JP5571506B2 - Image processing apparatus and original image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads an image and processes the image and an original image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and an original image in which an original reading unit is disposed on a printer having a printing function. It relates to the processing method.

  The printer device is a device for printing image information or print information (hereinafter simply referred to as image information). There are various types of printers in the printer apparatus. A typical one is a laser printer that uses a laser beam for exposure. Inkjet printers that perform recording by selectively spraying ink on paper and thermal printers that perform recording by applying heat corresponding to image information to thermal paper are also widely used.

  A copying machine is a device in which a reading device that reads a document is added to a printer device and the read image information is printed. A facsimile device is a device that receives a signal obtained by scanning image information from a partner device and prints it with a printer, and transmits the image information read by the reader to the partner.

  When another device is connected to the printer device in this way, the functions of the entire device increase accordingly. However, in a relatively small office or home, installing the printer device and other devices separately on the floor occupies a large area, and the installation itself is often impossible.

  Therefore, it has been proposed as a related art of the present invention to arrange a printer device on the floor while arranging a reading device for reading a document so as to overlap the printer device (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In the related art of the present invention, a printer device and a reading device are stacked one above the other to constitute one image processing device called a copying machine. As a result, it is sufficient that there is a space for arranging the printer device in the floor area.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of an image processing apparatus as an example of the related art of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 100 has a structure in which a document reading unit 102 is placed on a printer unit 101. In this figure, the document reading unit 102 has a state in which a document pressing portion 113 for pressing the platen glass 112 disposed on the flat bed scanner 111 from above is opened by a hinge mechanism (rotation fulcrum) 114 by a predetermined angle. It has become. The printer unit 101 accommodates a paper feed cassette (not shown), from which paper is automatically supplied to a recording unit (not shown) to record an image of a document (not shown). The recorded paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 121. That is, in the related art of the present invention, the arrangement direction of the hinge mechanism 114 is parallel to the paper passing direction after recording.

  FIG. 8 shows the external appearance of only the document reading unit constituting the image processing apparatus. The document reading unit 102 includes a flat bed scanner 111 and a document pressing portion 113 that is openably and closably disposed thereon. On the document pressing portion 113, a document tray 131 for feeding a document (not shown) to be read one by one to the platen glass 112 (see FIG. 7) and an operation panel 132 for performing various settings at the time of reading are arranged. ing. Documents set on the document tray 131 are taken one by one into the automatic document feeder 133 having the operation panel 132 disposed on a part of the surface thereof, and are fed onto the platen glass 112 shown in FIG. Is read.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the document pressing portion of the document reading unit is opened by a predetermined angle as in FIG. In this figure, a hinge mechanism 114 is disposed at a location where the facing surfaces of the flatbed scanner 111 and the document pressing portion 113 intersect. By this hinge mechanism 114, the document pressing portion 113 can be freely opened and closed with respect to the flat bed scanner 111 as indicated by an arrow 115 within a predetermined angle range. This is to cope with a case where a thick original such as a book is required to be set directly on the platen glass 112.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-352449 (FIG. 1)

  The image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 described above has a structure in which the document reading unit 102 is placed on the printer unit 101. For this reason, the occupied area which the image processing apparatus 100 whole occupies on a floor can be made small. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to install the image processing apparatus 100 even when the floor space is small.

  However, in the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the occupied area in the vertical direction is increased by the amount that the occupied area in the horizontal direction is reduced. Moreover, the document reading unit 102 requires an operation of opening the document pressing portion 113 in a predetermined case where the document is set directly on the platen glass 112. For this reason, when the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is installed in a place where there is no room in the height direction, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform an operation of opening the document pressing portion 113.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can further reduce the height of the entire apparatus during operation in a state where a document reading mechanism is superimposed on a printer.

  In the present invention, (a) a printer main body provided with an inclined surface at the top of the housing at least along the width of the recording paper along the recording paper discharge direction and for inputting image information and printing on the recording paper; (B) an automatic document feeder that is arranged on the lower end side of the inclined surface in the above-described case, takes in a sheet-like document, and discharges the document while transporting it in the sub-scanning direction; ) A translucent plate for reading a document disposed in parallel with the above-described slope so as to connect the upper end side of the above-described slope and a position in front of the above-described automatic document feeder, and the plate and the above-described slope In the first mode for reading the original placed on the above-described plate material, the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned from the lower side of the above-mentioned plate material to read the image information of the original while the above-mentioned original is read. Automatic feeding means In the second mode for reading the sheet-like document conveyed in the above-described manner, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped at a position close to the automatic document feeder in the second mode and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. Reading means for reading the image information of the original document, and openable and closable document pressing means for pressing the above-mentioned plate material from above with the direction orthogonal to the recording paper discharge direction as the rotation axis on the upper end side. The image processing apparatus includes a document reading unit.

  According to the present invention, (a) a printer that has a slope inclined downward at least in the width of the recording paper along the recording paper discharge direction at the top of the housing and inputs image information to print on the recording paper A main body, an automatic document feeder disposed on the lower end portion of the slope of the printer body, for taking out a sheet-like document and discharging it while transporting the document in the sub-scanning direction; A translucent plate for reading a document arranged in parallel with the inclined surface so as to connect the upper end side and the position in front of the automatic document feeder described above, and the recording paper described above on the upper end side. An image processing apparatus provided with an original reading unit provided with an openable and closable original pressing means for pressing this plate member from above with a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction as a rotation axis is described above by using the original reading unit. The first mode for reading the image information of the document placed on the translucent plate is selected, or the second mode for reading the image information of the sheet-like document using the automatic document feeder described above. A document reading instruction selection step for selecting whether to select a mode; and (b) when the first mode is selected in this document reading instruction selection step, the document pressing means is used after the document is placed on the plate. A first image information reading step of reading the image information of the original by scanning the surface of the one-dimensional image sensor from below the plate material by pressing this, and (c) the second in the original reading instruction selection step. When the mode is selected, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped in the vicinity of the automatic document feeder, and in this state, the original is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the automatic document feeder. A second image information acquisition step for acquiring image information of the manuscript; and (d) a printing step for performing printing by sending the image information acquired in the first or second image information acquisition step into the printer main body. Is provided with a document image processing method.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an original is read using this inclined surface of the printer main body provided with an inclined surface at the upper part of the casing at least at the width of the recording paper along the discharge direction of the recording paper. Decided to place units. As a result, by placing the components that make up the automatic document feeder in the lower part of the document reading unit, restrictions on the height of the automatic document feeder can be relaxed, and the degree of freedom in product manufacturing is ensured. can do.

  Further, according to the present invention, the openable and closable document pressing means having the upper end side on the inclined surface as the center of rotation is disposed, and the document pressing means is physically separated from the automatic document feeding means. Therefore, the document pressing means can be opened with a light force, and in this case, the parts constituting the automatic document feeding means do not protrude. Therefore, the installation area in the width direction required for the operation of the image processing apparatus can be reduced.

It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure about the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding figure about the image processing method of the original of this invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an arrangement relationship of a document reading unit with respect to a printer unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a document and recording paper are discharged in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which compared the required working space in the height direction of the image processing apparatus in this Embodiment with the related technique of this invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus as an example of related technology of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of only a document reading unit constituting the image processing apparatus. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the document pressing unit of the document reading unit is opened by a predetermined angle as in FIG. 7.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a printer main body 11, an automatic document feeder 12, and a document reading unit 13. Here, the printer main body 11 is provided with a slope inclined downward at least in the width of the recording paper along the recording paper discharge direction at the upper part of the casing, and inputs image information to print on the recording paper. The automatic document feeder 12 is disposed on the lower end side of the inclined surface in the above-described housing, takes in a sheet-like document, and discharges it while transporting the document in the sub-scanning direction. The document reading unit 13 includes a translucent plate 13a for reading a document, reading means 13b for reading the image information of the sheet-shaped document, and the recording paper discharge direction on the upper end side. An openable / closable document pressing means 13c for pressing the plate material 13a from above with the direction as a rotation axis is provided. The translucent plate 13a for reading the original is arranged in parallel with the slope so as to connect the upper end side of the slope and the position in front of the automatic document feeder 12. The reading means 13b is a first mode for reading a document placed between the plate member 13a and the inclined surface and placed on the plate member 13a. The one-dimensional image sensor is stopped at a position close to the automatic document feeder 12 in the second mode for reading the sheet-like original conveyed by the automatic document feeder 12 while reading the image information. The image information of the sheet-like document conveyed in the sub-scanning direction is read. The document pressing means 13c is an openable / closable means for pressing the plate material 13a from above with the above-mentioned upper end side as a rotation center.

FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the document image processing method of the present invention. The document image processing method 20 of the present invention includes a document reading instruction selection step 21, a first image information reading step 22, a second image information acquisition step 23, and a printing step 24. Here, in the document reading instruction selection step 21, whether the image processing apparatus selects the first mode for reading the image information of the document placed on the translucent plate using the document reading unit. Then, it is selected whether to select the second mode for reading the image information of the sheet-like document using the automatic document feeder. The image processing apparatus described above includes a slope on the top of the casing that is inclined downward at least in the width of the recording paper along the recording paper discharge direction, and inputs the image information described above to print on the recording paper. A printer main body to be performed, and the above-described automatic document feeder that is arranged on the lower end side of the inclined surface of the printer main body, takes in a sheet-like original, and discharges the original while conveying it in the sub-scanning direction of the original, A translucent plate for reading a document arranged in parallel with the above-described slope so as to connect the upper end side of the above-described slope and a position in front of the above-described automatic document feeder, and at the above-described upper end side, An original reading unit including an openable / closable original pressing means for pressing the plate member from above with a direction orthogonal to the recording paper discharge direction as a rotation axis is provided. In the first image information reading step 22, when the first mode is selected in the document reading instruction selection step 21, the document pressing unit presses the document after placing the document on the plate. Then, the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned in plane from the lower side of the above plate material to read the image information of the original. In the second image information acquisition step 23, when the second mode is selected in the document reading instruction selection step 21, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped in the vicinity of the automatic document feeder, and in this state The original document is moved by the automatic document feeder in the sub-scanning direction, and the image information of the document is acquired. In the printing step 24, the image information acquired in the first or second image information acquisition steps 22 and 23 is sent into the printer main body to perform printing.

  <Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows an image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 200 has a structure in which a document reading unit 202 is placed on a printer unit 201. In this figure, the document reading unit 202 has a document pressing portion 213 for pressing the platen glass 212 disposed on the flat bed scanner 211 from above with a hinge mechanism (opening / closing fulcrum) 214 with respect to the platen glass 212. Only the angle is open. A paper cassette (not shown) is accommodated in the printer unit 201, from which paper is automatically supplied to a recording unit (not shown) and recorded. The recorded paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 221. That is, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the hinge mechanism 214 is perpendicular to the paper passing direction after recording. Further, the hinge mechanism 214 is located on the most rear end side (the position farthest from the paper discharge tray 221) of the flat bed scanner 211.

  In the printer unit 201, when the apparatus main body is viewed from the front, the right wall portion 222 located on the right side of the paper discharge tray 221 is higher than the left wall portion 223 located on the left side of the paper discharge tray 221. ing. The upper surface of the right side wall portion 222 enters the horizontal surface 222B except for the inclined portion 222A on the front side. A printer operation panel 224 for various operations of the printer unit 201 is disposed on the inclined portion 222A.

  An automatic document feeder 225 having an elliptical upper left cross-sectional shape is disposed on the front surface of the printer unit 201 with one end adjacent to the right wall 222. A reading operation panel 226 is disposed on the upper right side of the automatic document feeder 225 in the drawing so that the document reading unit 202 can be operated. Since the reading operation panel 226 is adjacent to the printer operation panel 224, the user can operate them uniformly.

  The pair of guide plates 217 and 218 arranged on the upper part of the document pressing portion 213 is for restricting the position when the sheet-shaped document is fed into the automatic document feeder 225. When the document pressing portion 213 is closed, the tip portions where the pair of guide plates 217 and 218 are arranged are opposed to an opening for carrying in a document (not shown) of the automatic document feeder 225.

  FIG. 4 shows an arrangement relationship of the document reading unit with respect to the printer unit in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment. Here, in order to clarify the arrangement relationship between the two, the cut portion of the printer unit 201 is simply indicated by hatching. In FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 3 is represented by a cross section cut along a center position obtained by dividing the width direction of the paper (not shown) discharged from the paper discharge tray 221 into two equal parts.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the document reading unit 202 is in contact with an upper inclined panel 231 inclined forward as a portion excluding the right side wall portion 222 shown in FIG. It is fixed on 201. Inside the automatic document feeder 225 attached to the printer unit 201 side, a conveyance mechanism 233 for reading a document (not shown) while conveying it and discharging it forward (in the direction of the sheet discharge tray 221) is arranged. Has been.

  A flat scanning type one-dimensional image sensor (not shown) is arranged in the flat bed scanner 211 of the document reading unit 202. The one-dimensional image sensor is configured to move in the sub-scanning direction to perform planar scanning of the document when a document such as a book is set on the platen glass 212. In other cases, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped at the scanning start position close to the automatic document feeder 225. Therefore, when a sheet-like document is set on a pair of guide plates 217 and 218 (see FIG. 3) and moved in the sub-scanning direction using the transport mechanism 233, the one-dimensional image sensor stationary at the start position is used. This image is read.

  FIG. 5 shows how the original and recording paper are discharged in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment. For example, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 200 makes a copy of a sheet-like document. In this case, a document (not shown) is set on the pair of guide plates 217 and 218 of the document pressing unit 213 with the surface to be copied facing up. In this state, the user uses the automatic document feeder 225 to select a mode for reading image information and presses a predetermined copy button on the reading operation panel 226. Then, the document is started to be conveyed in the direction of the arrow 241 and passes through the automatic document feeder 225. At this time, the image of the document is read as described above. The document that has passed through the automatic document feeder 225 advances in the direction of the arrow 242 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 221.

  Image information obtained by reading a document is sent from the document reading unit 202 to the printer unit 201 via a cable (not shown), and a printing operation is started. The printer unit 201 has, for example, an electrostatic recording type photosensitive drum (not shown) disposed therein. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum and developed with toner to form a toner image. This toner image is transferred to recording paper (plain paper) and fixed, and then proceeds in the direction of arrow 243 indicated by a broken line and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 221. Of course, the printer unit 201 may employ other recording methods.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the original is not a sheet as described above but a book such as a thick book. In this case, the user cannot read the document using the automatic document feeder 225. Therefore, in this case, the user selects a mode in which the flatbed scanner 211 is scanned in plane. Then, the document pressing unit 213 of the document reading unit 202 is directly lifted by hand to form a predetermined space on the platen glass 212 as shown in FIG. Then, a book to be copied is placed in this space on the platen glass 212, and the start of the copy operation is instructed using the operation panel 226 at the time of reading. Even for a sheet, a document that needs to be positioned on the platen glass 212 or a document that is easily damaged is set directly on the platen glass 212 to read an image.

  Even when performing planar scanning using the platen glass 212 in this way, image information obtained by reading a document is sent from the document reading unit 202 to the inside of the printer unit 201 via a cable (not shown). Printing operation starts. The printer unit 201 has, for example, an electrostatic recording type photosensitive drum (not shown) disposed therein. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum and developed with toner to form a toner image. The formed toner image is transferred onto recording paper (plain paper) and fixed, and then proceeds in the direction of an arrow 243 indicated by a broken line and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 221.

FIG. 6 shows a comparison of the required work space in the height direction of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment with the related art of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows the image processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, and the height when the document pressing portion 213 is closed is h ₁ . Further, the overall height of the image processing apparatus 200 when opening the document holder 213 by a predetermined angle for the image reading of the book product is h _2.

On the other hand, FIG. 7B shows the required work space height in the image processing apparatus 100 of the related art shown in FIG. The height when the document pressing portion 113 is closed is h ₁ , and this is the same as in the case of the image processing apparatus 200. However, in the case of the image processing apparatus 100, when the document pressing unit 113 is to open by the same angle for the image reading of the book product, the total height of the device is further higher by h ₃ than h _2. That is, in the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the hinge mechanism 214 of the document pressing portion 213 is different from the arrangement direction of the hinge mechanism 114 of the document pressing portion 113 by 90 degrees, thereby reducing the work space by the height h _3. It is possible.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 4, when the structure in which the document reading unit 202 is placed on the printer unit 201 is adopted, The part 213 is disposed so as to be tilted so that the front end side of the part 213 is in a low position. As a result, the automatic document feeder 225 disposed on the upper part of the printer unit 201 so as to face the front end of the document pressing unit 213 is positioned lower than the position where the hinge mechanism 214 is disposed, and the height of the automatic document feeder 225 itself. However, it has a structure that does not affect the overall height of the image processing apparatus 200 (does not compress the arrangement space in the height direction).

  Next, as a second feature of the image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the hinge mechanism 214 is positioned at the upper end of the hypotenuse as the overall arrangement direction of the document pressing portion 213 in FIG. It was arranged in the vertical direction. As a result, even if the document pressing portion 213 is opened with respect to the platen glass 212 (see FIG. 3), the entire image processing apparatus 200 is compared with the case where the rotation shaft of the hinge mechanism 214 is arranged at other places. The rate of increase in height can be minimized.

  Here, a supplementary explanation will be made on the point that the arrangement directions of the hinge mechanisms 214 and 114 differ by 90 degrees between the present embodiment and the related technology of the present invention. If the hinge mechanism 114 can be arranged at the same position as the hinge mechanism 214 shown in FIG. 3 in the related art of the present invention, the required work space height in the image processing apparatus 100 can be reduced as in the present embodiment. It is. However, this is practically difficult. This is because the document pressing unit 113 in the related art of the present invention integrally holds the relatively heavy document automatic sheet feeding unit 133 on the end side close to the sheet discharge tray 121. For this reason, if the hinge mechanism 114 is arranged at the same position as the hinge mechanism 214 of the present embodiment, it is necessary to design the document pressing portion 113 to be sufficiently strong, and the thickness of the document reading unit 102 is thicker than the present. Therefore, the height of the work space similar to the present embodiment cannot be ensured. Therefore, in the related art of the present invention, it is a practical solution to arrange the hinge mechanism 114 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the document pressing portion 113, that is, the document discharge direction.

  In the present embodiment, this problem is solved by separating the document pressing unit 213 from the document reading unit 202 and fixing it on the printer unit 201.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to employ a plane scanning type apparatus as the document reading unit 202 while arranging the document reading unit 202 on the upper part of the printer unit 201. Moreover, even in this case, even in a space where the height direction is limited, it is possible to read a document using a thicker document than in the past.

  In this embodiment, since the printer operation panel 224 and the reading operation panel 226 are independent and adjacent to each other, the user uses these two types of operation panels properly and also performs a co-operation such as copying. There is an effect that it is easy to operate. Further, since the sheet-like document is discharged downward from the automatic document feeder 225, the paper discharge tray 221 that stores the recorded paper of the printer unit 201 can also be used for document discharge. is there.

  In the embodiment, the rear end of the document reading unit 202 protrudes from the rear portion of the printer unit 201. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the document pressing unit 213 may be arranged horizontally by causing the document pressing unit 213 to slightly protrude from the top of the printer unit 201.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the printer unit 201 and the document reading unit 202 are combined has been described. However, it is natural that the same configuration may be realized as a facsimile transmission apparatus or a facsimile transmission / reception apparatus. In this case, the printer unit 201 includes image information sending means for sending image information read by the document reading unit 202 to the outside via a line (not shown) and image information receiving means for receiving image information from the outside via the line. It will have.

  Some or all of the embodiments described above are described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following descriptions.

(Appendix 1)
A printer main body that has a slope inclined downward at least in the width of the recording paper along the discharge direction of the recording paper at the top of the housing, and inputs image information to print on the recording paper;
An automatic document feeder that is disposed on the lower end side of the inclined surface of the housing and takes out a sheet-like document and conveys it in the sub-scanning direction of the document;
A translucent plate for reading a document arranged in parallel with the inclined surface so as to connect the upper end side of the inclined surface and a position in front of the automatic document feeder, and is disposed between the plate and the inclined surface. In the first mode for reading the document placed on the plate material, the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned from below the plate material to read the image information of the document, while being conveyed by the automatic document feeder. Reading means for reading the image information of the sheet-like document conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by stopping the one-dimensional image sensor at a position close to the automatic document feeding means in the second mode for reading the sheet-like document. And an original reading unit comprising an openable and closable original pressing means for pressing the plate member from above with the upper end side as a rotation center.

(Appendix 2)
The operation panel at the time of reading disposed on the automatic document feeder for reading a document is disposed close to a printer operation panel for operating the printer main body. Image processing apparatus.

(Appendix 3)
The supplementary note 1 is characterized in that the discharge direction of the recording paper in the printer main body and the discharge direction of the original in the automatic document feeder are coincident with each other when projected onto a plane on which the printer main body is installed. Image processing apparatus.

(Appendix 4)
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a discharge tray of the printer main body is disposed at a position where a document discharged from the automatic document feeder is dropped.

(Appendix 5)
Note that a guide member is disposed on the upper surface of the document pressing unit to guide the document entry direction to the automatic document feeder while the document pressing unit covers the document on the plate. The image processing apparatus according to 1.

(Appendix 6)
The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the printer body includes image information sending means for sending image information read by the document reading unit to the outside, and image information receiving means for receiving image information from the outside. apparatus.

(Appendix 7)
A printer main body provided with an inclined surface at the top of the housing at least along the recording paper discharge direction with the width of the recording paper, and for inputting image information to print on the recording paper, and the inclined surface of the printer main body An automatic document feeder for taking a sheet-like document and discharging it while transporting the document in the sub-scanning direction; an upper end of the slope; and an automatic document feeder A translucent plate for reading a document arranged parallel to the inclined surface so as to connect the front position, and an openable / closable document pressing means for pressing the plate from above with the upper end side as a rotation center. A first mode for reading image information of a document placed on the translucent plate using the document reading unit, or an image processing apparatus including the document reading unit; Manuscript A document reading instruction selection step for selecting whether to select the second mode for reading image information of the sheet-like document using Dokyushi means,
When the first mode is selected in this document reading instruction selection step, after placing the document on the plate material, it is pressed by the document pressing means, and the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned from below the plate material. A first image information reading step for reading image information of the document;
When the second mode is selected in the document reading instruction selection step, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped in the vicinity of the automatic document feeder, and in this state, the document is fed by the automatic document feeder in the sub-scanning direction. A second image information acquisition step of acquiring the image information of the document by moving to
A document image processing method comprising: a printing step for sending the image information acquired in the first or second image information acquisition step into the printer main body and performing printing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 200 Image processing apparatus 11 Printer main body 12 Automatic document feeder 13 Original reading unit 13a (Translucent plate for reading original) 13b Reading means 13c Original pressing means 20 Original image processing method 21 Original reading instruction selection step 22 First image information reading step 23 Second image information obtaining step 24 Printing step 201 Printer unit 202 Document reading unit 211 Flatbed scanner 212 Platen glass 213 Document pressing unit 214 Hinge mechanism 217, 218 Guide plate 221 Discharge tray 224 Printer operation panel 225 Automatic document feeder 226 Reading operation panel 233 Conveyance mechanism

Claims (7)

A printer main body that has a slope inclined downward at least in the width of the recording paper along the discharge direction of the recording paper at the top of the housing, and inputs image information to print on the recording paper;
An automatic document feeder that is disposed on the lower end side of the inclined surface of the housing and takes out a sheet-like document and conveys it in the sub-scanning direction of the document;
A translucent plate for reading a document arranged in parallel with the inclined surface so as to connect the upper end side of the inclined surface and a position in front of the automatic document feeder, and is disposed between the plate and the inclined surface. In the first mode for reading the document placed on the plate material, the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned from below the plate material to read the image information of the document, while being conveyed by the automatic document feeder. Reading means for reading the image information of the sheet-like document conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by stopping the one-dimensional image sensor at a position close to the automatic document feeding means in the second mode for reading the sheet-like document. And a document reading unit comprising openable and closable document pressing means for pressing the plate material from above with a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper discharge direction on the upper end side. The image processing apparatus characterized by.   2. A reading operation panel arranged for reading an original on the automatic document feeder is arranged close to a printer operation panel for operating the printer main body. The image processing apparatus described.   The discharge direction of the recording paper in the printer main body and the discharge direction of the original in the automatic document feeder are coincident with each other when projected onto a plane on which the printer main body is installed. The image processing apparatus described.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a discharge tray of the printer main body is disposed at a position where a document discharged from the automatic document feeder is dropped.   A guide member is disposed on the upper surface of the document pressing unit to guide the entry direction of the document to the automatic document feeding unit in a state where the document pressing unit covers the document on the plate. Item 6. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the printer main body includes image information sending means for sending image information read by the document reading unit to the outside and image information receiving means for receiving image information from the outside. Processing equipment. A printer main body provided with an inclined surface at the top of the housing at least along the recording paper discharge direction with the width of the recording paper, and for inputting image information to print on the recording paper, and the inclined surface of the printer main body An automatic document feeder for taking a sheet-like document and discharging it while transporting the document in the sub-scanning direction; an upper end of the slope; and an automatic document feeder A translucent plate for reading a document arranged in parallel with the inclined surface so as to connect the front position, and this plate from the upper side with the direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording paper on the upper end side as a rotation axis With respect to an image processing apparatus having an original reading unit provided with an openable / closable original pressing means, image information of an original placed on the translucent plate using the original reading unit is obtained. read Select one mode, a document reading instruction selection step selects whether to use the automatic document feeding unit selects the second mode for reading image information of the sheet-like document,
When the first mode is selected in this document reading instruction selection step, the document is placed on the plate and then pressed by the document pressing means, and the one-dimensional image sensor is scanned from below the plate. A first image information reading step for reading image information of the document;
When the second mode is selected in the document reading instruction selection step, the one-dimensional image sensor is stopped in the vicinity of the automatic document feeder, and in this state, the document is fed by the automatic document feeder in the sub-scanning direction. A second image information acquisition step of acquiring the image information of the document by moving to
A document image processing method comprising: a printing step for sending the image information acquired in the first or second image information acquisition step into the printer main body and performing printing.

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