JPH0662178A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a high-reliability image reader which can previously prevent dropping from an image reading plane or reading abnormality by detecting the abnormality of the image reading plane. CONSTITUTION:This image reader to read the images of an image reading plane 101 by using an image reading means 6 while moving on the image reading plane 101 with the rotation of rotators 5A and 5B driven by a driving part 11 is provided with a detecting means 15 to detect whether there is height difference more than a prescribed value on the image reading plane 101 in a moving direction forward rather than the image reading means 6 or not, and a control means to perform an abnormality processing operation when this detecting means 15 detects the height difference more than the prescribed value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading device for reading an image while self-propelled on an image reading surface such as an original or a book.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus of this type is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-22958.

This image reading device includes a reading section for reading an image of an original document which is relatively moved by rotation of a driving roller driven by a motor, and a driven roller which is detachably attached to the reading section and which is in contact with the driving roller. In the case of reading a sheet-shaped document of a normal size, the document feeding path is provided between the reading section and the feeding section in a state where the reading section and the feeding section are integrally connected. Scan the image while inserting the original and conveying the original.

On the other hand, in the case of a book or a particularly large sheet original, the reading unit is separated from the conveying unit, the reading unit is placed on the original, and the image is read while driving by the motor of the reading unit while self-propelled. Is configured.

[0005]

However, when the reading unit is self-propelled, if the image reading surface is a thick book or a document is set on the edge of the desk, the reading unit that is running may be a book or a book. There is a risk of falling from the desk.

If the image reading surface is wrinkled or greatly curved, the rollers cannot slip and run, or even if the image can run, the image is disturbed and the image must be input again. .

It is an object of the present invention to obtain a highly reliable image reading apparatus capable of detecting an abnormality on the image reading surface and preventing a drop from the image reading surface or an abnormal reading.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image on the image reading surface by the image reading means while moving on the image reading surface by the rotation of a rotating body driven by a driving unit. In the image reading device for reading, a detecting unit that detects whether or not there is a height difference above a predetermined level on the image reading surface that is ahead of the image reading unit in the moving direction, and if this detection unit detects a height difference above a predetermined level A control means for performing an abnormality processing operation is provided.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

<Structure> FIGS. 1 and 2 are a plan view and a side view showing an embodiment of an image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A reading unit 1 for reading an image of a document and a detachable unit for the reading unit 1 are shown. A conveyance unit 2 that freely conveys a document while being attached to the reading unit 1, and a document that is automatically attached between the reading unit 1 and the conveyance unit 2 when detachably attached to the conveyance unit 2 and attached to the conveyance unit 2 The tray 4 which is composed of a paper feeding unit 3 for feeding paper and is rotatably attached to the paper feeding unit 3 can be folded on the reading unit 2 as shown in FIG.

In this image reading apparatus, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of originals set in the paper feeding unit 3 are fed one by one in a state where the reading unit 1, the conveying unit 2 and the paper feeding unit 3 are combined. In the automatic paper feed mode for reading an image while separating and automatically feeding the paper, and in a state in which the reading unit 1 and the transport unit 2 are combined as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the document manually inserted into the document entrance 14 is read. A manual feed mode and a self-propelled mode in which the reading unit 1 is placed on a document and the document is read while the document is self-propelled as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The automatic paper feed mode, manual feed mode, and self-propelled mode are switched from an image processing apparatus (not shown) such as a personal computer to which the reading unit 1 is connected and which performs image processing. This switching may be performed by the reading unit 1 having the function.

The reading unit 1 is covered with a cover 10 as shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, and inside thereof, a motor 11 as a drive source and a pulley 40 attached to a rotation shaft of the motor 11. , A pair of front and rear pulleys 13A, 13
B, a timing belt 12 that is hung on the pulleys 40, 13A, and 13B to drive the pair of pulleys 13A and 13B in the arrow direction, a tension roller 41 that presses the timing belt 12, and a rotation shaft 55 of the pulleys 13A and 13B.
Transport roller 5A attached to 56 and driven to rotate,
5B (rotating body) and a contact-type image sensor 6 (reading means) which is arranged between the transport rollers 5A and 5B and is mounted such that the light-receiving surface faces the transport unit 2 direction.
A lever-type sensor 15 (detection means) that is attached to the document entrance 14 and detects a document inserted from here is provided.

A gear 42 for transmitting drive to the sheet feeding section 3 is attached to one end of the rotary shaft 55.

As shown in FIG. 22, the sensor 15 detects the front end and the rear end of the document when the front end of the sensor 15 is lowered (the document is not detected) as shown in FIG. It also has a function to prevent the part 1 from falling from the end of a book or desk while moving, and when the sensor 15 turns off during self-running, the motor 11 is stopped and a sound or light warning is issued. There is. Therefore, the sensor 15 is provided ahead of the image sensor 6 in the moving direction. In addition, the sensor 15
Is provided in front of the center of gravity in the moving direction, and the sensor 15
Is turned off and the reading unit 1 is stopped, the center of gravity is left on the image reading surface.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the bottom of the reading unit 1,
Coupling holes 51, 52, 53, 5 for coupling with the transport unit 2
4 are provided.

Further, the rotary shafts 55 and 56, the image sensor 6, the motor 11, the sensor 15 and the like are attached to a frame 17 shown in FIG.
The cover 10 is urged in the direction away from the document surface by the left and right compression springs 16 mounted between the cover 10 and the.
Reference numeral 57 is a rod for supporting the compression spring 16, 58 is a stopper attached to the tip of the rod 57 for restricting one end of the compression spring 57, and 59 is a side plate for fixing the motor 11 to the frame 17.

The compression spring 16 covers the cover 1 in the self-propelled mode.
In order to raise the distance between the bottom surface of the cover 10 and the conveying surface by raising 0 so that the front end of the cover 10 in the moving direction and the bottom surface of the cover 10 do not easily come into contact with the document and do not hinder the self-running of the reading unit 1. Is.

When the reading unit 1 and the conveying unit 2 are combined, the rollers 20A and 20B of the conveying unit 2 which will be described later press the conveying rollers 5A and 5B, whereby the conveying rollers 5A and 5B and the image sensor 6 are connected. The motor 11, the sensor 15 and the like are retracted to a predetermined position inside the cover 10.

The transport unit 2 is shown in FIGS. 6, 12, 13, and 14.
It is covered with a cover 22 like the
When the is coupled to the reading unit 1, the pair of rollers 20A and 20B contact the transport rollers 5A and 5B and rotate following the transport rollers 5A and 5B to move the document, and the document is placed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6. A pressing member 21 to be in close contact with,
Attaching the paper feed unit 3 and the inverted L-shaped coupling protrusions 61, 62, 63, 64 that engage the coupling holes 51, 52, 53, 54 of the reading unit 1 to couple the conveying unit 2 to the reading unit 1. Connecting members 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E which will be described later
Mounting holes 65, 66, and 67 into which are inserted.

The reading unit 1 and the conveying unit 2 are connected to each other by, for example, inserting the connecting special feature 62 into the connecting hole 51 and then horizontally shifting it as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the sheet feeding section 3 is inserted into the mounting holes 65, 66, 67 of the conveying section 2 to connect the conveying section 2 and the sheet feeding section 3 with connecting members 8A, 8B ,. 8C,
8D, 8E, a gear 7 that receives a rotational driving force from the gear 42 attached to the rotation shaft 55 of the pulley 13A, a gear 43 attached to the rotation shaft of the gear 7, and a gear 4
3, a paper feed roller 30 provided coaxially with the gear 44, and a spring 4 attached to the paper feed roller 30.
Separation pad 31 pressed by 5 and pressing member 2 made of white synthetic resin that presses the document against image sensor 6
1 is provided, and the originals stacked on the tray 4 are separated one by one by the paper feed roller 30 and the separation pad 31 and sent out to be supplied to the conveyance path between the conveyance rollers 5A and 5B and the rollers 20A and 20B. Is configured.

The image reading apparatus configured as described above is connected to an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer, receives a reading command from the image reading apparatus, reads an original image, and transfers the read image data to the image processing apparatus. Is configured as follows.

<Operation> The operation of the image reading apparatus described above will be described by dividing it into three modes: (1) automatic paper feed mode, (2) manual feed mode, and (3) self-propelled mode.

(1) Automatic paper feeding mode As shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of originals 100 are stacked on the tray 4 of the paper feeding unit 3 in a state where the reading unit 1, the conveying unit 2 and the paper feeding unit 3 are combined. To do. When a reading command is given from the image processing apparatus in this state, the motor 1 is used to separate and feed the document.
1 is driven. Then, the rotational driving force of the motor 11 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 30 via the gear 7, and the plurality of originals stacked on the tray 4 are rotated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 30 in the feeding direction (counterclockwise). The top few of them are pulled out.

These several originals are sent between the separation pad 31 pressed against the paper feed roller 30 and the paper feed roller 30, where only the uppermost one is separated and the original entrance 1
Sent to 4.

The original 100 sent to the original entrance 14 is further fed, and its leading end reaches the position of the sensor 15.
Then, the front end of the document 100 presses the sensor 15 in the conveying direction, and the sensor 15 is turned on. When the sensor 15 is turned on, the rotation amount of the motor 11 from when the sensor 15 is turned on is counted by a control unit (not shown). When the motor 11 rotates by a predetermined rotation amount and the leading edge of the original 100 is conveyed to a position where it is pressed by the conveying roller 5A and the roller 20A by the pressing member 21, a reading command is issued and the original 100 is pressed by the pressing member 21. The original image is read by the image sensor 6 while being conveyed as shown in FIG.

Then, the trailing edge of the original passes through the sensor 15,
When the sensor 15 is turned off, the motor 11 is driven for a predetermined time or a predetermined amount thereafter, the image reaching the trailing edge of the document 100 is read, and then the document is discharged from the document exit 19.

When it is time to discharge from the document discharge port 19, the motor 11 is stopped and returns to the initial state.
When the succeeding original document 100 remains on the tray 4, when the trailing end of the original document 100 passes through the paper feed roller 30, the next original document is continuously sent out and the above operation is performed.

(2) Manual feeding mode As shown in FIG. 20, the original 100 is inserted into the original entrance 14 with the reading unit 1 and the conveying unit 2 coupled to each other. Then, the front end of the document 100 presses the sensor 15 in the conveying direction, and the sensor 15 is turned on. When the sensor 15 is turned on, a drive signal is sent from the control unit (not shown) to the motor 11, the motor 11 is rotated, and the document 100 is transported by the transport rollers 5A and 20A, and the leading end of the document 100 is transported to the reading start position. Predetermined amount of motor 11
When the document is transferred, the document image is read by the image sensor 6 while the document 100 is in close contact with the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6 by the pressing member 21.

Then, the trailing edge of the original passes through the sensor 15,
When the sensor 15 is turned off, the motor 11 is driven for a predetermined time thereafter, the image reaching the rear end of the document 100 is read, and then the document is discharged from the document exit 19.

When it is time to discharge the document from the document discharge port 19, the motor 11 is stopped and returns to the initial state.

(3) Self-propelled mode As shown in FIG. 21, the reading unit 1 with the transport unit 2 separated.
Is placed on the original 101 such as a book. At this time, the reading unit 1 is supported on the original 101 by the transport rollers 5A and 5B.

When the reading unit 1 is supported on the original 101, the sensor 15 is pushed by the original and is turned on. In this state, when a drive signal is issued from the control unit (not shown) to the motor 11, the motor 11 rotates by a predetermined rotation amount, and the reading unit 1 moves on the original 101 to convey rollers 5A, 5A.
Self-propelled by the rotation of B. In the self-propelled process, the original image is read by the image sensor 6.

At this time, since the frame 17 is urged toward the floor by the compression spring 16 attached to the cover 10, when the conveying section 2 is separated, the conveying rollers 5A, 5
B, the image sensor 6, the sensor 15 and the like relatively project from the floor surface of the cover 10, and the cover 10 does not interfere with the self-propelling of the reading unit 1 and can be self-propelled smoothly.

When the reading unit 1 reaches the rear end of the original 101 as shown in FIG. 22, the sensor 15 is turned off. Then, the driving of the motor 11 is stopped immediately or after a predetermined rotation by the control means (not shown) to stop the self-propelled driving, and sound or light is emitted to notify the operator of the danger.

Therefore, the reading unit 1 does not drop from the original 101 or the desk on which the original 101 is placed.

<Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration including all of the reading unit 1, the conveying unit 2, and the paper feeding unit 3 has been described, but the combination of the reading unit 1 and the conveying unit 2, the reading unit 1 and the feeding unit 3. It is also possible to take a combined form such as a configuration in which the paper unit 3 is integrated.

(2) The paper feeding section 3 is configured to rotate by receiving the rotational driving force from the transport roller 5A, but it may be configured to have its own drive source.

(3) The image sensor 6 has a structure for directly receiving an image from a document, but it may have a structure in which a reduction or expansion optical system is added to the light receiving optical path of the image sensor 6.

(4) In the above embodiment, the image reading apparatus provided with the reading unit 1, the conveying unit 2 and the paper feeding unit 3 is shown. However, the present invention is an image having only the reading unit 1 which is self-propelled on a document. It can also be applied to readers.

(5) When the detection means detects a height difference of a predetermined value or more, the control means stops the drive section to stop the movement, and then the drive section is reversely rotated to reverse the movement direction to cause an abnormal conveyance surface. You may make it evacuate from.

(6) The detecting means is not limited to the lever type sensor 15, but uses a light emitting portion that emits light and a light receiving portion that receives light returning from the light emitted from this light emitting portion and returning. Alternatively, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit changes by a predetermined amount or more, it may be determined that there is a large drop, a wrinkle of the document, a curvature of the document surface, or the like in the front direction of movement.

(7) In the above embodiment, the entire cover 10 is raised from the image reading surface in the self-propelled mode. However, the cover 10 is divided into a bottom cover 10A and a top cover 10B as shown in FIG. Divide and cover the top side 10
B is fixed to the frame 17 of FIG. 11, and the bottom side cover 10
By mounting A in the same manner as the cover 10, the bottom cover 1 which is easy to contact the image reading surface in the self-propelled mode
Only 0A may be raised. It should be noted that an inclined surface 10C may be formed so that the front side in the moving direction is less likely to contact the image reading surface.

[0046]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the image on the image reading surface is read by the image reading means while moving on the image reading surface by the rotation of the rotating body driven by the driving unit. In the image reading device, a detection unit that detects whether or not the image reading surface, which is located in front of the image reading unit in the moving direction, has a height difference of a predetermined value or more, and an abnormality occurs when the detection unit detects a height difference of a predetermined value or more. Since the control means for performing the processing operation is provided, when the detection means detects that the image reading surface in front of the image reading means in the moving direction has a predetermined height difference or more, the movement is stopped or an alarm is issued. As a result, it is possible to obtain a highly reliable image reading apparatus capable of preventing a fall from the image reading surface and a reading error.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an image reading apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the image reading apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the tray of the paper feeding unit in FIG. 1 is folded.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a reading unit, a conveying unit, and a paper feeding unit are combined.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the reading unit and the transport unit are combined.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration in a state where a reading unit and a conveying unit are combined.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the reading unit with the transport unit separated.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reading unit with the transport unit separated.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a reading unit.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the reading unit.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which a carrying roller and the like of a reading unit are projected from a cover.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a transport unit.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a transport unit.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the transport section.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a combined state of a transport unit and a reading unit.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a paper feeding unit.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the paper feeding unit.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation in a state where the reading unit, the transport unit, and the paper feeding unit are combined.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation in a state where the reading unit, the transport unit, and the paper feeding unit are combined.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation in a state where the reading unit and the transport unit are combined.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a document image is read only by the reading unit.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state where the document edge is reached when the document image is read only by the reading unit.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the reading unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reading Section 2 Conveying Section 3 Paper Feeding Section 4 Tray 5A Conveying Roller 5B Conveying Roller 6 Image Sensor 10 Cover 11 Motor 15 Sensor 16 Spring 17 Frame 20A Roller 20B Roller 21 Holding Member 30 Feeding Roller 31 Separation Pad

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image reading device for reading an image on the image reading surface by an image reading means while moving on the image reading surface by rotation of a rotating body driven by a driving unit, in the moving direction forward of the image reading means. A detection means for detecting whether or not there is a height difference above a predetermined level on the image reading surface, and a control means for performing an abnormality processing operation when the detection means detects a height difference above a predetermined level. Image reading device. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when the detection means detects a height difference equal to or more than a predetermined level, stops the drive unit immediately or after driving by a predetermined amount to stop the movement. Reader. 3. The control means, when the detecting means detects a height difference of a predetermined value or more, stops the drive section to stop the movement, and then reversely rotates the drive section to reverse the moving direction. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means issues an alarm when the detecting means detects a height difference of a predetermined value or more. 5. The detection means is provided in front of the reading means in the moving direction.
The image reading device described. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit is provided in front of a center of gravity in the moving direction.