JP2006333528A - Automatic document feeder, image reading apparatus mounted with it, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic document feeder which can reduce feeding loss for originals in a sheet through method and improve productivity when reading originals, an image reading apparatus mounted with the feeder, and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Before a controller of the ADF 200 detects a reading beginning signal from a main body controller, an original S is fed (a next original is fed in advance). Before the original reaches a reading position of a first reading feeding part 5, if the reading beginning signal is not detected, the original is stopped at upstream of the reading position, and if detected, the original is continued to be fed to the reading position without being stopped at the upstream of the reading position to reduce feeding loss due to temporary stop (resist stop) just in front of the reading position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet-through type automatic document feeder that reads an image while moving a document while stopping a scanner unit, and an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet-through type document feeder.

  In the conventional image reading apparatus or image forming apparatus, it is necessary to synchronize the leading edge of the transfer paper and the leading edge of the original when reading the original and storing it in the image memory and writing the stored data on the transfer paper. With the digitization of digital cameras, “the operation of reading a document and storing it in an image memory” and “the operation of writing stored data in an image memory onto a transfer sheet” can be controlled independently. In this case, it is only necessary to consider synchronizing the reading of the original and the storage in the image memory.

  On the other hand, as a reading method of an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF), a scanning method in which a document is stopped on a contact glass and scanned by a scanner unit, and a document is scanned by stopping the scanner unit. There is known a sheet-through method in which the moving time loss of the scanner unit is improved by moving and reading.

  In this sheet-through method, the document is temporarily stopped immediately before the reading position (registration position) in order to synchronize with the scanner unit (image reading means) of the image forming apparatus main body, and then read by a reading start signal from the apparatus main body. Since reading conveyance is started, a deceleration time for stopping the original and a start-up time for accelerating the stopped original to the reading speed again are required. The reason why the document is stopped and synchronized with the scanner unit in this way is to simplify the apparatus configuration and reduce the cost while efficiently using an image memory having a limited capacity.

  For example, in the image reading apparatus, as described above, the document is temporarily stopped when the reading start signal is not transmitted from the apparatus main body to the ADF, and specifically, when the memory for storing the image data is full. This is a case where preparation of the scanner unit is not completed, such as during shading correction.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, when the conveyance speed changes as the reading magnification of the original is changed (the conveyance and reading of the original are performed across two or more rollers having different diameters, the speed is maintained while maintaining accuracy. Even when a jam occurs on the apparatus main body side, the above-described reading start signal is not transmitted, so the ADF pauses the document.

  If the stacked originals are the same size and the specified paper size is changed, the conveyance direction size (length) is detected on the original table and the width size is detected on the conveyance path. It is necessary to stop at the registration position upstream of the reading position. On the other hand, in the case of different size mixed loading (mixed loading mode), since the length and width size are detected for each sheet, it is necessary to stop all the documents at the registration position upstream of the reading position. In particular, in the AMS mode in which transfer paper sizes are specified with different sizes mixedly loaded, and different size originals are transferred to the same size transfer paper, registration detection, image reader status detection (including shading correction), size detection, size detection, etc. All originals are stopped at the registration position upstream of the reading position in order to change the reading magnification for each time (variable magnification setting). Further, in the configuration in which the document is reversed for size detection or double-sided reading, the registration is stopped even when the document is reversed.

  Incidentally, as this type of apparatus, there are JP-A-9-166896 and JP-A-11-52635. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-166896 discloses a technique for detecting the leading edge of a document immediately before a reading position and taking a reading start timing based on the detected information. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-52635 discloses a technique for measuring the reading start timing by monitoring the driving amount of the reading roller after detecting the leading edge of the document immediately before the reading position.

  However, in the above-described sheet-through method, there is a problem that the document conveyance efficiency is lowered due to the deceleration time when the document is stopped and the start-up time when accelerating to the reading speed again, which adversely affects the productivity in document reading. .

  An object of the present invention is to improve such problems, reduce document transport loss in the sheet-through method, and improve the productivity at the time of document scanning, and an image equipped with the same. An object of the present invention is to provide a reading device and an image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading means can be fixed at the reading position, and can be mounted on an image reading apparatus that can read image information of the original while conveying the original, and the original is placed one by one at the reading position. In the automatic document feeder to be conveyed, when the image reading means is readable, the receiving means for receiving a reading start signal transmitted from the image reading apparatus and the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position. A reading position arrival detecting means for detecting the document and a reading operation when the reading position arrival detecting means detects that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position when the document is conveyed to the reading position. And a stop mode in which the original is stopped at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, and when the receiving means receives the reading start signal, the conveying operation is restarted and conveyed to the reading position; When conveyed to the reading position, without stopping at a predetermined position upstream vicinity of said read position, characterized by comprising setting means for setting a non-stop mode for conveying to the reading position, and the.

  It is possible to set the operation mode whether to pause the document immediately before the reading position, and by switching at the reception timing of the reading start signal from the see-through type image reading apparatus, the conveyance loss due to the resist stop etc. is reduced, Productivity when reading a document can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image reading means can be fixed at the reading position, and can be mounted on an image reading apparatus capable of reading the image information of the original while conveying the original, and the original is placed one by one at the reading position. In the automatic document conveying device that conveys, receiving means for receiving a reading start signal transmitted from the image reading device when the image reading means is readable, and that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position. A reading position arrival detecting means for detecting the document, and the receiving means conveys the document toward the reading position before receiving the reading start signal, and before the document is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means. When the receiving means does not receive the reading start signal, the original is stopped at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, while the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means. , If the receiving unit receives the read start signal is characterized by continuing the transport without stopping at a predetermined position upstream vicinity of the reading position the original.

  By switching whether or not to pause the document just before the reading position depending on whether or not a reading start signal is received from the outside, transport loss due to resist stop etc. can be reduced with simple control, and productivity when scanning the document Can be improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that fixes an image reading unit at a reading position, reads image information of a document while conveying the document, and forms the image on the transfer paper through an image memory. In an automatic document feeder that can be mounted and transports documents one by one to a reading position according to the type of image formation of the image forming apparatus, the image reading device sends a message when the image reading means is readable. Receiving means for receiving the read start signal, reading position arrival detecting means for detecting that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, and reading position arrival detection when the document is conveyed to the reading position When the means detects that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, the conveying operation is stopped to stop the document at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position; When the communication means receives the reading start signal, the stop mode resumes the conveying operation and conveys the original to the reading position, and when conveying the document to the reading position, the reading is performed without stopping at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position. And setting means for setting a non-stop mode for conveying to a position.

  Continuing the reading operation by switching the operation mode without resetting the original in response to the reading pause caused by the condition of the main body of the image forming apparatus, such as the inability to read the original due to the image memory being full (low remaining amount) or the transfer paper jam. be able to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, when the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means and the reading start signal is received by the receiving means, the non-stop mode is set. Is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means, and a stop mode is set when a reading start signal is not received by the receiving means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the stop mode is set when the first document is the first, and the second and subsequent documents are detected by the reading position arrival detection means. Sometimes, when the reading start signal is received by the receiving means, the non-stop mode is set, while the reading start signal is not received by the receiving means when the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means. Is characterized in that a stop mode is set.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the size detecting means for detecting the document size during conveyance of the document, the mixed loading mode setting means for setting the mixed loading mode for sequentially conveying the document of different sizes, When the mixed loading mode is set by the mixed loading mode setting means, all originals are conveyed in the stop mode.

  In the mixed loading mode, the scanning magnification corresponding to each document size is set. In particular, in the AMS mode in which the magnification is set for each document to the transfer paper size specified in advance regardless of the document size, the conveyance is performed according to the scanning magnification. Since the speed is switched, it is necessary to temporarily stop all originals upstream of the reading position.

  The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the automatic document feeder according to claim 1 or 2 is mounted on an image reading apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 3 to 6 is mounted on an image forming apparatus.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the image reading means is fixed at the reading position and is mounted on an image reading apparatus that can read while conveying the document, and a plurality of stop positions are set near the upstream of the reading position according to the reading magnification. In the case where the reading magnification of the conveyed document is designated in advance, the conveyance operation is temporarily stopped at the stop position corresponding to the reading magnification, and the reading magnification is not designated in advance. Is characterized in that the conveying operation is temporarily stopped at the most upstream stop position among the plurality of stop positions.

  By making it possible to set the stop position according to the reading magnification of the document, the efficiency of document reading can be improved.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the automatic document feeder mounted on the sheet-through type image reading apparatus, when the document is conveyed to the reading position, the reading position arrival detecting means (registration sensor or the like) When it is detected that the original has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, the conveying operation is stopped to stop the original at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, and the receiving means (such as a controller) starts reading. When the signal is received, the conveyance mode is restarted and conveyed to the reading position, and when the document is conveyed to the reading position, the document is not conveyed to the reading position without stopping at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position. Since the stop mode can be set, the non-stop mode avoids time loss due to a temporary stop (resist stop) just before the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position. Rukoto can further by interrupting temporarily transport operation in accordance with the device state, it is possible to ensure the productivity improves the workability.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic document feeder mounted on the sheet-through type image reading apparatus, the document is conveyed toward the reading position before the receiving unit receives the reading start signal, If the receiving means does not receive a reading start signal before the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means, the original is stopped at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, while the original is If the receiving means receives the reading start signal before it is detected by the arrival detecting means, the document continues to be conveyed without stopping at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, so that the leading edge of the document is at the reading position. A time loss due to a temporary stop (resist stop) just before reaching can be avoided according to the state of the image forming apparatus, and productivity can be improved. In addition, since it can be changed to pause immediately before the reading position according to the state of the image reading apparatus, reading is temporarily interrupted due to insufficient memory capacity for storing the read image data, transfer paper conveyance jam, etc. This makes it possible to improve workability and always ensure maximum productivity according to the state of the apparatus.

  According to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, in the automatic document feeder mounted on the sheet-through type image forming apparatus, when the document is conveyed to the reading position, the document is positioned at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position. Stop mode in which the conveyance operation is stopped and the document is stopped at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, and when the reading start signal is received, the conveyance operation is restarted and conveyed to the reading position. And a non-stop mode in which the document is transported to the reading position without being stopped at a predetermined position near the upstream when the document is transported to the reading position. Accordingly, it is possible to improve productivity by installing the image forming apparatus in which the conveyance operation needs to be changed accordingly. For example, when transporting documents of the same size, the document is temporarily stopped immediately before the scanning position depending on the state of the image forming apparatus, such as insufficient memory capacity for storing scanned image data or transfer paper transport jam. It is possible to improve the property.

  According to the invention of claim 6, when the mixed loading mode is set, since all the originals are conveyed in the stop mode, the originals can be temporarily stopped upstream of the reading position corresponding to the mixed loading mode, In particular, in the AMS mode in which the magnification is set for each original from the original size detected by the size detection means (first original length sensor, second original length sensor, etc.) to the transfer paper size designated in advance. The conveyance speed can be switched appropriately and reliably according to the magnification.

  According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, since the automatic document feeder is mounted on the image reading apparatus or the image forming apparatus, the document can be temporarily stopped immediately before the reading position according to the state of the apparatus main body. It is possible to improve workability.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in an automatic document feeder mounted on a sheet-through type image reading apparatus and having a plurality of stop positions set upstream in accordance with the reading magnification, the reading magnification of the conveyed document is previously set. Is designated, the conveying operation is temporarily stopped at a stop position corresponding to the reading magnification. If the reading magnification is not designated in advance, the most upstream stop position among the plurality of stop positions is designated. When the scanning magnification is indefinite, for example, when the scanning magnification is uncertain, such as when the first document is paused, the document is temporarily stopped at the most upstream stop position. Therefore, it is possible to secure a transport distance for reliably starting up to that speed even when reading at a high speed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a sheet-through type automatic document feeder, it is possible to reduce a document conveyance loss and improve productivity when reading a document. In addition, even when the reading magnification is not designated in advance, the reliability of the apparatus is improved by reliably reaching the conveyance speed corresponding to the reading magnification.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

"Constitution"
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the configuration of a control unit.

  An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 200 according to this embodiment is mounted on a main body 300 of a copying machine (image forming apparatus). In this copying machine, when reading an image, an image is read by the reading unit while conveying a document from the ADF 200 to a reading unit (image reading unit) fixed at position A at a predetermined speed. .

  The ADF 200 includes a document setting unit 1, a separation and feeding unit 2, a registration unit 3, a reversing unit 4, a first reading and conveying unit 5, a second reading and conveying unit 6, a paper discharge unit 7, a reversing and conveying unit 8, and a stack unit. 9. Drive unit for driving these conveying operations (calling motor 105, paper feed motor 102, reading motor 103, reversing motor 104, reversing switching solenoid 105, etc. shown in FIG. 2), and controller for controlling a series of operations 100 (shown in FIG. 2) and the like.

  The document setting unit 1 includes a document setting table 10, a side guide 11, a first document length sensor 12, a second document length sensor 14, a document stopper 25, and the like, and sets a document bundle S of single-sided or double-sided documents. To do. The document setting table 10 is configured to be able to rotate and retract upward about a rotation fulcrum 95, so that stack documents can be easily taken out. Further, each of the first document length sensor 12 and the second document length sensor 14 is configured by a reflection type sensor or an actuator type sensor that can detect even one document, and is at least vertical in the same document size. It is arranged so that it can be judged sideways.

  The separation sheet feeding unit 2 includes a pickup roller 20, a sheet feeding belt 23, a document stopper 25, a separation roller 26, and the like, and separates documents one by one from the document bundle S set on the document setting table 10. To feed. The states of the pickup roller 20 and the document stopper 25 are detected by a home position sensor 19 (for example, an optical reflection type sensor).

  In the present embodiment, a recessed roller relief is formed at the contact point of the document table 10 with the pickup roller 20, so that the pickup roller 20 does not collide with the document table 10. This configuration is configured so that when the number of documents is small during the pressure contact operation of the pickup roller 20, the drop height of the pickup roller 20 is large, and the cushioning action of the document S between the document table 10 and the pickup roller 20 is reduced. This is because the drop impact sound of the pickup roller 20 is increased.

  The registration unit 3 includes an abutment sensor 29, a registration roller 30, a width size sensor group 32, and the like. The registration unit 3 primarily abuts and aligns a fed document, and pulls out and transports the aligned document. Perform the action.

  The reversing unit 4 includes a reading and conveying roller 43, a pressure roller 35, a registration sensor 40, and the like, and reverses the document conveyed to the reading position R and conveys the image surface toward the reading side (downward).

  The first reading / conveying unit 5 includes a reading / conveying roller 43, a pressure roller 41, a white background plate 51, a contact glass 54, and the like. A document being read / conveyed is placed on the contact glass 54 and the upper surface of the contact glass at a predetermined interval. It passes between the white background board 51 arrange | positioned with. During this time, the surface image of the document is read from below the contact glass 54 by the reading unit (light source, mirror, lens, CCD, etc.) on the main body 300 side, and the image is converted into an electrical signal via the CCD of the reading unit. And stored in a memory device (image memory) (not shown). The reading unit (image reading device or image reading means) moves from the home position (position A) in the vicinity of the reading position to the position A ′ at a predetermined timing (including when the document reading is started) while moving the white background plate 51. To obtain correction data used for shading correction.

  In the present embodiment, a flexible guide member is arranged from the inner surface of the reading entrance guide 42 toward the white background plate 51 in order to minimize the conveyance gap in the first reading conveyance unit 5 and reduce the degree of freedom of the document as much as possible. It is configured to overhang and fill the gap. The white background plate 51 arranged on the contact glass 54 is arranged with a gap of about 0.5 mm ± 0.2 mm from the guide member, and is pressed against the contact glass 54 with a predetermined elasticity. Is done. With this configuration, errors in the reading depth direction can be suppressed.

  In addition, the surface of the contact glass 54 is treated with a surfactant (silicon-based activator) so that ink or the like does not easily adhere or adhere to the surface. Further, by projecting the guide member to the vicinity of the reading position, the original surface does not positively contact the contact glass 54 at the reading position R, and the front end of the original wipes the vicinity of the reading position of the contact glass 54 (glass at the front end). The action of scraping off foreign matter on the surface) is configured.

  The second reading / conveying unit 6 includes a contact image sensor 61, a pressing member 62, and the like, and reads the back image from above while conveying the document after reading the front surface. Note that the contact image sensor 61 reads the white background plate (pressing member 62) at a predetermined timing (including when the document reading is started), and acquires correction data used for shading correction.

  The paper discharge unit 7 includes a paper discharge drive roller 71, a paper discharge pressure roller 72, a paper discharge sensor 70, and the like, and conveys the document whose front and back surfaces have been read to the outside of the machine or the reverse conveyance unit 8.

  The reverse conveying unit 8 includes a reverse switching claw 80, a reverse paper discharge roller pair 81, 82, and the like, and performs a switchback operation for rereading after reading the front surface. The switchback path 83 forms an intermediate stack portion.

  The stack unit 9 includes a paper discharge stacker 90 and the like, and stacks and holds documents after reading. A small-size stacker 91 is formed on the paper discharge stacker 90 in order to improve the visibility after discharging a small-size document and to easily take out the discharged document.

  Here, the configuration of the control unit of the copier equipped with the ADF 200 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 200 attached to the apparatus main body includes a controller 100 that controls the operation of the ADF 200, and the controller 100 includes the sensors 12, 14, 15, 19, 28, 29, 32, 34, 40, 70, 84, etc., each motor (for example, composed of a stepping motor) 101-104, a reverse switching solenoid 105, a status signal from the completed stamp 73, and an interface unit with the main body control unit 111 ( A control signal (a document feed signal, a reading start signal, etc.) transmitted via the serial communication line 107 or a table open signal indicating that the document set table 10 is open is input.

  The controller 100 transmits a signal (document size signal (width signal, length signal), registration stop signal, discharge completion signal, etc.) based on detection information from each sensor to the main body control unit 111, Based on the control signal transmitted from the main body control unit 111, the driving of each of the motors 101 to 104, the reverse switching solenoid 105, the completed stamp 73, and the like is controlled. For example, when the document setting sensor 28 detects that the document S is set on the document setting table 10, the detection information is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 as a document setting signal by the controller 100 via the interface unit 107. Alternatively, when the table opening / closing sensor 15 detects that the document setting table 10 of the ADF 200 is in a lifted state, the detection information is transmitted to the main body control unit 111 as a lift-up signal by the controller 100 via the interface unit 107. Is done.

  Further, the controller 100 supplies power to the contact image sensor 61 arranged on the ADF side as shown in FIG. Further, the controller 100 outputs timing signals (front DF gate on / off signal, back DF gate on / off signal, etc.) indicating the reading timing to the contact image sensor 61 based on the control signal transmitted from the main body control unit 111. At the same time, the light source for exposure is turned on / off.

  The contact image sensor 61 includes a light source unit (LED) 208 for exposure when reading a document, a CCD sensor chip 201 that reads an image surface of the document and photoelectrically converts the information into an electrical signal (analog signal), and an analog thereof. An amplifier 202 that amplifies the signal, an A / D converter 203 that converts the amplified analog signal into a digital signal, an image processing unit 204 that generates image information from the digital signal, and a frame for expanding and storing the image information An output control circuit 206 that sends out image information stored in the memory 205 and the frame memory 205 to the main body control unit 111 via the interface circuit 207, and the like, and performs exposure processing according to a timing signal from the ADF side to obtain the acquired image Information is transmitted to the main body.

  In addition, the controller 100 has a RAM (not shown). The RAM stores the operation mode input / set from the operation unit 108 on the main body side, and the stored content is updated every time the operation mode is changed. . Further, the RAM determines the combination of the document size in the conveyance direction calculated based on the detection information of the document length sensors 12 and 14 and the document size in the width direction detected by the width size sensor group 32. The original size is stored.

  The operation mode includes, for example, a double-sided / single-sided mode in which a double-sided or single-sided original is read, and a subsequent original after reading when the paper discharge sensor 70 passes (or when a predetermined number of pulses have been conveyed after passing the registration sensor 40). First-out mode for feeding originals, same-size mode in which originals of the same size are mixedly loaded on the original set table 10, the originals are read at a predetermined conveyance speed in accordance with the sizes, and output to transfer paper in accordance with the sizes. Regardless of the size of the original in the size mode, the same designated variable magnification mode for outputting to a transfer paper of a predetermined size, originals of different sizes are mixedly loaded on the original set table 10, and the originals are transferred at a predetermined conveyance speed according to the size. Is read and output to the transfer paper according to the size. Paper specifying magnification mode to output the size of the transfer paper (AMS mode), and the like.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the second and subsequent originals are not transported to the reading position R without stopping the transporting operation at the registration position of the registration sensor 40 (a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position R) after separation and feeding. A stop mode is provided. In this non-stop mode, when the document reaches the registration position and the reading start signal from the main body control unit 111 is not received and input, control is performed to switch to the stop mode in which the conveyance operation is temporarily stopped. . For such control, the first original is always conveyed in the stop mode for size detection and reading magnification setting. A plurality of registration positions (stop positions) are set near the upstream of the reading position R according to the reading magnification. In a paper feeding operation described later, the separated original is temporarily stopped when the skew is corrected by the registration roller 30 upstream of the reading position regardless of the non-stop / stop mode.

  On the other hand, the main body control unit 111 controls the entire apparatus, detection information signals from various sensors (not shown) on the main body side, status signals from input / output units (various loads such as drive motors and clutches not shown), Various signals from the operation unit 108, signals transmitted from the ADF 200 via the interface unit 107, information signals such as document jams and service man calls, image information from the contact image sensor 61, and the like are received.

  In addition, the main body control unit 111 performs drive control of the input / output unit, display control in the operation unit 108, and the like based on the information indicated by the signals thus received and input, and signals indicating the operation mode to the ADF 200. Or a document feed signal for driving and rotating the pickup roller 20 to start a feeding operation, a reading start signal for starting a reading operation by the contact image sensor 61 or the like according to the transport timing of the ADF 200, and the like. A control signal is transmitted, and the controller 100 is instructed to control the feeding / conveying operation (including the advance operation) or the reading speed (conveying speed) of the ADF 200. In particular, by not sending the reading start signal before arrival at the reading position of the document only when temporary stop is required depending on the situation of the main body of the apparatus, such as synchronization with the image memory, transfer paper jam, or changing the reading magnification in the advance mode. Then, control is performed so that the conveyance loss due to the temporary stop before reading the document is minimized.

  The operation unit 108 includes various buttons such as a start button and a numeric keypad (not shown), an LCD display, and the like. The single-sided / double-sided mode, the same size mode, the mixed loading mode, the AMS mode, the non-stop mode, and the stop Each operation mode such as a mode can be set and an operation start / stop instruction can be performed by a user operation. For example, when the start button is pressed after the document set is detected in the main body control unit 111, the pressing information is stored in a predetermined memory area in the main body control unit 111, and a document feed signal is transmitted to the ADF 200 based on the pressing information. To do. By transmitting the document feed signal in this way, the ADF 200 automatically drives and rotates the pickup roller 20 to start the feed operation, and further, the first transport reading unit 5 on the main body side and the second transport on the ADF side. A document is conveyed to the reading unit 6 and a reading operation is performed.

  In the present embodiment, since each of the motors 101 to 104 is composed of a stepping motor, for example, the driving amount can be easily obtained by counting the number of pulses and multiplying by the driving amount per pulse. Based on each sensor information, the length of the original is detected, and the conveyance interval (paper interval) between the preceding original and the next original is controlled, the reading position arrival timing control after registration detection, the reading operation end timing control, and the like are performed.

<Operation>
Here, the conveyance operation of the original bundle S in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Paper feeding operation>
First, the feeding operation of the document bundle S composed of documents of the same size will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The document bundle S to be read is set on the document setting table 10 with the leading end abutted against the position of the broken line of the document stopper 25, and the width direction of the document bundle S is set in a side guide (not shown in detail but arranged in the front and back direction). Positioning is performed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  In this state, the document set detection filler 21 is displaced from the broken line position to the solid line position, and accordingly, the shielding of the document set sensor 28 is released, and when the document set is detected, the main body control unit via the interface unit 107 is detected. A document set signal is transmitted to 111. Further, the first document length sensor 12 or the second document length sensor 14 provided on the document setting table surface roughly determines the length of the document in the conveyance direction.

  Thereafter, the document feeding operation shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 is executed by a document feeding signal (a signal input from the operation unit 108 and instructing the controller 100 to feed paper from the main body control unit 111 via the interface unit 107). Is done.

  When document setting is detected (step S1), the document stopper 25 is retracted to the solid line position by the CW (forward rotation) drive of the calling motor 101 (yes in steps S2 and S3), and the leading edge of the document is released. In the present embodiment, a stepping motor (calling motor) is used as the driving device, but this can be replaced with a solenoid suction / release operation.

  After that, by the reverse drive of the calling motor 101 (step S4), the pickup roller 20 is moved from the broken line position to the upper surface of the document indicated by the solid line position, and is pressed by a predetermined force (yes in step S5, step S6).

  Thereafter, after a predetermined time, the paper feeding motor 102 that drives the separation paper feeding unit 2 and the registration unit 3 rotates in the CCW (forward rotation) direction (step S7), and the pickup roller 20 rotates in the clockwise direction. The document is fed from the top of the document bundle S toward the separation sheet feeding unit 2.

  At this time, the paper feeding belt 23 is stretched around the belt pulleys 22 and 24 with a predetermined tension, and is in pressure contact with the separation roller 26 disposed oppositely. The separation roller 26 is friction driven via a torque limiter (not shown) having a predetermined magnitude of torque, and is engaged with the paper feeding belt 23 directly or via one original. In the state, when the paper feeding belt 23 is rotated counterclockwise, if two or more originals enter between the paper feeding belt 23 and the separation roller 26, the following force is applied to the torque limiter. The separation roller 26 rotates in the clockwise direction, which is the original driving direction, and pushes back an excess document to prevent double feeding.

  The document separated into one sheet by the action of the paper feeding belt 23 and the separation roller 26 is further conveyed by the paper feeding belt 23 and is advanced through the paper feeding path 27. It is detected (yes in step S8), and further abuts against the resist roller 30 that has stopped (step S9). Here, in order to abut the original by a predetermined amount, counting of the driving amount (pulse number) of the paper feed motor 102 is started. Further, by rotating the calling motor 101 in the CCW direction (step S12), the pickup roller 20 is retracted from the upper surface of the document (yes in step S13, step S14), and the document is sent only by the conveying force of the paper feed belt 23. As a result, the leading edge of the document enters the nip portion of the pair of upper and lower rollers of the registration roller 30, and the leading edge is aligned (abutting skew correction).

  If a predetermined time has passed without the abutting sensor 29 being turned on in step S8 (yes in step S10), it is determined that the abutting has not been reached (step S11).

  After the calling motor 101 is stopped in step S14, the document is conveyed by a predetermined distance (predetermined number of pulses) by the forward rotation of the paper feed motor 102 from the detection of the butting sensor 29 (yes in step S15), and as a result. By driving the paper feed motor 102 in the reverse direction while being pressed against the registration roller 30 with a predetermined amount of bending, the drive of the paper feed belt 23 is stopped (step S16). Further, the registration roller 30 is driven by the normal rotation of the reading motor 103, and conveys the document in the direction of the reversing unit 4.

  In the present embodiment, when feeding the first sheet of the original bundle to the registration stop position, the conveyance speed of the registration roller 30 is set higher than the reading speed, and the reading conveyance roller 43 is also set at the same speed by the reading motor 103. To drive. The reason for controlling the conveyance speed in this way is as described below. In other words, the first document size is configured to be detected when the first document is separated and passes through the width size sensor group 32, so that the image memory size corresponding to the document size is determined. This is because a processing time is required for performing the above setting and reading magnification setting. When the width size sensor group 32 is arranged in the document setting unit 1, it is not necessary to temporarily stop the first document at the registration stop position for size detection, but the document width detection in the document setting state. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the document size cannot be detected when documents of different widths are mixedly loaded in the mixed loading mode.

  On the other hand, for the second and subsequent originals, during the next original advance operation, the reading conveyance roller 43 during reading of the original image is driven by the reading motor 103 at a speed corresponding to the reading magnification instructed from the main body control unit 111. The separated second and subsequent documents are controlled so as to be fed into the nip between the reading and conveying roller 43 and the pressure roller 35 at the same speed as the reading and conveying roller 43. Here, when the trailing edge of the document being read passes through the abutting sensor 29, the number of drive pulses of the reading motor 103 is counted in order to control the interval (space between sheets) between the preceding document and the next document (step S123). As described below, first-ahead conveyance of the next document is started while monitoring the progress of the trailing edge of the preceding document being read.

  The width of the leading edge of the document that has passed through the registration roller 30 by the driving of the registration roller 30 is detected by the width size sensor group 32 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. When an accurate document size is determined by a combination of the width signal and the length signal obtained by the first document length detection sensor 12 or the second document length detection sensor 14, the main body control unit 111 is notified. A document size signal is transmitted from the controller 100 via the interface unit 107 (steps S17 to S20).

  After that, when the registration sensor 40 detects the leading edge of the document that has passed through the leading edge sensor 34 (yes in step S21, yes in S24), the driving pulse of the reading motor 103 is counted to determine whether the predetermined number of pulses has been reached ( Steps S27 and S28). If the count value reaches the predetermined number of pulses and the first original, it is determined whether the reading magnification is designated in advance (no in step S281, S284). As a result, when the reading magnification is designated in advance, the registration stop position is set according to the reading magnification, the paper feed motor 102 and the reading motor 103 are stopped, and a registration stop signal is sent from the controller 100 to the main body control unit 111. Transmit (steps S285, S29, S30).

  If the reading magnification is not specified (no in step S284), the registration motor stop position is set to a preset most upstream stop position, the paper feed motor 102 and the read motor 103 are stopped, and the controller 100 controls the main body control unit. A registration stop signal is transmitted to 111 (steps S286, S29, and S30). When the registration stop signal is transmitted in this way, it waits for the input of a reading start signal from the main body control unit 111 (a signal transmitted when the synchronization with the transfer sheet or the preparation for accumulation in the image memory is completed).

  On the other hand, the count value has reached the predetermined number of pulses (yes in step S28), the second and subsequent originals (yes in step S281), and the reading start signal from the main body control unit 111 has been received ( If the mixed loading mode is not set (yes in step S283), the reading operation is performed without stopping the registration (step S32 and subsequent steps). If the reading start signal is not received by the registration stop timing (no in step S282), the process proceeds to step S284 and the subsequent steps, and the reading operation is performed after the reading start signal is received at a predetermined registration stop position.

<Next document advance operation>
Here, the next original advance operation (when the advance advance mode is set) by the drive control of the paper feed motor 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Since the reading and conveying roller 43 during reading of the document image is driven by the reading motor 103 at a speed corresponding to the reading magnification instructed from the main body control unit 111, the conveying speed of the next document is the same as the speed of the reading and conveying roller 43. Therefore, it must be fed into the nip between the conveying roller 43 and the pressure roller 35.

  Therefore, when the trailing edge of the document being read passes through the abutting sensor 29 (yes in step S121, yes in step S122), a pulse count for controlling the paper interval (a drive pulse of the reading motor 103 is counted). The start-up conveyance of the next original is started while monitoring the progress of the trailing edge of the original being read by starting (step S123).

  First, the pickup roller 20 is brought into pressure contact with the upper surface of the next original by the normal rotation of the calling motor 101 (steps S124 and S125), and then the paper feeding motor 102 is driven to rotate forward and is conveyed until it comes into contact with the stopped registration roller 30 ( Steps S126, S127 yes).

  When the next original is detected by the abutting sensor 29 (Yes in step S127), the abutting amount (feed motor driving amount) starts to be counted and the calling motor 101 is driven to rotate forward (steps S130 and S131). The roller 20 is moved up and retracted to the home position, and the calling motor 101 is stopped (yes in step S132, S133). Thereafter, when the abutting amount reaches a predetermined value (yes in step S134), the paper feed motor 102 is stopped to end the abutting operation (step S135).

  Next, it is determined whether the mixed loading mode is set (step S1351), and whether the next original is not prohibited in the first-out mode (step S1352). If the mixed-loading mode is not set (yes in step S1351), Alternatively, when the advance of the next original is not prohibited in the mixed loading mode (no in step S1351, yes in S1352), the position of the trailing edge of the original being read is calculated from the inter-paper pulse count value, and the inter-paper pulse count value is calculated. Reaches a predetermined value (Yes in step S136), the paper feed motor speed is set to the first-out speed (registration roller conveyance speed) (step S137). Then, when the original advances from the registration unit 3 by a predetermined interval, the paper feed motor 102 is driven in reverse (step S138), and the next original is conveyed to the leading edge sensor position faster than the reading speed.

  In this way, the registration roller 30 is driven at a high speed as in the case of conveying the first document, and is fed to the leading edge sensor 34 at this speed, and is decelerated to the reading speed (the speed of the reading and conveying roller 43) by the detection of the leading edge sensor 34. (Yes in step S139, step S142). By performing this operation between successive original sheets, it is possible to recover the time stopped by the original abutting operation and maintain a predetermined original interval. The leading edge of the document that has passed through the registration roller 30 is detected by the width size sensor group 32, and as described above, it is accurate from the width information obtained here and the length information detected by the document length sensors 12 and 24. A correct document size is determined and transmitted to the main body control unit 111.

  Thereafter, the document is sent to the nip between the reading conveyance roller 43 and the pressure roller 35, and when the registration sensor 40 detects the leading edge of the document (Yes in step S143), the driving pulse of the registration roller 30 is counted, and the document is determined in advance. When the pulse is conveyed (steps S146 and S147: yes), the process proceeds to step S281 described above.

  If the abutting sensor 29 is off for a predetermined time in step S124, if the tip sensor 34 is off for a predetermined time in step S139, or if the registration sensor 40 is off for a predetermined time in step S143, jam detection is performed. Judgment and unachieved jam, tip unachieved jam, or resist unachieved jam is displayed on the operation unit 108 (step S128 yes, step S129, step S140 yes, step S141, step S144 yes, step S145) ).

<Original scanning operation>
Next, an original reading operation by driving control of the reading motor 103 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A document whose registration is stopped, or a document which is sent to the nip portion of the reading conveyance roller 43 and the pressure roller 41 without stopping the registration, is read based on a reading start signal from the main body control unit 111 to the controller 100. The sheet is fed into the first reading / conveying section 5 by the reading / conveying roller 43 and the pressure roller 41 which are rotated by the normal rotation driving 103. When not in the mixed loading mode, the driving speed of the reading motor 103 is determined based on the information transmitted from the main body control unit 111 to the controller 100 based on the reading magnification input from the operation unit 108 (step S31 to step S33).

  The timing at which the leading edge of the document reaches the reading conveyance unit 5 is controlled by the pulse count of the reading motor 103, and a surface DF gate on signal indicating an effective reading area of the surface image in the sub-scanning direction is transmitted at this timing (step S34). Yes, step S35). Thereafter, the document is conveyed while being read, and is fed to the intermediate conveyance pressure roller 53 through the pickup guide 52. Since the intermediate conveyance pressure roller 53 and the pressure roller 41 are driven by the reading conveyance roller 43 in common, the feeding speed and the drawing speed are the same, which has the effect of reducing the occurrence of a delivery shock. The document sent out from the first reading and conveying unit 5 by the intermediate conveying and pressing roller 53 is sent to the second reading and conveying unit 6 for reading the back surface, and is a close contact image arranged with the reading unit facing downward on the conveying path. It passes between the sensor 61 and a pressing member 62 that faces the reading surface of the contact image sensor 61 below the conveyance path and is disposed with a predetermined pressure and a predetermined interval.

  In the case of the duplex mode (Yes in step S36), the timing at which the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position by the contact image sensor 61 is controlled by the conveyance pulse count from the detection of the leading edge of the registration sensor, and the effective reading area of the back image at that timing. Is sent to the contact sensor unit (Yes in step S37, step S38). Based on this signal, the image of the surface corresponding to the back side of the document is read, converted into an electrical signal in the same manner as the front side, temporarily stored in the frame memory 205 shown in FIG. 3, and then transferred to the main body control unit 111. The pressing member 62 serves as a reference for shading and acts as a white background plate. The pressing member 62 is configured by a plate-shaped guide member in FIG. 1, but can also be configured by a rotating body.

  The timing of ending the front and back document reading areas is controlled by the pulse count from the time when the leading edge of the document is detected by the paper discharge sensor 70 (yes in step S39) and the trailing edge of the document is detected by the registration sensor 40 (step S42). Yes to step S50).

  Thereafter, the original is discharged to the stack unit 9 by the paper discharge driving roller 71 and the paper discharge pressure roller 72. Note that the discharge stacker 90 is configured to be higher on the downstream side, and contributes to prevention of ejection of the discharged document and improvement of stack document alignment accuracy.

  During continuous reading of a plurality of originals, the driving of the reading motor 103 is stopped by the registration stop operation by the next original advance operation before the original discharge completion timing. When the trailing edge of the original leaves the paper discharge sensor 70 by restarting the drive, a paper discharge completion signal is transmitted from the controller 100 to the main body control unit 111 to complete the process (steps S51 and S52).

  When stacking small-size originals, the reverse switching claw 80 of the reverse conveying unit 8 is switched to the state indicated by the broken line by the reverse switching solenoid 105 to convey the original to the switchback path 83, and the reverse discharge roller pair 81, By discharging from 82 to a small-size exclusive stacker 91 configured as a part on the document stacker 90, the visibility after discharging is improved. At this time, the stack original can be easily taken out by retracting the original setting table 10 upward about the rotation fulcrum 95.

  When the document is discharged, the operation of the reverse switching claw 80 is synchronized with the trailing end of the discharged document, and immediately after the document is discharged, the reverse switching claw 80 is rotated in the direction of the broken line by the reverse switching solenoid 105 to Control is performed to prevent the trailing edge remaining of the discharged document by hitting the trailing edge.

  The above is the operation when the document bundle S of the same size is conveyed.

  Next, a transport operation in the mixed mode in which the document bundle S including different sizes is transported will be described. This is a reading operation corresponding to the case of yes in step S31 of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, if the document size cannot be determined before starting the reading in the duplex / mixed mode, the document is initially read without reading at all, and the conveyance path is circulated only for reading the size and reversed. A control method is adopted in which the front surface and the back surface are simultaneously read when passing the second reading position via the unit 4. In the present embodiment, the conveyance operation until the first registration stop is the same as when a document of the same size is bundled, but the operation after receiving the reading start signal transmitted from the main body control unit (particularly the processing downstream from the paper discharge unit 7). ) Is different.

  The above-described control method is adopted in the mixed loading mode for the following reason. That is, since different document lengths are mixed in the mixed loading mode, the document length sensors 12 and 14 on the document set table 10 cannot be distinguished. For this reason, when the originals are separated one by one, the size can be determined only when the rear end of the originals are separated from the original bundle S and become completely independent. Therefore, when it is desired to determine the document size before reading, the distance from the first document trailing edge detection position after separation to the registration sensor position before reading is at least half the maximum document length. It is necessary to configure the transport path by setting to. In order to satisfy this condition, it is necessary to greatly separate the document setting position from the reading position, and the part including the document setting table 10 and the conveyance path becomes large and the entire apparatus becomes wide. In order to make the entire apparatus small, the control of the present embodiment is necessary for detecting the document length at the time of mixed loading.

  When the mixed loading mode is set (Yes in Step S31), when the document is discharged after passing through the reading position on the front surface or the front and back surfaces, before the leading edge of the document passes the discharge roller pair 71, 72, The reverse switching claw 80 is moved in the direction of the broken line by the reverse switching solenoid 105 (step S55), the reading motor 103 is rotated forward at a size reading speed faster than the image reading speed, and the document is sent to the switchback path 83 side (step). S56, S57).

  Thereafter, when the paper discharge sensor 70 detects the leading edge of the original (step S60), the reverse paper discharge roller pair 81 and 82 are rotated forward by the normal rotation driving of the reverse motor 104 (step S61). The document is conveyed into the switchback path 83 until the end is detected (yes in step S62). This control is performed by the pulse count of the reversing motor 104 based on the detection information of the paper discharge sensor 70. During this time, when the abutting sensor 29 detects the trailing edge of the passing document (step S611: yes), the document length is determined by the pulse count value and transmitted from the controller 100 to the main body control unit 111 (step S612).

  After the trailing edge of the document has passed through the paper discharge roller pairs 71 and 72 (Yes in step S62), the reading motor 103 is stopped, and the reverse motor 104 is driven in reverse by a predetermined number of pulses to reverse the paper discharge roller pairs 81 and 82. Are reversed (steps S65, S66).

  When the reversing motor 104 is reversed by a predetermined number of pulses after the document is stopped (Yes in step S66), the reversing switching claw 80 is moved in the solid line direction by the reversing switching solenoid 105, and the trailing end of the document is moved in the nip direction of the discharge driving roller 71. Turn. Thereafter, the reverse discharge driving roller 81 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the document end (which is the rear end when viewed from the initial state) is brought into contact with the nip portion of the stopped reverse roller pair 71, 83a, and the leading edge skew. A matching operation is performed (steps S67 to S69).

  Thereafter, the reversing roller pair 71 and 83a starts conveyance by the reading motor 103, and is sent again to the first reading conveyance unit 5 and the second reading conveyance unit 6 through the reversing unit 4 to read the front and back surfaces. (Step S70 to Step S79).

  At this time, since the document is in a state in which the back side and the front side are reversed, the reading order is the back side and the front side is read later, so the back side DF gate on signal is transmitted first, and then the front side DF gate on signal is transmitted. (Step S80 to Step S84). Based on this signal, the page order is switched on the image processing unit side.

  Thereafter, the back side DF gate-off signal and the front side DF gate-off signal are transmitted to complete the reading operation (steps S85 to S97), and after the trailing end of the original after passing through the paper discharge sensor 70 (yes in step S100). ), A paper discharge completion signal is transmitted from the controller 100 to the main body control unit 111 (step S150).

  The above is the reading operation in the configuration including the second reading conveyance unit 6.

  Next, a reading operation in a configuration that does not include the second reading conveyance unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the second reading / conveying unit 6 is provided to cope with double-sided originals, this apparatus is expensive, so that a reversing mechanism (reversing unit 4) is provided without providing the second reading / conveying unit 6. May be configured to process double-sided originals. In this case, the document whose front surface has been read by the first reading / conveying unit 5 is conveyed again to the first reading / conveying unit 5 through the reverse conveying unit 8 and the reversing unit 4, and after reading the back surface, The paper is discharged to the stack unit 9 through the reverse discharge of the page alignment.

  In the transport operation for page alignment, after the reading operation on the front and back surfaces is completed (step S1000), the document is transported to the switchback path 83 and the switchback operation is executed for a predetermined pulse (steps S101 to S103). ). After this, reversal and conveyance operations for page alignment are performed, but the conveyance speed is faster than the reading speed during normal rotation of the reading motor so that the image is conveyed at the maximum speed for conveyance operation that does not involve image reading. Is set (steps S104 to S114). After the trailing edge of the discharged document has passed through the registration sensor 40 (Yes in step S114), the document is further conveyed by a predetermined number of pulses (yes in steps S1141 and S1142), and the next document is first advanced and the discharge motor (not shown) is decelerated. In this manner (step S1143), the paper discharge operation is completed (steps S117 to S120). If the advance mode is set, the advance operation of the next original is stopped only when a signal indicating prohibition of advance is transmitted from the main body control unit 111 to the controller 100.

  As described above, the conveyance for only the size reading and the conveyance for only the page alignment are performed at the maximum speed of the apparatus for the conveyance operation not involving the image reading, and therefore the second reading conveyance unit 6 is provided. The loss time can be reduced even with a configuration that does not. Further, control may be performed so that a plurality of originals are fed into the unit and image reading and original reverse discharge are combined alternately.

  Note that the transmission processing of the reading start signal from the main body side of the image forming apparatus to the ADF 200 is as shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus, when the image memory for storing the image data read from the document is full (yes in step S2001), correction data for shading correction is acquired (yes in step S2002), or transfer If a jam occurs during paper feeding (yes in step S2003), transmission of the reading start signal is prohibited, and reading is performed only when the above-described inconvenience does not occur (steps S2001, S2002, no in S2003). A start signal is transmitted (step S2004).

  According to the present embodiment, the document is fed before the controller 100 detects a reading start signal indicating that the document to be transported is the same size and can be read by the image reading unit on the main body side. (Next document first-out operation in FIGS. 8 and 9), the controller 100 does not detect the reading start signal before detecting that the document has reached the reading position by the detection information of the registration sensor 40 and the registration stop pulse count. In this case (no in step S282), the original is stopped upstream of the reading position, and when the controller 100 detects a reading start signal before reaching the reading position (yes in step S282), the original is set to the reading position. Since the conveyance is continued without stopping upstream, the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position based on the determination by the main body control unit 111 (transmitting / prohibiting reading start signal). A time loss due to a temporary stop (resist stop) immediately before printing can be avoided according to the state of the image forming apparatus, and a temporary stop immediately before the reading position is performed according to the state of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to change the control (switch from the non-stop mode to the stop mode).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the originals to be transported are the same size, the first original is stopped upstream of the reading position (no in step S281), and the second and subsequent originals are image forming apparatuses. Is controlled so as to perform a temporary stop immediately before the reading position according to the state (yes in step S281, S282 and later), so that a time loss due to the temporary stop is avoided according to the state of the image forming apparatus and the image By changing the control according to the state of the forming apparatus, it is possible to realize efficient transport control.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the controller 100 detects a reading start signal before reaching the reading position (yes in step S282), it is further determined whether or not the original is conveyed in the mixed loading mode (step S283), and the mixed loading mode is determined. Since the document is stopped upstream of the reading position (including the AMS mode), efficient conveyance control is performed according to the operation mode while avoiding a time loss due to the temporary stop according to the state of the image forming apparatus. Can be realized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the document is stopped upstream of the reading position as described above (no in step S281, no in S282, no in S283), the stop position corresponding to the specified reading magnification is used. Either stop (yes in step S284, S285) or stop at the most upstream stop position among the stop positions set in advance according to the reading magnification (no in step S284, S286), depending on the document conveyance speed. Thus, it is possible to secure a transport distance for reliably starting up to that speed.

  The controller 100 and the like constitute receiving means, the registration sensor 40 and the like constitute reading position arrival detecting means, and the first document length sensor 12 and the second document length sensor 14 and the like constitute size detecting means. The operation unit 108 or the like constitutes setting means and mixed mode setting means.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a copier according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a copier (reading unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (paper feeding) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (paper feeding) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (paper feeding) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (paper feeding) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (next document advance) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (next document advance) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (document reading) of the automatic document conveyance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (when the second reading conveyance unit is not provided) of the automatic document conveyance device in another embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (when the second reading conveyance unit is not provided) of the automatic document conveyance device in another embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing conveyance control (when the second reading conveyance unit is not provided) of the automatic document conveyance device in another embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reading start signal transmission process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document setting part 2 Separation paper feeding part 3 Registration part 4 Inversion part 5 1st reading conveyance part 6 2nd reading conveyance part 7 Paper discharge part 12 1st original length sensor 14 2nd original length sensor 28 Original setting sensor 29 Abutting sensor 32 Width sensor 34 Lead sensor 40 Registration sensor 70 Paper discharge sensor 100 Controller 101 Calling motor 102 Paper feed motor 103 Reading motor 108 Operation unit 111 Main body control unit 200 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
300 Copier body

Claims (9)

In an automatic document feeder that can be mounted on an image reading device capable of reading image information of a document while conveying the document while fixing the image reading means at a reading position,
Receiving means for receiving a reading start signal transmitted from the image reading device when the image reading means is readable;
A reading position arrival detecting means for detecting that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position;
When the document is conveyed to the reading position, when the reading position arrival detecting unit detects that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, the conveying operation is stopped and the position near the upstream of the reading position is stopped. When the document is stopped at a predetermined position and the receiving means receives the reading start signal, the conveyance mode is resumed and the conveyance mode is resumed to the reading position, and when the document is conveyed to the reading position, A setting means for setting a non-stop mode for conveying to a reading position without stopping at a predetermined position;
An automatic document feeder characterized by comprising: In an automatic document feeder that can be mounted on an image reading device capable of reading image information of a document while conveying the document while fixing the image reading means at a reading position,
Receiving means for receiving a reading start signal transmitted from the image reading device when the image reading means is readable;
A reading position arrival detecting means for detecting that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position;
With
When the document is transported to the reading position before the receiving unit receives the reading start signal and the receiving unit does not receive the reading start signal before the document is detected by the reading position arrival detecting unit. Stops the original at a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, and reads the original when the receiving means receives a reading start signal before the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means. An automatic document feeder that continues feeding without stopping at a predetermined position near the upstream of the position. The image reading means can be fixed at a reading position, can be mounted on an image forming apparatus that reads image information of the original while conveying the original, and forms the image on the transfer paper via an image memory. In an automatic document feeder that conveys documents one by one to a reading position according to the type of image formation of the forming apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving a reading start signal transmitted from the image reading device when the image reading means is readable;
A reading position arrival detecting means for detecting that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position;
When the document is conveyed to the reading position, when the reading position arrival detecting unit detects that the document has reached a predetermined position near the upstream of the reading position, the conveying operation is stopped and the position near the upstream of the reading position is stopped. When the document is stopped at a predetermined position and the receiving means receives the reading start signal, the conveyance mode is resumed and the conveyance mode is resumed to the reading position, and when the document is conveyed to the reading position, A setting means for setting a non-stop mode for conveying to a reading position without stopping at a predetermined position;
An automatic document feeder characterized by comprising:   When the document is detected by the reading position arrival detection means, when the reading start signal is received by the receiving means, a non-stop mode is set, while when the document is detected by the reading position arrival detection means, 4. The automatic document feeder according to claim 3, wherein a stop mode is set when a reading start signal is not received by the receiving means.   A stop mode is set when the original is the first sheet, and for the second and subsequent originals, when the original is detected by the reading position arrival detecting means, a reading start signal is received by the receiving means. The non-stop mode is set when the document is detected, and the stop mode is set when a reading start signal is not received by the receiving unit when the document is detected by the reading position arrival detecting unit. Item 4. The automatic document feeder according to Item 3. A size detecting means for detecting a document size during conveyance of the document;
A mixed loading mode setting means for setting a mixed loading mode for sequentially conveying documents of different sizes;
With
6. The automatic document feeder according to claim 3, wherein when the mixed loading mode is set by the mixed loading mode setting means, all originals are conveyed in the stop mode.   An image reading apparatus comprising the automatic document feeder according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the automatic document feeder according to claim 3. This is an automatic document feeder that is mounted on an image reading device that can read while conveying an original with the image reading means fixed at the reading position, and a plurality of stop positions are set near the upstream of the reading position in accordance with the reading magnification. And
When the reading magnification of the conveyed document is designated in advance, the conveyance operation is temporarily stopped at a stop position corresponding to the reading magnification, and when the reading magnification is not designated in advance, among the plurality of stop positions, An automatic document feeder, wherein the conveying operation is temporarily stopped at a stop position on the most upstream side.

Images