrects the light intensity of the display screen 182 when the imaging unit 120 is imaging the original document G, making it less than the light intensity of the display screen 182 when a reading instruction is input. The determination unit 322 then displays on the display screen 182 that there is brightness unevenness and that the light intensity of the display screen 182 has been corrected, ending the example operation and preparing for the actual reading of the original document G.

[0111] Meanwhile, in step S1310, the determination unit 322 displays on the display screen 182 that there is no unevenness in brightness, ending the example operation and preparing for the actual scanning of the original document G.

[0112] (summary) As explained above, when the image reading unit 310 determines that there is brightness unevenness, it corrects the amount of light on the display screen 182 when the imaging unit 120 is capturing the original document G to be less than the amount of light on the display screen 182 when inputting a reading instruction. Therefore, when brightness unevenness is determined, the brightness unevenness is suppressed compared to when the amount of light on the display screen when the imaging unit is capturing the original document and the amount of light on the display screen when inputting a reading instruction are the same.

[0113] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, a pair of irradiation units 192 are provided, but only one may be provided. In this case, the effect achieved by providing a pair of irradiation units 192 will not be achieved.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the irradiation unit 202 is positioned towards the edge of the mounting surface 112a, but it may be positioned closer to the center. In this case, the effect achieved by positioning the irradiation unit 202 towards the edge of the mounting surface 112a will not be achieved.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the irradiation unit 202 is positioned behind the irradiation unit 192 in the depth direction of the device, but the irradiation unit 202 may be positioned in front of the irradiation unit 192 in the depth direction of the device. In this case, the effect achieved by positioning the irradiation unit 202 behind the irradiation unit 192 in the depth direction of the device will not be achieved.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the illumination units 192 and 202 were LED lights, but they may also be fluorescent lamps or the like.

[0117] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the light intensity of the display screen 182 when the imaging unit 120 images the original document G was corrected to be smaller than the light intensity of the display screen 182 when a reading instruction is input. However, the light intensity of the display screen 182 may be set to 0. This suppresses brightness unevenness compared to when the display screen 182 has light (is lit).

[0118] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the light intensity of the display screen 182 was corrected by determining whether or not there was uneven brightness. However, without determining whether or not there was uneven brightness, the light intensity of the display screen 182 when the imaging unit 120 is imaging the original document G may be corrected to be smaller than the light intensity of the display screen 182 when a reading instruction is input. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming unit 110 Image reading unit 110a Main unit of the device 112 Top plate (an example of a support section) 112a Mounting surface 120 Imaging Unit 180 Display section 182 Display screen 192 Irradiation area 202 Irradiation section (an example of another irradiation section) 210 Image reading unit 222 Judgment section 224 Adjustment section 310 Image reading unit 322 Judgment Unit (An example of another judgment unit) 324 Correction Unit

Claims

1. A mounting section is formed on which the manuscript is placed, An imaging unit for capturing the original document is located above the mounting surface in the vertical direction of the device and towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device. A display unit having a display screen positioned between the mounting surface and the imaging unit in the vertical direction of the device, at least a portion of which is located at the rear of the mounting surface in the depth direction of the device, and at the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device, An illumination unit is positioned above the display unit in the vertical direction of the device and towards the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device, and irradiates light toward the mounting surface. A pair of other irradiation units are positioned above the display unit in the vertical direction of the device and on both sides of the irradiation unit in the width direction of the device, respectively, and irradiate light toward the mounting surface. An image reading device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The aforementioned irradiation units are provided in pairs in the width direction of the device, with the optical axes of the imaging optical system for the image captured by the imaging unit located between them. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. The irradiance of one of the pair of irradiation units is within ±10% of the irradiance of the other irradiation unit, and the irradiance of the other irradiation unit is within ±10% of the irradiance of the first irradiation unit, and the units are positioned on the central side of the mounting surface, straddling the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device. The image reading device according to claim 2.

4. The pair of other irradiation units are arranged on the ends of the mounting surface, with the center of the mounting surface in the width direction of the device. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The window for taking in the image captured by the imaging unit is located towards the back of the mounting surface in the depth direction of the device, The irradiation unit is positioned on the rear side of the window in the depth direction of the device. The pair of other irradiation units are positioned on the rear side relative to the irradiation unit in the depth direction of the device. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A determination unit that determines whether or not there is any reflective interference in the image captured due to light reflecting off the original document, When the determination unit determines that there is a reflection obstruction, the adjustment unit adjusts the amount of light from the other irradiation unit to be greater than the amount of light from the aforementioned irradiation unit, The image reading device according to claim 5, comprising:

7. The display screen of the display unit shows a screen for inputting reading instructions. Other determination units that determine whether or not there are brightness variations in the original document, When the aforementioned determination unit determines that there is brightness unevenness, the correction unit corrects the amount of light on the display screen when the imaging unit captures the document to be less than the amount of light on the display screen when inputting a reading instruction. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:

8. If the other determination unit determines that there is brightness unevenness, the light intensity of the display screen when the imaging unit captures the document is set to 0. The image reading device according to claim 7.

9. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image information read by the image reading device, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

Images