JP2001348137A - Document reader and document reader/recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document reader/recorder accurately determining whether or not separating from the document reader/recorder by obtaining a time required for completion of the recording without counting the number of documents by a user. SOLUTION: This document reader/recorder is provided with a document tray 3, a document feed part 4, a weight detection sensor 6 detecting the weight of the documents 2 stacked on the document tray 3, and a control part 12 determining the number of the documents 2 based on the detection value by the weight detecting sensor 6. The number of the documents stacked on the document tray 3 is determined based on the number of the documents 2 fed by the document feed part 4 and the difference between the weights of the documents 2 stacked on the document tray 3 before and after feeding the documents. Copy completion times T5 and T9 are calculated and displayed based on the determined number of the documents 2, the designated number N of recording paper, reading time T1 per a document, and the recording time T2 per a recording paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copying machine,
In a facsimile machine, a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral, etc., a document reading apparatus and a document reading / recording apparatus for reading a document image or recording on a recording sheet, particularly,
The present invention relates to a document reading device capable of determining the number of documents by detecting the weight of a document placed on a document tray, and a document reading recording device capable of calculating a copy completion time from the determined document number.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, copiers, facsimile machines,
2. Description of the Related Art In a document reading device in a document reading and recording device such as a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral, a flatbed reading unit (F) for reading a document by placing the document one by one on a document placing plate.
In addition to BS: Flat Bed Scanner, an automatic document reading unit (ADF: Automati) that automatically reads documents while separating and feeding multiple documents placed on a document tray one by one
c Document Feeder). In a document reading / recording apparatus that automatically reads a document by a document reading apparatus having such a document automatic reading section and records it on recording paper, the user does not need to set the documents one by one in the reading section. Once the number of copies and the recording conditions are set and input first, no operation is required until the recording is completed. Therefore, when it takes a long time to complete the recording such as when the number of documents is large, it is more efficient to temporarily leave the document reading and recording apparatus and perform other work. On the other hand, when the time until the completion of recording is short, such as when the number of documents is small, it is troublesome to temporarily leave the document reading and recording apparatus and then return again.

[0003]

However, in the conventional document reading and recording apparatus, since the time until the completion of recording is not known, the user leaves the document reading and recording apparatus,
Alternatively, it was difficult to determine whether to wait until the recording was completed. For this reason, the user may wait in front of the document reading / recording device for a longer time than expected, or may temporarily leave the document reading / recording device but return immediately, which is inconvenient for the user. In many cases. On the other hand, if you count the number of originals, you can estimate the approximate time to the completion of recording, but you cannot know the exact time, and counting the number of originals is time-consuming and wasteful work. And the efficiency of the operation is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a document reading and recording apparatus which automatically reads a document by a document reading apparatus having an automatic document reading section and records the document on recording paper is provided. Provided is a document reading / recording apparatus capable of accurately determining whether or not to leave a document reading / recording apparatus by making it possible to know the time required to complete recording without counting the number of documents. This is a technical issue.

[0005]

Means for solving the above problems are as follows. That is, a document reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a document tray on which a plurality of documents are placed;
A document feeding unit that separates and feeds each sheet, a weight detection sensor that detects the weight of a document placed on the document tray,
A control unit that determines the number of documents placed on the document tray based on a value detected by the weight detection sensor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the document reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the number of originals fed by the original feeding unit and the number of originals placed on the original tray before and after the original feeding are set. The number of documents placed on the document tray is determined from the difference between the weights of the placed documents.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original reading / recording apparatus comprising: the original reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect; and a recording unit for recording an image read by the original reading apparatus on a recording sheet. The number of documents determined by the document reading device, the designated number of recording copies, the reading time per document,
The copying completion time is calculated from the recording time per sheet and is displayed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an original reading apparatus and an original reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Document reading and recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
As shown in FIG. 1, a document tray 3 on which a plurality of documents 2 are placed, a document feeder 4 for separating and feeding the documents 2 from the document tray 3 one by one, A document reading device 7 having an image reading portion 5 for reading an image of the document 2 fed by the feeding portion 4 and a weight detection sensor 6 for detecting the weight of the document 2 placed on the document tray 3; A recording unit 9 for recording an image read by the document reading device 7 on recording paper 8, a recording paper storage unit 10 for storing the recording paper 8 for each size, and recording from the recording paper storage unit 10 to the recording unit 9. A recording paper feeding unit 11 for feeding paper 8;
The control unit 12 includes a control unit 12 that controls the entire operation of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 including the document reading device 7, determines the number of documents 2 placed on the document tray 3, calculates the copy completion time, and the like. Things. This will be described in more detail below.

First, the document reading device 7 will be described. The document reading device 7 is an automatic document reading unit (ADF: Automatic Document Fee) for automatically reading a document.
der). As shown in FIG. 2, the document tray 3 has a connection end 3 a connected to the document feeder 4.
A guide plate 13 is provided on each side of the document 2 in the width direction. The guide plates 13 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the document 2. The distance between them can be adjusted according to the width of the document 2. The user places one or more originals 2 in alignment between the guide plates 13. The document tray 3 is provided with a size detection sensor 14 that detects a document size by arranging a plurality of sensors at predetermined positions. More specifically, the size detection sensor 14 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting the width of the document 2 near the connection end 3a of the document tray 3 and also has the document placement surface 3b. A sensor for detecting the length is provided, and the size of the document is detected based on the presence or absence of an input from these sensors. In addition to the size detection sensor 14, a document presence sensor 15 for detecting whether or not the document 2 is placed on the document tray 3 is also provided. The document presence / absence sensor 15 is specifically configured by arranging a sensor near the connection end 3a on the document placement surface 3b.

The document feeding section 4 is a section for feeding the document 2 placed on the document tray 3 for image reading by the image reading section 5. Roller 16 that separates and supplies paper one by one
A document transport path 17 serving as a guide when the document 2 separated by the separation roller 16 moves;
And a conveying roller 18 that conveys the document 2 and is arranged along a plurality of sets. The transport roller 18 is
The document 2 is provided so as to protrude inward from the transport surface of the document transport path 17, and transports the document 2 by rotating it while sandwiching it from both sides. The fed document 2 passes over the transparent light-transmitting plate 19 at a document reading position A provided at the lowermost portion of the document transport path 17, and the image is read by the image reading unit 5 at that time. The document 2 that has passed the document reading position A is then discharged to a document discharge tray 20 provided below the document tray 3. The document feeder 4 includes a feed counter 21 (see FIG. 3) that records the number of fed documents 2, that is, the number of read documents 2. The document tray 3 and the document feeding unit 4
Is a flatbed scanner (FBS: Flat Bed Scann)
er) 22 is provided on the upper surface of a holding lid 24 which is mounted on a transparent original placing plate 23 so as to be openable and closable.

The image reading section 5 is provided on the original conveying path 1.
7, a device for reading an image of the document 2 passing above the light-transmitting plate 19 provided at the document reading position A, and a charge-coupled image sensor using a CCD. Alternatively, a device that reads an image of a document and outputs it as an electric signal, such as a contact image sensor, which is generally used in a copier, a facsimile, or the like can be used. Further, the image reading section 5 is provided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and moves in the horizontal direction below the original placing plate 23 of the flatbed reading section 22 arranged adjacent to the light transmitting plate 19. Meanwhile, it is also used to read an image of a document placed on the document placing plate 23.

The weight detection sensor 6 is a sensor for detecting the weight of the document 2 placed on the document tray 3, and is provided at a mounting portion for mounting the document tray 3 on the upper surface of the holding lid 24. Specifically, here, the document tray 3
The weight detection sensor 6 has a structure in which the upper end 6a of the weight detection sensor 6 is attached to the lower surface of the document tray 3 near the connection end 3a connected to the document feeding section 4. , And the lower end 6 b is arranged so as to be fixed to the upper surface of the holding lid 24, so that the original tray 3 and the entire weight of the original 2 placed thereon are supported. The weight of the document 2 to be placed is detected.

Here, a load cell is used as the weight detection sensor 6. The load cell has both ends fixed to the document tray 3 and the holding cover 24, respectively, and receives a load from the document tray 3, and converts the strain adhered to the surface of the strain generator into electric resistance. And a strain gauge that forms a Wheatstone bridge circuit. Since the electrical resistance of the strain gauge changes in proportion to the strain caused by the strain element receiving a load, the amount of change in the electrical resistance is converted and output by an analog-digital converter. Thus, the change in the load applied to the flexure element, that is, the weight of the document 2 placed on the document tray 3 can be detected.
Note that such a load cell is used because it is possible to detect a minute change in load due to the weight of one sheet of paper. Therefore, the configuration of the weight detection sensor 6 is not limited to this, and various weight measuring devices other than the above can be used as long as they can detect a minute weight of one sheet of paper.

Next, portions other than the document reading device 7 in the document reading and recording device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 9 includes a photosensitive drum 25 and a charger 26 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 to a uniform potential.
An exposure device 27 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 25; a developing device 28 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 to make the image visible; A transfer unit 29 for transferring the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 onto the recording paper 8, a fixing unit 30 for heating and fixing the toner image on the recording paper 8, and a toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 25 after recording on the recording paper 8 And a cleaner 31 for removing and cleaning.

The recording paper storage section 10 includes a plurality of recording paper cassettes 32 which store recording papers of a predetermined size in a stacked state. Here, “A3”, “B4”, “A
It is provided with four recording paper cassettes 32 each accommodating recording papers of four sizes of “4” and “B5”. The recording paper storage unit 10 is provided with a delivery roller 33 for sending out the recording paper 8 in the recording paper cassette 32 one by one to the recording paper feeding unit 11 for each recording paper cassette 32.

The recording paper feeding section 11 includes a recording paper conveyance path 34 for guiding the recording paper 8 when it moves, and a plurality of recording paper conveyance paths arranged at predetermined intervals along the recording paper conveyance path 34 to convey the recording paper. And a transport roller 35 that performs the operation. The transport roller 35 is provided so as to protrude inward from the transport surface of the recording paper transport path 34, and transports the recording paper 8 by rotating it while sandwiching it from both sides. Also,
A recording paper discharge tray 36 is disposed at the end of the recording section 9 in the recording paper transport path 34, and the
The recording paper 8 after the recording of the image data read from is performed on the recording paper discharge tray 36. Further, the recording paper feeding section 11 includes a recording counter 37 (see FIG. 3) for recording the number of recording papers 8 fed to the recording section 9.

The control section 12 controls the overall operation of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 including the document reading apparatus 7, and also determines the number of documents 2 placed on the document tray 3 and calculates the copy completion time. It is a control circuit that performs, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic processing related to various controls. A method of determining the number of documents 2 placed on the document tray 3 and calculating a copy completion time will be described later in detail with reference to a flowchart.

Next, the circuit configuration of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Will copy and copy the original reading and recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
This shows a case where the present invention is embodied in a facsimile multifunction peripheral. Therefore, a modem 38 and a network control unit (NCU) 39 are provided as communication means for performing a facsimile function. Also, a ROM (read only memory) 40
Various programs necessary for the operation of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 are stored. A RAM (random access memory) 41 temporarily stores data and the like obtained by executing various programs. The image memory 42 temporarily stores the image data of the document 2 read by the image reading unit 5 and the received image data when using a facsimile.

The display unit 43 includes a liquid crystal display panel, an LED, and the like. Upon receiving information from the control unit 12, the display unit 43 displays various setting states and operation states of the apparatus, a copy completion time, and information placed on the document tray 3. The number of documents 2 and the like are also displayed. Operation unit 4
Reference numeral 4 includes various operation keys such as a start key, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, a magnification setting key, and an image quality setting key.
Signals from these key operations are output to the control unit 12.
Although not shown, the display unit 43 and the operation unit 44 are arranged at positions on the front upper part of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 where the user can easily operate and confirm the operation.

The document tray 3 has a size detection sensor 14 for detecting the size of a document placed on the document tray 3 and outputting the information to the control unit 12. A document presence / absence sensor 15 is also provided, which detects whether a document is placed on the document tray 3 and outputs the information to the control unit 12. The document feeding unit 4 starts operating in response to a command from the control unit 12, separates the documents 2 placed on the document tray 3 one by one, and feeds them to the image reading unit 5. At this time, the feeding counter 21 records the number of fed documents 2 and outputs the information to the control unit 12. The image reading section 5 reads an image when the document fed by the document feeding section 4 passes over the light transmitting plate 19, and outputs the image data to the control section 12. Also, when the original 2 is placed on the original placing plate 23 of the flatbed reading section 22, the image is read and the image data is output to the control section 12. Then, the image data sent to the control unit 12 is stored in the image memory 42. The weight detection sensor 6 detects the weight of the supported document tray 3 and the placed document 2 and outputs the detected value to the control unit 12.

The recording unit 9 receives image data of a document read by the image reading unit 5 and received image data when a facsimile is used from the control unit 12 and records it on the recording paper 8. The recording paper storage unit 10 stores a plurality of types of recording paper 8 of a predetermined size, and receives a recording paper 8 of an appropriate size selected according to a document size or the like in response to an instruction from the control unit 12 to supply the recording paper. Send it to the sending unit 11. The recording paper feeding unit 11
The recording sheet 8 is fed from the recording sheet storage section 10 to the recording section 9 in response to a command from the control section 12. At this time, the recording counter 3
In step 7, the number of originals 2 fed is recorded, and the information is output to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 supervises the control of the operation of each unit and the transfer of information as described above, and receives the information from the weight detection sensor 6 and the feed counter 21 to copy the original 2 placed on the original tray 3. And the copy completion time is calculated.

Next, the processing and operation of the document reading and recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, a document presence sensor 1 determines whether a document 2 is placed on a document tray 3 or not.
The determination is made based on the output information from S5 (S1). When the document 2 is not placed on the document tray 3 (S1: NO), the weight is detected by the weight detection sensor 6, and the detected value is set as the initial weight W0 of the document tray 3.
The detection of the initial weight W0 of the document tray 3 can be performed at any time as long as the document 2 is not placed on the document tray 3. Therefore, when the previous document reading operation is completed, the weight is detected, or the document reading and recording apparatus 1 is used.
Detects weight before and after entering the energy saving mode to save power consumption, or detects weight at regular intervals when the user is not operating the operation unit, and the detected value is clearly large It is preferable to use a method such as ignoring the case of small size.

If the document 2 is placed on the document tray 3 (S1: YES), the number of recording copies N is determined (S3). The number of recording copies N is determined by the user operating the operation unit 44 to specify the number of copies to be recorded. When the user has not performed any operation, the number of recording copies N is It becomes "1".

Thereafter, the weight is detected by the weight detection sensor 6, and the detected value is set as a mounted weight W1 in a state where the original 2 is placed on the original tray 3 (S4). Then, the total document weight W3 is calculated from the initial weight W0 and the placed weight W1 (S5). Total weight W of documents placed on document tray 3
Since 3 is a value obtained by subtracting the initial weight W0 from the placed weight W1, the calculation formula is “W3 = W1−W0”.

Next, as described above, the weight detection sensor 6
The approximate number of documents P1 is determined from the total document weight W3 and the standard weight W4 per document detected by the method (S).
6). Since the approximate number of documents P1 is a value obtained by dividing the total weight W3 of the documents placed on the document tray 3 by the standard weight W4 per document, the calculation formula is “P1 = W3 / W
4 ". Here, the standard weight W4 per document
Is set in advance for each document size based on the weight per sheet of general paper such as copy paper, and an appropriate one is selected based on information from the size detection sensor 14 of the document tray 3. Used. Since the approximate number of documents P1 is calculated based on the standard weight W4 per document, if the actual document weight W5 per document is different from the standard weight W4, the document tray 3 There is a slight error between the actual total number of originals P2 placed on the original.

Next, the approximate number of documents P1 and the number of recording copies N
Then, the approximate total reading time T3, the approximate total recording time T4, and the approximate copying completion time T5 are calculated from the reading time T1 per document and the recording time T2 per recording sheet (S7). Since the approximate total reading time T3 is a value obtained by multiplying the reading time T1 per document by the approximate number of documents P1, the calculation formula is “T3 = T1 × P1”. The approximate total recording time T4 is a value obtained by multiplying the recording time T2 per recording sheet by the approximate number of originals P1 and the number of recording copies N.
The calculation formula is “T4 = T2 × P1 × N”. The approximate copy completion time T5 is a value obtained by adding the approximate total read time T3 and the approximate total recording time T4.
= T3 + T4 ". Here, the reading time T1 per document and the recording time T2 per recording sheet each take a unique value depending on the performance of the document reading and recording apparatus 1, and are always constant times. I can put it.

The approximate number of documents P1 placed on the document tray 3 calculated as described above, the approximate total reading time T3, the approximate total recording time T4, and the approximate copying completion time T
5 are displayed on the display unit 43 (S8). Thus, the user immediately puts the approximate number P of the originals 2 placed on the original tray 3 at the stage where the originals 2 are placed on the original tray 3.
1. It is possible to know the approximate total reading time T3, the approximate total recording time T4, and the approximate copying completion time T5.

Next, it is determined whether or not the start key has been pressed on the operation unit 44 (S9). If the start key has not been pressed (S9: NO), the process returns to the beginning and enters the standby state. If the start key is pressed (S
9: YES), first, the value P3 of the feed counter 21 indicating the number of the originals 2 fed by the original feeding unit 4 is reset to “0” to “P3 = 0” (S10).

Thereafter, the original feeder 4 feeds the original tray 3
Is fed, and the image is read by the image reading section 5 (S11). The image data of the document read here is stored in the image memory 42. Then, since one document 2 has been fed, "1" is added to the value P3 of the feed counter 21 (S12). That is, since “P3 = 0”, “1” is added and “P3 =
1 ".

Next, the weight is detected by the weight detection sensor 6, and the detected value is defined as the post-feeding weight W6 after one of the documents 2 placed on the document tray 3 has been fed ( S1
3). Then, the actual document weight W5 per sheet is calculated from the value P3 of the feed counter 21, the placed weight W1, and the post-feed weight W6 (S14). The document weight W5 per sheet is a feed counter 2 indicating the number of documents 2 fed up to the value obtained by subtracting the post-feed weight W6 from the placed weight W1.
Since the value is divided by the value P3 of 1, the calculation formula is “W5 =
(W1-W6) / P3 ".

Then, the original weight W5 per sheet,
The total number of documents P2 is determined from the total document weight W3 (S1
5). Since the total number of originals P2 is a value obtained by dividing the total weight W3 of the originals by the original weight W5 per sheet, the calculation formula is "P2 = W3 / W5". Therefore, at this time, the remaining number P of the originals placed on the original tray 3
4 is a value obtained by subtracting the value P3 of the feed counter 21 indicating the number of the originals 2 already fed by the original feeding unit 4 from the total number of originals P2, the calculation formula is “P4 = P2−P3”. Become.

Next, the total number of originals P2, the remaining number of originals P4, the number of recording copies N, and the reading time T per original
1 and the recording time T2 per recording sheet, a total reading time T6, a reading completion time T7, a total recording time T8, and a copying completion time T9 are calculated (S16). Since the total reading time T6 is a value obtained by multiplying the reading time T1 per document by the total number of documents P2, the calculation formula is “T6 = T1 × P
2 ". Since the reading completion time T7 is a value obtained by multiplying the reading time T1 per document by the remaining document number P4, the calculation formula is “T7 = T1 × P4”. here,
As described above, since “P4 = P2−P3”, if the expression is expressed without using the remaining number of documents P4, the calculation formula is “T7 = T1 ×
(P2−P3) ”. The total recording time T8 is the recording paper 1
Since this is a value obtained by multiplying the recording time T2 per sheet by the total number of originals P2 and the number N of recording copies, the calculation formula is “T8 = T2 × P2
× N ”. The copy completion time T9 is a value obtained by adding the read completion time T7 and the total recording time T8.
The calculation formula is “T9 = T7 + T8”.

Then, the total number of documents P2 placed on the document tray 3 and the total reading time T calculated as described above are calculated.
6. The reading completion time T7, the total recording time T8, and the copying completion time T9 are respectively displayed on the display unit 43 (S17).
As described above, the document weight per sheet W5 is calculated and used from the amount of weight reduction due to the feeding of the document 2, and thus the outline of the document calculated using the standard weight W4 per sheet. The total number of documents P2, the total reading time T6, the reading completion time T7, the total recording time T8, and the copying completion time much more accurately than the number P1, the total reading time T3, the total recording time T4, and the copying completion time T5. T9 can be calculated. Therefore, the user can know such information more accurately than when the document 2 is placed on the document tray 3.

Next, whether or not the document 2 is placed on the document tray 3 is determined again based on the output information from the document presence / absence sensor 15 (S18). Document 2 on document tray 3
Is placed (S18: YES), the process returns to S11, and the process up to S17 is performed again. That is, the second document 2 is fed by the document feeder 4 and “1” is added to the value P3 of the feed counter 21 to “P3
= 2 ”, the original weight W5 per sheet is calculated again from the decrease in weight due to the feeding of two originals 2 in total, and the total number of originals P2 and the total reading time T
6. The reading completion time T7, the total recording time T8, and the copying completion time T9 are calculated and displayed. The processing from S11 to S17 is repeated until the original 2 placed on the original tray 3 is exhausted. As a result, the latest values of the reading completion time T7 and the copying completion time T9 can be constantly calculated, updated, and displayed.
Total number of documents P2, total reading time T6, total recording time T8
Can be calculated, updated, and displayed.

All the originals 2 are fed and the original tray 3
If the document 2 is not placed on the
18: NO) Then, in order to record the image data of the document on the recording paper 8, first, the value P5 of the recording counter of the recording paper feeding unit 11 is reset to “0” and “P5 = 0” (S1).
9).

Thereafter, one sheet of recording paper 8 is fed from the recording paper storage unit 10, and the recording unit 9 records image data (S2).
0). Here, the recording paper 8 after the image data is recorded
Is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 36. Then, since one sheet of the recording paper 8 is fed, the recording counter 3
"1" is added to the value P5 of 7 (S21). That is, "P
Since 5 = 0, “1” is added to make “P5 = 1”.

Next, the total recording time T8 and the recording counter 3
Then, the copy completion time T9 is calculated from the value P5 of 7 and the recording time T2 per recording sheet (S22). Here, since the reading of the original 2 has already been completed, the copy completion time T9 is calculated from the total recording time T8 to the time required for the already-performed recording, that is, the value P5 of the recording counter 37 per recording paper. Since the value is obtained by subtracting the value obtained by multiplying the recording time T2,
The calculation formula is “T9 = T8− (P5 × T2)”.

Based on this value, the copy completion time T
9 is updated and displayed (S23). Other total document number P2, total reading time T6, reading completion time T7, and total recording time T8 are also displayed as they are. However, since the reading of the document 2 has already been completed, the reading completion time T7 is “0”.

Next, it is determined whether or not all the recordings have been completed, that is, whether or not the recording of the image data of all the originals 2 on the recording paper 8 of the designated number of recording copies N has been completed (S24). ). If all recording has not been completed (S24: NO), the process returns to S20, and the process up to S23 is performed again. That is, the second recording paper 8 is fed to the recording unit 9 and the value P5
To "P5 = 2", and again calculates and displays the copy completion time T9. Then, from S20 to S2
The processing up to 3 is repeated until all the recording is completed. Thus, the latest value of the copy completion time T9 can be constantly calculated, updated, and displayed. Then, when all recording is completed (S24: YE
S), the process ends.

In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, a case has been described in which the image data is recorded on the recording paper after the reading of the images of all the originals 2 has been completed. The present invention can also be applied to a case where reading of an image of the document 2 and recording of image data on recording paper are performed in parallel. In this case, the approximate total reading time T3 and the approximate total recording time T4 are compared, and the longer time is set as the approximate copying completion time T5, and the reading completion time T7 and the total recording time T8 are compared to determine the longer time. The time is displayed as the copy completion time T9.

As described above, when the image of the original 2 is read and recorded on the recording paper 8 by the original reading device 7 and the original reading and recording device 1 according to the present invention, specifically, copying is performed by a copy machine or a copy / facsimile multifunction machine. Although the processing and operation in the case of performing is described above, according to the original reading apparatus 7 and the original reading and recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the case where the image of the original 2 is read and transmitted by a facsimile machine or a copy / facsimile multifunction machine or the like Can perform the same processing and operation.

That is, when the read image is transmitted, since the recording on the recording paper 8 is not necessary, the processes from S19 to S24 in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are not performed, and the processes from S1 to S18 are not performed. Processing and operation according to At this time, processing related to recording on the recording paper 8 is not performed.

In this case, specifically, the following points are different from the above embodiment. First, the number of recording copies N in S3 is not determined. In S7, instead of the approximate total reading time T3, the transmission time T11 per original document is used.
And the approximate number of originals P1 and the approximate transmission completion time T10
Is calculated. No other time is calculated. Since the approximate transmission completion time T10 is a value obtained by multiplying the transmission time T11 per original by the approximate number of documents P1 determined in S6, the calculation formula is “T10 = T11 × P1”. Here, the transmission time T11 per one document is not always a constant value depending on the line condition, but an average transmission time in a normal line condition is set in advance. It is also possible to accumulate data of past transmission times and calculate and use an average transmission time based on this data. Then, in S8, the approximate number of documents P1 and the approximate transmission completion time T10 are displayed on the display unit 43.

In S16, the total reading time T
Instead of 6, the transmission completion time T12 is calculated from the transmission time T11 per document and the total number of documents P2. No other time is calculated. Since the transmission completion time T12 is a value obtained by multiplying the transmission time T11 per document by the total number of documents P2 determined in S15, the calculation formula is “T12 = T12”.
11 × P2 ”. Therefore, in S17,
The total number of documents P2 and the transmission completion time T12 are displayed on the display unit 43. Then, in S18, it is determined whether or not the document 2 is placed on the document tray 3. If the document is not placed (S18: NO), the process is terminated, and the processes after S19 are performed. Absent. Thus, even when performing facsimile transmission, the user can know the transmission completion time T12 as in the above-described embodiment.

First, the images of all the originals 2 are read, and the image data is stored in the image memory.
Similarly, in the case where facsimile transmission is automatically performed at a designated time later, the processes from S19 to S24 in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are not performed.
Processing and operation can be performed according to steps 1 to S18. This case is different from the above-described embodiment in which copying is performed in the following points. First, the number of recording copies N in S3 is not determined. In S7, only the approximate total reading time T3 is calculated, and other times are not calculated. Therefore, in S8, only the approximate number of documents P1 and the approximate total reading time T3 are displayed on the display unit 43. S16
, The total reading time T6 and the reading completion time T7
Only the time is calculated, and the other times are not calculated. Therefore, S
At 17, the display unit 43 displays the total number of documents P2, the total reading time T6, and the reading completion time T7. Then, in S18, it is determined whether or not the original 2 is placed on the original tray 3. If the original is not placed (S18: NO), the processing is terminated, and the processing from S19 is performed. Absent. As a result, the user can read the images of all the originals 2 first and then automatically perform facsimile transmission at a designated time later, as in the above-described embodiment. You will be able to know.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the document reading device of the above, a weight detection sensor for detecting the weight of the document placed on the document tray, and the number of documents placed on the document tray based on the value detected by the weight detection sensor And the control unit for determining the number of documents, it is not necessary for the user to count the number of documents, and the time required for completion of reading can be easily estimated. Can be accurately determined.

According to the document reading apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, in addition to the number of documents fed by the document feeding section, the number of documents fed to the document tray before and after the document feeding is increased. By determining the number of documents placed on the document tray from the difference between the weights of the placed documents, it is possible to more accurately determine the number of documents placed on the document tray.

According to the original reading and recording apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, the original reading apparatus of the first or second aspect and an image read by the original reading apparatus are recorded on recording paper. A document reading / recording apparatus having a recording unit for recording, the number of documents determined by the document reading apparatus, the designated number of recording copies, the reading time per document, and the recording time per recording sheet By calculating and displaying the copy completion time from the above, the user can easily know the time required to complete the recording without counting the number of documents, so that the user can leave the document reading and recording apparatus and perform other tasks. Can be determined more accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a document reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration when the document reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is used in a multifunction facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing and operation of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart, following FIG. 4, showing processing and operations of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 document reading and recording device 2 document 3 document tray 4 document feeding unit 5 image reading unit 6 weight detection sensor 7 document reading device 8 recording paper 9 recording unit 12 control unit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H076 AA04 AA07 AA58 BA76 BB10 3F048 AA02 AA04 AB01 BA01 BB10 CA01 CA05 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AC02 AC04 AC65 AF06 AF07 5C072 AA01 AA05 NA01 NA04 NA10 RA01 XA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] An original tray on which a plurality of originals are placed;
A document feeder that separates and feeds the documents one by one from the document tray, a weight detection sensor that detects the weight of the document placed on the document tray, and a weight detection sensor based on the value detected by the weight detection sensor. And a controller for determining the number of documents placed on the document tray. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the number of originals fed by the original feeding unit and a weight of the originals placed on the original tray before and after the original feeding is determined. 2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of sheets is determined. 3. A document reading and recording device comprising: the document reading device according to claim 1; and a recording unit that records an image read by the document reading device on recording paper. A document reading and recording apparatus which calculates and displays a copy completion time based on the number of documents, a designated number of copies, a reading time per document, and a recording time per recording sheet. .