JP2010141674A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a standby time until heat treatment to documents can be started. <P>SOLUTION: A deletion mode, where drawing portions are deleted by heating documents drawn by paint discolored by heating, is selected (S101;Yes), and temperature a heater starts to be raised (S104) when the temperature of the heater does not reach prescribed temperature for executing heat treatment (S103;No). When interrupt instructions of a read job are received until the temperature of the heater reaches the prescribed temperature (S105;Yes), the interrupt job is executed while the temperature of the heater continues to be raised (S106). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that optically reads an original, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus suitable for reading an original drawn with a paint that becomes colorless when heated.

  To erase the drawn part of the drawn paper and reuse the paper, draw on the paper with ink that will become colorless when heated above a certain temperature, and then heat the drawn paper above a certain temperature A technique for erasing a drawn part by doing so is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the above-described drawn paper stored in a paper storage unit (paper feeding mechanism) of an inkjet printer is heated on a paper by a heater provided in the middle of a conveyance path to a printer head. A technique for reusing paper by erasing the drawing portion and newly drawing on the paper with a printer head is disclosed.

JP 2001-302954 A

  The configuration for erasing the drawn portion by heating the paper drawn with the colorless ink as described above can also be applied to an image reading device that optically reads a document, and such an image reading device. Thus, it is possible to reuse the original paper.

  For example, the image reading apparatus may be provided with a heater for heating the document, and the set document may be read by the reading unit and then heated by the heater to erase the drawing portion. With such a configuration, in addition to reusing the original paper, it is possible to continuously read and heat erase the drawing portion by simply setting the original once in the image reading apparatus. There is an advantage that the efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to switch between an operation of performing heat erasure after reading a document and an operation of performing reading and heat erasure of the document individually (only one of them).

  However, since the heating temperature for erasing and erasing the drawing portion with the above-described colorless ink is as high as 60 ° C. or higher or 100 ° C. or higher, it takes time to raise the heater to this heating temperature. Cost. As a result, when the temperature of the heater is started when the user operates the image reading apparatus to perform the heating process (heating erasing process) of the document, until the heater reaches the heating temperature, I will be waiting.

  As described above, the user waits for a while until the process can be started even if the user performs an operation for the heating process on the document with the image reading apparatus. Therefore, a wasteful waiting time occurs for the user. .

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image reading apparatus that can effectively use a waiting time until a heating process for a document can be started.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a reading unit for optically reading a document and acquiring image information;
A heater for heating the manuscript at a predetermined temperature for making a drawing portion drawn with a paint that becomes colorless when heated;
An operation unit;
The heating unit receives an instruction to start the heating process for performing the heating through the operation unit, the temperature of the heater is increased in order to perform the heating process, and the heater reaches the predetermined temperature. A control unit that executes the reading job while continuing to raise the temperature of the heater when the reading unit receives an interrupt instruction of a reading job for performing the reading through the operation unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, the image reading apparatus can optically read the original by the reading unit. For originals drawn with paint that will become colorless when heated, the original is made colorless (erased) by heating the original at a predetermined temperature with a heater, or the original is read by the reading unit. The drawing portion can be erased by heating with a heater. In addition, an instruction to start a heating process (heating erasing process) for heating the document with the heater is received, and the temperature of the heater is increased to execute the heating process until the heater reaches a predetermined temperature. When an interrupt instruction for a reading job to be read by the reading unit is received, the reading job that has received the interrupt instruction is executed while continuing to raise the temperature of the heater.

  In this image reading apparatus, since the heater is heated up to a predetermined temperature and the heating process for the document can be started, the reading job can be interrupted and executed, so that the standby time is effectively used. become able to. In addition, since the temperature of the heater is continued during the reading job, the waiting time is not prolonged. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence of the start delay or the like over the heating process for which the start instruction is received before the reading job.

[2] A notification unit is provided,
The image reading apparatus according to [1], wherein the control unit notifies through the notification unit that the heating process can be performed when the heater reaches the predetermined temperature.

  In the above-described invention, when the heater reaches a predetermined temperature, the image reading device notifies that the heat treatment can be performed through the notification unit. The notification by the notification unit can be performed, for example, by display on the display unit or voice output from the voice output unit. The user can know that the heating process can be executed by receiving a notification from the image reading apparatus, and if a reading job by interruption is in execution, preparation for executing the heating process by interrupting the reading job, for example, reading It is possible to quickly and smoothly perform preparations for exchanging a job and a document for heat treatment, and grasping the next operation content for executing the heat treatment.

[3] When the heater reaches the predetermined temperature during execution of the reading job, the control unit interrupts execution of the reading job and further performs the heating process on the original of the reading job through the notification unit. The image reading apparatus according to [2], wherein a notification requesting replacement with a document is issued, and the heating process is executed when an instruction to perform the heating process is received through the operation unit.

  In the above invention, when the heater reaches a predetermined temperature during the execution of the reading job by interruption, the reading job is interrupted. Along with this interruption, in addition to notifying that the heating process in [2] can be performed through the notification unit, a notification requesting replacement of the document of the reading job and the document to be heated is performed. And if the execution instruction of heat processing is received, heat processing will be performed.

  As described above, when the heater reaches the predetermined temperature and the heating process can be started, the execution of the reading job by interruption is automatically interrupted, so that the switching to the heating process can be performed quickly. In addition, the user receives a notification requesting replacement of the original of the reading job and the original to be heated, and can quickly grasp the action to be performed next and act. Then, by instructing the execution of the heating process after replacing the originals, it is possible to execute the heating process on the original to be heated.

[4] When the heater reaches the predetermined temperature during the execution of the reading job, the control unit performs the notification and continues the execution of the reading job, and receives the instruction to interrupt the reading job. When the job execution is interrupted, a notification requesting replacement of the document of the reading job and the document to be heated is made through the notification unit, and when the execution instruction of the heating process is received through the operation unit, the heating process is performed. The image reading apparatus according to [2], wherein the image reading apparatus is executed.

  In the above invention, when the heater reaches a predetermined temperature during the execution of the reading job by interruption, the image reading device notifies the heating process in [2] that the heating process can be executed and executes the reading job. continue. Thereafter, when an instruction to interrupt the reading job is received during the continuous execution of the reading job, the execution of the reading job is interrupted, and a notification requesting replacement of the original of the reading job and the original to be heated is performed through the notification unit. And if the execution instruction of heat processing is received, heat processing will be performed.

  Thus, even when the heater reaches a predetermined temperature and the heating process can be started, the reading job by interruption is continuously executed, and the execution can be interrupted manually by the user. That is, the user can arbitrarily select the continuous execution or interruption of the reading job due to the interruption.

  Further, when the user gives an instruction to interrupt the reading job, the image reading apparatus receives a notification requesting replacement of the original of the reading job and the original to be heated, and should be performed next as in [3]. You will be able to quickly grasp the action and take action. Then, by instructing the execution of the heating process after replacing the originals, it is possible to execute the heating process on the original to be heated.

[5] The control unit continuously resumes the reading job upon receiving through the operation unit an instruction to resume the reading job that has been interrupted after the execution of the heating process. [3] or [4] ].

  In the above invention, when the image reading apparatus completes the execution of the heating process on the document to be heated and receives an instruction to resume the interrupted reading job, the image reading apparatus continuously resumes the reading job. As a result, the interrupted reading job can be resumed and completed.

[6] A storage unit for storing the image information acquired by the reading unit is provided.
The control unit acquires the image information acquired by the reading unit from the start of execution of the reading job to the end of execution and stored in the storage unit, and acquired by the reading unit from the continuous resumption of the reading job to the end of execution. The image reading apparatus according to [5], wherein the image information stored in the storage unit is combined in the storage unit to form one image information in the reading job.

  In the above invention, even when the image reading apparatus interrupts and resumes the reading job by interruption, the image information acquired before the interruption (from the reading job execution start to the execution interruption) and the resumed (continuation of the reading job) The image information acquired from the restart to the end of execution can be combined in the storage unit to form one piece of image information in the reading job, and can be handled as one piece of image information.

[7] An automatic document conveying apparatus that conveys a document set in a sheet feeding unit through a conveyance path that passes through a reading position where the reading unit performs the reading and a heating position where the heater performs the heating, and discharges the document to a sheet discharging unit. The image reading apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], comprising:

  In the above invention, the document to be heated or the document of the reading job by interruption is automatically conveyed by the automatic document conveying device from the sheet feeding unit through the conveying path, and is heated by the heater at the heating position or by the reading unit at the reading position. Reading is performed and the sheet is discharged to a paper discharge unit. As a result, the processing time can be shortened and the work burden on the user can be reduced.

  Further, by heating the document while it is being transported, the heater can be configured with a one-dimensional or other small heater (line heater or the like) along a direction orthogonal to the document transport direction. Furthermore, since the conveyance system for reading while conveying the original and the conveyance system for heating while conveying the original can be shared, the entire apparatus can be configured to be smaller and simpler than when they are individually provided. Can do.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use the waiting time until the heating process for the document can be started, so that convenience is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 including a function as an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 optically reads a document to acquire image data, stores the image data or transmits the image data to an external terminal, reads the document, and based on the image data obtained by the reading A copy function that prints a copy of a document on recording paper and outputs it, and a printer function that prints and outputs an image obtained by rasterizing print data received from an external terminal onto recording paper. It is configured as a machine.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 heats a document drawn with a paint that becomes colorless when heated, a function of erasing and erasing a drawing portion, and heating a document after reading in conjunction with an operation of reading the document. Then, it has a function to make the drawing part colorless and erase it. Hereinafter, a paint that becomes colorless when heated may be referred to as a “colorless paint”.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 20, a reading unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an image storage unit 14, as a control unit 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation display unit 15 and the printer unit 16 are connected to each other. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a nonvolatile memory, and the like, which are not shown, as main parts. Various programs are stored in the ROM, and the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 are realized by the CPU executing processes according to these programs. The RAM is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU executes a program. The nonvolatile memory stores user information and various setting information that should be saved even when the power is turned off.

  The automatic document feeder 20 includes a document feed tray 21 serving as a document feeder, a transport path 22 for transporting a document, a transport mechanism 23 for transporting the document through the transport path 22, and a heat source 25 for heating the document. A heater 24, a displacement mechanism 26 that displaces the heater 24 in the contact / separation direction with the document, a reversing path 27 for reversing the document, and a reversing mechanism 28 for guiding the document to the reversing path 27. A document discharge tray 29 serving as a document discharge unit is provided (see FIG. 2). The transport mechanism 23, the heater 24, the displacement mechanism 26, and the reversing mechanism 28 are connected to the control unit 11, and the operation is controlled by the control unit 11.

  In the automatic document feeder 20, the document (document bundle) set on the document feed tray 21 is sent out one by one by the transport mechanism 23, and the document is read by the reading unit 12 and the document is read by the heater 24. The transport mechanism 23 transports a document through a transport path 22 that passes through a heating position where the heating is performed, and discharges the document to a document discharge tray 29. When performing both-side reading of the document, the automatic document feeder 20 causes the reversing mechanism 28 to guide the document whose surface has been read by the reading unit 12 to the reversing path 27 and to reverse the document through the reversing path 27. Then, it returns to the upstream side of the reading section 12 (reading position) in the transport path 22, and the transport mechanism 23 performs a function of passing the above-described reading position and heating position and discharging it to the document discharge tray 29. Details of the automatic document feeder 20 will be described later.

  The reading unit 12 performs a function of optically reading a document conveyed by the automatic document conveying device 20 at a reading position and acquiring image data. The reading unit 12 includes a contact-type line image sensor that irradiates the original with light and receives the reflected light to read the original for one line in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). The document is read as a two-dimensional image by repeating the reading operation in units of lines in the main scanning direction while moving the document in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) by the automatic document conveyance device 20. . The reading unit 12 converts an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data and outputs the digital image data.

  The communication unit 13 connects to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet and performs a function of communicating with various devices on the network. For example, it is used when image data obtained by reading by the reading unit 12 is transmitted to an external terminal or when print data is received from an external terminal.

  The image storage unit 14 is a non-volatile mass storage device used for storing image data obtained by reading by the reading unit 12. Here, the image storage unit 14 includes a hard disk device and its controller.

  The operation display unit 15 has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, selection screens, guidance screens, and the like and a function of receiving various operations from the user. Here, it is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) that bears the display function, a touch panel that is formed on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects the pressed coordinate position, a numeric keypad, a start button, and various operation switches. The

  The printer unit 16 has a function of printing an image corresponding to input image data on a recording sheet and outputting it. The printer unit 16 includes a recording paper conveyance device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. It is configured as a so-called laser printer that performs formation. Other image forming type printers may be used.

  FIG. 2 shows the automatic document feeder 20 and the reading unit 12.

  The automatic document feeder 20 includes a document feed tray 21 on which a plurality of documents M can be placed, and a document discharge tray 29 is provided below the document feed tray 21. The reading unit 12 is disposed near the bottom plate 20a of the automatic document feeder 20 and near the end opposite to the document feeding tray 21 and the document discharge tray 29 (on the left side in FIG. 2). .

  The conveyance path 22 of the document M in the automatic document conveyance device 20 extends from the document discharge tray 29 to the reading unit 12 side and is bent so as to make a U-turn above the reading unit 12 to the document discharge tray 29 side. A horizontal U-shaped path that passes through the reading unit 12 and is connected to the document discharge tray 29 is formed. A path portion from the document feed tray 21 to the document discharge tray 29 in the transport path 22 is formed by a path member (not shown).

  When the document M is placed on the document feed tray 21 with the front surface (the drawing surface in the case of a single-sided document) facing up, and transported from the document feed tray 21 to the document discharge tray 29, the transport path 22 In the path portion ahead of the bent portion, the front surface is directed downward (the back surface is directed upward) and conveyed.

  The transport mechanism 23 includes a plurality of rollers for transporting the document M and a plurality of motors (not shown) that rotationally drive the rollers. The details of the rollers include a feed roller 31 that rotates in contact with the front end of the surface of the document M placed on the document feed tray 21 and feeds it one by one from the top document M, and a predetermined path along the transport path 22. A plurality of pairs of transport rollers 32 that rotate and pinch the document M fed by the feed roller 31 and transport it to the downstream side of the transport path 22 (the document discharge tray 29 side), and the transport path 22 A pair of documents arranged on the downstream side and conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyance path 22 by the conveyance roller 32 is rotated and nipped and discharged to the document discharge tray 29, or reversely fed to the reverse path 27 side. A discharge roller 33 and a reading roller 34 which is disposed corresponding to the reading unit 12 and presses the document M toward the reading unit 12 while rotating in contact with the back surface (back surface) of the document M.

  On the bottom plate 20a of the automatic document feeder 20, a slit having an elongated opening shape at a position corresponding to the reading unit 12 along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the document M in the conveyance path 22 (the front and back direction in FIG. 2). 30 is formed. The reading unit 12 is arranged so that the built-in line image sensor 12 a is directed to the slit 30 side (upper side) and parallel to the slit 30. The reading roller 34 presses the document M toward the reading unit 12 while rotating in contact with the back surface of the document M with respect to the document M passing through the slit 30, and the surface of the document M is applied to the line image sensor 12 a of the reading unit 12. It comes to adhere.

  An opening formed by the slit 30 formed between the reading unit 12 and the reading roller 34 is a reading position S where the reading unit 12 reads the document M by the line image sensor 12a.

  On the downstream side of the reading position S in the conveyance path 22 (between the reading position S and the document discharge tray 29), a heater 24 for performing a heat erasing process on the document M, and the heater 24 with the document M A displacement mechanism 26 is disposed so as to be displaceable in the contact / separation direction and to displace in the contact / separation direction. The heater 24 is configured by an electric line heater that generates heat from a built-in heat source 25 when energized.

  The heater 24 is supported by a displacement mechanism 26 attached on the bottom plate 20a of the automatic document feeder 20 and is disposed below the conveyance path 22 and directs the heat source 25 toward the conveyance path 22 side (upper side). The paper is arranged in a direction along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the original M (the front and back direction in FIG. 2).

  The displacement mechanism 26 includes a support member (base) that supports the heater 24 so as to be displaceable between a contact position (a raised position) where the heater 24 is brought into contact with the document M and a separated position (a retracted position / a lowered position) where the heater 24 is separated from the document M. A biasing member (not shown) such as a spring that biases the heater 24 toward the contact position, and a drive source (not shown) such as a solenoid that displaces the heater 24 toward the separated position against the biasing force of the biasing member. (Omitted).

  The control unit 11 is configured to displace the heater 24 by performing energization control on the drive source. More specifically, when the control unit 11 is not energized to the drive source, the drive source stops driving, and the heater 24 is urged upward by the urging member and held at the contact position. When the control unit 11 energizes the drive source, the drive source is driven, and the heater 24 is displaced downward by the drive source and held at the separated position.

  Moreover, the control part 11 performs the state check of the heater 24 and energization control through the heater management part (refer FIG. 9) mentioned later. When the heater 24 is energized, the temperature of the heat source 25 is increased to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is such that when the original drawn with the paint that becomes colorless when heated passes over the heat source 25 of the heater 24, the heat source 25 heats the original to make the drawn portion colorless and erased. Temperature (heating temperature).

  In the automatic document feeder 20, the upper surface portion of the heater 24 disposed on the downstream side of the reading position S in the conveyance path 22 is a heating position H where the heater 24 heats the document M with the heat source 25.

  The reversing path 27 branches from a position near the upstream of the discharge roller 33 in the transport path 22 and extends toward the reading section 12, and is connected to the upstream position of the bent section in the transport path 22 above the reading section 12. The reverse path 27 is also formed by a path member (not shown), like the transport path 22.

  The reversing mechanism 28 includes a movable path switching member 28a (original guide plate) provided in the vicinity of a branch position of the paths for guiding the document M from the transport path 22 to the reversing path 27. The path switching member 28a is tilted with the base end portion on the left side being pivotally supported in FIG. 2 and the tip end portion disposed at the above-mentioned branch position is displaced up and down. In the ascending posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 22 is opened to close the reversing path 27, and in the lowered posture shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, the conveying path 22 is closed and the reversing path 27 is opened.

  Further, the reversing mechanism 28 displaces the path switching member 28a to the lowering posture side against a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring that biases the path switching member 28a to the upward posture side and the biasing force of the biasing member. A drive source (not shown) such as a solenoid is provided.

  The control unit 11 performs energization control on the drive source and rotation control of the transport roller 32 to guide the document M transported to the transport roller 32 in the transport path 22 from the transport path 22 to the reverse path 27. It has become.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 normally rotates the discharge roller 33 in the normal rotation direction, which is the document discharge direction, and stops energization of the drive source to stop driving the drive source. The path switching member 28a is urged upward by the urging member when the driving source is stopped, and is held in the raised posture.

  When performing double-sided reading of the original M, the original M has passed the reading position S and has been read on one side (front side), and the rear end of the original M has passed through the path switching member 28a and is inserted into the transport roller 32. When applied, the controller 11 energizes the drive source to drive the drive source, displaces the path switching member 28a to the lowered position, configures a guide state to the reversing path 27, and reverses the transport roller 32.

  The document M that has passed through the path switching member 28a is transported in the reverse direction by the transport roller 32 and is guided to the reverse path 27 by the path switching member 28a. The document M is conveyed to the reading unit 12 side through the reversing path 27, and the front and back are reversed and enters the upstream position of the bent portion in the conveying path 22.

  When the document M is sent to the reversing path 27 and passes through the path switching member 28a, the control unit 11 stops energizing the driving source to stop driving the driving source, and displaces the path switching member 28a to the original upward posture. Then, the conveying roller 32 is rotated forward.

  The document M that has been turned upside down and entered the conveyance path 22 passes through the reading position S with the back side facing downward and toward the reading unit 12 side. Then, the path switching member 28a is moved to the ascending posture so that the downstream side of the opened conveyance path 22 is conveyed along the conveyance path 22 as it is, and is discharged to the document discharge tray 29 by the normal rotation conveyance roller 32. .

  Although not shown, the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 is provided with a plurality of document sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a document and the size of the placed document. The conveyance path 22 and the reverse path 27 are provided with a plurality of detection sensors at predetermined intervals for detecting a document conveyed along each path. Signals (on / off signals) output from the document sensor and the detection sensor are input to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 recognizes the presence or absence of a document on the document feed tray 21 and the size of the document based on a signal from the document sensor, and in the transport path 22 and the reversing path 27 based on a signal from the detection sensor. The document conveying position and jamming (jam) are recognized, and the document conveying operation and front / back reversing operation by the automatic document conveying device 20 and the document reading operation by the reading unit 12 are controlled according to the recognition results.

  Next, a description will be given of the operation of the document heating and erasing process by the image forming apparatus 10 and the reading job interrupting operation for the heating and erasing process.

  3 to 6 show screens displayed on the operation display unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the above operation. The display content on the operation display unit 15 is controlled by the control unit 11.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the reading setting screen 40 in a normal job instead of interruption. On the reading setting screen 40, operation buttons for selecting and setting detailed items classified into a scan setting 41, a reading setting 42, an enlargement / reduction 43, and a paper size 44 are displayed.

  In the scan setting 41, the original is read on only one side (front side) or both sides (front and back), and the copy image on the read original is printed on one side (front side) or both sides (front and back). Four operation buttons for selecting four combinations, that is, single-sided scanning single-sided printing, single-sided scanning double-sided printing, double-sided scanning single-sided printing, and double-sided scanning double-sided printing are displayed.

  The reading setting 42 includes a normal reading button 45 for selecting a normal reading mode for reading a document without performing a heating erasing process, and an erasing button 46 for selecting an erasing mode for performing a heating erasing process without reading a document. And a reading / erasing button 47 for selecting a reading / erasing mode in which a document is read and a heating / erasing process is performed on the document after reading.

  In addition, the scan setting 42 displays operation buttons for performing settings relating to enlargement / reduction of the read original, and the paper size 44 indicates the size of the recording paper when the read original is printed out by the copy function. An operation button for selecting is displayed.

  The user performs various settings of a reading job (copy job) through the reading setting screen 40. When reading a document (including a document drawn with colorless paint), the normal reading button 45 is pressed to select the normal reading mode. When performing a heat erasure process on a document drawn with colorless paint without performing reading, the erasing button 46 is pressed to select an erasing mode. In the case of performing the heat erasure process after reading the original drawn with the colorless paint, the read erasure button 47 is pressed to select the read erasure mode.

  When the erasing mode or the reading erasing mode is selected and the start button provided on the operation display unit 15 is operated, if the heater 24 is not at a predetermined temperature, the heater 24 is energized and temperature rise is started. The

  FIG. 4 shows the case where the erasing mode or the reading erasing mode is selected on the reading setting screen 40 of FIG. 3 and the heating erasing process is being prepared (standby) because the heater 24 has not been heated to a predetermined temperature. An example of the preparation screen 50 displayed on the operation display unit 15 is shown.

  On the preparation screen 50, a message indicating that the heater 24 is heated so that it can perform the heat erasing process and that a reading job can be interrupted during this preparation (waiting time). 51 and an interrupt job execution button 52 for accepting an operation for executing an interrupt of a reading job are displayed. The heater 24 is continuously energized and heated so as to reach a predetermined temperature even while the preparation screen 50 is displayed.

  When interrupting the reading job, the user presses the interrupt job execution button 52 on the preparation screen 50.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a reading setting screen 60 for an interrupt job displayed on the operation display unit 15 when the interrupt job execution button 52 is pressed on the preparation screen 50 of FIG.

  On the interrupt job reading setting screen 60, as in the normal job reading setting screen 40 shown in FIG. 3, detailed items such as a scan setting 41, a reading setting 42, an enlargement / reduction 43, and a paper size 44 are selected. An operation button for setting is displayed. However, in the read setting 42, only the normal read button 45 is displayed without displaying the delete button 46 and the read delete button 47 shown in FIG. In the reading setting screen 60, the erasing mode and the reading erasing mode described in the reading setting screen 40 in FIG. 3 cannot be selected.

  The reading setting screen 60 displays an interrupt job cancel button 61 for canceling an interrupt job. While the reading setting screen 60 is displayed, the heater 24 is continuously energized and raised so as to reach a predetermined temperature.

  The user performs various settings of the reading job by interruption through the reading setting screen 60. In order to cancel an interrupt job, an interrupt job cancel button 61 is pressed. By this operation, the interrupt job is canceled, and the display content of the operation display unit 15 returns to the preparation screen 50 shown in FIG. Here, when the user presses the interrupt job execution button 52 on the preparation screen 50, the read setting screen 60 for interrupt jobs is displayed again on the operation display unit 15.

  The user sets the interrupt job document on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20, sets the interrupt job through the reading setting screen 60, and presses the start button provided on the operation display unit 15. As a result, automatic document conveyance by the automatic document conveyance device 20 and reading by the reading unit 12 are started (interrupt job execution). The heater 24 is continuously energized and heated so as to reach a predetermined temperature even while the interruption job is being executed. If the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature during execution of the interrupt job, the interrupt job is interrupted.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a guidance screen 70 (original reset screen) displayed on the operation display unit 15 when the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature during the interruption job and the preparation for the heat erasing process is completed. ing.

  The guidance screen 70 indicates that the heat source 25 of the heater 24 has reached a predetermined temperature and the preparation for the heat erasure processing is completed, and the document of the interrupt job set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20. Is displayed, a message 71 indicating that the original to be subjected to the heat erasing process is reset, an image diagram 72 schematically showing replacement of the original, and an erasing button 73 for executing the heat erasing process are displayed. . Execution of the interrupt job is interrupted when the preparation for the heat erasure process is completed.

  In accordance with the guidance on the guidance screen 70, the user removes the interrupt job document set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20, resets the document to be subjected to the heat erase process, and presses the erase button 73. . When the erasing mode is selected, automatic document conveyance by the automatic document conveying device 20 and heat erasing processing by the heater 24 are started (erase job execution). When the reading / erasing mode is selected, automatic document conveyance by the automatic document conveying device 20, reading by the reading unit 12, and heating / erasing processing by the heater 24 are started (execution of a reading / erasing job).

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the flow of operations of document heating and erasing processing and job interruption performed by the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows the flow of operation of the main routine, and FIG. 8 shows the flow of operation of a subroutine for interrupt job execution processing in the main routine.

  The user performs a selection operation of the normal reading mode, the erasing mode, or the reading erasing mode on the reading setting screen 40 (see FIG. 3), and performs various setting operations related to reading in the normal reading mode and the reading erasing mode, thereby automatically feeding an original. When a document is set on the document feed tray 21 of the apparatus 20 and the start button of the operation display unit 15 is operated, the control unit 11 starts this operation (Start).

  The control unit 11 checks whether or not the erasing mode or the reading erasing mode is selected (step S101). When these modes are not selected, the normal reading mode is selected (step S101; No), the document set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 is read (step S102).

  Specifically, the automatic document feeder 20 sends out the uppermost one of one or a plurality of documents placed on the document feed tray 21 and discharges it to the document discharge tray 29 through the conveyance path 22. When the document passes through the reading position S, the reading unit 12 repeatedly performs reading in units of lines to acquire image data of a two-dimensional image, and the control unit 11 stores the image data in the image storage unit 14. If double-sided scanning is set, the automatic document feeder 20 inverts the front and back of the document that has been scanned on one side (front surface) through the reversing path 27 to the upstream position of the reading position S in the conveying path 22. When the original passes through the reading position S, the reading unit 12 repeatedly reads line units on the back side of the original to acquire image data of a two-dimensional image, and the control unit 11 stores the image data in the image storage unit 14. Save to.

  When reading of all the documents set on the document feed tray 21 is completed, the control unit 11 ends this operation (End).

  When the erasing mode or the reading erasing mode is selected (step S101; Yes), the control unit 11 confirms whether or not the heater 24 is at a predetermined temperature through the heater management unit (step S103). As described above, when the original drawn with the colorless paint passes through the heating position H (on the heat source 25) by the heater 24, the heater 24 heats the original to make the drawing portion colorless. It is the temperature that can be erased.

  When the heater 24 is not at a predetermined temperature (step S103; No), the control unit 11 energizes the heater 24 through the heater management unit to raise the temperature of the heat source 25 of the heater 24 (step S104). Further, the control unit 11 displays the preparation screen 50 (see FIG. 4) on the operation display unit 15 to make the image forming apparatus 10 ready to accept an interrupt job, and monitors the acceptance of the interrupt job (Step S105; No → Step) S103; No → Step S104 → Step S105; No loop).

  If the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature without accepting an interrupt job (step S103; Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. If the interrupt job execution button 52 on the preparation screen 50 is pressed down by the user and the interrupt job is received before the heater 24 reaches the predetermined temperature (step S105; Yes), the control unit 11 displays the operation display unit 15 The reading setting screen 60 (see FIG. 5) is displayed. When the interrupt job cancel button 61 on the reading setting screen 60 is pressed by the user to accept cancellation of the interrupt job (step S105; No), the process returns to step S103, and the same operation is performed thereafter.

  The user performs a selection operation of the normal reading mode and various setting operations related to reading on the reading setting screen 60, removes the document to be heated and erased set on the document feeding tray 21, and sets the document to be read. When the start button of the operation display unit 15 is operated, the control unit 11 performs an interrupt job execution process in a subroutine shown in FIG. 8 (step S106).

  The control unit 11 starts an interrupt job execution process (see FIG. 8), and the automatic document feeder 20 and the reading unit 12 read the setting contents (contents set for reading the interrupt job) on the reading setting screen 60. It sets so that operation | movement may be performed (step S121). Subsequently, the control unit 11 checks whether or not the heater 24 has reached a predetermined temperature through the heater management unit (step S122).

  When the heater 24 has not reached the predetermined temperature (step S122; No), the control unit 11 controls the automatic document feeder 20 to send out one document set on the document feed tray 21 and read it. The unit 12 is controlled to read the one original (step S123). Further, the control unit 11 stores the image data of the document acquired by the reading unit 12 in the image storage unit 14.

  When reading the interrupt job document, the heater 24 is moved to the separated position so that the heater 24 that is being heated does not take heat away from the document M passing through the heating position H. You may make it evacuate to.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not reading of the final document has been completed (step S124). If no document remains in the document feed tray 21, the control unit 11 determines that reading of the final document has been completed (step S124; Yes), ends this subroutine, and returns to the main routine shown in FIG. Return (Return).

  If the document remains in the document feed tray 21, the control unit 11 determines that the reading of the final document has not been completed (step S124; No), returns to step S122, and performs the same operation thereafter. .

  When the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature (step S122; Yes), the control unit 11 interrupts the interrupt job (step S125). That is, the control unit 11 controls the automatic document feeder 20 and the reading unit 12 to interrupt the feeding and reading of the document set on the document feeding tray 21. Further, the control unit 11 stores the interrupt job image data stored in the image storage unit 14 in association with identification information indicating the interrupt job image data. Then, the control unit 11 displays a guidance screen 70 (see FIG. 6) serving as a document reset screen on the operation display unit 15, ends this subroutine, and returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 7 (Return).

  In the main routine in FIG. 7, when the process returns from the interrupt job execution process (step S106), the process proceeds to step S103.

  For example, when the interruption job is completed before the heater 24 reaches the predetermined temperature (step S122 in FIG. 8; No → step S123 → step S124; Yes → step S103 in FIG. 7), the heater 24 is not at the predetermined temperature. Therefore (step S103; No), the control part 11 continues energization to the heater 24 through the heater management part, and continues the temperature rise of the heater 24 (step S104). Further, the preparation screen 50 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the operation display unit 15 to make the image forming apparatus 10 ready to accept an interrupt job again, and the acceptance of the interrupt job is monitored (Step S105; No → Step S103; No → Step S104 → Step S105; No loop).

  If an interrupt job is received again (step S105; Yes), the control unit 11 displays the reading setting screen 60 (see FIG. 5) on the operation display unit 15, and thereafter performs the above-described operation in the same manner. When the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature without accepting the second and subsequent interruption jobs (Step S105; No → Step S103; Yes), the preparation for the heat erasure process is completed, and the control unit 11 initially selects / A heat erase process is performed in the set erase mode or read erase mode.

  However, since the interrupt job is performed at least once, there is a possibility that the document to be subjected to the heat erasing process is not set in the document feeding tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20. Here, the control unit 11 detects the presence or absence of a document on the document feed tray 21. When the document is detected, the heat erasing process is started. If no document is detected, a screen prompting the user to reset the document to be subjected to the heat erasure process is displayed on the operation display unit 15. Thereafter, when a document on the document feed tray 21 is detected and an operation for executing the heat erasure process is accepted, the heat erasure process is started.

  When the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature and interrupts the interruption job (step S122 in FIG. 8; Yes → step S125 → step S126 → step S103 in FIG. 7), the heater 24 is at the predetermined temperature (step S103). S103; Yes), the controller 11 performs a heat erasure process in the erase mode or the read erase mode that is initially selected and set.

  In this case, the user resets the document to be subjected to the heat erasing process on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20. In other words, the interrupt job document remaining in the document feed tray 21 is removed, and the document to be heat-erased is placed on the document feed tray 21. When the user presses the erase button 73 on the guidance screen 70, the control unit 11 starts the heat erase process in the erase mode or the read erase mode.

  If the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature without interrupting the job, the original document to be subjected to the heat erasing process that has been initially set is still set on the document feeding tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20. Yes, a heat erasing process in the erasing mode or the reading erasing mode is started on the original.

  The control unit 11 first confirms whether or not to read a document (step S107). When the reading / erasing mode is selected, the original is read (step S107; Yes), and the control unit 11 automatically conveys the original by the automatic original conveying device 20 described in step S102 and the original by the reading unit 12. Is read (acquisition of image data and storage in the image storage unit 14), and the heater 24 performs a heat erasing process on the read document (step S108). In this operation, the document conveyed to the automatic document conveying device 20 and read by the reading unit 12 at the reading position S is heated by the heat source 25 of the heater 24 when passing through the heating position H, and is drawn with a colorless paint. The drawn portion is erased and discharged to the document discharge tray 29.

  If double-sided scanning is set, the front side of the document is read with the heater 24 retracted to the separation position. The original whose surface has been read is turned upside down through the reversing path 27 and returned to the transport path 22, and is again passed through the reading position S and is read by the reading unit 12. In addition, after the document is sent to the reversing path 27, the heater 24 is displaced to the contact position so that the document whose back side has been read contacts the heater 24 when passing the heating position H. As a result, the original is heated by the heat source 25 of the heater 24 when the original passes through the heating position H after the reading of the front surface and the rear surface, and the drawing portion drawn with the colorless paint is erased and the document discharge tray 29 is erased. To be discharged.

  When the erasing mode is selected, the original is not read (step S107; No), and the control unit 11 performs only automatic conveyance of the original by the automatic original conveying device 20, and the heater is applied to the original. 24 performs a heat erasure process (step S109). In this operation, the document conveyed to the automatic document conveying device 20 is not read by the reading unit 12 at the reading position S, but is heated by the heat source 25 of the heater 24 when passing through the heating position H, and the colorless paint The drawn portion drawn in step (2) is erased and discharged to the document discharge tray 29.

  When the heating / erasing process for all the documents set on the document feed tray 21 is completed, the control unit 11 confirms whether or not the interrupt job is interrupted (step S110). If the interrupt job has not been interrupted (step S110; No), this operation ends (End). If the interrupt job has been interrupted (step S110; Yes), the resumption of the interrupted interrupt job is accepted. For example, the control unit 11 displays on the operation display unit 15 a display requesting the continuous restart of the interrupt job and a guidance screen for receiving the execution operation, and sets the image forming apparatus 10 in a state where it can accept the continuous restart of the interrupt job.

  When the user sets the remaining document (unread document) of the interrupted job that has been interrupted to the document feeding tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 and performs an operation to continue the interrupt job again, the control unit 11 The interruption job is continuously resumed (step S111).

  Here, the control unit 11 causes the automatic document feeder 20 and the reading unit 12 to perform a reading operation with the contents set by the user when the job is interrupted (the initial setting contents set for the reading of the interrupt job). Control is performed so that the document set on the document feed tray 21 is automatically conveyed and read. Further, the control unit 11 combines the image data of the document obtained by reading by the reading unit 12 with the image data before interruption of the interrupt job already stored in the image storage unit 14 and stores it in the image storage unit 14. To do. Then, when reading of all the originals set on the original feed tray 21 is completed, this operation is finished (End).

  FIG. 9 shows an operation sequence of the document heating and erasing process and job interruption by the image forming apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. In detail, the operation display unit 15 in which the operation and the display screen are confirmed by the user, the heater management unit 17 that manages the heater 24, the automatic document feeder 20 (ADF) and the reading unit 12, and these components are controlled. The operation | movement sequence by the control part 11 to perform is shown. Here, a job for performing the heat erasing process in the erasing mode and the reading erasing mode is abbreviated as “erase job”, and a document to be subjected to the heat erasing process is abbreviated as “erased document”.

  When an erasing job start operation is performed on the operation display unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 (P1), the control unit 11 confirms the status of the heater 24 to the heater management unit 17 (P2). The heater management unit 17 detects the temperature of the heater 24 and responds to the control unit 11 with the detected temperature as the state of the heater 24 (P3).

  If the detected temperature of the heater 24 is not a predetermined temperature as a response from the heater management unit 17, the control unit 11 instructs the heater management unit 17 to raise the temperature of the heater 24 (P 4), and the heater 24. A preparation screen 50 (see FIG. 4) indicating that an interrupt job can be accepted is displayed on the operation display unit 15 (P5). The heater management unit 17 continues to raise the temperature of the heater 24 until the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature while the control unit 11 and each unit perform other operations.

  When an interrupt job document is set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 and a start operation is performed after various settings of the interrupt job on the operation display unit 15 (P6), the control unit 11 causes the automatic document feeder 20 to operate. Then, the reading unit 12 is controlled to start automatic conveyance by the automatic document conveyance device 20 and reading by the reading unit 12 for the interrupt job document set on the document feeding tray 21 (P7).

  When the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature during execution of the interrupt job, the heater management unit 17 notifies the control unit 11 that the preparation of the heater 24 is completed (P8). The control unit 11 stops automatic document conveyance by the automatic document conveyance device 20 and reading of the document by the reading unit 12 (P9), and interrupts the interrupt job. Further, a guidance screen 70 (see FIG. 6) indicating that the erased document is requested to be set is displayed on the operation display unit 15 (P10).

  The automatic document conveyance by the automatic document conveyance device 20 and the stop of the document reading operation by the reading unit 12 are completed (P11), the erased document is set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document conveyance device 20, and the erase job is executed. When the operation is performed (P12), the control unit 11 starts automatic conveyance and heat erasure processing by the automatic document conveyance device 20 for the document of the erasure job set on the document feed tray 21. If the reading / erasing mode is selected, reading of the conveyed document by the reading unit 12 is also performed (P13).

  When processing for all erased documents set in the document feed tray 21 is completed (P14 (Erase Job Execution Complete)), the control unit 11 displays a screen on the operation display unit 15 indicating that processing for the erased document is completed. (P15). Subsequently, the control unit 11 displays on the operation display unit 15 a screen indicating that a request to reset the remaining document in the interrupted interrupt job is made (P16).

  When the above document is reset on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 and the operation for continuing and restarting the interrupt job is performed (P17), the control unit 11 controls the automatic document feeder 20 and the reading unit 12. Then, automatic conveyance by the automatic document conveyance device 20 and reading by the reading unit 12 with respect to the document set on the document feeding tray 21 are started (P18). When the processing for all the documents set on the document feeding tray 21 is completed (P19 (interrupt job execution completion)), the control unit 11 displays a screen indicating that the processing for the interrupt job is completed on the operation display unit 15. (P20).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment receives an instruction to start a heating process (heating erasing process) for heating an original with the heater 24, and raises the temperature of the heater 24 to execute the heating process. If the reading job interrupt instruction is received through the preparation screen 50 (see FIG. 4) displayed on the operation display unit 15 until the heater 24 reaches the predetermined temperature, the temperature of the heater 24 is increased. It is possible to execute a reading job that has received the interrupt instruction while continuing. Therefore, the reading job is interrupted and the waiting time can be effectively used until the heater 24 is heated to the predetermined temperature and the heat treatment can be started. In addition, since the temperature of the heater 24 continues during the reading job, the waiting time is not prolonged. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the influence of the start delay or the like over the heat erasing process in which the start instruction is received prior to the reading job.

  Further, when the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature, the image forming apparatus 10 displays a guidance screen 70 (see FIG. 6) on the operation display unit 15 to notify (notify) the user that the document heating process can be performed. To do. The user can grasp that the heating process of the document can be executed by looking at the guide screen 70, and when the interrupt job execution is interrupted, the preparation or heating for replacing the interrupt job and the document for the heating process are performed. It is possible to quickly and smoothly grasp the next operation content for executing the processing.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature during the execution of the interrupt job and the heating process can be started, the execution of the interrupt job is automatically interrupted, so that the switching to the heating process is quick. Will be able to do. The user receives a notification requesting replacement of the interrupt job document and the document to be heated through the guide screen 70, and can quickly grasp the action to be performed next and act. Then, by performing an operation for performing the heating process through the guide screen 70 after the document is replaced, the heating process for the document to be heat-processed can be performed.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 completes the heating process and the user performs an operation to resume the interrupted interrupt job on the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 continuously resumes the interrupt job. As a result, the interrupted interrupt job can be resumed and completed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an automatic document feeder 20, and can automatically feed a document to perform reading and heating processing. As a result, the processing time can be shortened and the work burden on the user can be reduced.

  Further, by providing a heater 24 in the automatic document feeder 20 and heating while conveying the document, the heater 24 can be configured with a one-dimensional small line heater along a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction. become. Further, the conveyance system for reading while conveying the original and the conveyance system for heating while conveying the original can be configured as the common conveyance path 22 and the conveyance mechanism 23 described above, so that they are provided individually. Compared to the above, the entire apparatus can be made small and simple.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a job interrupt operation according to the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, when the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature during execution of the interrupt job, the image forming apparatus 10 automatically interrupts the interrupt job. However, in the present embodiment, the interrupt job This is an example in which the execution is interrupted by accepting an interruption instruction from the user. Here, the operation of the main routine described in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment is the same, and only the operation of the interrupt job execution process by the subroutine described in FIG. 8 is different, so only that operation will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of operation (subroutine) of interrupt job execution processing according to the second embodiment.

  When the interrupt job execution process shown in FIG. 10 is started, the control unit 11 performs the same step S131 as step S121 described in FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the same step S132 as step S122, and the same step S133 as step S123. Do.

  When the heater 24 has reached a predetermined temperature (step S132; Yes), the control unit 11 receives an interrupt job interrupt screen (not shown) for notifying that the heater 24 is ready and interrupting the interrupt job. 11) is displayed on the operation display unit 15 (step S135).

  If no interruption job interruption operation is accepted from the user through the interruption job interruption screen (step S136; No), the process proceeds to step S133 and reading of the original is continued. When the interrupt job interrupt operation is received from the user through the interrupt job interrupt screen (step S136; Yes), the control unit 11 interrupts the interrupt job. Similarly to the first embodiment, the control unit 11 stores the image data of the interrupt job stored in the image storage unit 14 in association with the identification information indicating the image data of the interrupt job.

  Then, the control unit 11 displays on the operation display unit 15 a guidance screen (see FIG. 12) for receiving a notification of a request to reset the document to be subjected to the heat erasure process and an operation for executing the heat erasure process (erase job) (see FIG. 12). Step S137), this subroutine is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 7 (Return).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the interrupt job interruption screen 80 displayed on the operation display unit 15 in step S135 of FIG.

  The interrupt job interruption screen 80 includes a message 81 indicating that the heater 24 has been prepared, an operation method for interrupting the interrupt job, and an interrupt job interrupt button 82 for accepting an operation for interrupting the interrupt job. Is displayed. When the interrupt job interrupt button 82 on the interrupt job interrupt screen 80 is pressed by the user, the interrupt job is interrupted as described above.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a guidance screen 90 (original reset screen) displayed on the operation display unit 15 in step S136 of FIG.

  The guide screen 90 indicates that the interrupt job has been interrupted, and that the interrupt job document set on the document feed tray 21 of the automatic document feeder 20 is removed and the document to be subjected to the heat erasing process is reset. A message 91 and an image diagram 92 (similar to the image diagram 72 of the guide screen 70 according to the first embodiment) schematically showing the replacement of the document, and an erase button 93 (same as the image 91 shown in the first embodiment) The same as the delete button 73 on the guide screen 70) is displayed. When the user presses the erase button 93 on the guidance screen 90, the heat erase process is started as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when the heater 24 reaches a predetermined temperature and the heating process (heat erasing process) can be started, the interrupt job is continuously executed, and the execution can be interrupted manually by the user. It becomes like this. That is, the user can arbitrarily select whether to continue or interrupt the interrupt job.

  For example, taking into account the complexity of the document replacement task associated with interruption and resumption of interrupt jobs, if the remaining number of documents to be read is small, such as 1 to several, automatically (forced) There are some cases where it is better to continue reading until the last page, rather than interrupting it. Convenience is improved by being able to cope with such selection of continuous execution or execution interruption according to the remaining processing amount of the job.

  When the user instructs to interrupt the interrupt job, the user receives a notification requesting replacement of the interrupt job document and the document to be heated through the guide screen 90 illustrated in FIG. Similar to the guidance screen 70 according to the embodiment, it is possible to quickly grasp and act on the work to be performed next. Then, by pressing the erasing button 93 and instructing the execution of the heating process after exchanging the originals, the heating process for the originals to be heated can be executed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the automatic document feeder 20 is configured to support double-sided reading, but may be configured to support only single-sided reading. In that case, the reversing path 27 and the reversing mechanism 28 are unnecessary.

  Further, although the heater 24 is displaced by the displacement mechanism 26, the heater 24 may be fixedly provided so that the heat source 25 (heating surface) is in contact with the document conveyed on the conveyance path 22.

  Further, it is possible to predict the time until the predetermined temperature is reached when the heater 24 is heated, and to display the predicted time on the preparation screen 50 (see FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment. Good. For example, a display such as “XX seconds until heater heat source is ready” may be displayed.

  In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 including the automatic document feeder 20 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is an image reading apparatus not including the automatic document feeder or an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus. It can also be applied to.

  For example, the inner surface (document pressing surface) of an open / close (movable) document pressing plate that presses a document placed on the platen glass (document table) of the image reading device has a heating surface that is equal to or larger than the area of the document. A configuration such as providing a heater is possible. In such a configuration, after the heater is heated to a predetermined temperature, the original drawn with the colorless paint placed on the platen glass is pressed by the original pressing plate, thereby being provided on the original pressing plate. The drawing portion can be erased by heating the document with a heater.

  In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 including the printer unit 16 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that does not include a printer unit (printer function). In other words, the present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus capable of executing document reading and heating processing (heat erasing processing), an image forming apparatus including a function as the image reading apparatus, and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic document feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the reading setting screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the preparation screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reading setting screen of the interruption job which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the guidance screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine of operations for document heating and erasing and job interruption according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of interrupt job execution processing in the main routine of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation sequence of a document heating / erasing process and a job interrupt according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the interruption job execution process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the interruption job interruption screen based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the guidance screen which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... Control part 12 ... Reading part 12a ... Line image sensor 13 ... Communication part 14 ... Image memory | storage part 15 ... Operation display part 16 ... Printer part 17 ... Heater management part 20 ... Automatic document conveying apparatus 20a ... Bottom plate 21 ... Document feed tray 22 ... Conveying path 23 ... Conveying mechanism 24 ... Heater 25 ... Heat source 26 ... Displacement mechanism 27 ... Reversing path 28 ... Reversing mechanism 28a ... Path switching member 29 ... Document discharge tray 30 ... Slit 31 ... Feeding roller 32 ... Conveying roller 33 ... Discharging roller 34 ... Reading roller 40 ... Reading setting screen 41 ... Scan setting 42 ... Reading setting 43 ... Enlargement / reduction 44 ... Paper size 45 ... Normal reading button 46 ... Erase button 47 ... Reading erase button 50 ... Preparation screen 51 ... Message 52 ... Interrupt job execution button 60 ... Reading setting screen 61 ... Distribution Cancel Job Button 70 ... Guidance Screen 71 ... Message 72 ... Image Diagram 73 ... Delete Button 80 ... Interrupt Job Interrupt Screen 81 ... Message 82 ... Interrupt Job Interrupt Button 90 ... Information Screen 91 ... Message 92 ... Image Diagram 93 ... Delete Button H ... Heating Position M ... Original S ... Reading position

Claims (7)

A reading unit for optically reading a document to obtain image information;
A heater for heating the manuscript at a predetermined temperature for making a drawing portion drawn with a paint that becomes colorless when heated;
An operation unit;
The heating unit receives an instruction to start the heating process for performing the heating through the operation unit, the temperature of the heater is increased in order to perform the heating process, and the heater reaches the predetermined temperature. A control unit that executes the reading job while continuing to raise the temperature of the heater when the reading unit receives an interrupt instruction of a reading job for performing the reading through the operation unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising: With a notification unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies that the heating process is executable when the heater reaches the predetermined temperature through the notification unit. The control unit interrupts execution of the reading job when the heater reaches the predetermined temperature during execution of the reading job, and further passes through the notification unit an original of the reading job and an original to be heated. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a notification requesting replacement is performed, and the heating process is executed when an instruction to perform the heating process is received through the operation unit. The control unit performs the notification when the heater reaches the predetermined temperature during execution of the reading job, continues the execution of the reading job, and executes the reading job when an instruction to interrupt the reading job is received. And a notification requesting the replacement of the document of the reading job and the document to be heated through the notification unit, and the heating process being executed when an instruction to perform the heating process is received through the operation unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2. 5. The image according to claim 3, wherein the control unit continuously resumes the reading job when receiving the instruction to resume the reading job that has been interrupted after the completion of the heating process through the operation unit. 6. Reader. A storage unit for storing image information acquired by the reading unit;
The control unit acquires the image information acquired by the reading unit from the start of execution of the reading job to the end of execution and stored in the storage unit, and acquired by the reading unit from the continuous resumption of the reading job to the end of execution. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image information stored in the storage unit is combined in the storage unit to form one piece of image information in the reading job. An automatic document conveying device that conveys a document set in a sheet feeding unit through a conveyance path passing through a reading position where the reading unit performs the reading and a heating position where the heater performs the heating, and discharges the document to a sheet discharging unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

Images