Image data transmission apparatus

Abstract: Disclosed is an image data transmission apparatus comprising: an image reading unit (4) for reading the original image, and a transmission apparatus main body (2), having a memory for storing the image data read by the image reading unit and transmitting the content of the memory; the image reading unit being detachably mounted on the transmission apparatus main body; the transmission apparatus main body provided with conveying means for conveying the original in a state in which the image reading unit is mounted on the transmission apparatus main body; the original being conveyed and read in a state in which the image reading unit is mounted on the transmission apparatus main body; and the image reading unit being scanned on the original to read the original image, in a state in which the image reading unit is dismounted from the transmission apparatus main body. When the image reading unit is provided with a rotary roller (11) for detecting the scanning state of the image reading unit on the original, a sheet element made of a material low in the coefficient of friction to the original may be disposed at a position corresponding to the mounted state of the image reading unit on the transmission apparatus main body. Also disclosed is an image data transmission apparatus possessing the telephone function (1) and copy function, and also provided with, as desired, the facsimile function by mounting facsimile processing means detachably installed in the transmission apparatus main body. In such image data transmission apparatus, the operation panel (7) may be, in order to use it as the original stacker, diposed angularly dislocatably around the axial line crossing with the original inserting direction.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus with as a telephone with facsimile function, and more particularly to an image data transmission apparatus capable of transmitting image data possessing an image reading unit for reading the image optically. 2. Description of the Prior Art In the facsimile apparatus, the original is inserted by the operator into the original inlet formed in the apparatus main body, and is read by a reading means, thereafter the image information is transmitted to other facsimile apparatus. The original inlet is formed near the reading means such a one-dimensional contact type image sensor disposed inside the apparatus main body, and its size corresponds to the length of the contact image sensor. In such facsimile apparatus, it is impossible to transmit the original which is too large to be inserted from the original inlet or too bulky such as a book. A typical prior art for solving such problem is disclosed in the Japanese Laid-open Patent JP-A-6230461. In this prior art, the image reading unit having reading means is designed to be detachable from the main body so as to be operated manually, and the read image information is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus at the destination through a telephone by using an acoustic coupler. Thus, an original of a relatively large size or a bulky original such as book can be read and its image data can be transmitted. However, in such prior art, in order to transmit the image data to other facsimile apparatus, an acoustic coupler is needed, and it is extremely inconvenient. In such conventional facsimile apparatus, with the image reading unit mounted on the main body, when automatically reading the original image by feeding the original manually, since the image reading unit is designed only to be mounted on the upper part of the main body, the image reading unit may be lifted up depending on the thickness of the original, and the image reading unit may be loosened by the moving action of the original in the conveying direction. Besides, in such facsimile apparatus, in order to sequentially read a plurality of originals and transmit the original images, an original stacker for stocking the plurality of originals to be conveyed is installed near the original inlet formed in relation to the image reading unit or the main body of the facsimile apparatus. The plurality of originals set in the original stacker are conveyed to the vicinity of the image reading unit through the original inlet one by one sequentially. In such facsimile apparatus, however, since the space for installing the original stacker is needed, and the original stacker and the parts for installing it are necessary, the number of parts increase, and the size of the facsimile apparatus becomes large and the cost higher. Still more, in such facsimile apparatus, in order to operate the image reading unit manually, the position detecting roller for recognizing the reading position by the reading means is disposed beneath the reading unit. This position detecting roller is not needed when the reading unit is mounted on the main body. But from the view point of the role of the position detecting roller in manual operation of the image reading unit, this position detecting roller is located near the original conveying route. Therefore a force, acting in the opposite direction of the original conveying direction, acts on the original by the position detecting roller and the surface opposite to the position detecting roller of the apparatus main body. In order to reduce such a force, in a typical prior art, a follower roller is disposed at the position of the main body opposite to the position detecting roller. In such method, however, the number of parts increases in order to install the follower roller, and the cost increases, and also the space for installing the follower roller is necessary, which results in the increase in the size of the main body. On the other hand, as the information-oriented society is advanced today, the use of copying machine and facsimile apparatus in the general household is expected. The telephone set with facsimile function had been hitherto proposed, but it was for business use, and was large and expensive, and was not suited for home use. In general houses, the facsimile function may not be always necessary. For example, in a known telephone set with facsimile function, it simultaneously possesses a copying function, but in general household, only the copying function and telephone function were used, and the circuits for realizing the facsimile function were not used at all, and it was extremely wasteful. Intermediate doc. US-A-4 754 337 discloses a detachable image reader disclosing a latch (20) for fixing the main body to the detachable unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is hence a primary object of the invention to present an image data transmission apparatus capable of transmitting the image data read by manual operation of the imace reading unit, in a simple structure, by solving the above-discussed technical problems. In order to achieve the above object, the image data transmission apparatus of the invention comprises the features of appended claim 1. In such image data transmission apparatus, with the image reading unit mounted on the transmission apparatus main body, the image data can be read accurately. That is, when the original is inserted, the guide receptacle of the image reading unit is positioned on the positioning guide, so that the moving action in the original conveying direction is inhibited. Besides, since the notch is engaged with the latch, lifting of the image reading unit against the force acting in the thicknesswise direction of the original may be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention, as well as the features and advantages thereof, will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a telephone set 1 as an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state of dismounting a reading unit 4 of the telephone set 1 from an apparatus main body 2, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a friction reducing sheet 16, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an engaging structure of the apparatus main body 2 and the reading unit 4, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state of use with the reading unit 4 dismounted from the apparatus main body 2, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a simplified structure of the telephone set 1, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical composition of the telephone set 1, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a simplified mounting structure of a facsimile cartridge 40 on the apparatus main body 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in details below. Example FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a telephone set 1 which is an image data transmission apparatus in an embodiment of the invention. The telephone set 1 is composed to possess also a facsimile function, and comprises an apparatus main body 2 and a handset 3, among others. The apparatus main body 2 is detachably equipped with a reading unit 4 for reading the original, and a start switch 5 for indicating the start of the original is disposed in the upper part thereof. While the reading unit 4 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, an inlet 6 for inserting the original is formed relatively to the reading unit 4. The apparatus main body 2 is further provided with an operation panel 7, being free to dislocate angularly, near the inlet 6, around the axial line crossing with the original inserting direction at one end, that is, the axial line roughly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inlet 6. This operation panel 7 comprises a numeric key group 8 for selecting the dial number, and a function key group 9 for selecting functions. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the dismounted state of the reading unit 4 from the apparatus main body 2. The reading unit 4 is provided with a one-dimensional contact type image sensor (hereinafter called image sensor) 10, and a rotary roller 11 which is coupled to a rotary encoder described later. At both ends of the front part of the reading unit 4, notches 52 are formed as stated below. At a mounting part 12 where the reading unit 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is installed, there is a conveying roller 13 for conveying the originals. At the operation panel 7 side of the conveying roller 13, that is, at the upstream side in the original conveying direction (the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 2), there is an original sensor 14 for detecting the insertion of the original. Besides, a detecting sensor 15 for detecting the mounting or dismounting of the reading unit 4 on or off the apparatus main body 2 is disposed near one end of the mounting part 12. At the downstream side end of the original conveying direction of the mounting part 12, a positioning guide 51 is disposed as described later. At the bottom of the mounting part 12, when the reading unit 4 is mounted on the mounting part 12, at the position opposite to the rotary roller 11, there is disposed a friction reducing sheet 16 in a sheet form made of a material which is low in the coefficient of friction to the original. On the surface of this friction reducing sheet 16, for example, an illustration to show the handling manner of the reading unit 4 is printed as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the details of the engaging structure of the reading unit 4 and the apparatus main body 2, FIG. 4 (1) relating to a mounted state, and FIG. 4 (2) a dismounted state. In the apparatus main body 2, a latch 50 made of leaf spring or the like is disposed at both ends of the upstream side in the original conveying direction of the mounting part 12. At the downstream side ends, positioning guides 51 are disposed along the downstream side ends. On the other hand, the reading unit 4 is provided with notches 52 to be engaged with the latches 50, and guide receptacles 53 to be engaged with the positioning guide 51. As shown in FIG. 4 (2), by lifting the reading unit 4 in the direction of arrow 54 about the positioning guides 51, the notches 52 are disengaged from the latches 50, so that the reading unit 4 may be detached. In FIG. 4 (1), meanwhile, when the original is inserted from the arrow 55 direction, since the guide receptacles 53 of the reading unit 4 are positioned in the positioning guides 51, the moving action in the original conveying direction may be suppressed, and since the notches 52 are engaged with the latches 50, lifting of the reading unit 4 against the force in the thicknesswise direction of the original may be prevented. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state of use with the reading unit 4 dismounted from the apparatus main body 2. When reading a large original or a book which cannot be inserted into the inlet 6, the reading unit 4 is dismounted from the apparatus main body 2. In this case, the operator puts the reading unit 4 on the original 17 so that the image sensor 10 of the reading unit 4 may be opposite to the surface of the original 17, and pushes the start switch 5, and then moves in the direction of the arrow 18 in FIG. 5. As a result, the image sensor 10 reads the original images sequentially. At this time, since the rotary roller 11 is turned in proportion to the amount of displacement of the reading unit 4, the reading position can be detected by disposing, for example, a rotary encoder relatively to this rotary roller 11. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a simplified structure of the telephone set 1. In relation to the rotary roller 11, a rotary encoder 19 is disposed as the means for detecting the amount of angular dislocation, and its output is applied to an electric circuit part 20 contained in the apparatus main body 2. Thus, when the reading unit 4 is dismounted from the apparatus main body 2, the information about the reading position of the image sensor 10 is fed into the electric circuit part 20. In the apparatus main body 2 near the end at the opposite side of the inlet 6 of the operation panel 7, there is a platen 24 for conveying a thermal recording paper 22 supplied from a recording paper roll 21 in the direction of arrow 23. When recording the image, this platen 24 is angularly dislocated in the direction of arrow 25 by the pulse motor (not shown) or the like. Relatively to the platen 24, there is disposed a thermal head 26 which comprises heating resistance elements arranged in dot forms along the longitudinal direction of the platen 24. For recording the image information onto the thermal recording paper 22, the platen 24 is angularly dislocated in the direction of arrow 25, and the thermal head 26 is heated and driven in correspondence with the image to be recorded. In the telephone set 1, when the facsimile function is selected by the operation of the function key group 9, the operation panel 7 is angularly dislocated in the direction of arrow 27 by the operator, and is supported at the position indicated by broken line in FIG. 6 by a structure (not shown). In such state, a plurality of originals can be put on the operation panel 7, so that the operation panel 7 can function as the original stacker for stocking the originals. The plurality of the originals put on the operation panel 7 are led, one by one, from the inlet 6 to the vicinity of the image sensor 10, and conveyed in the direction of arrow 28 at constant speed by the conveying roller 13, while the original images are being read. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical composition of the telephone set 1. The telephone set 1 contains a central control circuit 30 incorporating a memory 30a for realizing various functions and performing a series of controls of the functions. The central control circuit 30 is combined with a facsimile circuit 31 for realizing the facsimile function, a reading control circuit 32 for controlling the operation of the reading unit 4, a telephone circuit 33 for realizing the telephone function, and a print control circuit 34 for controlling the rotation of the platen 25 and heating of the thermal head 26. To this central control circuit 30, signals corresponding to the operations of the numeric key group 8 and function key group 9 on the operation panel 7 are supplied. The facsimile circuit 31 is contained in a facsimile cartridge 40 as explained below, and is connected with the central control circuit 30 by means of a connector 49. To the reading control circuit 32, signals are supplied from the reading unit 4, that is, from the image sensor 10 and rotary encoder 19. To the reading control circuit 32, furthermore, signals from the original sensor 14 and detecting sensor 15 are also supplied. The telephone circuit 33 is connected to the telephone line through line 35. To the telephone circuit 33, the handset 3 containing the speaker 3a and microphone 3b is connected, and the output from a hook switch 36 disposed in relation to the handset 3 is supplied thereto. The telephone circuit 33 is also combined with a speaker 37 for acoustically converting various signal sounds and ringing tone for calling. The print control circuit 34 is connected with a pulse motor for rotating the platen 24 and a printer unit 38 comprising a circuit for heating the thermal head 26, and also with a recording paper sensor 39 for detecting the end of thermal recording paper 22. In response to the operation of the numeric key group 8 and function key group 9 on the operation panel 7, the central control circuit 30 controls by selectively activating the facsimile circuit 31, reading control circuit 32, telephone circuit 33, and print control circuit 34. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting structure of the facsimile cartridge 40 mentioned later on the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, the facsimile circuit 31 is contained in the facsimile cartridge 40, and by composing the facsimile cartridge 40 so as to be detachably to the apparatus main body 2, the facsimile function can be selectively added to the telephone set 1. The facsimile cartridge 40 contains switches 41, such as automatic/manual reception selector and reception mode selector so as to cause the telephone set 1 to function as facsimile apparatus. In the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, a mounting recess 43 is formed. In this mounting recess, a guide protrusion 44 and a detent dent 45 are formed. The facsimile cartridge 40 is conveyed by the operator in the direction of arrow 46 in FIG. 8 and is mounted. At this time, the guide protrusion 44 slides in a guide groove 47 formed at the side of the cartridge 40, so that the facsimile cartridge 40 is led into the mounting position. In the upper part of the facsimile cartridge 40, a detent claw 48 shown in FIG. 8 (2) is formed, and this detent claw 48 is engaged in the detent dent 45. As a result, the facsimile cartridge 40 is installed in the mounting recess 43. In the mounting recess 43, a connector 49 having plural terminals is disposed, and through this connector 49, the signals are exchanged between the facsimile circuit 31 contained in the cartridge 40 and the central control circuit 30. Below, referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, various functions of the telephone set 1 are explained. (1) Telephone function When using the telephone set 1 as an ordinary telephone set, the handset 3 is lifted when calling, and the dial number is selected by operating the numeric key group 8 on the operation panel 7. When the telephone set at the destination is connected to the telephone line, mutual talking is established. When called, a ringing tone is emitted from the speaker 37, and by lifting the handset 3, talking with the caller is realized. (2) Copy function 1. Automatic original reading mode The operator inserts the original to be copied into the inlet 6 from its front end, and presses the start switch 5 provided in the upper part of the reading unit 4. The inserted original is conveyed at constant speed by the conveying roller 13. At this time, the image sensor 10 reads the original image sequentially in synchronism with the rotation of the conveying roller 13. The copy image of the read original image is obtained on the thermal recording paper 22 by the function of the platen 24, thermal head 26 and others. 2. Manual original reading mode The operator removes the reading unit 4 from the apparatus main body 2, and puts it on the original surface as shown in FIG. 5. After pushing the start switch 5, the operator moves it in the direction of arrow 18 in FIG. 5. As the reading unit 4 is moved, the rotary roller 11 rotates, and the position information is detected from the rotary encoder 19. The image sensor 10 reads the images sequentially in synchronism with the position information. The copy image of the read original image is obtained on the thermal recording paper 22 by the function of the platen 24, thermal head 26 and others. The copy operaion is stopped by pressing the start switch 5 again. (3) Facsimile function 1. Transmission action by automatic original reading mode The operator puts the facsimile cartridge 40 on the apparatus main body 2, and inserts the end of the original into the inlet 6. Lifting the handset 3, the dial number of the facsimile of the destination is selected by the operation of the numeric key group 8 and function key group 9 on the operation panel 7. Afterwards, when connection of the destination facsimile to the telephone line is confirmed, the start switch 5 is pressed. As a result, the original is conveyed at constant speed by the conveying roller 13, and the image sensor 10 reads the original image in synchronism with the rotation of the conveying roller 13. The image data corresponding to the read original image is once stored in the memory 30a, and is coded as transmission signal by the facsimile circuit 31, and is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus at the destination. 2. Transmission action by manual original reading mode The operator puts the facsimile cartridge 40 on the apparatus main body 2. The reading unit 4 is dismounted from the apparatus main body 2, and is put on the original as shown in FIG. 5. Lifting the handset 3, the facsimile dial number of the destination is selected by the numeric key group 8 and function key group on the operation panel 7. When the connection of the destination facsimile to the telephone line is confirmed, the operator presses the start switch 5, and moves the reading unit 4 in the direction of arrow 18 in FIG. 5. By the movement of the reading unit 4, the detection roller 11 is dislocated angularly, and the information about the reading position of the reading unit 4 is deteced from the rotary encoder 19. In synchronism with this position information, the image sensor 10 sequentially reads the image, and stores in the memory 30a. The image data corresponding to thus read original image is coded as transmission signal by the function of the facsimile circuit 31, and is transmitted to the destination facsimile apparatus sequentially. The transmission operation is finished by pushing the start switch 5 again. 3. Reception action The facsimile cartridge 40 is preliminarily mounted on the apparatus main body 2. By this time, by operating the automatic/manual reception selector on the facsimile cartridge 40, the automatic or manual mode of reception action is selected. In the case of automatic reception, by the function of the facsimile circuit 31, the apparatus is automatically connected to the telephone line, and the image data from the caller's facsimile apparatus is received, and the image corresponding to the received image data is printed on the thermal recording paper 22 by the function of the platen 24, thermal head 26 and others. In the case of manual reception, in response to the ringing tone acoustically released from the speaker 37, the operator lifts the handset 3 to connect the line, and then pushes the start switch. When the start switch 5 is pressed, the image data from the caller's facsimile apparatus is received, and the received image is printed out on the thermal recording paper 22 by the function of the thermal head 26 and others. In this embodiment, as explained herein, the reading unit 4 installed in the telephone set 1 having facsimile function is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, a large original or a bulky original such as a book that cannot be inserted from the inlet 6 can be read, and the read image information can be transmitted without requiring particular structure. A friction reducing sheet 16 is disposed in the position opposite to the rotary roller 11 at the bottom of the mounting part 12 in which the reading unit 4 is installed. The rotary roller 11 is intended to detect the reading position when reading the original image manually by detaching the reading unit 4 from the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, in the state of the reading unit 4 being mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the force acting in the opposite direction to the original conveying direction must be as small as possible when the original passes between the rotary roller 11 and the mounting part 12. For this purpose, in this embodiment, the friction reducing sheet 16 is disposed as mentioned above. Furthermore, in the telephone set 1 of this embodiment, the facsimile cartridge 40 which is a processing device incorporating the facsimile circuit 31 for realizing the facsimile function is detachably composed in the apparatus main body 2. By installing the facsimile cartridge 40 in the apparatus main body 2, the telephone set 1 possesses the facsimile function. When the facsimile cartridge 40 is not installed in the apparatus main body 2, the telephone set 1 has the telephone function and copy function. For example, when the telephone set 1 is used at home, the copy function may be necessary, but the facsimile function is not usually necessary. In such a case, it is not required to install the facsimile cartridge 40 in the apparatus main body 2. Thus, it is possible to present a telephone set possessing only desired functions. Furthermore, in the telephone set 1, the operation panel 7 is installed near the inlet 6 in a manner being free to dislocate angularly around the axial line crossing with the original conveying direction. This operation panel 7 is installed, having stable positions at both ends in the angular dislocation direction. Therefore, when the facsimile function is selected on the telephone set 1, by supporting the operation panel 7 at the position indicated by broken line in FIG. 6, the operation panel 7 may be used as the original stacker for stocking a plurality or originals. In other words, any particular structure is not needed for stocking a plurality of originals, which is advantageous for downsizing of the telephone set 1. Still more, when the original is inserted with the reading unit 4 being mounted on the apparatus main body 2, since the guide receptacles 53 of the reading unit 4 are positioned at the positioning guides 51, the moving action in the original conveying direction may be suppressed, and since the notches 52 are engaged with the latches 50, lifting of the reading unit 4 against the force in the thicknesswise direction of the original may be prevented, so that accurate image reading may be always realized in the automatic original reading mode. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims: An image data transmission apparatus comprising an image reading unit for reading the original image and a transmission apparatus main body for transmitting read image data wherein the transmission apparatus main body defines a direction of the original being conveyed and the image reading unit is disposed along the original conveying direction, and is detachably mounted on the transmission apparatus main body, characterized in that the image reading unit (4) is provided with a notch (52) at the upstream end thereof along the original conveying direction and with a guide receptacle (53) at the downstream end thereof along the original conveying direction, and the transmission apparatus main body (2) is provided with a latch (50) at the upstream end thereof along the original conveying direction and with a positioning guide (51) at the downstream end thereof along the original conveying direction, and that the notch (52) engages with the latch (50), the guide receptacle (53) engages with the positioning guide (51), respectively when the image reading unit (4) is mounted on the transmission apparatus main body (2). The image data transmission apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notch (52) can disengage from the latch (50) while the guide receptacle (53) is still in engagement with the positioning guide (51) by lifting the image reading unit (4) around the positioning guide (51) so that the image reading unit (4) can be detached from the transmission apparatus main body (2).

Inventors: FUJII MAMORU, HAYASHI MOTOHIKO, INAGAKI HIROYA, KONDO MITSUNOBU, KOTANI MATAHIRA, MATSUMOTO JUNICHIRO, MATSUMOTO MASAFUMI, MINO KOICHI, MURATA NAOMITSU, SAKAI KATSUYUKI, YAMANOUE MASAFUMI, FUJII, MAMORU, HAYASHI, MOTOHIKO, INAGAKI, HIROYA, KONDO, MITSUNOBU, KOTANI, MATAHIRA, MATSUMOTO, JUNICHIRO, MATSUMOTO, MASAFUMI, MINO, KOICHI, MURATA, NAOMITSU, SAKAI, KATSUYUKI, YAMANOUE, MASAFUMI
Applicants: NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE, SHARP KK, NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1, H04M1