Reader

Abstract

To provide a technique for making it possible to read a manuscript of a size larger than a document stand without making the device larger.SOLUTION: A reading device includes a document stand 124 on which a document is to be placed, a cover 121 capable of being made to open and close at a position covering the document stand 124 and at a position opening the document stand 124, a support member 125 provided adjacent to the document stand 124, and an exterior member 140 adjacent to the support member 125 on the opposite side of the document stand 124 and having a surface higher than the document stand 124. In the reading device for reading an image from a document placed on the document stand 124, the support member 125 has a first sloping portion 125a on the side of the document stand 124 that increases in height the further the portion is from the document stand 124 and a second sloping portion 125b on the side of the exterior member 140 that increases in height the closer the portion is to the exterior member 140.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device that reads an image of a document placed on a document table.

Background Art

[0002] As an image forming apparatus, a multi-function printer (MFP) that integrates a reading device, a printing device (recording device), etc. into one unit is known (Patent Document 1), and various device configurations have been proposed. The MFP described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration including a reading device provided with a cover that can be opened and closed upward to cover the document table, and further, a frame of an interface panel including a display unit, an operation unit, etc. is provided beside the cover. This MFP is formed such that the closed cover and the frame of the interface panel have the same height, and has a configuration that gives a design unity to the appearance of the device. Also, Patent Document 2 describes an MFP configured such that a gap through which a document can be inserted is provided between two hinges that support the cover rotatably, so that when reading a document having a size larger than the document table with the reading device, the document can be passed through the above gap.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the MFP described in Patent Document 1, where the cover and frame are formed at the same height, when scanning a document larger than the document glass, the portion of the document that extends beyond the glass is placed on top of the frame. Therefore, when the cover is closed, the document may get caught between the cover and the frame, potentially causing unintended creases. Furthermore, in the MFP described in Patent Document 2, when scanning a document larger than the document glass, the size of the document that can be scanned is limited to the size that can pass through the gap between the hinges supporting the cover. Therefore, to broaden the range of document sizes that can be handled, the device must be made larger.

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a technology that enables scanning of documents larger than the document tray without increasing the size of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention Read The device is A document stand on which the document is placed, A cover that can be opened and closed in a position that covers the document tray and a position that leaves the document tray open, A support member provided adjacent to the document tray, An exterior member having a surface that is higher than the document table and adjacent to the support member on the opposite side of the document table, A reading device that includes the following, which reads an image from a document placed on the document table: The support member has a first inclined portion on the side of the document table that becomes higher as it moves away from the document table, and a second inclined portion on the side of the exterior member that becomes higher as it moves closer to the exterior member. The first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are positioned higher than the document tray and lower than the closed cover and the surface of the exterior member, respectively. There is a gap between the closed cover and the edge of the exterior member, The second inclined portion extends to a position closer to the exterior member than the cover in the direction opposite to the edge of the cover and the edge of the exterior member that form the gap. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to scan documents larger than the document glass without increasing the size of the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] It is an external perspective view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is an external perspective view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is an external perspective view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram of the control configuration of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram of the software control configuration of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6A] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6B] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9A] It is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit and the housing of the MFP of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9B] It is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit and the housing of the MFP of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9C] It is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit and the housing of the MFP of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9D] It is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit and the housing of the MFP of Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of the scanner unit of the MFP of Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 13] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 14] It is a top view of the MFP according to Embodiment 3.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, based on examples. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments. While multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <Example 1> Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the MFP100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the scanner cover 121 and exterior member 140 in a closed state as viewed from the front. Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the MFP100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the scanner cover 121 open and the exterior member 140 closed as viewed from the front.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2, as well as the figures described later, show the configuration of the MFP 100 when it is placed on a horizontal surface, which is a typical installation state for an MFP. In other words, in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in each figure, the X and Y directions correspond to mutually orthogonal horizontal directions. Specifically, the X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the MFP 100, and the Y direction is the depth direction of the MFP 100 (-Y direction is the front side of the device, and +Y direction is the back side of the device). The Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction of the device (+Z direction is the upward direction, and -Z direction is the downward direction), that is, the height direction of the device, the direction of gravity, or the vertical direction.

[0012] The MFP100 mainly consists of a printer unit 110, which is a recording unit (recording device) that records images onto recording material, and a scanner unit 120, which is a reading unit (reading device) that reads images from a document. The printer unit 110 dispenses ink, which is a recording liquid, onto recording material such as paper or a sheet. This is a so-called inkjet serial printer that records by ejecting ink. The printer unit 110 is not limited to an inkjet type, and may be an electrophotographic recording unit, for example. The scanner unit 120 is a CCD reading type flatbed scanner. In this embodiment, the MFP100 has the scanner unit 120 positioned above the printer unit 110, which is the recording unit that performs inkjet recording. A user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as the UI unit) 130 is provided on the front of the MFP100. The UI unit 130 includes an operation unit 131 for the user (operator) to input various operation instructions to the MFP100, including a power button and operation buttons for various print settings, and a display screen 132 that displays various information to the user, such as print settings and various guide displays.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the printer unit 110 includes a paper set cover 111, a paper output slot 112, and an exterior member 140 that forms part of the exterior of the MFP 100 and is configured to be openable and closable. The paper set cover 111 is used to set recording material such as printing paper on the rear side from the scanner unit 120. The paper output slot 112 is located on the front side of the MFP 100 and ejects the paper printed by the printer unit 100. The exterior member 140 is an openable and closable exterior member 140 provided on the outside of the scanner unit 120 in the sub-scanning direction of the reading unit, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 1, the exterior member 140 is normally closed, but as will be described later, opening it exposes the inside of the MFP 100, allowing for paper jam handling and printer head maintenance.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the scanner unit 120 is equipped with a scanner cover 121 on the top surface of the MFP 100. The scanner cover 121 is rotatably supported by a hinge 123 and is configured to open and close between a closed position that covers the document tray of the scanner unit 120 and an open position that exposes the document tray. As shown in Figure 1, the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140 are at the same height when closed, maintaining a sense of design unity.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the scanner unit 120 includes a contact glass 124 which serves as the document platen, and a support member 125 which constitutes an outer frame surrounding it. The contact glass 124 plays a role in smoothing the surface of the document and maintaining a constant distance between the reading unit (described later) and the document. The support member 125 is configured in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and has a portion that overlaps the outer circumference of the upper surface of the contact glass 124 so that its inner circumference defines a substantially rectangular document placement area on the upper surface of the contact glass 124 (see Figures 9A and 9B). The overlapping portion on the inner circumference forms a step for the edge of the document placed on the contact glass 124 to abut against, and a first inclined portion 125a is formed to surround the document placement area, with the height increasing as it moves away from the document placement area, starting from the edge of the step. Furthermore, of the four sides that constitute the roughly rectangular frame shape of the support member 125, the side along the exterior member 140 has a second inclined portion 125b formed thereon, which is inclined so that its height increases as it approaches the exterior member 140. In addition, a flat portion 125c parallel to the upper surface of the contact glass 124 is formed on the outside of the first inclined portion 125a (opposite the side adjacent to the contact glass 124), including the area between the first inclined portion 125a and the second inclined portion 125b. The first inclined portion 125a is formed to facilitate the removal of the document placed on the contact glass 124, and the second inclined portion 125b is formed to accommodate a document larger than the document placement area of ​​the contact glass 124, as will be described later.

[0016] The scanner cover 121 is provided with a handle portion 121a, a bent portion 121b, and a protrusion 121c. The handle portion 121a protrudes to the front when the scanner cover 121 is closed, making it easier for the user to insert their hand and lift the scanner cover 121. The bent portion 121b and the protrusion 121c are formed on the edges that follow the outer shape of the MFP 100 and are bent toward the contact glass 124 to prevent light from entering the reading unit, as will be described later. The two hinge portions 123 are located at both ends of the document placement area of ​​the contact glass 124 in the X direction. It is positioned further inside.

[0017] When scanning a document, the user opens the scanner cover 121, which can be opened and closed using the hinge portion 123 as a pivot axis, from the closed position shown in Figure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2. This opens the area above the document placement area of ​​the contact glass 124, allowing the document to be placed in the document placement area. The user then places the document on the contact glass 124 so that the surface to be scanned faces the document placement area of ​​the contact glass 124, and closes the scanner cover 121 by pressing the edge of the document against the step of the support member 125. The scanner cover 121 also functions as a pressure plate to hold down the document placed on the contact glass 124. A sponge-like white sheet 122 is attached to the surface of the scanner cover 121 that contacts the contact glass 124, so that the scanned image of areas where there is no document blends into the document area.

[0018] The USB port 150 is located on the front of the MFP100 and is connected to a host computer (not shown).

[0019] Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the MFP100 according to this embodiment, showing the scanner cover 121 and exterior member 140 opened, viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 3, opening the exterior member 140 exposes the inside of the MFP100 for paper jam handling in the recording section (not shown) of the printer unit 110 and maintenance of the printer head.

[0020] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the MFP100 according to this embodiment. The control unit 200 includes a mechanism for controlling the printer unit 110 that performs recording operations, the scanner unit 120 that performs reading operations, and the UI unit 130, including the operation unit 131 and the display screen 132.

[0021] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 controls each mechanism within the device according to the control program and various setting information stored in the ROM 203. The RAM 202 is the main memory of the CPU 201 and is used as a work area or as a temporary storage area for the contents of the ROM 203. In this embodiment, flash storage is useful as the ROM 203, but auxiliary storage devices such as hard disks may also be provided.

[0022] The printer interface 204 controls the printer unit 110 according to instructions from the CPU 201. Image data processed by the image processing unit 220 and stored in the RAM 202 is transferred to the printer unit 110 via the printer interface 204, and the printer unit 110 records images according to the image data. The scanner interface 205 controls the scanner unit 120 according to instructions from the CPU 201. Image data read by the scanner unit 120 is transferred to the control unit 200 via the scanner interface 205. The operation interface 206 controls the UI unit 130 according to instructions from the CPU 201. For example, it transfers commands entered by the user via the operation panel 131 of the UI unit 130 to the CPU 201, and displays the status of the printer unit 110 and scanner unit 120 on the display screen 132 of the UI unit 130. The USB interface 207 controls communication with the externally connected host computer 300 via the USB unit 150. The network interface 208 controls communication between the externally connected host computer 300 and the control unit 200.

[0023] The image processing unit 220 converts the image data acquired by the scanner unit 120 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 110 or into image data that can be transferred to the host computer 300. In particular, it is designed to perform computationally intensive processing at high speed, such as when processing the acquired image data on RAM 202 according to a control program stored in ROM 203. It is used as a hardware feature.

[0024] The components 201-208 and 220 described above are interconnected via the bus line 230. While Figure 4 shows a configuration where one CPU 201 controls the entire device using one memory (RAM 202), it is also possible for multiple CPUs to cooperate in controlling multiple memories, such as RAM, ROM, and storage. Furthermore, additional dedicated hardware configurations, such as the image processing unit 220, may be provided.

[0025] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the software control configuration of the MFP100 according to this embodiment. The control program of the MFP100 can be broadly divided into application 410, middleware 420, and operating system 430. The operating system 430 provides the basic functions for the control unit 200 to execute the control program. Application 410 enables functions such as copying that the MFP100 provides to the user by operating each device via individual modules included in middleware 420. The processing implemented by each software is realized by the CPU 201 reading various programs corresponding to each software stored in memory such as ROM 203 into RAM 202 and executing them.

[0026] Middleware 420 consists of software modules that control the interfaces with individual devices. In this embodiment, a printer control module 421 is provided to control the printer interface 204, and a scanner control module 422 is provided to control the scanner interface 205. Additionally, an interface control module 424 is provided to control the USB interface 207 and network interface 208 used for communication with the host computer 300, and a UI control module 425 is provided to control the operation interface 206 used for communication with the UI unit 130.

[0027] For example, when a user enters a "copy" command from the operation unit 131, the UI control module 425 detects this and notifies the application 410. In the application 410, the function management application (hereinafter referred to as function management APL) 411 generates a scan job and a print job based on the "copy" job and notifies the job management application (hereinafter referred to as job management APL) 412. The job management APL 412 uses the scanner control module 422 of the middleware 420 to have the scanner unit 120 perform a scan operation and saves the acquired image data to the RAM 202. At this time, if any image processing or correction is required, the image processing unit 220 is used.

[0028] Once image data is stored in RAM 202, the job management APL 412 then uses the printer control module 421 to instruct the printer unit 110 to perform a recording operation. Specifically, it transmits the image data stored in RAM 202 to the printer I / F unit 204, and the receiving printer unit 110 records the image on paper according to the image data. In this process, if any image processing or correction is required, the image processing unit 220 is used.

[0029] Figure 6A is a top view of the MFP100 with the scanner cover 121 and exterior member 140 closed, and Figure 6B is an enlarged view of area A enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 6A. In this embodiment, the side of the scanner cover 121 with the hinge portion 123 is the Y+ side with respect to the contact glass 124, and the side with the operating section 131 opposite the hinge portion 123 is the Y- side. Also, the side of the contact glass 124 with the exterior member 140 is the X+ side, and the side opposite the exterior member 140 is the X- side. The support member 125 is not shown for clarity.

[0030] The scanner cover 121 has a hinge on the upper surface of the MFP 100, on one side (Y+ side) of the contact glass 124 in the Y direction, with a pivot axis extending along the sub-scanning direction. It is rotatably mounted by 123. The scanner cover 121 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member, and its outer periphery has a pair of first opposing sides extending parallel to the main scanning direction in which the elements of the reading unit are arranged, and a pair of second opposing sides extending parallel to the sub-scanning direction in which the reading unit moves. The first opposing sides consist of a side close to the exterior member 140 (first side) and a side farther from the exterior member 140 (fourth side), and the second opposing sides consist of a side close to the rotation axis (second side) and a side farther from the rotation axis (third side). Of the four sides of the scanner cover 121, the side 121d which is the first side extending along the exterior member 140 has a notch, and there are gaps L1 and L2 spaced apart in the X direction between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140.

[0031] The first gap, gap L1, is formed on the side closer to the rotation axis in the main scanning direction relative to the second gap, gap L2. In this embodiment, the end region of side 121d that forms a corner with the side (second side) closer to the rotation axis of the scanner cover 121 forms gap L1 between itself and the edge of the exterior member 140. The region of side 121d excluding the end region forms gap L2 between itself and the exterior member 140. Side 121d is spaced further apart from the exterior member 140 in the X direction in gap L2 than in gap L1.

[0032] The gap L1 is formed in the Y direction of the side 121d of the scanner cover 121, from the outside (Y+ side) of the contact glass 124 to the hinge portion 123. Taking into account manufacturing variations and mounting errors of each component, it is set to face the exterior member 140 at a short distance. This makes it appear as if the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140 are formed on the same height surface, without compromising aesthetics.

[0033] Gap L2 is formed on the Y-side at the edge 121d of the scanner cover 121, continuing from gap L1, and is set to be a gap of approximately 5 mm in the X-direction between it and the edge of the exterior member 140, allowing the original document to pass through without being folded, as will be described later.

[0034] Figure 7 is a top view of the MFP100 with the scanner cover 121 open and the exterior member 140 closed. For clarity of explanation, the scanner cover 121 is not shown. As shown in Figure 7, the scanner unit 120 has a movable reading unit 126 located below the contact glass 124.

[0035] The reading unit 126 illuminates the document placed on the contact glass 124 with light and reads the information from the document by receiving the reflected light from the document. It is configured as an optical unit of the Device type. In this embodiment, the reading unit 126 reads the image of a single line extending in the main scanning direction with a predetermined reading width in the direction of arrow P2, using a plurality of optical elements arranged with a minute width along the main scanning direction of arrow P1 (X direction). Then, the reading unit 126 moves by a predetermined reading width in the sub-scanning direction of arrow P2 (Y direction) by a motor (not shown) and reads the next area. By repeating this reading operation, the image of the entire document is read. The main scanning direction of arrow P1 is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the scanner cover 121 by the hinge part 123, and the sub-scanning direction of arrow P2 is parallel to the above rotation axis.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, on the X+ side relative to the contact glass 124, the areas where a document larger than the document glass is placed are the first inclined portion 125a, the flat portion 125c, and the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125, and the upper surface which is the outer surface of the outer casing member 140.

[0037] Figure 8 is a top view of the MFP100 with the scanner cover 121 and exterior member 140 open. For the sake of clarity, the scanner cover 121, exterior member 140, and the recording unit inside the MFP100 are not shown. The exterior member 140 is the pivot axis of the scanner cover 121. The device is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the recording unit inside the MFP100 and an open position that exposes the recording unit to the outside of the device, around a pivot axis parallel to the line. In this embodiment, the pivot axis of the exterior member 140 and the pivot axis of the scanner cover 121 are substantially coaxial.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, on the X+ side relative to the contact glass 124, the area where a document larger than the document glass is placed is not covered by the outer casing member 140, and is instead covered by the first inclined portion 125a, the flat portion 125c, and the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125. In other words, in the closed position, the outer casing member 140 is located adjacent to the contact glass 124 in the X direction (the area where a document larger than the document glass is placed), and in the open position, it is retracted from the adjacent position. As will be described later, when scanning a hard document, opening the outer casing member 140 prevents the document from being folded.

[0039] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 6A with the scanner cover 121 of the MFP100 closed, illustrating the scanner section 120 and exterior member 140 of the MFP100, excluding the reading unit 126. Figure 9B is an enlarged view of area E shown by the dashed line in Figure 9A. Figure 9C is a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 6A, shown enlarged in the same way as Figure 9B. Figure 9D is a cross-sectional view of DD in Figure 6A, illustrating the scanner section 120 and exterior member 140 of the MFP100, excluding the reading unit 126.

[0040] As shown in Figures 9A, 9B, and 9D, the document 310, which is larger than the contact glass 124 (document tray) in three directions (X+, X-, and Y-), is placed against the step of the first inclined portion 125a on the hinge 123 side of the support member 125.

[0041] The bent portion 121b and the protruding portion 121c of the scanner cover 121 are formed along the edges that follow the outer shape of the MFP 100, and the bent or protruding shape is formed on the contact glass 124 side to prevent light from entering the reading unit 126 from the outside. In addition, there is a gap between the bent portion 121b, the protruding portion 121c and the support member 125, which is configured to allow a document to pass through as will be described later. When closed, the user-visible surfaces (the top surfaces of each) of the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140 are at approximately the same height, maintaining a sense of design unity while also preventing light from entering the reading unit 126 from the outside.

[0042] As shown in Figures 9B and 9C, the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125 rises smoothly from the flat portion 125c toward the exterior member 140. Also, as shown in Figure 9B, the highest point of the second inclined portion 125b is formed to be located between the edge of the scanner cover 121 and the edge of the exterior member 140 in the opposing direction (X direction) that forms the gap L2. That is, the second inclined portion 125b extends to a position closer to the exterior member 140 than to the scanner cover 121 in the above opposing direction. Therefore, when the MFP 100 is viewed from above, the highest point of the second inclined portion 125b is exposed to the outside through the gap L2. Note that, as shown in Figure 9C, the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125 is formed up to the gap L1 in the Y direction, but it may also be formed up to the range where the gap L2 through which the document passes is formed, and the area between the gap L1 is a flat portion.

[0043] The portion of the document 310 that is within the area of ​​the white sheet 122 of the scanner cover 121 is pressed against the surface of the contact glass 124. The portion of the document 310 that is not placed on the contact glass 124 and is outside the area of ​​the white sheet 122 rests on the first inclined portion 125a and the flat portion 125c of the support member 125 by its own weight.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9A, the portion of the document 310 that is on the X-side relative to the contact glass 124 passes through the gap between the flat portion 125c of the support member 125 and the bent portion 121b of the scanner cover 121, and is passed to the outside of the MFP 100 without bending.

[0045] As shown in Figure 9D, the portion of the document 310 that is on the Y-side relative to the contact glass 124 is similarly passed through the gap between the flat portion 125c of the support member 125 and the protrusion 121c of the scanner cover 121, and is passed to the outside of the MFP 100 without bending.

[0046] The portion of the document 310 that is on the X+ side relative to the contact glass 124, that is, the portion on the exterior member 140 side of the MFP 100, rests on the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125 by its own weight, passes through the gap L2 between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140, comes into contact with the corner of the exterior member 140, and is passed to the outside of the MFP 100. In this way, by providing a gap L2 that is wider in the X direction than the gap L1 between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140, the document is not folded when scanning a document larger than the document placement area of ​​the contact glass 124. In addition, the second inclined portion 125b is provided on the edge of the support member 125 that is aligned with the exterior member 140, so that the highest point is located between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140. In this way, the document 310 is raised towards the scanner cover 121 and brought closer to the gap between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior member 140. Therefore, the original document 310 can easily pass through the gap between the scanner cover 121 and the exterior component 140. This reduces the gap and does not detract from the aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, since the exterior component 140 can be positioned closer to the scanner cover 121, it becomes possible to miniaturize the MFP 100.

[0047] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the MFP100 at the same position as BB in Figure 6A, with the scanner cover 121 closed and the exterior member 140 open. Therefore, Figure 10 shows the scanner section 120 of the MFP100, excluding the reading unit 126, and the exterior member 140 is not shown. As shown in Figure 10, a document 320 larger than the contact glass 124 is placed on it, and the document 320 is shown as being made of a harder material compared to the document 310 in Figure 9. The explanation of parts of Figure 10 that overlap with the explanation in Figure 9 is omitted.

[0048] The document 320 on the exterior member 140 side of the MFP 100, which is the X+ side relative to the contact glass 124, rests on the second inclined portion 125b of the support member 125 by its own weight, passes in a straight line through the gap between the scanner cover 121 and the second inclined portion 125b, and is passed to the outside of the MFP 100. In this way, when scanning documents made of hard materials or multiple documents, opening the exterior member 140 prevents the document 320 from coming into contact with the corners of the exterior member 140, thus preventing the document from being folded.

[0049] <Example 2> As shown in Figure 11, the MFP500 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is provided with exterior members 520 (520A, 520B) on both sides of the scanner section in the sub-scanning direction of the reading unit, which is in the X direction. In this embodiment, components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0050] Figure 11 is a top view of the MFP500 with the scanner cover 510 closed. As shown in Figure 11, the top surface of the MFP500 is equipped with a scanner cover 510 that is supported by a hinge portion 123 and can be opened and closed. The scanner cover 510 is provided with a handle portion 510a, which protrudes to the front so that the user can easily insert their hand and lift the scanner cover 510. Of the four sides that make up the rectangular outer edge of the scanner cover 510, the side 510b that aligns with the exterior member 520A has a notch, and there are gaps L1 and L2 in the X direction between the scanner cover 510 and the exterior member 520A. Similarly, of the four sides that make up the rectangular outer edge of the scanner cover 510, the side 510c that aligns with the exterior member 520B has a notch, and there are gaps L1 (third gap) and L2 (fourth gap) in the X direction between the scanner cover 510 and the exterior member 520B. Gap L2 is longer than gap L1 and is set to approximately 5 mm. The position of the notch in the Y direction is between sides 510b and 520. They are identical in (b), and the symmetry is maintained to avoid compromising the aesthetic appeal.

[0051] Figure 12 is a top view of the MFP500 with the scanner cover 510 open; the scanner cover 510 is not shown for clarity of explanation. The support member 530 that constitutes the outer frame of the contact glass 124 has a first inclined portion 530a on the side that is in contact with the contact glass 124. The support member 530 also has a second inclined portion 530b on the side that is aligned with the exterior member 520A, and a third inclined portion, a second inclined portion 530c, on the side that is aligned with the exterior member 520B. The support member 530 also has a flat portion 530d between the first inclined portion 530a and the second inclined portions 530b and 530c that is parallel to the document placement surface of the contact glass 124.

[0052] When scanning a document larger than the contact glass 124, the portion of the document that extends beyond the document glass in the X direction rests on the second inclined portions 530b and 530c of the support member 530. The document then passes through the gap L2 between the scanner cover 510 and the exterior members 520A and 520B, making contact with the corners of the exterior members 520A and 520B, and is passed to the outside of the MFP 500. The portion of the document that passes to the outside of the MFP 500 through the gap L2 is then placed on the upper surface (first surface) of exterior member 520A and the upper surface (second surface) of exterior member 520B, respectively, due to its own weight.

[0053] Even in MFPs equipped with exterior components at both ends of the document glass, a gap is provided between the scanner cover and the exterior component to prevent the document from being folded when scanning documents larger than the contact glass.

[0054] In this embodiment, the exterior members 520A and 520B of the MFP500 may be configured to be openable and closable, similar to the exterior member 140 of the MFP100 in Embodiment 1.

[0055] <Example 3> As shown in Figure 13, the MFP600 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is provided with a first exterior member 620 and a second exterior member 621 along three sides of the scanner cover 610, excluding the side having the hinge portion 123. In this embodiment, components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0056] Figure 13 is a top view of the MFP600 with the scanner cover 610 closed. As shown in Figure 13, the top surface of the MFP600 is equipped with a scanner cover 610 that is supported by a hinge 123 and can be opened and closed. Of the four sides that make up the rectangular outer edge of the scanner cover 610, a notch is provided on the side 610a that is in the Y direction along the right first exterior member 620A, and there are gaps L1 and L2 in the X direction between the scanner cover 610 and the right first exterior member 620A. Similarly, of the four sides that make up the rectangular outer edge of the scanner cover 610, a notch is provided on the side 610b that is in the left exterior member 620B, and there are gaps L1 (third gap) and L2 (fourth gap) in the X direction between the scanner cover 610 and the left exterior member 620B. Gap L2 is longer than gap L1 and is set to approximately 5 mm. The positions of the notches in the Y direction are the same on sides 610a and 610b, and the symmetry is maintained to avoid compromising the aesthetic appearance.

[0057] Furthermore, there is a gap L2 (a fifth gap) in the Y direction between the edge 610c of the scanner cover 610 along the second exterior member 621 and the second exterior member 621. The gaps between the three edges 610a, 610b, and 610c of the scanner cover 610 and each exterior member 620A, 620B, and 621 are made the same distance to avoid compromising the aesthetic appearance.

[0058] Figure 14 is a top view of the MFP600 with the scanner cover 610 open; the scanner cover 610 is not shown for clarity of explanation. The support member 630 that constitutes the outer frame of the contact glass 124 has a first inclined portion 6 on the edge that contacts the contact glass 124. The support member 630 is provided with 30a. The support member 630 is also provided with a second inclined portion 630b on the side that is aligned with the right first exterior member 620A, and a second inclined portion 630c as a third inclined portion on the side in the Y direction that is aligned with the left first exterior member 620B. The support member 630 is also provided with a third inclined portion 630d as a fourth inclined portion on the side in the X direction that is aligned with the second exterior member 621. The support member 630 is also provided with a flat portion 630e parallel to the document placement surface of the contact glass 124 between the first inclined portion 630a and the second inclined portions 630b, 630c and the third inclined portion 630d. The highest points of the second inclined portions 630b and 630c are formed to be below the gap L2 between the scanner cover 610 and the first exterior member 620. The highest point of the third inclined portion 630d is formed to be below the gap L2 between the scanner cover 610 and the second exterior member 621.

[0059] When scanning a document larger than the contact glass 124, the portion of the document that extends beyond the document glass rests on the second inclined sections 630b, 630c and the third inclined section 630d of the support member 630. The document then passes through the gap L2 between the scanner cover and each exterior member, touching the corners of each exterior member, and is routed to the outside of the MFP. The portion of the document that passes to the outside of the MFP 600 through the gap L2 is then placed by its own weight on the upper surface (first surface) of the right first exterior member 620A, the upper surface (second surface) of the left first exterior member 620B, and the upper surface (third surface) of the second exterior member 621, respectively.

[0060] Even in MFPs equipped with exterior components on three sides of the scanner cover excluding the hinge, a gap is provided between the scanner cover and the exterior components to prevent the document from being folded when scanning documents larger than the contact glass.

[0061] In this embodiment, the exterior is divided into a first exterior member and a second exterior member, but it may also be formed as a single exterior member along three sides of the scanner cover, excluding the side with the hinge.

[0062] Furthermore, the exterior members 620A and 620B of the MFP600 in this embodiment may also be configured to be openable and closable, similar to the exterior member 140 of the MFP100 in Embodiment 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10…MFP, 110…Printer section, 120…Scanner section, 121…Scanner cover, 123…Hinge section, 124…Contact glass (document tray), 125…Support member, 125a…First tilting section, 125b…Second tilting section, 125c…Flat section, 126…Reading unit, 140…Exterior member

Claims

1. A document stand on which the document is placed, A cover that can be opened and closed in a position that covers the document tray and a position that leaves the document tray open, A support member provided adjacent to the document tray, An exterior member having a surface that is higher than the document table and adjacent to the support member on the opposite side of the document table, A reading device that includes the following, which reads an image from a document placed on the document table: The support member has a first inclined portion on the side of the document table that becomes higher as it moves away from the document table, and a second inclined portion on the side of the exterior member that becomes higher as it moves closer to the exterior member. The first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are positioned higher than the document tray and lower than the closed cover and the surface of the exterior member, respectively. There is a gap between the closed cover and the edge of the exterior member, The reading device is characterized in that the second inclined portion extends to a position closer to the exterior member than the cover in the direction opposite to the edge of the cover that forms the gap and the edge of the exterior member.

2. The reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the position in the second inclined section that is highest in height from the document glass is higher than the position in the first inclined section that is highest in height from the document glass.

3. The reading device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the height of the support member from the document table gradually increases as it moves from the document table side toward the exterior member side.

4. The system includes a reading means that reads the image of a document placed on the document table using elements arranged in the main scanning direction, The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gap is formed along the main scanning direction.

5. The reading device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover is provided so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis that extends along the sub-scanning direction in which the reading device moves.

6. The aforementioned gap is A first gap, which is a region closer to the rotation axis than the document platen in the main scanning direction, A second gap is a region in the main scanning direction that is further from the rotation axis than the first gap, Includes, The reading device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second gap is wider than the first gap and is aligned with the document table in the sub-scanning direction.

7. The edge of the cover has a pair of first opposing sides extending parallel to the main scanning direction and a pair of second opposing sides extending parallel to the sub-scanning direction. The first opposing side includes the first side closest to the exterior member, The reading device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first side forms the second gap between itself and the edge of the exterior member.

8. The second opposing side includes a second side closer to the axis of rotation and a third side further from the axis of rotation. The end region of the first side that forms a corner with the second side, and the end region that is closer to the second side than the document platen in the main scanning direction, forms the first gap with the edge of the exterior member. The reading device according to claim 7, characterized in that the region of the first side excluding the end region forms the second gap between it and the edge of the exterior member.

9. The reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the support member has a flat portion parallel to the document table between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion.

10. The reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the exterior member is configured to be movable so as to retract from a position adjacent to the support member.

11. The reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the upper surface of the closed cover and the upper surface of the exterior member are at the same height.

12. The aforementioned support member is The first inclined portion is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the document tray, The reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that, of the region outside the first inclined portion, at least the region on the opposite side of the document glass from the region adjacent to the exterior member is a plane parallel to the document glass.

13. The exterior member, when the aforementioned surface is considered the first surface, has a second surface adjacent to the support member and higher than the document table, on the opposite side of the first surface that straddles the document table. The second inclined portion is inclined such that it becomes higher as it approaches the first surface. The aforementioned support member is The first inclined portion is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the document tray, A third inclined portion is provided in a region closer to the second surface than the first inclined portion, and is inclined such that it becomes higher as it approaches the second surface. The reading device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that there is a third gap of the same size as the first gap and a fourth gap of the same size as the second gap between the closed cover and the edge of the second surface.

14. The reading device according to claim 13, characterized in that the third inclined portion extends to a position closer to the second surface than the cover in the direction opposite to the edge of the cover that forms the fourth gap and the edge of the second surface.

15. The cover is provided so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis that extends along the direction in which the first surface and the second surface that sandwich the document table are aligned, The rotation axis is located on one side of the document table in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction. The exterior member has a third surface adjacent to the support member and higher than the document table, on the side opposite to the pivot axis with respect to the document table. The support member has a fourth inclined portion in the region outside the first inclined portion, on the side further from the rotation axis relative to the document table in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction, such that it becomes higher as it moves away from the document table. The reading device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that there is a fifth gap between the closed cover and the edge of the third surface that is the same size as the second gap.

16. The reading device according to claim 15, characterized in that the fourth inclined portion extends to a position closer to the third surface than the cover in the direction opposite to the edge of the cover that forms the fifth gap and the edge of the third surface.

Images