Patent Application
20070081065
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a monochrome or color copier, printer, or facsimile that employs an image forming method such as electrophotography, electrostatic recording, ionography, or magnetic recording, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of imaging a three-dimensional object.
2. Description of Related Art
Hitherto, a color image processing apparatus that uses a digital camera as the imaging section of the scanner section in an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) comprising a multifunction all-in-one printer (hereinafter referred to simply as “image forming apparatus”) has been proposed as an image forming apparatus capable of imaging a three-dimensional object (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-348286).
In image forming apparatus 10 described in the above-mentioned publication, a USB interface section, ink-jet printer (hereinafter referred to simply as “printer section”), scanner section (not shown), and so forth are housed in the main body of the apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus body”) 11.
Also, as shown in
Object placement platform 15 for placing an object to be photographed by digital camera 12, and operating section 16 operated by an operator, are provided on the top of apparatus body 11.
At the sides of apparatus body 11 are provided paper feed section 17 for paper on which printing (image formation) is performed by a printer section, and a paper ejection section 18 for paper printed by the printer section.
This image forming apparatus 10 has three operating modes: copy mode, scanner mode, and printer mode.
In copy mode, image data is input and copied directly from the scanner section of apparatus body 11 to the printer section. In scanner mode, image data of a document read by the scanner section of apparatus body 11 is transferred as RGB image data to a computer or the like connected to image forming apparatus 10. In printer mode, RGB image data stored in an external computer or the like is read and printed onto paper by the printer section of apparatus body 11.
Referring to
However, image forming apparatus 10 described in the above-mentioned publication has the following problems.
In this image forming apparatus 10, digital camera 12 serving as an imaging section is fixed to frame 13 extending above apparatus body 11. Therefore, a problem with this image forming apparatus 10 is that the apparatus is large.
Also, in this image forming apparatus 10, the top of apparatus body 11 forms object placement platform 15 for placing an object to be photographed by digital camera 12. Therefore, a problem with this image forming apparatus 10 is that it is necessary for paper feed section 17 and paper ejection section 18 to be provided at the sides of apparatus body 11, resulting in a large apparatus footprint.
Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 10, paper ejection section 18 is located at the front of apparatus body 11, and paper feed section 17 is concealed at the rear of apparatus body 11. Therefore, a problem with this image forming apparatus 10 is that operations to set paper in paper feed section 17 are difficult.
There are thus various problems with using this image forming apparatus 10 placed on a desk in the manner of a typical MFP.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus with three-dimensional object imaging capability that is compact, has a small footprint, and is easy to use.
According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus employs a configuration that includes: an image forming section that forms an image; a top-surface paper ejection section that ejects paper on which an image has been printed by the image forming section onto the top surface of the apparatus body; a top-surface paper ejection tray that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus body and receives paper ejected by the top-surface paper ejection section; an object placement platform on which an object placement surface on which an object is placed is exposed by opening the top-surface paper ejection tray; and an imaging section that has the top-surface paper ejection tray in an open state with respect to the apparatus body as a supporting member and images an object placed on the object placement platform.
According to the present invention, paper is ejected onto the top surface of the apparatus body, and a top-surface paper ejection tray serves as a supporting member of the imaging section, enabling an apparatus capable of imaging a three-dimensional object to be made compact and the footprint of the apparatus to be made small.
The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference now to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below. Configuration elements and equivalent parts in the drawings having the same configuration or function are assigned the same codes, and descriptions thereof are not repeated.
First, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
Image forming unit 110 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example is composed of photosensitive drum 111, laser optical unit 112, an electrifier 113, developing unit 114, transfer roller 115, cleaning unit 116, fixing unit 117, and so forth.
Developing unit 114 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example comprises a magnetic brush contact type, bi-component development type developing apparatus provided with magnet roller 114a.
Image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with paper feed unit 120 that feeds paper P toward image forming unit 110. In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, paper feed unit 120 is composed of paper feed cassette 121 that holds stacked paper P, paper feed roller 122 that separates and feeds paper P from paper feed cassette 121 one sheet at a time, registration rollers 123 that temporarily halt fed paper P and then re-feed it at predetermined timing, and so forth.
Image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with top-surface paper ejection unit 130 as a top-surface paper ejection section that ejects paper P on which an image has been formed by image forming unit 110 onto the top surface of apparatus body 101. In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, top-surface paper ejection unit 130 is composed of transport rollers 131 that transport paper P on which an image has been formed by image forming unit 110 toward the upper part of apparatus body 101, top-surface paper ejection rollers 132 that eject paper P transported by transport rollers 131 toward the top surface of apparatus body 101, top-surface paper ejection aperture 133 provided at the top of apparatus body 101, and so forth.
When images are formed on both sides of paper P, image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with reverse transportation unit 140 that reverses the front and back sides of paper P on one side (the surface) of which an image has been formed by image forming unit 110, and transports reversed paper P to image forming unit 110 again. In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, reverse transportation unit 140 is composed of paper path switching member (switching lug) 141 that switches the path of paper P on one side (the surface) of which an image has been formed to a reverse transportation path, reverse transportation rollers 142 that perform reverse transportation of paper P sent into the reverse transportation path toward registration rollers 123 of paper feed unit 120, and so forth.
Image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with top-surface paper ejection tray 150 that can be opened and closed with respect to apparatus body 101 and receives paper P ejected by top-surface paper ejection unit 130. In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is supported in a freely pivoting fashion by spindle 151, and is opened or closed with respect to apparatus body 101 by being raised or lowered by means of handle 152 provided on the opening and closing side.
Image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with object placement platform 160 on which a three-dimensional object can be placed (see
Image forming apparatus 100 of this example is also provided with two-dimensional sensor 170 as an imaging section for imaging an object placed on object placement platform 160. In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, two-dimensional sensor 170 is configured by providing a two-dimensional arrangement of CCD (Charge Coupled Device), CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), or suchlike image sensors capable of reading a photographic image of a sheet document, a book or similar bound document, a three-dimensional object, and so forth.
Two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example is positioned on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 so that an imaging surface 170a is opposite object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 by rotation on fulcrum 171.
Referring to
In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, the surface of photosensitive drum 111 is first charged to approximately −700 V by means of electrifier 113. Then the surface of photosensitive drum 111 is radiated with a laser beam by laser optical unit 112 serving as an exposure apparatus, and an electrostatic latent image is formed in accordance with input image information.
When an electrostatic latent image is written to photosensitive drum 111 by laser optical unit 112, the surface potential of exposed image areas is diselectrified to approximately −100 V or below.
Meanwhile, the charge of toner present on magnet roller 114a of developing unit 114 is generally on the order of −20 to −30 μC/g. In this developing unit 114, development is executed by applying AC+DC development voltages, with figures of 4 kHz and 1.6 kVpp for AC and approximately −250 V for DC.
By this means, a toner image is formed by the adhesion of toner to exposed image areas on photosensitive drum 111 which has been diselectrified to approximately −100 V or below.
Following this, the toner image formed on photosensitive drum 111 is transferred by transfer roller 115 to paper P which has been charged to approximately +500 V.
Then, when paper P crosses fixing unit 117, the toner image adhering to paper P is first melted by the application of heat and pressure, and then fixed to paper P.
Paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is then ejected onto, and stacked on, top-surface paper ejection tray 150 by top-surface paper ejection rollers 132 of top-surface paper ejection unit 130.
When object reading (object imaging) is not performed by two-dimensional sensor 170, image forming is performed with top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state, as shown in
On the other hand, when an object is imaged by two-dimensional sensor 170, if, for example, reading of book B on object placement platform 160 is performed, image forming is performed with top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in an open state, as shown in
In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, it is desirable for spindle 151 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to be installed parallel to top-surface paper ejection rollers 132 of top-surface paper ejection unit 130, and to be installed so that at least part of the top surface on which ejected paper P is placed near the spindle is lower than top-surface paper ejection aperture 133 provided at the top of apparatus body 101.
That is to say, with top-surface paper ejection tray 150 installed in this way, the ejection path of paper P ejected from top-surface paper ejection aperture 133 can be secured whether top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in a closed state or an open state, and paper P can be ejected without becoming jammed when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened or closed.
In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, since paper P on which an image has been formed is ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 located on the top of apparatus body 101, as described above, paper ejection section 18 does not project from one side of apparatus body 11 as in the case of conventional image forming apparatus 10 shown in
Also, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, since top-surface paper ejection tray 150 also functions as a support for two-dimensional sensor 170, which is the imaging section, it is not necessary to provide frame 13 extending above apparatus body 11 in order to secure digital camera 12 as in the case of conventional image forming apparatus 10 shown in
Next, the positional relationship between two-dimensional sensor 170 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 and between two-dimensional sensor 170 and object placement platform 160, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example will be described.
As shown in
By this means, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in a closed state with respect to apparatus body 101—that is, when two-dimensional sensor 170 is not used—two-dimensional sensor 170 can be protected from impacts from outside and infiltration of dust by top-surface paper ejection tray 150 and object placement platform 160.
Also, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, it is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 to be located inward from the edge of the side (the handle 152 side) opposite the spindle 151 side of the underside of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as shown in
In
cos θ=X/L (1)
In Equation (1), X is the distance from the fulcrum of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 (spindle 151) to the point of intersection of imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 and object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160; L is the distance (tray length) from the fulcrum of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 (spindle 151) to the installation position (imaging center) of two-dimensional sensor 170; and θ is the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 with respect to object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 when imaging is performed by two-dimensional sensor 170.
If two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed so that its imaging optical axis 175 crosses the center of the possible imaging area on object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160, an object placed on object placement surface 161 can be imaged from directly above with the least amount of distortion.
Thus, if {(La/2)+Lb} is substituted for distance X in above Equation (1), cos θ in Equation (1) can be expressed by Equation (2) below.
cos θ={(La/2)+Lb}/L (2)
In Equation (2), La is the imaging range width of the possible imaging area of two-dimensional sensor 170 on object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160, and Lb is the non-imaging area width from spindle 151 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to the possible imaging area of two-dimensional sensor 170 on object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160.
Incidentally, since, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, paper P is ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 on which two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed, if angle of opening θ of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is large, there is a risk of a paper jam occurring when paper P is ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
While the occurrence of such paper P jams will vary depending on image forming conditions such as image forming apparatus 100 operating environment, the thickness of paper P, and the degree of curling of the front edge of paper P, they are envisaged as being prone to occur if top-surface paper ejection tray 150 angle of opening θ exceeds 50 degrees.
Therefore, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, it is desirable for top-surface paper ejection tray 150 angle of opening θ to be set to 50 degrees or less (θ≦50 degrees). As a result, the value of cos θ in Equation (1) will be cos θ≧cos(50)≈0.64, and if the value of cos θ is substituted in Equation (2), Equation (2) can be expressed by Equation (3) below.
0.64≦{(La/2)+Lb}/L (3)
Based on such a condition, the positional relationship between two-dimensional sensor 170 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 and between two-dimensional sensor 170 and object placement platform 160, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, will be considered in concrete terms.
It is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example to be able to image objects up to A3 size width so as to conform to commonly used paper P sizes.
Also, since the perpendicular length of A3 size paper is 297 mm, it is desirable for possible imaging area imaging range width La of two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example to be 300 mm, allowing for error.
Furthermore, since it is wished to make the overall size of image forming apparatus 100 of this example as compact as possible, it is desirable for non-imaging area width Lb on object placement surface 161 not to exceed 50 mm.
The present inventors then supposed it possible to satisfy all the above conditions by setting the installation position of two-dimensional sensor 170 not at the edge of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opposite spindle 151 but inward from this edge of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and shortening tray length L from spindle 151 to two-dimensional sensor 170.
If the above conditions are substituted in Equation (3), Equation (3) can be expressed by Equation (4) below.
0.64≦(150+50)/L (4)
If tray length L from spindle 151 to two-dimensional sensor 170 is found from Equation (4), tray length L is as shown in Equation (5) below.
L≦312.5 mm (5)
On the other hand, maximum tray length Lmax of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 (the tray length from spindle 151 to the edge of the side opposite the spindle 151 side) may have a width equal to the width of object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160.
That is to say, since the width of object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 is the sum of the imaging range width La of the possible imaging area of two-dimensional sensor 170 and the non-imaging area width Lb on object placement surface 161, as shown in
L max=La+Lb=350 mm (6)
From Equation (5) and Equation (6), the ratio of tray length L from spindle 151 to two-dimensional sensor 170 to maximum tray length Lmax of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is given by Equation (7) below.
L/Lmax=312.5/350≈0.89 (7)
By this means, the present inventors found that, in order to make the overall apparatus compact, and prevent paper P jams and perform satisfactory imaging, it is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example to be installed inward by a proportion of at least ten percent of the overall length of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 from the edge opposite the spindle 151 side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
Thus, in image forming apparatus 100 of this example, tray length L from spindle 151 to two-dimensional sensor 170 on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is set so that L≦0.9×Lmax, and preferably, 0.7×Lmax≦L≦0.9×Lmax.
When a case is considered in which two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed at the edge of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opposite the spindle 151 side under the above conditions, tray length L from spindle 151 to two-dimensional sensor 170 on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is the sum of possible imaging area imaging range width La of two-dimensional sensor 170 on object placement surface 161 and non-imaging area width Lb (La+Lb). Therefore, cos θ in Equation (2) is given by Equation (8) below.
cos θ={(La/2)+Lb}/(La+Lb)={(300/2)+50}/(300+50)=4/7 (8)
Therefore, when two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed at the opposite edge of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 from the spindle 151 side, angle of opening θ of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 with respect to object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 when imaging is performed by two-dimensional sensor 170 is approximately 57 degrees.
Thus, when two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed at the opposite edge of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 from the spindle 151 side, angle of opening θ of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is greater than 50 degrees, and, as stated above, paper P jams are envisaged as being prone to occur. It can thus be seen that this kind of installation of two-dimensional sensor 170 is undesirable.
Next, the imaging position of two-dimensional sensor 170 with respect to an object in image forming apparatus 100 of this example will be described.
In image forming apparatus 100 of this example, when imaging of an object placed on object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 is performed, it is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 to be positioned on a vertical line crossing the center of the possible imaging area of object placement surface 161, irrespective of the size of the object.
That is to say, it is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example to be installed so that its imaging optical axis 175 crosses the center of the possible imaging area of object placement surface 161, as shown in
Image forming apparatus 100 configured so that imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 crosses the center of the possible imaging area on object placement surface 161 in this way enables an object placed on object placement surface 161 to be imaged from directly above with the least amount of distortion.
Next, the placement reference position of an object with respect to object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 in image forming apparatus 100 of this example will be described.
As shown in
Object placement reference position marks 162 of object placement platform 160 in image forming apparatus 100 are set with the imaging position (imaging optical axis 175) of two-dimensional sensor 170 when imaging of an object is performed as a reference.
By this means, as shown in
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In order to reduce the footprint, many image forming apparatuses such as MFP employ a configuration in which an operating section (operation panel), equipped with a copy button, numeric keypad, and so forth operated by an operator, is provided on a projecting section formed so as to project forward or sideways from the upper part of the body of the apparatus.
The copy button, numeric keypad, and so forth of this kind of operating section are mainly used in copy mode in which a hard copy is made of a document image, and are not used in print mode in which, for example, RGB image data stored in an external computer or the like is read and used for image forming (printout by the print section) by the image forming unit of the apparatus.
However, with an image forming apparatus configured with the operating section projecting from the body of the apparatus as described above, there is a risk of the copy button being pressed by mistake in print mode, and of image forming being executed unintentionally and unnecessarily.
Furthermore, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, since the appearance (design) features a section projecting from the body of the apparatus, if the cubic capacity of packaging is decreased and the amount of cushioning material is reduced, there is a risk of damage to the operating section during shipment.
Therefore, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, a box with a deceptively large cubic capacity is necessary for packaging, and a large amount of cushioning material is used to fill wasted empty space when the apparatus is shipped.
Thus, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
As shown in
Therefore, with image forming apparatus 200 of this example, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is closed and print mode is executed, there is no possibility of inadvertently pressing copy button 211, numeric keypad 212 buttons, or suchlike buttons of operating section 210 and executing image forming unintentionally and unnecessarily.
Also, since image forming apparatus 200 of this example has a clean design with no parts projecting from apparatus body 101, as shown in
Therefore, image forming apparatus 200 of this example can be packaged with a small amount of cushioning material using a box of cubic capacity close to its outward appearance with little wasted empty space at the time of packaging.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
With an image forming apparatus configured so that top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened and an object on object placement platform 160 is imaged, as described above, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in an open state, large gaps are created between both sides of object placement platform 160 of apparatus body 101 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as shown in
Therefore, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, there is a risk of an object placed on object placement platform 160 being read by a third party through the gaps between both sides of object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
When, for example, an object (document) placed on object placement platform 160 contains personal or confidential information, unforeseen detrimental effects may result from leakage of that personal or confidential information to a third party.
Also, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, if the configuration provides for an object placed on object placement platform 160 to be illuminated, there is a risk of light leaking from the gaps between both sides of object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and having an unpleasant effect on the surroundings.
Thus, as shown in
By this means, with image forming apparatus 300 of this example, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened, the gaps between both sides of object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 of apparatus body 101 are covered by pleated screening members 310.
Therefore, with image forming apparatus 300 of this example, there is little possibility of an object placed on object placement platform 160 being read by a third party, and security when imaging is performed by means of two-dimensional sensor 170 is improved.
Also, with image forming apparatus 300 of this example, even if the configuration provides for an object placed on object placement platform 160 to be illuminated, light that might leak from the gaps between both sides of object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be screened by pleated screening members 310, and there is little risk of the surroundings being unpleasantly affected by leaked light.
Furthermore, with image forming apparatus 300 of this example, the impact of closing top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be lessened by pleated screening members 310 provided between object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
Moreover, with image forming apparatus 300 of this example, vibration of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in an open state can be suppressed by pleated screening members 310 provided between object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
In image forming apparatus 300 shown in
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In the above-described image forming apparatuses, since two-dimensional sensor 170 is installed on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 as an imaging section, vibration of apparatus body 101 that occurs during image forming and paper P ejection is readily transmitted to two-dimensional sensor 170 via top-surface paper ejection tray 150. Such vibration of two-dimensional sensor 170 may impede satisfactory imaging.
Also, with these image forming apparatuses 100, 200, 300, and 400, there is a risk of damage to two-dimensional sensor 170 if top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is closed forcefully.
It is therefore desirable for elastic material such as sponge or rubber, or a damping member such as a spring or damper, to be provided between the outer peripheral surface of two-dimensional sensor 170 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to prevent such vibration.
Thus, an image forming apparatus of this example employs a configuration in which vibration of two-dimensional sensor 170 is prevented by providing shock-absorbing member 172 of elastic material (sponge) as shown in
According to an image forming apparatus of this example, transmission of vibration to two-dimensional sensor 170 of apparatus body 101 can be prevented by shock-absorbing member 172, enabling satisfactory imaging with little image blurring due to vibration to be achieved, and eliminating the risk of damage to two-dimensional sensor 170 in the event of forceful closing of top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
Image forming apparatus 500 shown in
As a result of attaching top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to object placement platform 160 in this way, when vibration of apparatus body 101 is transmitted to object placement platform 160, object placement platform 160 and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 vibrate as an integral unit.
Therefore, with image forming apparatus 500 of this example, when apparatus body 101 vibrates, an object (book B) placed on object placement platform 160 and two-dimensional sensor 170 installed on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 vibrate as an integral unit, enabling image blurring due to vibration when imaging is performed by means of two-dimensional sensor 170 to be suppressed.
Image forming apparatus 600 shown in
With image forming apparatus 600 of this example, since vibration-isolating members 610 are provided between object placement platform 160 and apparatus body 101, transmission of vibration from apparatus body 101 to two-dimensional sensor 170 can be prevented by vibration-isolating members 610, and image blurring due to vibration when imaging is performed by means of two-dimensional sensor 170 can be suppressed.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
With an image forming apparatus configured so that object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 is exposed by pivoted movement of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as described above, the brightness of object placement surface 161 on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 (the area near spindle 151) tends to be lower than the brightness of object placement surface 161 on the side on which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opens and closes.
Therefore, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, there is a risk that, due to the decrease in brightness of object placement surface 161 on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, the amount of exposure of the pivoting-side surface of an object placed on object placement surface 161 will be insufficient.
An effective way of eliminating this kind of partial insufficiency of exposure of the surface of an object is to illuminate an object placed on object placement surface 161 uniformly by means of light sources comprising a plurality of LEDs, halogen lamps, or the like.
However, when an object placed on object placement surface 161 is illuminated uniformly by a plurality of light sources, a “highlights losing” phenomenon may occur whereby reflected light of the light sources shone on the surface of the object strikes two-dimensional sensor 170, causing an image in which part of the captured image is whited-out.
Also, when an object is illuminated uniformly by a plurality of light sources, depending on the location of the light sources, light from the light sources may shine directly in the eyes of the operator and make operation of the object and so forth difficult.
Thus, as shown in
With image forming apparatus 700 of this example, since light source 710 that illuminates an object is provided on the side on which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opens and closes, reflected light of light source 710 shone on an object placed on object placement surface 161 does not strike two-dimensional sensor 170, and the occurrence of the “highlights losing” phenomenon in a captured image can be eliminated.
Also, with image forming apparatus 700 of this example, since light source 710 that illuminates an object is provided on the side on which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opens and closes, light from light source 710 does not shine directly in the eyes of the operator and make operation of the object and so forth difficult.
Furthermore, with image forming apparatus 700 of this example, since reflector 720 that reflects light emitted from light source 710 is mounted on the pivoting-side inner surface of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, insufficiency of the amount of exposure of the pivoting-side surface of an object placed on object placement surface 161 can be eliminated.
Light source 710 may also be configured so as to be movable, in order to facilitate the operation of placing an object on object placement platform 160. Specifically, for example, light source 710 may be linked to apparatus body 101 via linking plate 711. One end of linking plate 711 is attached to apparatus body 101 so as to be able to rotate about linkage spindle 712, and the other end of linking plate 711 supports light source 710. When light source 710 is pushed upward manually after top-surface paper ejection tray 150 has been opened in order to perform imaging of an object and the object has been placed on object placement surface 161, linking plate 711 is locked by the application of force to flat surface 711a of linking plate 711 by linking plate 711 securing spring 713, and light source 710 is set in a predetermined position. After imaging is finished, when light source 710 is pushed downward, linking plate securing spring 713 applies force to another flat surface 711b of linking plate 711, linking plate 711 is locked, and light source 710 is set in a predetermined position.
In the above example, manual operation has been described as the method of moving light source 710, but it is also possible to attach a gear wheel to linkage spindle 712, and set light source 710 in a predetermined position by rotating linkage spindle 712 by means of a motor or suchlike drive source.
In
A signal output from CCD 173 of two-dimensional sensor 170 is read by CCD read circuit 174, and is sent to signal processing circuit 741 of an image processing section 740 via connecting cable 730. CCD read circuit 174 is provided with a shading correction circuit for correcting unevenness of illumination of object placement surface 161 on object placement platform 160 by light source 710.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
As described above, in an image forming apparatus with a configuration in which an object on object placement platform 160 is imaged by two-dimensional sensor 170 installed on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 that can be opened and closed, the installation position of two-dimensional sensor 170 on top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, are set so that two-dimensional sensor 170 is positioned above the center of object placement surface 161 when object imaging is performed.
While varying somewhat according to the installation position of two-dimensional sensor 170, the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 when object imaging is performed is the angle by which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is inclined with respect to object placement surface 161, as shown in
Therefore, a problem with an image forming apparatus configured in this way is that it is difficult to perform an operation of placing an object on object placement platform 160 while top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is inclined with respect to object placement surface 161 as described above.
Thus, an image forming apparatus of this example has a configuration provided with a tray latching section that latches top-surface paper ejection tray 150 at a plurality of angles of opening, comprising at least a first angle of opening θ1 at which an object placed on object placement platform 160 is imaged by two-dimensional sensor 170, and a second angle of opening θ2 that is greater than first angle of opening θ1.
As shown in
On the periphery of disk 811 are three recesses 811a, 811b, and 811c, and click-stopper 812 that engages with each of recesses 811a, 811b, and 811c is pressed into contact with recesses 811a, 811b, and 811c by the elastic force of tensile coil spring 813.
When top-surface paper ejection tray 150 of an image forming apparatus 800 of this example is in a closed state, click-stopper 812 engages with recess 811a, and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is latched in the closed position, as shown in
When an object (book B) placed on object placement platform 160 is to be imaged by two-dimensional sensor 170, click-stopper 812 engages with recess 811b as a result of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 being opened, and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is latched at first angle of opening θ1 (approximately 30 degrees), as shown in
Furthermore, with image forming apparatus 800 of this example, when an object (book B) is placed on object placement platform 160, click-stopper 812 engages with recess 811c as a result of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 being opened widely, and top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is latched at second angle of opening θ2 (approximately 90 degrees), as shown in
Thus, with image forming apparatus 800 of this example, top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be latched at second angle of opening θ2 at which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened widely, enabling an operation of placing an object on object placement platform 160 to be performed easily.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In the above-described embodiments, in order to facilitate the operation of imaging an object placed on object placement platform 160, it is desirable for two-dimensional sensor 170 to be placed in a state in which it can perform object imaging immediately simply by opening top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to the imaging position at first angle of opening θ1 shown in
Thus, as shown in
Specifically, two-dimensional sensor 170 is fixed to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 so that, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened to the imaging position at first angle of opening θ1, imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 becomes orthogonal to object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160.
That is to say, in image forming apparatus 900 of this example, two-dimensional sensor 170 is fixed at an inclination of angle θ1 with respect to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in a closed state, as shown in
By fixing two-dimensional sensor 170 to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 so as to be in a position and attitude for imaging in this way, it is possible for an object placed on object placement platform 160 to be imaged immediately simply by opening top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to an open position corresponding to first angle of opening θ1.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
When an object placed on object placement platform 160 is in sheet form, a configuration is desirable in which two-dimensional sensor 170 is fixed to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 so that imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 becomes orthogonal to object placement surface 161 when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened to the imaging position, as in image forming apparatus 900 according to Embodiment 7.
However, when an object placed on object placement platform 160 is a three-dimensional object, it is also necessary to be able to image the object from a slanting direction in order to represent the three-dimensional characteristics of the object.
Thus, as shown in
According to image forming apparatus 1000 of this example, referring to
Also, with image forming apparatus 1000 of this example, when imaging a sheet-type object, for example, even if top-surface paper ejection tray 150 has been opened to an arbitrary angle of opening, imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 can be adjusted so as to be orthogonal to the object by rotating two-dimensional sensor 170.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
With an image forming apparatus such as a copier, if a document to be copied is a sheet of standard size, the placement position of the object (document) on object placement platform 160 is generally determined beforehand.
Therefore, with this kind of image forming apparatus, the operator usually considers that by placing the document to be copied in a predetermined position on object placement platform 160, a document image will be copied within the specified paper size.
However, when an object is imaged from above by means of two-dimensional sensor 170, as in the above-described embodiments, the image center of a document (object) placed on object placement platform 160 and the imaging center (imaging optical axis 175) of two-dimensional sensor 170 will not necessarily coincide, due to differences in paper size.
Thus, as shown in
According to image forming apparatus 1100 of this example, referring to
Also, as shown in
By this means, with image forming apparatus 1100 of this example, two-dimensional sensor 170 can be rotated by operation of operating lever 176, enabling an object (here book B) placed on object placement platform 160 to be imaged from a slanting direction, in a similar way to image forming apparatus 1000 according to Embodiment 8.
Also, with image forming apparatus 1100 of this example, when imaging a sheet-type object, for example, even if top-surface paper ejection tray 150 has been opened to an arbitrary angle of opening, imaging optical axis 175 of two-dimensional sensor 170 can be adjusted so as to be orthogonal to any position of the object by linearly moving and rotating two-dimensional sensor 170.
Although two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 1100 shown in
XY table 250 shown in
Movable body 254 is supported by guide spindle 255 so as to be able to slide freely in the Y direction. Ball screw 256 is fitted to movable body 254, and handle 257 is attached to one end of ball screw 256.
Referring to
On the other hand, again referring to
By this means, two-dimensional sensor 170 installed on the underside of XY table 250 can be moved in two-dimensional directions (the X and Y directions).
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
As shown in
In image forming apparatus 1200 of this example, auto document feeder 1210 is composed of document feed tray 1211, document feed rollers 1212, document guide rollers 1213, document ejection rollers 1214, document ejection tray 1215, and so forth.
In
Sheet document S separated and fed by document feed rollers 1212 is transported by document guide rollers 1213 to document information reading section 1216 that reads document information of a sheet document.
As shown in
In image forming apparatus 1200 of this example, document reading optical system 1217 is configured so that document information of sheet document S transported to document information reading section 1216 is read by two-dimensional sensor 170 fixed to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state using reflecting mirror 1218.
By this means, in image forming apparatus 1200 of this example, document information of a plurality of sheet documents S can be read (scanned) successively by imaging two-dimensional sensor 170 while sheet document S top-surface paper ejection tray is in a closed state, without installation of a special-purpose scanner in auto document feeder 1210.
Sheet document S whose document information has been read by document information reading section 1216 is then ejected onto document ejection tray 1215 by document ejection rollers 1214.
As shown in
In image forming apparatus 1200, document information of sheet document S transported to document information reading section 1216 is read by two-dimensional sensor 170 fixed to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state using reflecting mirror 1218, but provision may also be made for sheet document S document information to be read by two-dimensional sensor 170 installed on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state so as to be able to rotate on rotating spindle 1010, as in image forming apparatus 1300 shown in
In this image forming apparatus 1300, a document that cannot be fed by means of auto document feeder 1210 (such as book B, for example) is placed on object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 exposed by opening top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and imaged by two-dimensional sensor 170, as shown in
Then, when document information of sheet document S transported to document information reading section 1216 of auto document feeder 1210 is read, two-dimensional sensor 170 installed on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state is rotated to an attitude opposite document information reading section 1216, as shown in
For example, this image forming apparatus 1300 may be configured so that two-dimensional sensor 170 is rotated through approximately 90 degrees about rotating spindle 1010 and latched by a rotating and latching section (not shown).
This image forming apparatus 1300 does not require document reading optical system 1217 used by image forming apparatus 1200 shown in
Two-dimensional sensor 170 in image forming apparatus 1300 is configured so as to be rotated on a fixed position about rotating spindle 1010, but provision may also be made for two-dimensional sensor 170 to be rotated to an attitude opposite document information reading section 1216 and moved to a reading position close to document information reading section 1216 by means of a moving and latching section (not shown), and there read document information of sheet document S, as in image forming apparatus 1400 shown in
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
A problem with two-dimensional sensor 170 serving as the above-described imaging section is that the quality of a captured image falls when imaging surface 170a is contaminated by the adherence of dust and so forth.
Thus, as shown in
In an image forming apparatus of this example, imaging surface cleaning section 1510 has cleaning pad 1511 that is retracted from imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 when object imaging is performed by two-dimensional sensor 170, as shown in
Cleaning pad 1511 is supported so as to be advanced onto and retracted from imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 by linkage member 1512 whose operation is linked to opening and closing operations of top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
That is to say, as shown in
Also, as shown in
Thus, in an image forming apparatus of this example, imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 is cleaned by cleaning pad 1511 through the advance and retraction of cleaning pad 1511 with respect to imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170, linked to top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opening and closing operations.
Therefore, in an image forming apparatus of this example, imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 can be cleaned by cleaning pad 1511 each time top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened and closed for performing object imaging, enabling degradation of the quality of a captured image due to contamination of imaging surface 170a to be prevented.
Also, as cleaning of imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 by cleaning pad 1511 in an image forming apparatus of this example is linked to object placement platform 160 opening and closing operations, it is not necessary for an operator to clean imaging surface 170a, and operations for performing imaging are simplified.
A sponge, brush, nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used as cleaning pad 1511. Of these, fine nonwoven fabric used for cleaning eyeglasses, for example, is particularly effective for cleaning imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In the above-described image forming apparatuses 1500, a selection is made as to whether an object image captured by means of two-dimensional sensor 170 is to be stored in memory as image data or printed onto paper (printed out).
When a captured object image is printed onto paper, trial printout may be performed to check whether the captured object image is printed with the desired layout and quality. When this trial printout is performed, it is desirable for the trial printout paper to be ejected from the apparatus in a state in which it can easily be checked by the operator.
However, with image forming apparatus 100 in which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened when performing object imaging, for example, as shown in
Thus, as shown in
Here, as shown in
When top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in a closed state, aperture opening/closing member 154 is placed in a position in which it closes aperture 153 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as shown in
By this means, after top-surface paper ejection tray 150 has been opened to the imaging position and imaging has been performed by two-dimensional sensor 170, trial printout paper P is ejected onto the object (book B) via aperture 153 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as shown in
Therefore, with image forming apparatus 1500 of this example, paper P used for trial printout when an object is imaged can be checked extremely easily.
Also, as shown in
By this means, with image forming apparatus 1500 of this example, as shown in
In image forming apparatus 1500 of this example, it is desirable for ejected trial printout paper P to be ejected onto the object (book B) with its front and back sides reversed by reverse transportation unit 140.
By this means, trial printout paper P is ejected image-side upward onto the object (book B), enabling trial printout paper P to be checked easily.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In image forming apparatus 1500 according to Embodiment 12 shown in
Therefore, in ejecting paper P printed during continuous imaging of book B, for example, onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 after trial printout, a difficulty in terms of operability with this image forming apparatus 1500 is the necessity of either delaying ejection of paper P until all imaging is finished, or opening and closing top-surface paper ejection tray 150 each time imaging is performed.
Also, with this image forming apparatus 1500, the provision of aperture 153 and aperture opening/closing member 154 on top-surface paper ejection tray 150 makes the structure of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 rather complicated.
Thus, as shown in
Specifically, in image forming apparatus 1600 of this example, at least part of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is transparent or in the form of a mesh.
By this means, in image forming apparatus 1600 of this example, paper P ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be checked extremely easily through the transparent or mesh part of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 as shown in
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 14 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In the above-described image forming apparatuses, spindle 151 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is installed parallel to top-surface paper ejection rollers 132, and the top surface of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is positioned lower than top-surface paper ejection aperture 133, enabling paper P to be ejected without becoming jammed irrespective of the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150.
However, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is supported so as to open and close freely with respect to the top surface of apparatus body 101 by a spindle (not shown) parallel to the direction of ejection of paper P ejected by top-surface paper ejection rollers 132, as in image forming apparatus 1700 of this example shown in
Thus, as shown in
By this means, jamming of ejected paper P against opened top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is eliminated in image forming apparatus 1700 of this example.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 15 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Apart from imaging an object placed on object placement platform 160, above-described two-dimensional sensor 170 can also be made to function as an ordinary sensor.
Thus, image forming apparatus 1800 shown in
By this means, in image forming apparatus 1800 shown in
Image forming apparatus 1900 shown in
By this means, in image forming apparatus 1900 shown in
Image forming apparatus 2000 shown in
By this means, in image forming apparatus 2000 shown in
Image forming apparatus 2100 shown in
By this means, in image forming apparatus 2100 shown in
In image forming apparatus 2100 shown in
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 16 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
As stated above, with an image forming apparatus configured so that object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 is exposed by pivoted movement of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, the brightness of object placement surface 161 on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 (the area near spindle 151) tends to be lower than the brightness of object placement surface 161 on the side on which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opens and closes.
Therefore, with an image forming apparatus configured in this way, there is a risk that, due to the decrease in brightness of object placement surface 161 on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, the amount of exposure of the pivoting-side surface of an object placed on object placement surface 161 will be insufficient.
Thus, as shown in
With image forming apparatus 2200 of this example, since external light can be admitted through optically transparent section 2210 provided on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, a decrease in brightness of object placement surface 161 on the pivoting side of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be prevented, and insufficiency of the amount of exposure of the pivoting-side surface of an object placed on object placement surface 161 can be eliminated.
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 17 of the present invention will now be described with reference to
As explained above, with an image forming apparatus configured so that object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160 is exposed by pivoted movement of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, it is difficult to maintain uniform brightness of object placement surface 161.
Thus, as shown in
Image forming apparatus 2300 of this example also includes first light quantity sensor 2320 that detects the quantity of light radiated from plurality of light sources 2310 on the opening/closing side of object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160.
Image forming apparatus 2300 of this example further includes second light quantity sensor 2330 that detects the quantity of light radiated from plurality of light sources 2310 on the pivoting side of object placement surface 161 of object placement platform 160.
In image forming apparatus 2300 of this example, when the quantity of light detected by first light quantity sensor 2320 and the quantity of light detected by second light quantity sensor 2330 become equal through opening/closing of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, a tray stop signal that stops top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opening/closing operation is output by a tray stop signal output section (not shown).
By this means, in image forming apparatus 2300 of this example, when the quantity of light detected by first light quantity sensor 2320 and the quantity of light detected by second light quantity sensor 2330 have become equal—that is, when the brightness of object placement surface 161 has become uniform—top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opening/closing operation can be stopped by a tray stop signal output section (not shown)
A configuration may also be used in which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened and closed by means of a tray opening/closing motor (not shown), and when a tray stop signal is output from the tray stop signal output section, tray opening/closing motor drive is halted by a motor control section (not shown).
By this means, top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be automatically opened and closed by a tray opening/closing motor so that the top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opening/closing operation stops when the brightness of object placement surface 161 has become uniform.
It is also possible to provide a light adjustment section that adjusts the quantity of light of plurality of light sources 2310 individually, and for a light adjustment stop signal that stops light quantity adjustment by the light adjustment section to be output by a light adjustment stop signal output section (not shown) when the quantity of light detected by first light quantity sensor 2320 and the quantity of light detected by second light quantity sensor 2330 become equal through opening/closing of top-surface paper ejection tray 150. Specifically, for example, when the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is fixed at an arbitrary angle, adjustment of the quantity of light may be stopped when the quantity of light of plurality of light sources 2310 is varied gradually and then the quantity of light detected by first light quantity sensor 2320 and the quantity of light detected by second light quantity sensor 2330 become equal.
By this means, the brightness of object placement surface 161 can be made uniform even when the angle of opening of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is an arbitrary angle.
It is desirable for the above-described light adjustment section to have an automatic light adjustment function that automatically adjusts the quantity of light of plurality of light sources 2310 on an individual basis. By this means, light adjustment operations by the light adjustment section can be stopped automatically by means of a light adjustment control section (not shown) when a light adjustment stop signal is output by the above-described light adjustment stop signal output section.
When provision is made to stop top-surface paper ejection tray 150 at an arbitrary angle of opening, it is desirable for imaging surface 170a of two-dimensional sensor 170 to be in a position and attitude that allow imaging of an object on object placement platform 160 whatever the angle of opening at which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 stops.
Thus, as shown in
As shown in
Also, as shown in
On the other hand, the tray latching section shown in
The tray latching section shown in
One end 501a of coil spring 501 is attached to top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and the other end 501b is attached to apparatus body 101, so that coil spring 501 goes beyond spindle 151, which is the opening/closing fulcrum of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, during top-surface paper ejection tray 150 opening/closing operation.
When top-surface paper ejection tray 150 has been opened to an angle of opening at which an object placed on object placement platform 160 is imaged by means of two-dimensional sensor 170, chamfer 502a of opening/closing stopping plate 502 comes into contact with apparatus body 101, and stops opening/closing of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 by coil spring 501.
That is to say, with this tray latching section, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in a closed state, as shown in
On the other hand, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in an open state, as shown in
With this tray latching section, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a closed state as shown in
The tray latching section shown in
With this tray latching section, a large frictional force between friction roller 541 and friction plate 542 enables top-surface paper ejection tray 150 to be latched in a position where it is opened to an arbitrary angle of opening, such as a state in which top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is opened to a small extent, as shown in
As tray latching section shown in
Thus, this tray latching section may be configured by forming ratchet section 561 concentric with spindle 151 of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, and having this ratchet section 56l engaged by latch pawl 562 provided on apparatus body 101, as shown in
As this tray latching section latches top-surface paper ejection tray 150 through the engagement of ratchet section 561 with latch pawl 562, there is little possibility of decreasing latching efficacy of top-surface paper ejection tray 150 across the ages.
As another tray latching section that latches top-surface paper ejection tray 150 in a predetermined closed position and open position, a configuration may be employed in which, as shown in
In the tray latching section shown in
Also, with an image forming apparatus that uses this tray latching section, since up-and-down tray section 150B moves up and down while remaining horizontal, removal of paper P ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 can be performed easily.
With the above-described image forming apparatuses, since printed paper P is ejected onto top-surface paper ejection tray 150 that is opened and closed with respect to apparatus body 101, when top-surface paper ejection tray 150 on which ejected paper P is stacked as shown in
Thus, the image forming apparatus shown in
With this image forming apparatus shown in
In the above-described image forming apparatuses, it is desirable for the captured image of an object to be displayed on monitors 611 when object imaging is performed by two-dimensional sensor 170, as shown in
In the above-described image forming apparatuses, it is also possible to provide open/closed detection section 612 that detects the open/closed state of top-surface paper ejection tray 150, as shown in
With this image forming apparatus shown in
When an object image captured by two-dimensional sensor 170 is stored in memory without being printed—that is, when image printing is not performed—it is desirable for the power saving mode not to be canceled even if the open/closed detection section detects that top-surface paper ejection tray 150 is in an open state.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention ejects paper onto the top surface of the body of the apparatus, and uses the top-surface paper ejection tray as a support for the imaging section, enabling an image forming apparatus with three-dimensional object imaging capability to be made compact, and its footprint also to be made smaller, and is therefore useful as an image forming apparatus such as a monochrome or color copier, printer, or facsimile that employs an image forming method such as electrophotography, electrostatic recording, ionography, or magnetic recording, and more particularly as an image forming apparatus capable of imaging a three-dimensional object.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-142725 filed on May 16, 2005, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-142725 | May 2005 | JP | national |
