JP7501102B2 - Reading device, output device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a reading device, an output device, and an image forming device.

Patent document 1 describes a reading device in which the angle of incidence of light irradiated by a second irradiating means, which irradiates light to read the specularly reflected light component from the document, on the document has a non-zero angle with respect to the reflection angle of the chief ray of the specularly reflected light guided to the light guiding means.

JP 2010-130444 A

In a reading device that generates an image by reading the specularly reflected light of light irradiated onto a document using an image sensor, light irradiated toward the reading position of the document may pass through the document table glass in areas where there is no document and enter the user's eyes.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to reduce the glare of light transmitted through glass at the document reading position.

The reading device according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by comprising a transparent platen on which a document is in contact, an irradiation unit that irradiates light in a direction not toward a reading area of the document in contact with the platen, a reflection unit that reflects the light irradiated from the irradiation unit toward the reading area, and an image sensor that generates an image represented by the light reflected by the reflection unit and reflected in the reading area.

The reading device according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the irradiation unit has an emission surface that emits light toward a determined range, and is arranged so that the reading area is not included in the range.

The reading device according to claim 3 of the present invention is an embodiment of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the irradiation unit has an exit surface that emits light, and is provided with a blocking unit that blocks the light emitted from the exit surface on the reading area side of the exit surface.

The reading device according to claim 4 of the present invention is the embodiment described in claim 3, characterized in that it includes a second irradiation unit that irradiates light in a direction toward the reading area, and an optical path unit that forms an optical path that guides both the light reflected by the reflecting unit and specularly reflected at the reading area, and the light irradiated by the second irradiation unit and diffusely reflected at the reading area.

The reading device according to claim 5 of the present invention is an embodiment of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the irradiation section has a light source that emits light and a light guide that guides the light emitted by the light source, and the blocking section is attached to the reading area side of the light guide to reinforce the light guide.

The reading device according to claim 6 of the present invention is the same as the reading device according to claim 5, in which the light guide is supported by the blocking portion.

The reading device according to claim 7 of the present invention is the embodiment of claim 1, characterized in that the irradiation unit has an exit surface that emits light, and the direction of the exit surface toward the reading area is masked.

The output device according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and outputs the degree of specular reflection based on the specular reflection light read by the reading device.

The image forming device according to claim 9 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes the output device according to claim 8 and outputs an image formed based on the degree of regular reflection read by the reading device.

According to the invention as set forth in claims 1, 8, and 9, the glare of light transmitted through the glass at the document reading position can be reduced compared to when light is irradiated in a direction toward the document reading area.
According to the invention as defined in claim 2, the reading device can be made smaller in size more easily than in the case where a blocking portion is provided.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the irradiated light is diffused, it is possible to suppress the glare of the light transmitted through the glass at the document reading position.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the device can be made more compact than when the specularly reflected light and the diffusely reflected light take different optical paths.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, damage to the light guide can be suppressed compared to a case in which the blocking portion is not attached to the light guide.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the light guide does not need to have a structure for supporting it on the device main body.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the degree of freedom in installing the irradiation unit can be increased compared to a case where the light emission range does not include the reading area.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image reading unit. Enlarged view of the carriage 1 shows an enlarged view of a carriage of a modified example. 1 shows an enlarged view of a carriage of a modified example. 1 shows a modified example of a light output section for regular reflection. 1 shows a modified image forming apparatus.

[1] Example Fig. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an image reading device 10 according to an example. The image reading device 10 is a device that reads an image shown on a document. The image reading device 10 is an example of a "reading device" of the present invention. The image reading device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication unit 14, a UI unit 15 (UI = User Interface), and an image reading unit 20. Note that the image reading device 10 may be composed of only the image reading unit 20.

The processor 11 includes, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a register, and peripheral circuits. The memory 12 is a recording medium readable by the processor 11, and includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 13 is a recording medium readable by the processor 11, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive or a flash memory.

The processor 11 controls the operation of each piece of hardware by executing programs stored in the ROM and storage 13 using the RAM as a work area. The communication unit 14 has an antenna, a communication circuit, etc., and communicates via a communication line (not shown). The program executed by the processor 11 may be obtained from an external device communicating via the communication unit 14.

The UI unit 15 is an interface provided to a user who uses the device. The interface is a device that accepts information input by the user and outputs the information by the image reading device 10. The UI unit 15 has, for example, a touch screen that has a display as a display means and a touch panel provided on the surface of the display, and displays images and accepts operations from the user.

The image reading unit 20 includes a light source, an optical system, an image sensor, etc., and reads the image shown on the document by reflecting light from the light source off the document. The image reading unit 20 supplies document image data indicating the image of the read document to the processor 11. The processor 11 uses the supplied document image data to perform various processes (printing process, facsimile transmission process, etc.).

Figure 2 shows the detailed configuration of the image reading unit 20. In Figure 2, the image reading unit 20 is shown as seen in a direction along the main scanning direction A1. Note that the main scanning direction A1 in the figure is represented by an arrow pointing from the front to the back of the page, but the direction from the back to the front of the page is also referred to as the main scanning direction A1.

The image reading unit 20 comprises a document table 21, a document cover 22, a carriage 30, a carriage 40, an imaging lens 50, and an image sensor 60. These components of the image reading unit 20 have a width in the main scanning direction A1. The carriage 30, the carriage 40, the imaging lens 50, and the image sensor 60 all have an elongated shape with the main scanning direction A1 as their longitudinal direction. The direction indicated by the arrow marked "A2" in the figure is the sub-scanning direction A2. The image reading unit 20 is a so-called reduced optical system reading device.

The manuscript table 21 is a transparent glass plate that contacts the manuscript 2, the object of image reading. The manuscript table 21 may be an acrylic plate or the like as long as it is a transparent plate-like member. The manuscript cover 22 covers the manuscript table 21 to block external light, and sandwiches the manuscript 2 between the manuscript table 21 and the manuscript cover 22. The manuscript 2 is supported by the manuscript table 21 and the manuscript cover 22 so as not to move.

When reading the original 2, the carriage 30 moves in the sub-scanning direction A2 at a set speed. The carriage 30 has an irradiation section that irradiates the original 2 with light, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3. The carriage 30 has a mirror 35. In this embodiment, the carriage 30 is box-shaped with an open top, and the mirror 35 is disposed inside it. Note that the carriage 30 does not have to be box-shaped, and may be hollow as long as it can move together. The mirror 35 reflects the light reflected by the original 2. The reflected light is guided to the optical path B1 that leads to the image sensor 60.

When reading the original 2, the carriage 40 moves in the sub-scanning direction A2 at half the speed of the carriage 30. The carriage 40 has mirrors 41 and 42 inside. The mirrors 41 and 42 reflect the light reflected by the mirror 35 and guide it to the optical path B1. The imaging lens 50 forms an image of the light reflected by the mirror 42 at a determined position.

The image sensor 60 has a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), receives the light focused by the imaging lens 50, and generates an image signal according to the received light. The image sensor 60 supplies the generated image signal to the processor 11 shown in FIG. 1. The processor 11 generates image data of the original 2 based on the supplied image signal.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the carriage 30. The carriage 30 has a light emitting section 31 for specular reflection, a light emitting section 32 for diffuse reflection, a reflector 33 for specular reflection, a reflector 34 for diffuse reflection, and a mirror 35.

The light emitting section for specular reflection 31 irradiates light for specular reflection by the original 2. The light emitting section for specular reflection 31 has an emission surface 313 for emitting light, and emits light from the emission surface 313 for diffuse reflection by the original 2. The light emitting section for diffuse reflection 32 irradiates light for diffuse reflection by the original 2. The light emitting section for diffuse reflection 32 has an emission surface 323 for emitting light, and emits light from the emission surface 323 for diffuse reflection by the original 2. The light emitting section for specular reflection 31 is an example of an "irradiation section" in the present invention, and the light emitting section for diffuse reflection 32 is an example of a "second irradiation section" in the present invention.

The specular reflection light emitting section 31 has a light source 311 and a light guide 312. The light source 311 is a light source that emits light, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this embodiment, a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the main scanning direction A1. The light guide 312 is a transparent member that transmits light to the inside. The light guide 312 has the aforementioned exit surface 313, and guides the light from the light source 311 to the exit surface 313. The exit surface 313 is generally flat, but has fine undulations, which diffuse the emitted light.

In this embodiment, the light emitting unit for specular reflection 31 adjusts the orientation of the emission surface 313 so that the reading region R1 is not included in the emission range. Specifically, the emission surface is not oriented toward the reading region R1, so that direct light from the emission surface does not enter the reading region R1. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the light emitting unit for specular reflection 31 emits light to optical path C2 traveling diagonally upward in addition to light to optical path C1 along the optical axis, but optical path C2 is an optical path that does not head toward the reading region R1.

In addition to the optical paths C1 and C2, the specular reflection light emitting unit 31 also emits light to an optical path that travels in a direction not toward the reading area R1. As a result, the specular reflection light emitting unit 31 only emits light in a direction not toward the reading area R1, and the glare of the light that passes through the glass at the reading position of the document is reduced compared to when light is also emitted in a direction toward the reading area R1. The light emitted by the specular reflection light emitting unit 31 reaches the specular reflection reflector 33 as shown in FIG. 3.

The specular reflector 33 has a reflective surface 331 and reflects the light emitted by the specular light emitting section 31 toward the reading area R1 of the original 2. The specular reflector 33 is an example of a "reflecting section" in the present invention. When the light reflected by the reflective surface 331 reaches the reading area R1 of the original 2, the original 2 specularly reflects the light. The light specularly reflected by the original 2 is reflected by the mirror 35 and guided to the optical path B1 shown in FIG. 2 (the optical path leading to the image sensor 60).

The light reflected by the specular reflector 33 and specularly reflected by the original 2 is guided by the mirror 35, the mirror 41, the mirror 42, and the imaging lens 50 to reach the image sensor 60. The image sensor 60 generates an image represented by the light reflected by the specular reflector 33 and specularly reflected in the reading region R1.

Next, the configuration related to the generation of an image by diffusely reflected light will be described. The diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 has a light source 321 that emits light, and a light guide 322. The light source 321 is a light source that emits light, such as an LED. The light guide 322 is a transparent member that transmits light to the inside. The light guide 322 has the aforementioned exit surface 323, and guides the light from the light source 321 to the exit surface 323. The exit surface 323 is generally flat, but has fine undulations, which diffuse the emitted light.

A portion of the light emitted by the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 reaches the diffuse reflection reflector 34 as shown in FIG. 3. The diffuse reflection reflector 34 has a reflective surface 341, and reflects the light emitted by the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 toward the reading region R1 of the original 2. When the light reflected by the reflective surface 341 reaches the reading region R1 of the original 2, the original 2 diffusely reflects the light. The light diffusely reflected by the original 2 is reflected by the mirror 35 and is guided to the optical path B1 shown in FIG. 2 (the optical path leading to the image sensor 60).

The light reflected by the diffuse reflection reflector 34 and diffusely reflected by the original 2 is guided by the mirror 35, mirror 41, mirror 42, and imaging lens 50 to reach the image sensor 60. The diffuse reflection light output unit 32 also irradiates a portion of the light in a direction directly toward the reading area R1 of the original 2. The irradiated light is diffusely reflected in the reading area R1 and heads toward the optical path B1.

In other words, the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 emits light toward the diffuse reflection reflector 34 and the reading region R1. The image sensor 60 then generates an image from the light reflected by the diffuse reflection reflector 34 and diffusely reflected in the reading region R1, and the light irradiated by the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32, which directly reaches the reading region R1 and is diffusely reflected.

In other words, the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 also irradiates light in the direction toward the reading region R1 of the original 2. In contrast, the specular reflection light emitting section 31 does not irradiate light in the direction toward the reading region R1 of the original 2. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the specular reflection reflector 33 has a narrower width (length in the short direction) at which light is reflected than the diffuse reflection reflector 34. As a result, the amount of light traveling toward the reading region R1 is reduced and the brightness is reduced compared to when the specular reflection reflector 33 and the diffuse reflection reflector 34 have the same width, so glare is further suppressed.

As described above, mirrors 35, 41, 42, and imaging lens 50 are an example of the "optical path section" of the present invention, which forms an optical path that guides both the light reflected by specular reflector 33 and specularly reflected in reading region R1, and the light irradiated by diffuse reflection light emitting section 32 and diffusely reflected in reading region R1. This makes it possible to miniaturize the reading device compared to when the specularly reflected light and the diffusely reflected light have different optical paths.

For example, when reading an original without closing the original cover 22, if the size of the original is small, the light irradiated toward the reading area R1 may pass through the original table 21 and reach the user's eyes. In this case, in this embodiment, the specular reflection light emitting section 31 irradiates light only in a direction that is not toward the reading area R1, so that the light that has been reflected at least once will always reach the user's eyes.

When comparing the light emitted by a light source and the reflected light, the reflected light is not viewed directly at the light source, but rather at the light of a reflector illuminated by the light emitted by the light source, so the brightness is lower and it is not dazzling compared to when the light source is viewed directly. In particular, when multiple LEDs are arranged along the main scanning direction A1 as in this embodiment, direct light would make each LED light source visible and cause more glare. In this embodiment, the light that reaches the user's eyes is always reflected light even in the above case, so the glare of the light that passes through the glass at the document reading position is reduced compared to when light is irradiated in a direction toward the document reading area.

[2] Modifications The above-described embodiment is merely one example of the implementation of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Furthermore, the embodiment and each modification may be combined and implemented as necessary.

[2-1] Light Irradiation Unit The shape of the light irradiation unit is not limited to those described in the examples. For example, the light irradiation unit may have an exit surface in a shape other than a rectangle. The light irradiation unit may have two or more surfaces as the exit surface instead of one surface. The light irradiation unit may have only a light source without having a light guide.

[2-2] Irradiation Method In the embodiment, the specular reflection light emitting section 31 irradiates light only in a direction that is not toward the reading region R1 by adjusting the orientation of the emission surface, but the light irradiation method is not limited to this.
4 is an enlarged view of the carriage 30a of this modified example. The carriage 30a has a specular reflection light emitting portion 31a, a diffuse reflection light emitting portion 32a, a specular reflection reflector 33, a diffuse reflection reflector , a mirror , and a blocking member .

The specular reflection light emitting section 31a and the diffuse reflection light emitting section 32a emit light in multiple directions as shown in the figure. Therefore, some of the light emitted by the specular reflection light emitting section 31a heads toward the reading region R1. However, the light that heads toward the reading region R1 is blocked by the blocking member 36. The surface of the blocking member 36 has a lower reflectivity than the reflector, but even a small amount of the light reflected by the surface of the blocking member 36 heads in a direction other than the reading region R1.

The specular reflection light emitting section 31a is provided with a blocking member 36 that blocks the light emitted from the emission surface 313a on the reading region R1 side of the emission surface 313a. The blocking member 36 is a plate-shaped member that does not transmit light, and is an example of the "blocking section" of the present invention. The blocking member 36 is attached to the reading region R1 side of the light guide 312a to support and reinforce the light guide 312a. This reduces damage to the light guide 312a compared to when the blocking member 36 is not attached to the light guide 312a. In addition, it is no longer necessary for the light guide 312a to have a structure for supporting the light guide 312a on, for example, the device main body.

The light emitted from the emission surface 313a is diffused as described above, and therefore includes light directed toward the reading area R1 of the document 2 in contact with the document table 21. However, the blocking member 36 blocks the light emitted from the emission surface 313a, so that the specular reflection light emission section 31 only irradiates light in a direction that is not directed toward the reading area R1.

A portion of the light emitted by the specular light emitting portion 31 reaches the specular reflector 33 as shown in FIG. 3. In this modified example, the blocking member 36 is attached to the light exit surface so that the light is directed toward the reading region R1. However, as in the first embodiment, the blocking member 36 may be attached to the light guide body so that the light leaking from the side is not directed toward the reading region R1.

In this modified example, the light emitting unit for specular reflection 31 is provided with a blocking member 36 so that the light emitting range does not include the reading region R1. In other words, the light emitting unit for specular reflection 31a becomes an irradiating unit that does not irradiate light toward the reading region R1 by blocking the light emitted from the emitting surface 313a that is directed toward the reading region R1 with the blocking member 36. As a result, the light emitting unit for specular reflection 31 irradiates light only in a direction that is not directed toward the reading region R1, and the glare of the light that passes through the glass at the reading position of the document is suppressed.

[2-3] Blocking Section In the above modification, the blocking member 36 that blocks the light emitted from the emission surface 313a of the specular reflection light emitting section 31a is attached to the reading region R1 side of the light guide 312, but is not limited to this. In this modification, for example, the direction of the emission surface 313 of the specular reflection light emitting section toward the reading region R1 may be masked.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the carriage 30b of this modified example. The carriage 30b is the carriage 30 shown in Figure 3 with a blocking member 36b added. The blocking member 36b is, for example, a tape-like member that does not transmit light, and masks the direction toward the reading region R1 of the exit surface 313b of the specular reflection light exit section 31b. This masking causes the specular reflection light exit section 31b to irradiate light only in a direction that is not toward the reading region R1.

According to this modified example, as in the embodiment, the glare of the light transmitted through the glass at the reading position of the document is suppressed. Furthermore, for example, if the reading area is not included in the light emission range as in the above modified example, the possible orientation of the specular reflection light emission unit 31a is limited. In contrast, in this modified example, even if the light emission range includes the reading area, it can be masked, so the freedom of installation of the light irradiation unit is increased compared to the previous case.

[2-4] Light Exit Portion The shape of the light exit portion is not limited to that described in the embodiment. For example, the light exit portion may have an exit surface having a shape other than a rectangle. Furthermore, the light exit portion may have two or more surfaces as the exit surface instead of one surface.

Figure 6 shows the specular reflection light emitting section 31c of this modified example. The specular reflection light emitting section 31c has a first exit surface 313-1 and a second exit surface 313-2, and emits light from each exit surface. In the example of Figure 6, the specular reflection light emitting section 31c is positioned so that the light emitted from the first exit surface 313-1 heads toward the specular reflection reflector 33, so the first exit surface 313-1 corresponds to the exit surface 313 of the specular reflection light emitting section 31 of the above embodiment. In other words, the specular reflection reflector 33 reflects a portion of the light from the first exit surface 313-1.

In the configuration of FIG. 6, the light emitted from the second exit surface 313-2 does not travel toward the specular reflector 33 or toward the document. In this modified example, light is emitted from the second exit surface 313-2, but the second exit surface 313-2 is not a surface designed for emitting light. The specular light emission section 31c may be positioned so that the light emitted from the second exit surface 313-2 travels toward the document.

In addition, two or more exit surfaces may be configured as exit surfaces corresponding to the exit surface 313 of the specular reflection light exit section 31 in the above embodiment. In that case, the light from the two exit surfaces that emit light toward the specular reflection reflector 33 may be directed toward the document by the specular reflection reflector 33 or the like.

[2-5] Equal-magnification optical system The above embodiment shows a reading device with a reduced optical system, but the present invention may be applied to a reading device with an equal-magnification optical system. The equal-magnification optical system is, for example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), and is composed of an LED light source that emits light, a SELFOC (registered trademark) lens that is an equal-magnification lens through which light reflected by the original 2 passes, and a light receiving element provided on the extension of the light source.

In the case of a CIS, since a SELFOC (registered trademark) lens is used, it may be difficult to set the angle between the incident light and the reflected light small, as in the above example. In that case, the incident light and the reflected light may be arranged so that the angles are the same, for example, so that they are tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the original. The incident light may also be limited by providing a slit between the LED light source and the original.

[2-6] Reading Device In the above embodiment, a reading device that reads a document placed on a document table has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, an in-line sensor arranged in the transport direction of a document being transported, and a reading device that reads a sheet of paper being transported as a document. In the above embodiment, one document was read twice, one with the specular reflection light source turned on and the other with the diffuse reflection light source turned on.

In contrast, in the case of an in-line sensor, an image sensor can be provided for each of the specular reflection light source and the diffuse reflection light source, and reading can be performed at different positions in the transport direction, or the desired reading mode can be switched, for example, if priority is given to chromaticity, the diffuse reflection light source can be turned on, and if priority is given to gloss, the specular reflection light source can be turned on. Also, even if not all documents being transported need to be read, for inspection, etc., the diffuse reflection light source and specular reflection light source can be switched at intervals of a certain number of sheets rather than for full inspection.

[2-7] Output Device The results of reading by the image reading device 10 may be output.
Fig. 7 shows an image forming apparatus 70 according to this modified example. The image forming apparatus 70 includes the image reading apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 2. The stronger the specular reflection light in the reading area, the higher the glossiness of the reading area. Therefore, it is possible to determine by calculations using a CPU or the like which position on the document is a glossy document and to what extent. In this case, the difference from the diffuse reflection light may also be used.

The image forming device 70 forms an image reflecting the result as image data using inkjet. In this way, the image forming device 70 outputs the degree of specular reflection based on the specular reflection light read by the image reading device 10. More specifically, the image forming device 70 outputs an image formed based on the degree of specular reflection read by the image reading device 10. Note that, in addition to outputting the image by the image forming device, the image may be processed according to the degree of gloss and output to a display device such as the screen of a PC or tablet.

10...image reading device, 20...image reading section, 21...original table, 22...original cover, 30...carriage, 31...light emitting section for regular reflection, 32...light irradiating section for diffuse reflection, 33...reflector for regular reflection, 34...reflector for diffuse reflection, 35...mirror, 36, 36a...blocking member, 40...carriage, 41...mirror, 42...mirror, 50...imaging lens, 60...image sensor, 70...image forming device.

Claims (7)

A transparent platen on which the document rests,
a specular reflection irradiation unit that irradiates light in a direction not toward a reading area of a document placed on the document table and that irradiates light so as to be specularly reflected by the document ;
a reflecting section that reflects the light irradiated from the specular reflection irradiating section toward the reading area;
a diffuse reflection irradiation unit that irradiates light for diffuse reflection on the document;
an image sensor that generates an image represented by the light reflected by the reflecting portion and reflected in the reading area;
the specular reflection irradiation unit has an exit surface from which light is emitted, and a blocking unit is provided on the reading area side of the exit surface to block the light emitted from the exit surface,
In the sub-scanning direction, the specular reflection irradiation section and the diffuse reflection irradiation section are provided on the same side of the reading area.
Reading device. 2. The reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking portion is provided only on the side of the reading area . The reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specular reflection irradiation section has a light source that emits light and a light guide that guides the light emitted by the light source, and the blocking section is attached to the reading area side of the light guide to reinforce the light guide. The reading device according to claim 3 , wherein the light guide is supported by the blocking portion. The blocking portion blocks the light emitted from the exit surface by masking the direction of the exit surface toward the reading area.
2. The reading device according to claim 1. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
an output device that outputs the degree of specular reflection based on the specular reflection light read by the reading device; An output device according to claim 6 ,
An image forming apparatus that outputs an image formed based on the degree of regular reflection read by the reading device.

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