Image data input apparatus

• US 5,548,414 A
• Filed: 09/30/1993
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsuo, Kenichi, Sugano, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Rogers, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/129,327
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 358/452, 358/453, 358/449, 358/488, 358/497, 345/158, 345/177, 178/18, 355/218, 355/230, 355/231, 355/235
• US Class Current: 358/452
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0049 providing a visual indication to the user, e.g. using a lamp H04N1/00408 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00681 Detecting the presence, position or size of a sheet or correcting its position before scanning H04N1/047 takes precedence; mode signalling H04N1/333; skew detection or correction in image signals H04N1/3878
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00687 Presence or absence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00705 at a plurality of spaced apart locations, e.g. as a sheet is fed through the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00708 Size or dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0075 Detecting a change in reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3873 defined only by a limited number of coordinate points or parameters, e.g. corners, centre; for trimming

Abstract

An input device, in use with a copier, for inputting image editing information corresponding to an image on a document. The device includes a platen glass having a transparent body; a scanner for scanning the image of the document through the transparent body of the platen glass; a printer for duplicating the image of the document, which is scanned by the scanner, onto a recording sheet; and an input touch panel for inputting the image editing information corresponding to the image. The input device includes a detector for detecting a pressing force toward the input touch panel and a location of operation of the input touch panel by the operator in which the input touch panel is equipped on the transparent body of the platen glass.

Claims

1. An image reading apparatus for inputting image data corresponding to an image on a document, comprising:

means having a transparent body for supporting the document;

means for scanning the image of said document through said transparent body of said supporting means;

a plurality of reflection slits provided outside an effective image reading area on said supporting means;

means for generating an oscillation signal toward said plurality of reflection slits;

means for receiving said oscillation signal which has been reflected by said plurality of reflection slits, and generating a receiving signal; and

means for determining a location of said document according to said receiving signal, and generating a positioning signal which designates the location of said document.

2. The image reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oscillation signal is an ultrasonic wave.

3. The image reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for recognizing an occurrence of said document on said supporting means according to said positioning signal, and generating an occurrence signal.

4. The image reading apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

means for displaying the occurrence of said document according to said occurrence signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover member for covering said document on said supporting means;

means for detecting a contact of said cover member with said support means according to said receiving signal, and generating a detection signal; and

means for determining a size of said document according to said detecting signal.

6. An input apparatus for inputting image editing information corresponding to an image on a document, comprising:

means having a transparent body for supporting the document;

means for scanning the image of said document through said transparent body of said supporting means;

means on said transparent body of said supporting means for inputting the image editing information corresponding to said image by pressing said transparent body, said inputting means including;

means for detecting a location indicated by an operator, said location detecting means including;

a plurality of reflection slits provided outside an effective image reading area on said supporting means,

means for generating an oscillation signal toward said plurality of reflection slits,

means for receiving said oscillation signal which has been reflected by said plurality of reflection slits, and generating a receiving signal, and

means for determining said indicated location according to said receiving signal, and generating a positioning signal which designates the location indicated by the operator, and

means for detecting a pressing force of an indication of said location by the operator; and

means for determining the pressing force detected by said pressing force detecting means, and generating a pressing force signal which designates the pressing force indicated by the operator.

7. The input apparatus of claim 6, wherein the oscillation signal is an ultrasonic wave.

8. The input apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

image data processing means for processing image data read by said scanning means according to said positioning signal.

9. The input apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

image forming means for forming an image on a sheet according to said image data processed by said image data processing means.

10. The input apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

image forming means for forming an image on a sheet according to said positioning signal.