JP2001119522A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device that can efficiently conduct interruption processing. SOLUTION: The copy processing of an original includes read processing to read the original and to convert a read image into image data and image output processing that outputs an image on the basis of the image data. Upon the receipt of 2nd original interruption processing during the image output processing of a 1st original (NO is S2), the image output processing of the 2nd original is conducted in parallel while continuing the image output processing of the 1st original (S12). When the image output processing of the 1st original is not finished (YES in S14) at the end of the read processing of the 2nd original (S13), the image output processing of the 1st original is interrupted (S16) and the image output processing of the 2nd original takes precedence over the image output processing of the 1st original (S17). Upon the receipt of the interrupt processing of the 2nd original during the read processing of the 1st original (YES in S2), the read of the 1st original is interrupted (S3) and the 2nd original is read (S5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus having a document reading section and an image output section, such as a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying machine or a so-called multifunction machine (an image forming apparatus having both a facsimile function and a copying function) includes a document reading section for optically reading a document, and a document image read by the document reading section. An image memory for storing image data to be represented, and an image forming unit for reading out image data from the image memory and forming a reproduced image of a document are provided.

The document reading section includes, for example, one document holding section for placing a document to be read, one document discharge section for receiving a read document, and a document reading position from the document holding section. A document transport mechanism that transports a document along a path extending to a document discharge section through the document feeder, and a reading mechanism that reads an image of a document at a document reading position and converts the image into image data are provided. Such a document reading unit takes out and transports a group of sheet documents constituting one document one by one, and sequentially reads the image of each sheet document.

In the case of copying a document including a large number of sheet documents, it takes a long time to read an image of each sheet document and to form an image (image output process) for recording the read image on recording paper. In some cases, it may take time, and in the middle of the process, another document may be urgently copied. Therefore, digital copiers and the like have conventionally been provided with an interrupt function. That is, the digital copier enters an interrupt mode by operating an interrupt key provided on the operation unit.

For example, a case will be described in which the copying process of the second document is interrupted during the copying process of the first document. First, when the interrupt mode is entered during the output processing of the image of the first document, the output processing of the first document is interrupted, and the reading processing and output processing of the second document are performed. Thereafter, the user releases the interrupt mode and restarts the output processing of the first document. Next, when the interrupt mode is entered during the reading process of the first document, the reading process of the first document is interrupted. Then, the user can read the first half of the reading process.
Is removed from the document holding unit and the document discharge unit, the second document is set on the document holding unit, and a predetermined operation button is operated. As a result, reading and output processing for the second document are performed. After that, the user sets the first document again on the document holding unit and restarts the reading process of the first document. In this case, the reading of the document is skipped until the page which has already been read, and the substantial reading process is restarted from the page where the reading has not been completed. Subsequent to the end of the reading process, the first document output process is performed.

[0006]

In the prior art as described above, the interrupt generated during the output processing of the first original is interrupted until the reading and output of the second original are completed. However, the interruption time is long and the processing efficiency is not always good. If an interrupt occurs during the reading process of the first document, the first document needs to be taken out.
After the process for the second document is completed, the first document must be set again, which is troublesome. Also, since the interrupt mode needs to be manually released, the user needs to attend the device until the end of the interrupt.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and to provide an image output apparatus capable of efficiently performing an interruption process.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading section for reading a document, and a document read by the document reading section. An image output unit (1) that outputs a corresponding image; and an interrupt receiving unit (7) that receives an interrupt process of a second document different from the first document during processing of the first document.
1, S1), and when the interrupt receiving unit receives an interrupt process while an image corresponding to the first document is being output by the image output unit, the first
Control means (70, S11, S12) for causing said document reading section to perform reading processing of said second document while continuing to output an image corresponding to said document. is there. It should be noted that the alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components and the like in the embodiments described later. Hereinafter, the same applies in this section.

According to this configuration, when the interruption of the second document is received during the image output of the first document, the image output process of the first document and the reading process of the second document are performed in parallel. Done. Thereby, the efficiency of the interrupt processing can be improved. 3. The image output unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the reading of the second document is completed, the output of the image corresponding to the first document is not completed. Interrupting the output process of the image corresponding to the first document by
The image output unit outputs an image corresponding to the second document (70, S14, S16, S1).
7)) The image output device according to claim 1, wherein:

According to this configuration, if the image output processing of the first document is not completed when the reading processing of the second document is completed, the output processing of the first document is interrupted and the second document is read. Is performed with priority. As a result, the image output of the second document can be promptly performed. According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the control means interrupts the output of the image corresponding to the first document and performs the output processing of the image corresponding to the second document, After the output of the image corresponding to the first document is completed, the output of the image corresponding to the first document is restarted (70, S1).
7. The image output device according to claim 2, wherein:

With this configuration, the interrupted image output process for the first document is executed subsequent to the image output process for the second document. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the interrupt receiving unit receives an interrupt process for a second document while the first document is being read by the document reading unit, The reading process of the first document is interrupted to perform the reading process and the output process of the second document, and after the second reading process is completed, the output of the image corresponding to the second document is performed. 4. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the reading process of the first document is restarted in parallel with the process.

In this configuration, when a process of interrupting the reading process of the first document to make the second document is performed, the second process is performed.
After the reading process of the first document is completed, the reading process of the remaining portion of the first document is performed in parallel with the output process of the second document. Thereby, the first document can be processed efficiently. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the original reading unit includes a first
A first document holding unit (41) for holding a second document, a second document holding unit (42) for holding a second document,
A document transport mechanism (40, 46 to 50) for taking out a document from one of the first document holding unit and the second document holding unit and transporting the document to a reading position; 2. An image reading mechanism for reading an image.
An image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

According to this configuration, since the document reading section includes the first document holding section and the second document holding section, the first
Even during the reading process of the original, the first original is
The second original can be set on the second original holder without removing the original from the original holder. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the interrupt receiving unit receives an interrupt process while the image corresponding to the first document is being read by the document reading unit, the document is transported by the document transport mechanism. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means (60, S4) for switching a document holding unit to be taken out from said first document holding unit to said second document holding unit.

With this configuration, when the interruption processing of the second document is accepted during the reading processing of the first document, the object to be taken out is automatically changed from the first document holding unit to the second document holding unit. Since the switching is performed, there is no need to set the original again. The invention according to claim 7, wherein after the reading process of the first document is interrupted and the reading process of the second document is performed, the document holding portion from which the document is taken out by the document transport mechanism is moved to the second document. 7. The image output apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means (60, S9) for switching from a holding unit to the first document holding unit.

According to this configuration, when the reading process of the second document is completed, the object to be taken out is automatically switched from the second document holding unit to the first document holding unit. The reading process of the first document can be automatically restarted, and there is no need to reset the document or manually release the interrupt mode. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the document reading unit receives the first document after the reading process.
8. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a document discharge unit (51) and a second document discharge unit (52) for receiving a second document after the reading process. is there.

According to this configuration, the first and second originals are ejected separately to the first and second original ejection sections, so that the first and second originals after the reading process are mixed. Absent. Therefore, even if the interruption process of the second document is performed during the reading process of the first document, the first
The originals do not mix even if the portion of the original which has been read is not removed in advance. Therefore, the user does not need to perform any troublesome work at the time of the interrupt processing, so that the interrupt processing can be performed efficiently.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an illustrative sectional view for explaining the internal structure of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the image output apparatus of the present invention.
This digital copying machine has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 100.
An image forming unit 1 as an image output unit is provided therein, and an image reading unit 3 is provided on an upper surface of the main body 100. The image reading unit 3 houses the scanner unit 30 in a housing 31 and includes a document transport unit 40 provided on the upper surface of the housing 31 so as to be openable and closable.

The image forming section 1 extends in a direction perpendicular to FIG. 1 and is driven by rotation about its axis. A laser scanning unit 12 for writing a latent image. Around the photoconductor 11, a charging device 13 for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor 11 before exposure, a developing device 14 for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image, and transferring the toner image to a recording sheet A transfer device 15 is provided.

The recording paper is fed from a paper feed cassette 20 provided in the main body 100 or a manual paper feed tray 21 provided on the side of the main body 100 at a predetermined timing by the operation of a paper feed roller 22 and a registration roller 23. To the transfer device 15. The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is guided to the fixing device 16 and subjected to the toner image fixing process, and then is discharged to the outside of the main body 100 through the transport roller 24 and the discharge roller 25. ing. Reference numeral 26 denotes a switchback device, which reverses the traveling direction of the recording sheet in an intermediate state in which image formation on one side has been completed during a duplex copying operation for forming an image on both sides of the recording sheet, and performs recording at a predetermined timing. The paper can be fed to the photoconductor 11 one by one by turning over the paper.

A contact glass 32 is provided on the upper surface of the image reading section 3. The user opens the document transport unit 40 and places the document on the contact glass 32,
This original can be read. Further, the document transport unit 40 is set to a closed state located on the contact glass 32, and the document transport unit 40 automatically presents the document to a reading position set near one end of the contact glass 32, and It is also possible to perform a so-called panning reading.

The scanner unit 30 includes a lamp 35 for illuminating the document presented on the contact glass 32 from below, a CCD image sensor 36 for detecting light reflected from the document and converting it into an electric signal, The first, second, and third reflecting mirrors 37, 38, and 39 for guiding the reflected light from the CCD to the detection surface of the CCD image sensor 36, and the optical image of the document is formed on the detection surface of the CCD image sensor 36. And a lens system 34 for Lamp 35
And the first reflecting mirror 37 are commonly attached to a first moving frame (not shown), and the second and third reflecting mirrors 38 and 39 are provided.
Are commonly attached to a second moving frame (not shown). The first and second moving frames are movable in the left-right direction of FIG. 1 along the lower surface of the contact glass 32, and the second moving frame is moved in the same direction as the first moving frame. The driving mechanism is configured to move at half the speed of the moving frame.

When placing an original on the contact glass 32 and reading the original, the scanner unit 30
Scans the original by moving the lamp 35 from one end of the original to the other end. On the other hand, when the original is read while the original is transported by the original transport unit 40, the scanner unit 30 is set to the above-described reading position set near one end of the contact glass 32 (near the left end in FIG. 1). In the vicinity, the lamp 35 is kept stationary. In this case, the scanning of the original is achieved by the original being transported by the original transport unit 40.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative sectional view for explaining the details of the configuration of the document transport unit 40. As shown in FIG. The document transport unit 40 includes a first document holding unit for holding a document to be read.
A document holding unit 41 and a second document holding unit 42 are provided. The base ends of the first document holding unit 41 and the second document holding unit 42 are supported by a unit body 45. Then, the first pickup roller 46 and the second pickup roller 46 are provided at the base ends of the first and second document holding units 41 and 42, respectively.
A pickup roller 47 is provided.

The first or second pickup roller 46,
The original taken out by 47 is supplied to a separation roller pair 48.
1,482, registration roller pair 49, paper feed roller pair 50
And original transport path 5 sequentially passing through discharge roller pair 53 and the like
5 and the first document discharge section 51 or the second document discharge section
The document is discharged to the document discharge unit 52. The document conveying path 55 passes between the document presenting unit 56 and the contact glass 32 at a reading position set between the sheet feeding roller pair 50 and the discharging roller pair 53. Therefore, in the document presenting section 56, the document is presented on the surface of the contact glass 32, and the document is read.

The document transport path 55 downstream of the discharge roller pair 53 includes a first document discharge path 61 toward the first document discharge section 51 and a second document discharge path 62 toward the second document discharge path 62. It has branched. A branch claw 60 for guiding the document to one of the document discharge paths 61 and 62 is disposed at the branch position. The separation roller pair 481,
Reference numeral 482 is used to prevent double feeding of originals, and is provided in a paper feeding unit of each original holding unit. The registration roller pair 49 mainly serves to regulate the leading end of the document in a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction, thereby preventing the document from being skewed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main electrical configuration of the above-described digital copying machine. For example, a command signal from an operation panel 71 provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the housing 31 of the image reading unit 3 is input to the control unit 70 including a microcomputer or the like.
The operation panel 71 includes a start key for starting a copying operation, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, and the like.
A plurality of input keys including a setting key for setting various copying conditions such as a magnification and an original density, and an interrupt key are provided. The interrupt key is used to copy a first original O1 (see FIG. 2) composed of a plurality of sheets while using the original transport unit 40 to copy another original O2 (see FIG. 2). Is a key for receiving an interrupt request for causing the copying process of the first document to be interrupted and performed in the copying process of the first document.

The control unit 70 further includes an image reading unit 3,
An image memory 72 for storing image data representing an image read by the image reading unit 3, the image forming unit 1, and the like are connected. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process in the case where an interrupt request for the copy process of the second document occurs during the copy process of the first document. The copying process includes a reading process for reading an image of a document, and an image output process for forming an image corresponding to the document on recording paper based on image data of the read image.
In this embodiment, different operations are performed when an interrupt request is input during the reading process of the first document and when an interrupt request is input during the image output process of the first document. Is being done.

More specifically, the user places the first document O1 (see FIG. 2) on the first document holding unit 41 and operates the start key on the operation panel 71, for example. Of the original O1. In response, the control unit 70 controls the first pickup roller 46
To move the document from the first document holding unit 41 to the document conveying path 5.
5, a group of sheet documents constituting the first document O1 is sequentially supplied. The supplied sheet document is separated by a pair of separation rollers 4.
The document is fed to the document presenting section 56 one by one through the media 81.
At this time, the control unit 70 controls the branch claw 60 to, for example, the first position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Therefore, the sheet document from the document presenting section 56 is conveyed to the first document discharge section 51.

In such a conveying process, the surface of the sheet document is subjected to exposure scanning by the lamp 35, and image data representing the document image is generated from the CCD image sensor 36. This image data is stored in the image memory 72. A similar process is repeatedly executed for each sheet document constituting the first document O1. This is the first
Of the original O1. When the reading process is completed, the control unit 70 supplies the image data stored in the image memory 72 to the image forming unit 1 and performs an image output process corresponding to the first document O1.

During the copying process of the first original O1,
The control unit 70 monitors a signal from the operation panel 71, and determines whether or not an interrupt request has been generated by operating an interrupt key (step S1). The user places the second original O2 (see FIG. 2) on the second original holder 42 and operates the interrupt key to instruct the second original O2 to perform an interrupt process. When the interrupt request is accepted, control unit 70 determines whether or not the first document O1 is being read (step S2). If the reading process of the first document O1 is being performed, the control unit 70 stops the first pickup roller 46 and interrupts the reading process of the first document O1 (step S3). Further, the control unit 70 sets the branch claw 60 in FIG.
Is changed to the second position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the document discharge destination is switched from the first document discharge unit 51 to the second document discharge unit 52 (step S4).

Subsequently, the control section 70 drives the second pickup roller 47 to supply the sheet document constituting the second document O2 placed on the second document holding section 42 to the document transport path 55. I do. As a result, the reading process of the second document O2 is performed in the same manner as in the case of the first document O1,
The image data corresponding to the second original O2 is stored in the image memory 72.
(Step S5). When the reading process of the second document O2 is completed (Step S6), the control unit 70 reads out the image data of the second document O2 from the image memory 72 and supplies this to the image forming unit 1. Thereby, the second
The output process of the image corresponding to the original O2 is performed (step S7).

When the image output processing of the second document O2 is completed (step S8), the second pickup roller 47 is stopped, the branch pawl 60 is switched to the first position (step S9), and the first pickup roller 46 is turned off. Is driven, and the reading process of the first document O1 is restarted (step S10). However, after the reading process of the second document O2 is completed (step S6), the image output process of the second document O2 (the reading process of the remaining portion of the first document O1 is performed in parallel with step S7). Thus, the processing efficiency of the first original O1 can be improved.

On the other hand, if an interrupt request for the second original O2 is accepted during the output processing for the first original O1 (NO in step S2), the image output processing for the first original O1 is continued. The reading process of the second document O2 is performed with the state as it is (step S12). That is, the second pickup roller 47 is driven. In this case, it is considered that the first original O1 is usually left in a state where the first original O1 is discharged to the first original discharge unit 51. Therefore, before the reading of the second original O2 is started, the branch pawl 60 is moved. Is the second position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line), and the read document is discharged to the second document discharge unit 52 (step S11).

When the reading process of the second document O2 is completed (step S13), it is checked whether the image output process of the first document O1 is in progress (step S14). If the image output processing of the first original O1 has already been completed by the time the reading processing of the second original O2 is completed, an output processing of an image corresponding to the second original O2 is performed (step S15). Upon completion, the process ends. On the other hand, if the image output processing of the first original O1 is not completed even at the time when the reading processing of the second original O2 is completed (step S14).
YES), the output process of the image corresponding to the first document O1 is interrupted (step S16), and the output process of the image corresponding to the second document O2 is executed with priority (step S16).
17). That is, the control unit 70 switches the image data read from the image memory 72 from the image data corresponding to the first document O1 to the image data corresponding to the second document O2.

When the output processing of the image corresponding to the second document O2 is completed (step S18), the control unit 70
The image data corresponding to the original O1 is read from the image memory 72, and the output process of the image corresponding to the first original O1 by the image forming unit 1 is restarted (step S19). As described above, according to this embodiment, when an interrupt request for the processing of the second document O2 is received during the output processing of the first document O1, an image output corresponding to the first document O1 is output. The process is continuously performed until the reading process of the second document O2 is completed. Therefore, the reading process of the second document O2 and the output process of the first document O1 can be performed in parallel, so that the processing efficiency at the time of the interrupt process can be improved.

Further, since the first document holding unit 41 and the second document holding unit 42 are provided, even during the reading process of the first document O1, the first document O1 is not removed without removing the first document O1. The second document O2 can be set to perform an interrupt process. Moreover, the first original O1 and the second original O2
Are discharged separately to the first document discharge section 51 and the second document discharge section 52, so that the first document O
1 and the second and third originals O2 can be interrupted without removing the sheet original of which reading has been completed.
Originals O1 and O2 are not mixed. Therefore, the user does not need to perform a troublesome operation such as removing the first original O1 or resetting it.
Interrupt processing of the second original O2 can be performed. This can also improve the efficiency of the interrupt processing.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image output process is executed after the document reading process is completed. For example, when the document is composed of a large number of sheet documents, the image reading unit 3 And the image output process by the image forming unit 1 may be performed in parallel. In this case, regarding an interrupt request generated during a period in which the image reading unit 3 is performing the reading process, even if the image output process is performed in parallel,
It may be processed as an interrupt request during image reading without regard as an interrupt request during image output processing.

In the above-described embodiment, the first document holding unit 41 is arranged above the second document holding unit 42, and the first document ejection unit 51 is arranged above the second document ejection unit 52. However, these hierarchical relationships may be changed as necessary. Also, the first and second document holding units 4
The first and second document discharge units 51 and 52 do not need to be stacked vertically, and they can be arranged in any positional relationship. Of course, three or more document holding units or document discharge units may be provided respectively.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an image corresponding to a document is formed on recording paper has been described as an image output process. For example, in another example of the image output process, a communication line is used. There is a process of transmitting image data via the PC or a process of recording the image data on an appropriate recording medium. In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative sectional view for describing an internal configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of an image output apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative sectional view for explaining an internal configuration of a document transport unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of a main part of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming part 3 Image reading part 32 Contact glass 34 Lens system 35 Lamp 36 Image sensor 40 Document conveyance unit 41 First document holding part 42 Second document holding part 46 First pickup roller 47 Second pickup roller 51 First document discharge Unit 52 Second Document Ejection Unit 55 Document Conveyance Path 60 Branch Claw 70 Control Unit 71 Operation Panel 72 Image Memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AC08 BA03 BB10 BC07 2H027 EC20 ED12 ED13 EE02 EE07 EE08 EF09 FA10 FA22 2H076 AA58 BA15 BA24 BA33 BA35 BA36 BA63 BA65 BA86 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB11 AB35 AB33 AC33 BA00

Claims (8)

[Claims] A document reading unit for reading a document; an image output unit for outputting an image corresponding to the document read by the document reading unit; Interrupt accepting means for accepting the interrupt processing of the second original, and when the interrupt accepting means receives the interrupt processing while outputting the image corresponding to the first original in the image output unit, Control means for causing the document reading section to perform reading processing of the second document while continuing to output an image corresponding to the first document in the image output section. . 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the reading of the second document is completed, the output of the image corresponding to the first document is not completed. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output processing of an image corresponding to one document is interrupted, and the image output unit outputs an image corresponding to the second document. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit interrupts the output of the image corresponding to the first document and outputs the image corresponding to the second document. 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein output of the image corresponding to the first document is restarted after output of the corresponding image is completed. 4. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said interrupt receiving means receives an interrupt process for a second document while said first document is being read by said document reading section. The reading process of the document is interrupted to perform the reading process and the output process of the second document, and after the completion of the second reading process, the process of outputting the image corresponding to the second document is performed in parallel. 4. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading process of the first document is restarted. 5. The document reading section includes a first document holding section for holding a first document, a second document holding section for holding a second document, the first document holding section, A document transport mechanism that takes out a document from any one of the second document holding units and transports the document to a reading position; and an image reading mechanism that reads an image of the document transported to the reading position by the document transport mechanism. The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A document from which a document is taken out by said document transport mechanism when said interrupt receiving means receives an interrupting process while an image corresponding to said first document is being read by said document reading section. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means for switching a holding unit from the first document holding unit to the second document holding unit. 7. A document holding unit from which a document is taken out by the document transport mechanism after the reading process of the first document is interrupted and the reading process of the second document is performed. 7. The image output apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: means for switching to the first document holding unit. 8. The document reading section according to claim 1, wherein the document reading section includes a first document discharging section for receiving the first document after the reading processing, and a second document discharging section for receiving the second document after the reading processing. The image output device according to claim 1.