Image processing device

An image processing device includes a processing section, a load section, an operating section, and a display unit. The processing section performs processing upon sheets of a recording medium. The operating section includes input keys which receive input operation for controlling the processing section, and is disposed over the load section. The display unit displays information corresponding to input operation from the operating section. And the operating section can be freely shifted between a pulled out position in which its input keys are exposed to the exterior, and a storage position in which it is stored internally, and, in the storage position, is disposed below the display unit.

CROSS REFERENCE

This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2008-169935 filed in Japan on Jun. 30, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing device which includes an operating section arranged over a load section in which sheets are loaded.

In an image processing device such as an image formation device or an image reading device or the like, it is often the case that, in order to enhance the ease of use, an operating section which includes input keys for controlling the device is disposed in the upper portion of the device main body. Moreover, in recent years, along with increase of the number of functions of the image processing device, there has been a requirement for increasing the size of such an operating section, and for increase of the size of its input keys, in order to enhance the ease of use.

On the other hand, as for example with the image processing device described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2003-241460, among image processing devices, there is a type in which, in order to enhance the operability for a user to load and to take out a recording medium such as a document, a load section which includes a paper ejection load section into which a recording medium upon which image formation has been completed by the image formation device is discharged, and a document load section into which a document to be read by the image reading device is loaded, is disposed in the neighborhood of the upper portion of the device main body. With this type of prior art image processing device, the operating section is disposed above the load section.

With a prior art image processing device having such a structure, when the size of the operating section has been increased, a problem has arisen with regard to reduction of visibility because of the line of sight of the user towards the load section being easily intercepted by the operating section, and also a problem has arisen with regard to deterioration of ease of use, because access by the user to the load section, for loading a document or for extracting a recording medium or a document, can easily be hampered by the operating section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of this invention is to provide an image processing device in which the operating section can be increased in size, without any deterioration of the visibility of the load section or of the ease of use.

The image processing device of the present invention includes a processing section, a load section, and an operating section. The processing section performs processing upon sheets. Sheets are loaded into the load section. And the operating section includes input keys which receive input operation for controlling the processing section, and is disposed over the load section. The operating section can be freely shifted between a pulled out position in which the input keys are exposed to the exterior, and a storage position in which it is stored internally.

With this structure, although the operating section is disposed above the load section, it is possible to perform input operation from the operating section by pulling out the operating section to its pulled out position, while nevertheless access to the load section is not hampered by the operating section, since the operating section can be stored in its storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, preferred embodiments for implementation of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1shows a front cross sectional view of an image formation device100which is an embodiment of the image processing device of the present invention. InFIG. 1, the indication relating to the sectional plane is only shown for a portion thereof.

This image formation device100comprises an image reading device10, an image formation section200, and a paper supply section300.

The image reading device10is disposed at the upper portion of the image formation device100, and comprises an automatic document conveyance device90(ADF: Automatic Document Feeder) and an image reading section20. The image reading section20comprises a first document support21, a second document support22, a first mirror base23, a second mirror base24, a lens25, and a solid-state imaging element26(CCD: Charge Coupled Device).

In the ADF90, a document conveyance path93is defined from a document load tray91via the second document support22to a document discharge tray92. The ADF90conveys sheets of document along this document conveyance path93, one sheet at a time. The ADF90can rotate freely to and fro around its rear edge as a fulcrum, so as either to cover over the upper surface of the first document support21or to leave it exposed. Thus, by rotating the ADF90so as to raise its front edge upwards, and thereby exposing the upper surface of the first document support21, it is possible to load a document upon the first document support21by manual operation.

The first document support21and the second document support22are both made from a hard glass plate material.

The first mirror base23and the second mirror base24can shift freely in the horizontal direction under the first document support21and the second document support22. The shifting speed of the second mirror base24is ½ of the shifting speed of the first mirror base23. A light source and a first mirror are mounted upon the first mirror base23. And a second mirror and a third mirror are mounted upon the second mirror base24.

When an image upon a document which is being conveyed by the ADF90is to be read, the first mirror base23is stopped underneath the second document support22. The light from the light source is irradiated towards the image surface of a document which passes over the second document support22, and light which is reflected by this image surface of the document is reflected by the first mirror towards the second mirror base24.

When an image upon a document which is loaded upon the first document support21is to be read, the first mirror base23and the second mirror base24are shifted in the horizontal direction underneath the first document support21. The light from the light source is irradiated towards the image surface of the document which is loaded upon the first document support21, and light which is reflected by this image surface of the document is reflected by the first mirror towards the second mirror base24.

Irrespective of whether or not the ADF90is being used, the light which is reflected by the image surface of the document is directed by the second mirror and the third mirror, along an optical path of constant length, to pass through the lens25and to be incident upon the CCD26.

The CCD26outputs an electrical signal which corresponds to the amount of light reflected by the image surface of the document. This electrical signal is inputted to the control unit400as image data. In this manner, the image reading section20reads an image of the document and acquires image data. And, according to requirements, the control unit400outputs this image data to the image formation section200.

The image formation section200is disposed beneath the image formation device10, and comprises: an exposure unit1, four development devices2, four photosensitive drums3, four cleaning units4, four electrification devices5, an intermediate transcription belt61, four primary transcription rollers64, a secondary transcription roller66, a fixing device7, a paper ejection tray67, paper stock conveyance paths68and69, and main body frames201and202.

The image formation section200performs image formation with image formation units PA, PB, PC, and PD, using image data which corresponds to the following four colors obtained by color decomposition of the color image: black; and cyan, magenta, and yellow which are the three primary subtractive mixing colors. These image formation units PA through PD are arranged in a row along the shifting direction of the intermediate transcription belt61. All of the image formation units PA through PD are similar in structure.

The image formation unit PA for black comprises one of the development devices2, one of the photosensitive drum3, one of the cleaning units4, one of the electrification devices5, and one of the primary transcription rollers64.

The electrification device5electrifies the surface of the photosensitive drum3to a predetermined electrical potential.

The exposure unit1comprises a semiconductor laser, a polygonal mirror, and a first fθ lens and a second fθ lens, none of which are shown in the figure; and it modulates respective laser beams according to the image data for the various colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and irradiates these laser beams upon the respective photosensitive drums3of the image formation units PA through PD. Thus, latent electrostatic images corresponding to the image data for the various colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are formed upon these respective photosensitive drums3.

The development devices2supply suitable quantities of toner of the hues corresponding to the image formation units PA through PD, to the front surfaces of their photosensitive drums3upon which these latent electrostatic images have been formed, and thereby the latent electrostatic images are developed, so as to result in developed images.

The cleaning units4retrieve toner remaining upon the surfaces of the photosensitive drums3, after development and image transcription has been completed.

The intermediate transcription belt61defines a loop shaped shift path which extends between a drive roller62and a driven roller63. The outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61passes over the four photosensitive drums3in order. And the primary transcription rollers64are disposed in positions which confront the four photosensitive drums3, with the intermediate transcription belt61being sandwiched between them. The positions where the intermediate transcription belt61faces the photosensitive drums3are termed the primary transcription positions.

In order to transcribe the developed images which are carried upon the surfaces of the photosensitive drums3onto the intermediate transcription belt61, a primary transcription bias whose polarity is opposite to that of the electrification polarity of the toner is applied by constant voltage control to the primary transcription rollers64. Due to this, the developed images of the four colors which are respectively formed upon the four photosensitive drums3are sequentially transcribed, in a mutually overlaid manner, onto the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61, and thereby a full color developed image is formed upon the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61.

However, if image data has been only inputted for a subset of the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, then formation of a latent electrostatic image and a developed image is performed only for those ones of the four photosensitive drums3which correspond to those colors for which image data has been inputted. For example, during the monochrome printing mode, formation of a latent image and formation of a developed image are only performed for the photosensitive drum3of the image formation unit PA which corresponds to black color, and only a black colored developed image is transcribed onto the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61.

During full color image formation in which image formation is performed with all of the image formation units PA through PD, all of their four primary transcription rollers64press the intermediate transcription belt61into contact with their corresponding ones of the photosensitive drums3. On the other hand, during monochrome image formation in which, as described above, image formation is only performed with the image formation unit PA, only the primary transcription roller64of that image formation unit PA presses the intermediate transcription belt61against the photosensitive drum3of that image formation unit PA.

Each of the primary transcription rollers64is made by covering the surface of a cylindrical shaft of metallic material (for example, stainless steel) of diameter 8 to 10 mm with an electrically conductive elastic material, so that a uniform high voltage can be applied to the intermediate transcription belt61by this electrically conductive elastic material. The elastic material comprises EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber), urethane foam, or the like.

The developed image which has been transcribed onto the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61at one or more of the primary transcription positions is conveyed, by the rotation of the intermediate transcription belt61, to a secondary transcription position, which is a position at which the intermediate transcription belt61confronts a secondary transcription roller66. During image formation, this secondary transcription roller66is pressed into contact, with a predetermined nipping pressure, against the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61, whose inner circumferential surface is in contact with the circumferential surface of the drive roller62.

A plurality of conveyance rollers12A and12B are arranged upon the paper stock conveyance path68. This paper stock conveyance path86is arranged in an approximately vertical direction, in order to convey paper stock contained in a paper supply cassette81of the paper supply section300, which is one example of a recording medium, via the secondary transcription position and the fixing device7to the paper ejection tray67.

And a plurality of conveyance rollers12C and12D are arranged upon the paper stock conveyance path69. This paper stock conveyance path69is arranged, in the direction of conveyance of the paper stock, from the downstream side of the fixing device7to the upstream side of the secondary transcription position. Paper stock which has once passed through the fixing device7, and which otherwise would be ejected to the paper ejection tray67, may be conveyed back to the secondary transcription position along this paper stock conveyance path69, with its edge which, up until now, has been its rear edge, now at the front. Due to this, the paper stock is again conveyed to the secondary transcription position for a second time, this time in the state in which it has been inverted back to front. This arrangement is utilized when performing double-sided printing.

The paper supply section300is disposed underneath the image formation section200, and, apart from the paper supply cassette81, also includes a manual feed tray82. Each of the paper supply cassette81and the manual feed tray82contains a stock of paper.

The paper supply section300supplies sheets of paper stock, one at a time, from either the paper supply cassette81or the manual feed tray82. The paper stock which is held in the paper supply cassette81is supplied by a pickup roller11A, and is conveyed to the secondary transcription position via the paper stock conveyance path68. And the paper stock which is held in the manual feed tray82is supplied by a pickup roller11B, and is conveyed to the secondary transcription position via the paper stock conveyance path68.

A resistance roller13is disposed at the upstream side of the secondary transcription position in the paper stock conveyance direction. In the state in which this resistance roller13is stopped, the leading edge of a sheet of paper stock supplied from the paper supply cassette81or the manual feed tray82strikes against the resistance roller13. The rotation shaft of the resistance roller13is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper stock. If, at this time, the paper stock is lying obliquely, then this obliqueness is corrected by its leading edge striking against the resistance roller13in the stopped state.

The resistance roller13starts to rotate, and starts to supply the paper stock to the secondary transcription position, at a timing which matches the edge of the paper stock to the edge of the developed image which has been formed upon the surface of the intermediate transcription belt61.

When the sheet of paper stock which has been supplied from the paper supply section300passes the secondary transcription position, a high voltage of opposite polarity to the electrification polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transcription roller66. Due to this, the developed image is transcribed from the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transcription belt61to the front surface of the paper stock.

The developer which remains upon the intermediate transcription belt61after the developed image has been transcribed to the paper stock is retrieved by the cleaning device65for the intermediate transcription belt.

The sheet of paper stock upon which the developed image has thus been transcribed is fed to the fixing device7, and is subjected to application of heat and pressure by passing between a heat application roller71and a pressurization roller72. Due to this, the developed image is permanently fixed upon the front surface of the paper stock. Then this paper stock, upon which the developed image has been fixed, is discharged to the paper ejection tray67.

As shown inFIG. 2, the image formation section200internally houses the image formation units PA through PD. The cross section of a portion of the image formation section200is made to be smaller, so as to leave a region to constitute the paper ejection tray67; and, due to this, a concave portion203is provided on the side of the image formation section200. The image formation section200corresponds to the “device main body” of the Claims of the present application. In this embodiment, the concave portion203opens to the front surface and the left side surface of the image formation section200. The paper ejection tray67is disposed in the bottom portion of the concave portion203. This paper ejection tray67corresponds to the “load section” of the Claims of the present application. A display unit44such as a liquid crystal touch panel or the like, and a fixed configuration type input unit45which includes input keys such as a tenkey pad and a start key and so on, are fixedly disposed upon the upper surface of the image formation device100. This display unit44and fixed configuration type input unit45are arranged to be above the paper ejection tray67.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of a frame30and an operating section40.FIG. 4is a perspective view of the frame30. AndFIG. 5is a perspective view of the operating section40. Apart from the ADF90and the image reading section20, the image reading device10also comprises the frame30and the operating section40.

The frame30is made from metal, and includes a left frame portion31, a right frame portion32, and a rear frame portion33. By a three-sided rectangle being defined by the left frame portion31, the right frame portion32, and the rear frame portion33, the frame30is formed in an approximately letter-U shape. As shown inFIG. 1, the frame30, including the left frame portion31and the right frame portion32, is fixed to the upper portions of the main body frames201and202of the image formation section200.

The left frame portion31includes a reception portion311which projects horizontally towards the right frame portion32. And the right frame portion32includes a similar reception portion311which projects horizontally towards the left frame portion31(but this cannot be seen in theFIG. 3andFIG. 4views). The rear frame portion also has a reception portion331which projects horizontally towards the front portion F. The image reading section20is supported by the reception portions311and331of the left frame portion31, the right frame portion32, and the rear frame portion33, with the interposition of shock absorption members not shown in the figures.

The left frame portion31includes a protruding portion312and a first support portion313. The protruding portion312is plate shaped and aligned in the vertical direction, and protrudes in the direction of the front portion F, from the end portion of the left frame portion31towards the front portion F. And the first support portion313is arranged at the base portion of the protruding portion312, and is aligned in a direction which is vertical and is orthogonal to the direction of the protruding portion312.

The right frame portion32has an end portion on the side of the front portion F, and a second support portion322which projects horizontally towards the left frame portion31.

The operating section40comprises an operating section main body portion41, a keyboard tray42, and a keyboard43. This operating section40is supported upon the frame30.

The keyboard43comprises a plurality of input keys431, which receive input operation for controlling the image formation device100as a whole, including the image reading device10and the image formation section200. This keyboard43is installed upon the keyboard tray42. The keyboard tray42and the keyboard43correspond to the “operating section” of the Claims of the present application.

The operating section main body portion41comprises a standing portion411, a first fixing portion412, and a second fixing portion413. The standing portion411is arranged at the end portion which opposes the left frame portion31, and extends in a direction parallel to the protruding portion312of the left frame portion31. The first fixing portion412is arranged at the end portion which opposes the left frame portion31, and extends in a direction parallel to the first support portion313. And the second fixing portion413is arranged at the end portion which opposes the right frame portion32, and extends so as to protrude in the horizontal direction.

When the operating section main body portion41is installed to the frame30, the protruding portion312is arranged so as to overlap the standing portion411, and thereby regulates movement of the operating section main body portion41in the leftwards and rightwards direction. The first support portion313is arranged so as to overlap the first fixing portion412, and regulates movement of the operating section main body portion41in the forwards and rearwards direction. The first fixing portion412is fixed to the first support portion313by screws. And the second support portion322is arranged so as to overlap the second fixing portion413, and regulates movement of the operating section main body portion41in the vertical direction. The second fixing portion413is fixed to the second support portion322by screws.

Since the operating section40is supported upon the frame30, accordingly transmission to the image reading section20of vibration caused by depression of the input keys431is suppressed.

A first vibration absorption member414is disposed between the protruding portion312and the standing portion411, and between the first support portion313and the first fixing portion412. And a second vibration absorption member415is disposed between the second support portion322and the second fixing portion413. Due to the provision of this first vibration absorption member414and this second vibration absorption member415, transmission to the image reading section20of vibration caused by depression of the input keys431is suppressed.

FIG. 6is a side view of a portion of the image formation device100.FIG. 7is a sectional view of a portion of the image formation device100. AndFIG. 8is a plan view of a portion of the image formation device100.

The keyboard tray42is supported by the operating section main body portion41, and can be freely moved between a pulled out position in which its input keys431are exposed to the exterior, and a storage position in which it is stored internally. In its pulled out position, this keyboard tray42projects in the horizontal direction.

The operating section main body portion41includes a first left rail51and a first right rail52, which are arranged with a gap between them corresponding to the width dimension of the keyboard tray42.

The first left rail51supports a left link member53so that it can slide freely in the forward and rearward direction. Similarly, the first right rail52supports a right link member54so that it can slide freely in the forward and rearward direction.

The keyboard tray42includes a second left wail55and a second right rail56. The left link member53supports the second left rail55so that it can slide freely in the forward and rearward direction. Similarly, the right link member54supports the second right rail56so that it can slide freely in the forward and rearward direction.

Due to this structure, the keyboard42can be freely displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position.

Each of the pairs consisting of the first left rail51and the left link member53, the first right rail52and the right link member54, the left link member53and the second left rail55, and the right link member54and the second right rail56, has a first engagement mechanism which mutually engages, so as to ensure that, as an overall result, the keyboard tray42does not pull out further than its predetermined pulled out position, and moreover has a second engagement mechanism, all of which cooperate to ensure that the keyboard tray42does not go inwards further than its predetermined storage position.

Moreover, the keyboard tray42and the operating section main body portion41are provided with a third engagement mechanism which is built so as to engage the keyboard tray42in its storage position, and so that, when the keyboard tray42is pulled out with a force which is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, this engagement of the keyboard tray42is overcome.

The display unit44and the fixed configuration type input unit45are fixedly arranged upon the upper surface of the operating section main body portion41. Information which corresponds to input operation from the fixed configuration type input unit45and the keyboard43is displayed upon the display unit44. Thus, the fixed configuration type input unit45and the keyboard43constitute an input unit which receives input operation for controlling the image formation device100.

Since the keyboard tray42can be freely displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position, accordingly, in addition to the fixed configuration type input unit45which is disposed upon the upper surface of the operating section main body portion41, it is possible also to provide the keyboard43, while still suppressing increase in size of the image reading device10. Since, by doing this, it becomes possible to increase the number of the input keys and also their sizes, while nevertheless suppressing increase in size of the image reading device10, accordingly it becomes possible to simplify the input operation.

Moreover, although the keyboard43is arranged above the paper ejection tray67, input operation from the keyboard43can be enabled by pulling out the keyboard43to its pulled out position, while on the other hand, by pushing in the keyboard43and storing it in its storage position, it is possible to ensure that access to the paper ejection tray67is not hampered by the keyboard43. Accordingly, by making it possible to shift the keyboard43freely between its pulled out position and its storage position, it is possible to increase the size of the keyboard43without decreasing the visibility and the ease of use of the paper ejection tray67, even though the keyboard43is arranged above the paper ejection tray67. Moreover, by providing the fixed configuration type input unit45in addition to the keyboard43, it is possible to increase the size of the input unit, without decreasing the visibility and the ease of use of the paper ejection tray67.

In the storage position, the keyboard tray42and the keyboard43are arranged so as to be positioned underneath the display unit44and overlapped thereby. Moreover, in their pulled out position, the keyboard tray42and the keyboard43are in the state of being adjacent to the display unit44. By arranging for the keyboard tray42and the keyboard43to be positioned underneath the display unit44in their storage position and overlapped thereby, it is ensured that the keyboard tray42and the keyboard43do not cause any decrease of visibility to the user of the paper ejection tray67, or of its ease of use. Moreover, by the keyboard43and the display unit coming to be in a state of being adjacent to one another when the keyboard tray42and the keyboard43have been pulled out from underneath the display unit44, it becomes possible for the user simply and easily to check the contents inputted from the keyboard43, upon the display unit44.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 2, the width dimension of the keyboard tray42may be made to be smaller than the width dimension of the aperture in the front surface of the concave portion203. By doing this, it is possible simply and easily to access the paper ejection tray67, even when the keyboard tray42is in its pulled out position.

FIG. 9Ashows the state in which the keyboard tray42is in its pulled out position, andFIG. 9Bshows the state in which the keyboard tray42is in its storage position.

The operating section40further comprises a tubular member57and a rotation member58.

The tubular member57covers an electric cord59which is connected to the edge portion431of the keyboard43which is to the rear, as seen in the direction P in which the keyboard tray42is pulled out. This tubular member57is of a predetermined length, and is hard enough not to be bent when the keyboard tray42is displaced.

The rotation member58is pierced with a through hole581, and thereby can slide freely upon the tubular member57. When the keyboard tray42is displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position, the rotation member58moves to and fro and also rotates upon the operating section main body portion41which serves as a shaft, and is rotationally supported thereby while also sliding thereupon. In more concrete terms, the rotation member58is supported upon the operating section main body portion41so as to rotate freely in a horizontal plane, at a position in the direction along the pulling out direction P which is different from the connection point432between the electric cord59and the keyboard43, and which is more to the upstream side of the keyboard43, than its rear edge portion431in the pulling out direction P when it is in its storage position.

When the keyboard tray42is displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position, the tubular member57slides through the through hole581of the rotation member58without being bent. Due to this, the electric cord59is not bent and does not suffer any abrasion from neighboring members. Accordingly, along with it being possible to suppress vibration due to abrasion suffered by the electric cord59when the keyboard tray42is displaced between its two positions, also damage to the electric cord59is prevented. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide any large space in order to prevent damage being caused to the electric cord59, accordingly it may be anticipated that the image reading device20can be made more compact.

FIG. 10shows a front cross sectional view of an image reading device400according to another embodiment of the image processing device of the present invention. InFIG. 10, no particular indication is shown relating to the sectional plane. This image reading device400may, for example, be installed above the image formation section200in the image formation device100described above, instead of the image reading device10.

This image reading device400comprises a main scanning section410and an ADF420.

The main scanning section410comprises a first image reading section430and platen glasses441and442. The platen glasses441and442are disposed horizontally upon the upper surface of the main scanning section410.

The first image reading section430is an image reading means of a reducing optical system which includes a light source433, first through third mirrors434A,434B, and434C, a lens435, and a CCD (charge coupled device)436. The light source433and the first mirror434A are mounted to a light source unit437, and the second mirror434B and the third mirror434C are mounted to a mirror unit438.

The main scanning section410is capable of performing two different types of image reading processing: image reading processing by a stationary document method, in which an image upon a document which is mounted upon the platen glass441is read; and image reading processing by a moving document method, in which the images upon a document are read while the document is moved over the platen glass442by the ADF420.

In image reading processing by the stationary document method, the light source unit437is shifted in the secondary scanning direction (the left and right direction inFIG. 10) while irradiating light upon the document, and the mirror unit438is shifted in the same direction as the light source unit437at half the speed of the light source unit437.

After the light which is irradiated from the light source unit437and is reflected by the document has been reflected by the first mirror434A which is mounted upon the light source unit437, its optical path is turned around through 180° by the second mirror434B and the third mirror434C which are mounted upon the mirror unit438. The light which is reflected by the third mirror434C is imaged by the lens435upon the CCD436, and is converted thereby into image data.

On the other hand, in image reading processing by the moving document method, while the light source unit437and the mirror unit438are being held stationary in a predetermined home positions as shown inFIG. 10, light from the light source433is irradiated upon the document, which is being conveyed by the ADF420so as to pass a predetermined first image reading position upon the platen glass442. The light which has been reflected by a first surface of the document is reflected by the first mirror434A, and then its optical path is turned around through 180° by the second mirror434B and the third mirror434C which are mounted upon the mirror unit438. And this light which is reflected by the third mirror434C is imaged by the lens435upon the CCD436, and is converted thereby into image data.

The ADF420is rotatably supported upon the main scanning section410by a hinge not shown in the figures, and thereby can be freely opened and closed, either to expose the upper surface of the platen glass441or to contact against it.

This ADF420comprises a second image reading section450, an actuation unit460, a document load tray471, a document discharge tray472, and a document conveyance path473. The actuation unit460is disposed at the upper portion of the ADF420.

The ADF420conveys a document which has been loaded upon the document load tray471along the document conveyance path473, and finally discharges it into the document discharge tray472. The document conveyance path473is formed in an approximate letter-U shape. The document load tray471and the document discharge tray472are included in the “load section” of the Claims of the present application.

Along the document conveyance path473there are disposed: a pulling in roller474, a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers475, a pair of resistance rollers476, and a pair of document discharge rollers477. The pulling in roller474pulls a document which has been loaded into the document load tray471into the document conveyance path473, one sheet at a time. The pairs of conveyance rollers475convey the document along the document conveyance path473in a predetermined conveyance direction. The pair of resistance rollers476adjust the timing at which the document is conveyed over the platen glass442. And the pair of document discharge rollers477discharge the document into the document discharge tray472, after image reading processing thereof has been completed.

The second image reading section450is disposed on the inside of the approximately letter-U shaped arc which is described by the document conveyance path473. This second image reading section450comprises a light source451, first through fourth mirrors452A,452B,452C, and452D, a lens453, and a CCD454, and consists of a unified combination of these elements.

When reading from both sides of the original document is demanded, then the second image reading section450reads an image from the second side of the document which is being conveyed along the document conveyance path473. The document, from which the image upon its first side has been read by the first image reading section430, is conveyed along the document conveyance path473towards the document discharge tray472, and passes past a predetermined second image reading position. At this second image reading position, light from the light source451is irradiated upon the document. The light which has been reflected by the second surface of the document passes through a reading window455which is made from a transparent material such as glass or the like, and, after its path has been changed by the first through the fourth mirrors452A,452B,452C, and452D in sequence, is imaged via the lens453upon the CCD454, and is converted thereby into image data.

The bottom surface of the ADF420is made as a pressure plate456, which presses from above upon a document which has been mounted upon the platen glass441of the main scanning section410.

FIGS. 11A and 12Ashow the state in which an operating section490is stored in its storage position, whileFIGS. 11B and 12Bshow the state in which this operating section490has been pulled out to its pulled out position. InFIGS. 11A and 11B, no particular indication is shown relating to the sectional plane.

The actuation unit460is disposed on the upper portion of the ADF420, and comprises a display unit480and the operating section490.

For the operating section490, for example, a keyboard may be used. This operating section490has a plurality of input keys, not shown in the figures, which receive input operation for controlling the image reading device400as a whole, including the first image reading section430and the second image reading section450.

The operating section490is positioned above the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472, and in particular, in its pulled out position, is positioned directly above the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472.

Both side edge portions of the operating section490are provided with first rails not shown in the figures. Each of these first rails is supported by one of a pair of link members461so as to slide freely. And each of these link members461is supported, so as to slide freely, by one of a pair of second rails462, which are provided in the interior of the operating section490with an appropriate gap between them. Accordingly, the operating section490can be freely shifted between a pulled out position in which its input keys are exposed to the exterior, and a storage position in which it is stored internally. In its storage position, the operating section490is disposed so as to lie underneath the display unit480and so as to be overlapped thereby.

Since the operating section490can be freely displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position, accordingly, even though the operating section490is positioned above the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472, still it is possible to increase the size of the operating section490, without any decrease of the visibility of the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472, and without any deterioration of the ease of use for loading a document upon the document load tray471, or for taking out a document from the document discharge tray472.

Since the operating section490is arranged so as, in its storage position, to lie underneath the display unit480and so as to be overlapped thereby, accordingly the operating section490does not cause any decrease of the visibility and the ease of use of the document load tray470and the document discharge tray472. Moreover, by pulling out the operating section490from underneath the display unit480, the operating section490comes to be in a state adjacent to the display unit480, so that it becomes possible to check the details of input operation from the operating section490upon the display unit480in a simple and easy manner.

Upon the upper surface of the actuation unit460, apart from the display unit480, there is also provided, in a fixed manner, a fixed configuration type input unit not shown in the figures, including input keys such as a tenkey pad and a start key and so on.

Information which corresponds to input operation from this fixed configuration type input unit is displayed upon the display unit480, in addition to information corresponding to input operation from the operating section490. The operating section490and the fixed configuration type input unit together constitute an input unit which receives input operation for controlling the image reading device400.

Since the operating section490is provided in addition to the fixed configuration type input unit45, and since this operating section490can be freely displaced between its pulled out position and its storage position, accordingly, even though the operating section490is positioned over the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472, nevertheless it is possible to increase the size of the input unit, without any deterioration of the visibility and the ease of use of the document load tray471and the document discharge tray472.

All of the features of the embodiments described above are given by way of example, and must not be considered as being limitative of the present invention in any way. The range of the present invention is defined, not by the embodiments described above, but by the scope of the appended Claims. Moreover, it is intended that all changes, within the meaning and scope equivalent to the range of the appended Claims, should be included within the range of the present invention.