JP2007124076A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus capable of ensuring effective use of information from a radio tag and suppressing the productivity of image reading by surely reading the information from the radio tag. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus is configured to include: an image read means 11 for optically reading an image drawn on an original from the original to be read; a plurality of transmission reception means 15 arranged along a main scanning direction wherein the image read means 11 reads the image for contactless communication with the radio tag embedded into the original; and a position shift means 11b that shifts a relative position between the transmission reception means 15 and the original along the subscanning direction wherein the image read means 11 reads the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image from an original, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that supports reading an image from an original in which a wireless tag is embedded.

  In recent years, wireless tags that can read and write personal authentication information and article management information in a non-contact manner are being used in various forms. As a wireless tag, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is widely known. An RFID tag is a wireless IC chip capable of recording information, and has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from a dedicated reader using radio waves, and is used for identifying an object to be embedded by embedding the RFID tag. There are various shapes such as a label type, a card type, a coin type, and a stick type, and the communication distance ranges from several millimeters to several meters. Furthermore, there is a battery that can be used semipermanently without a battery by a non-contact power transmission technique from the antenna side.

  It has been proposed that a wireless tag represented by such an RFID tag is also used in the field of an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine or a scanner apparatus. That is, some image reading apparatuses support image reading from a document in which a wireless tag is embedded. Specifically, for example, in an image reading apparatus that reads an image from a document, a carriage for scanning the document is equipped with a transmission / reception device for non-contact communication with a wireless tag, and the transmission / reception device is used. Some records information is read from a wireless tag embedded in a document, and if the read information is copy prohibition information, image reading from the document is prohibited (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-190911 A

By the way, in general, a transmission / reception device that performs non-contact communication with a wireless tag has a certain directivity and sensitivity distance. On the other hand, a wireless tag embedded in a document does not necessarily uniquely identify the embedded position and number of embedded wireless tags.
Therefore, just mounting a transmission / reception device that communicates with a wireless tag on a carriage that scans an original document as in the above-described prior art may not always accurately read recorded information from the wireless tag. . For example, depending on the relationship between the position where the wireless tag is embedded, the posture when the document is set on the image reading device (upside down, upside down, etc.), the size of the area to be scanned, etc., the information from the wireless tag There is a possibility that reading cannot be performed accurately. In particular, if the documents to be read are mixed in various paper sizes, or if the paper size does not match the image reading target area, the above relationship becomes more complicated. This can occur significantly.
On the other hand, setting the extra area as the scanning area of the carriage may cause a reduction in image reading productivity.

  Therefore, the present invention enables accurate reading of information from the wireless tag, thereby ensuring the effective use of the information, and further realizing a reduction in image reading productivity. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus.

  The present invention is an image reading apparatus devised to achieve the above object, and an image reading means for optically reading an image drawn on the original from the original to be read, and embedded in the original. A plurality of transmission / reception means arranged side by side along the main scanning direction when the image reading means performs image reading for non-contact communication with a wireless tag, and when the image reading means performs image reading A position moving means for moving a relative position between the transmission / reception means and the document along the sub-scanning direction is provided.

  According to the image reading apparatus having the above configuration, a plurality of transmission / reception means are arranged in the main scanning direction, and the position moving means can move the relative position of each transmission / reception means and the document in the sub-scanning direction. Communication with the wireless tag can be performed without limiting the position of the wireless tag. On the other hand, if the transmission / reception means to be operated is limited and the movement range of the relative position by the position movement means is limited, the communication area with the wireless tag can be limited to a specific range.

  As described above, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention can reliably communicate with the wireless tag embedded at an unspecified position of the document, so that the wireless tag can be embedded at a free position of the document. . Further, the inconvenience that the wireless tag is detected or not depending on the document setting posture or the like can be solved. In other words, information can be accurately read from the wireless tag, and effective use of the recorded information in the wireless tag can be ensured. In addition, since it is possible to limit the communication area with the wireless tag to a specific range, it is possible to suppress a reduction in productivity of image reading from a document by limiting the area as necessary. .

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Basic schematic configuration of image reading apparatus]
First, a basic schematic configuration of the image reading apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The image reading apparatus 10 described as an example here is used as a scanner apparatus, a copying machine or a FAX apparatus, or a multifunction apparatus in which these functions are integrated. A transport unit 12, a UI (User Interface) unit 13, and a control unit 14 are provided.

  The scanner unit 11 optically reads an image drawn on a document to be read from the document. For this purpose, the scanner unit 11 includes a platen glass 11a that serves as a document placement table, and a carriage 11b that moves in parallel along the platen glass 11a. The scanner unit 11 utilizes the movement of the carriage 11b on the platen glass 11a. Is configured to scan the original. The scanner unit 11 may be of a reduction optical system in which a lamp and a mirror are mounted on the carriage 11b and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as an image sensor, or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor is provided on the carriage 11b. May be used and a contact image sensor may be used.

  Documents to be read by the scanner unit 11 include those in which wireless tags are embedded. Examples of the wireless tag include an RFID tag capable of recording n-bit digital information. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the RFID tag, and any other tag may be used as long as it can read information without contact using wireless communication. In such a wireless tag, it is conceivable that image area information and image attribute information on an image on a document, personal authentication management information, security information regarding operation availability, or the like is recorded in advance. Note that the details of the RFID tag and the recorded information thereof may be realized using a known technique, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. Of course, the scanner unit 11 can also handle image reading from a document in which no wireless tag is embedded.

  The document transport unit 12 is composed of an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) or a DADF (Duplexing Automatic Document Feeder), and transports a document to be read by the scanner unit 11. In other words, the document transport unit 12 feeds out the documents constituting the document bundle from the document bundle set on the paper feed tray 12a of the document transport unit 12 on a leaf-by-leaf basis. Then, the original is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 12b included in the original transport unit 12.

  The UI unit 13 is used by the user of the image reading apparatus 10 to perform an operation for inputting information or to output information to the user. As information input by the UI unit 13, for example, mode setting information when performing image reading by the scanner unit 11, information for specifying the image reading range, that is, a document reading size in the scanner unit 11 is set. Information and the like.

  The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a predetermined program, and performs operation control of the above-described units 11 to 14 and the entire image reading apparatus 10. The control performed by the control unit 14 includes operation control when the scanner unit 11 performs image reading.

  In addition to the above-described units 11 to 14, the image reading apparatus 10 described in the present embodiment is in contact with the wireless tag in order to read stored information from the wireless tag embedded in the document. A transmission / reception unit (not shown) is provided. For example, the transmission / reception unit may be configured using an RFID reader that performs non-contact reading of digital information from an RFID tag.

[Functional configuration of image reading apparatus]
Next, the functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 10 configured as described above, particularly the functional configuration realized by the control unit 14 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in the control unit of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. As illustrated, the control unit 14 includes a CPU 14a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14b for storing a predetermined program executed by the CPU 14a, and a RAM (Random) used as a work area when the CPU 14a executes the predetermined program. Access Memory) 14c.
In addition, the control unit 14 includes a converter 14d that performs A / D conversion on an output signal from the image sensor 11c that is a CCD or CMOS of the scanner unit 11, and predetermined signal processing (for example, background removal processing or document size). ASIC (Application Specified Integrated Circuit) 14e for performing detection processing.
Further, the control unit 14 includes a motor drive circuit 14f that gives a drive instruction to the carriage drive motor 11d that operates the carriage 11b of the scanner unit 11, and a lamp that gives a drive instruction to the lamp 11e mounted on the carriage 11b. It has a drive circuit 14g and an ASIC 14h that controls the operation of these drive circuits 14f and 14g.
Furthermore, the control unit 14 has a modulator / demodulator 14i for performing non-contact communication with the RFID tag via the antenna array 15 constituting the RFID reader.
Of these, the ASICs 14e and 14h and the modulator / demodulator 14i operate in accordance with instructions from the CPU 14a that executes a predetermined program. Note that the processing itself (excluding timing control) performed by the ASICs 14e and 14h and the modulator / demodulator 14i is well known, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[Characteristic configuration of image reading apparatus]
Next, a characteristic configuration of the image reading apparatus 10 in the present embodiment will be described.

First, as a characteristic configuration of the image reading apparatus 10, a first configuration example will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of a main configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the image reading apparatus 10 described as the first example, the carriage 11b in the scanner unit 11 extends in the main scanning direction when reading an image from a document and is driven by a carriage drive motor 11d. Thus, it is possible to move along the sub-scanning direction (arrow direction in the figure) when performing the image reading. As a result, the scanner unit 11 scans the document.

  On the carriage 11b, an antenna array 15 constituting an RFID reader is disposed in addition to a lamp, a mirror, and the like. The antenna array 15 is composed of a plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Arranged side by side along the main scanning direction of the carriage 11b. Therefore, when the carriage 11b moves in the sub-scanning direction, the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. In the illustrated example, the number of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Is three as an example, but the number is the sensitivity area of each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... And the main scanning direction of the carriage 11b. It may be determined according to the size of, and is not particularly limited.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the sensitivity region of each antenna. As shown in the figure, a plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Arranged in the main scanning direction are integrated in the main scanning direction in the scanner unit 11 when the plurality of sensitivity areas are integrated. It is assumed that the sensitivity region is set so as to cover the entire region, that is, the entire size of the carriage 11b in the main scanning direction (see region A in the figure). Each sensitivity area may be uniform as long as the entire area in the main scanning direction can be covered, or may be different depending on the arrangement pitch of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c.

Next, a second configuration example will be described as a characteristic configuration of the image reading apparatus 10.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the main configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. As in the illustrated example, in the image reading apparatus 10 described as the second example, like the carriage 11b, the carrier 11f extends in the main scanning direction and can move along the sub-scanning direction (the arrow direction in the figure). Is different from the case of the first example described above in that it is provided separately from the carriage 11b. The movement of the supporting portion 11f is performed by a drive motor different from the carriage drive motor 11d while synchronizing with the carriage drive motor 11d.
A plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Constituting the antenna array 15 are arranged side by side along the main scanning direction on the support portion 11f, not on the carriage 11b. Therefore, the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Move relative positions with respect to the original when the support portion 11f moves along the sub-scanning direction. The number of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... And the respective sensitivity regions are the same as in the first example.
It is assumed that the moving speed of the supporting portion 11f is set to be equal to or higher than the moving speed of the carriage 11b. This is to prevent the supporting portion 11f from obstructing the movement of the carriage 11b. Specifically, as will be described later, it is conceivable to set the speed at which the movement is completed in the required time equivalent to that of the carriage 11b while comparing the movement area of the carriage 11b.

  In the image reading apparatus 10 having the above configuration, a plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Constituting the antenna array 15 are arranged in the main scanning direction in both cases of the first example and the second example. In addition, the sensitivity areas of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Are set so as to cover the entire reading area in the main scanning direction, and the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,. Since the relative position between the document and the document can be moved in the sub-scanning direction, the position of the wireless tag 21 is not particularly limited with respect to the entire scanning area of the scanner unit 11, and communication with the wireless tag 21 can be performed. Be able to do. That is, even when the wireless tag 21 is embedded in an unspecified position of the document 20, the antenna array 15 covers the entire scanning area, so that the wireless tag 21 can be reliably communicated. Accordingly, the wireless tag 21 can be embedded at a free position of the document 20, and further, the inconvenience that the wireless tag 21 is detected or not depending on the setting posture of the document 20 can be eliminated. Thus, through the accurate reading of information from the wireless tag 21, it is possible to ensure the effective use of the recorded information in the wireless tag 21.

  By the way, since the image reading apparatus 10 has the document conveying unit 12, in addition to the so-called platen scan for reading an image from the document placed on the platen glass 11a of the scanner unit 11, the document conveying unit. It is also possible to cope with so-called CVT (Constant Velocity Transfer) scanning, in which the scanner unit 11 uses an image 12 to scan an image from a document being conveyed.

  When performing the CVT scan, the carriage 11b on which the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Are mounted or both the carriage 11b and the supporting portion 11f are not moved along the sub-scanning direction, but are moved to a predetermined position (for example, CVT). Communication with the wireless tag 21 may be performed in a state stopped at the image reading position at the time. At this time, in the configuration in which the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Are mounted on the carrier 11f, the carrier 11f is moved directly below the carriage 11b, and the sensitivity regions of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,. It is also conceivable to obtain sufficient sensitivity corresponding to the image reading position. Even when such a CVT scan is performed, a plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Constituting the antenna array 15 are arranged in the main scanning direction, and the sensitivity region of each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c. Are set so as to cover the entire reading area in the main scanning direction, and the relative positions of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Therefore, the position of the wireless tag 21 is not particularly limited with respect to the entire scanning area in the scanner unit 11, and communication with the wireless tag 21 can be performed.

  That is, in the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in the main scanning direction of the document 20, the plurality of arranged antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,. In the sub-scanning direction, the relative positions of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... And the document 20 are moved by either the movement of the carriage 11b, the movement of the supporting portion 11f, or the document conveyance performed by the document conveyance unit 12. Thus, the entire area in the sub-scanning direction is covered.

[Example of processing operation in image reading apparatus]
Next, a processing operation example in the image reading apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.

  When performing image reading from the document 20 using the image reading device 10, first, the user uses the UI unit 13 to select any one of “RFID document mode”, “RFID document automatic detection mode”, and “non-RFID document mode”. Set the mode to select. The “RFID document mode” is a mode for performing image reading on the document 20 in which the wireless tag 21 is embedded. The “RFID document automatic detection mode” is a mode in which an image is read by automatically determining whether or not the wireless tag 21 is embedded. The “non-RFID document mode” is a mode for performing image reading on a document in which the wireless tag 21 is not embedded, that is, general image reading. Note that any mode may be preset as a default for the case where there is no mode selection by the user.

  In addition to the mode setting described above, the UI unit 13 sets the “original reading size” desired by the user. The “original reading size” is for specifying the image reading range in the scanner unit 11 and does not necessarily match the “original size”. For example, it is possible to set an image reading range only for an A4 size area for an A3 size document. If there is no user setting, the recognition result of “original size” described later may be set to “original reading size”.

  When the original 20 to be read is set on the platen glass of the scanner unit 11 or the paper feed tray 12a of the original transport unit 12 by the user, the CPU 14a of the control unit 14 determines the size of the original 20 set. Recognize It is conceivable to recognize the “original size” using a known automatic document size detection technique. Or you may recognize based on the user input in UI part 13. FIG.

  Thereafter, when there is an instruction to start image reading from the UI unit 13, the CPU 14a gives an operation instruction to the ASIC 14h and the modulator / demodulator 14i, and the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,. The antennas 15a, 15b, 15c, ... are made to communicate with the wireless tag 21 embedded in the original while moving the relative position with respect to the original 20.

  At this time, it is desirable that each of the plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... That is, the CPU 14a controls the communication operation in each of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... So that the two or more antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. If such a time-sharing operation is performed, even when a plurality of antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... For performing non-contact wireless communication with the wireless tag 21 are arranged in parallel, the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c are arranged in parallel. This is because the interference at the time of wireless communication can be suppressed. As a specific mode of the time division operation, for example, the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Operate for a predetermined time in the order of arrangement, but the mode is not particularly limited as long as interference can be suppressed. It is not something.

  Further, communication between the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... With the wireless tag 21 may be performed during pre-scanning when the scanner unit 11 performs pre-scanning, for example. Since the pre-scan is realized using a known technique, the description thereof is omitted here.

By the way, when the image reading device 10 is used to read an image from the original 20, the “original reading size” may be set differently from the “original size” as described above. If such a setting is made, the wireless tag 21 may be located outside the “document reading size” area. Even in this case, the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately read information from the wireless tag 21.
On the other hand, it is not preferable that the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Can communicate with the wireless tag 21 for the extra area from the viewpoint of improving image reading productivity and reducing power consumption. .

  Therefore, in the CPU 14a, when the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Communicate with the wireless tag 21, if the setting result of “original reading size” and the recognition result of “original size” match, The “original reading size” = “original size” is a relative movement area between the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... And the original 20, but the setting result of the “original reading size” and the “original size” If the recognition result does not match, the relative movement area between each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... And the document 20 is determined as described below based on the recognition result of the “document size”.

  Here, a specific example of the relative movement region will be described by taking each of the first example and the second example of the main configuration described above as examples.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relative movement area in the first example of the main configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The figure corresponds to the first example of the main configuration described above, and shows a case where the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Are mounted on the carriage 11b. In this first example, when the setting result of the “original reading size” and the recognition result of the “original size” do not match and the “original reading size” is smaller than the “original size”, the CPU 14a The entire area of “original size” is determined to be a relative movement area between each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... And the original 20, and the carriage for all areas of “original size” as well as “original reading size” is determined. An operation instruction is given to the ASIC 14h so as to move 11b.
As a result, even when the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... Are mounted on the carriage 11b, information reading leakage from the wireless tag 21 occurs due to the carriage 11b operating only for the area of “original reading size”. Can be avoided in advance, and information can be correctly read from the wireless tag 21. In addition, the productivity of image reading is improved as compared with the case where the entire movable region of the carriage 11b (the region corresponding to the platen glass 11a) is moved.
When the “original reading size” is larger than the “original size”, the CPU 14a sets the “original reading size” relative to each of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. What is necessary is just to make a movement area. This is because “document reading size” is the image reading range, and information reading from the wireless tag 21 is not missed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relative movement area in the second example of the main configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The example corresponds to the second example of the main configuration described above, and shows a case where each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... Is mounted on a carrier 11f separate from the carriage 11b.
In this second example, when the setting result of “original reading size” and the recognition result of “original size” do not match and the “original reading size” is smaller than “original size”, the control unit 14. Determines the entire area of the “original size” to be a relative movement area between the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. The carriage 11b moves only the “original reading size”, but the supporting unit 11f gives an operation instruction to the ASIC 14h so as to move not only the “original reading size” but also the entire area of the “original size”. .
At this time, the CPU 14a controls the movement of the supporting portion 11f so that the supporting portion 11f moves at a higher speed than the carriage 11b while comparing the moving area of the carriage 11b. For example, if the “original size” is A3 horizontal size, but the A4 vertical size (half the A3 horizontal size) is set as the “original reading size”, the supporting unit 11f is moved to the carriage. It is moved at a speed twice that of 11b.
By operating the supporting portion 11f in this way, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of information reading leakage from the wireless tag 21 due to the carriage 11b operating only for the area of “original reading size”. The information can be correctly read from the wireless tag 21. Moreover, since the carriage 11b completes the movement of the “original size” area in the time required for the movement of the “original reading size” area, the productivity of the image reading is reduced. Therefore, the information can be correctly read from the wireless tag 21. Therefore, by operating the supporting portion 11f separately from the carriage 11b, the complexity of the configuration and operation control is increased as compared with the case of the first example described above, but the productivity of image reading (particularly, the end of image reading of a certain original is completed). It is very suitable for use in an image reading apparatus in which importance is placed on the time required until the start of image reading of the next original document.
When the “original reading size” matches the “original size” and when the “original reading size” is larger than the “original size”, the CPU 14 a follows the “original reading size” according to the setting in the UI unit 13. ”Is a relative movement area between the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... And the document 20, and the same area range may be moved between the carriage 11b and the supporting portion 11f. This is because “document reading size” is the image reading range, and information reading from the wireless tag 21 is not missed.

  Here, as a specific example in which the control unit determines the relative movement area between each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... And the document 20, a first example in which each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c. And the second example in which the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... Are mounted on the carrier 11f. However, the CVT scan is performed in the same manner as in the first example. Thus, the relative movement area may be determined. However, in the case of CVT scan, the relative position between the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c,... "Means an area range in which the antennas 15 a, 15 b, 15 c...

  The series of processing operations for communication with the wireless tag 21 as described above may be different as described below, for example, depending on the mode setting in the UI unit 13.

  If the “RFID document mode” is selected, the mode is based on the premise of reading information from the wireless tag 21, so the CPU 14 a scans the wireless tag 21 for the relative movement area determined as described above. I do. When information is read from the wireless tag 21 through the scanning, the information obtained from the wireless tag 21 is effectively used. However, if the information cannot be read from the wireless tag 21 even though the relative movement area is scanned, the image reading from the document is interrupted and the UI unit 13 outputs an alarm to that effect. The user is instructed or selected as to processing to be performed (whether to resume image reading or the like).

  If the “non-RFID document mode” is selected, the CPU 14a performs a general image reading process without determining the relative movement area and communicating with the wireless tag 21 based on the determination result. To the scanner unit 11.

  If the “RFID document automatic detection mode” is selected, the CPU 14a scans the wireless tag 21 for the relative movement area determined as described above. When one or more wireless tags 21 are detected from within the relative movement area through the scanning, it is determined that the document 20 has the wireless tag 21 embedded therein, and information about the determination result is output to the UI unit 13. At the same time, information is read from one or more wireless tags 21 within the relative movement area, and the read information is effectively used. However, if the information cannot be read from the wireless tag 21 even though the relative movement area is scanned, it is determined that the wireless tag 21 is not embedded in the document 20, and information output about the determination result is output to the UI unit. 13 and the scanner unit 11 is caused to perform a general image reading process as in the “non-RFID document mode”.

  In addition, when “RFID document mode” or “RFID document automatic detection mode” is selected, if information is to be read from a plurality of wireless tags 21 in a single scan, the CPU 14a and the wireless tags 21 receive the information. Whether the accumulated result of the read information is all of the expected information is determined based on predetermined data (for example, an end-of-data flag). The scanning may be terminated without waiting for the completion of the scanning for all of the moving area, thereby speeding up the process of reading information from the wireless tag 21. In this case, if reading of all expected information is not completed in spite of scanning of all the relative movement areas, image reading from the document is interrupted and an alarm output indicating that is output to the UI unit 13. And the user is instructed and selected for processing to be performed thereafter (whether to resume image reading or the like).

  In this way, when reading information from each wireless tag 21 in a single scan, for example, when a plurality of wireless tags 21 are embedded in a single document 20, read information from each wireless tag 21 is expected. If the CPU 14a determines whether the information is all of the information to be processed, for example, it is determined that the document 20 lacking some of the wireless tags 21 is illegal, or some of the wireless tags 21 or the recorded information is damaged. Even in this case, it is possible to compensate for this by a redundant configuration.

  Further, when reading information from each wireless tag 21, a plurality of antennas 15 a, 15 b, 15 c... Are arranged in the main scanning direction of the document 20, and each antenna 15 a, 15 b, 15 c. Since the relative position can be moved along the sub-scanning direction, the CPU 14a can determine the positions of the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c..., The antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. It is also conceivable to recognize the embedding position of each wireless tag 21 on the document 20 based on the relative position movement amount between them. That is, the CPU 14a has information on which antenna 15a, 15b, 15c... Has read the information from the wireless tag 21 and the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. It is also conceivable to obtain information about the embedded position of the wireless tag 21 from the position information in the sub-scanning direction when the information is read. This is because it is possible to process the contents of the image drawn on the document 20 and the embedded position of the wireless tag 21 in association with each other. Specifically, for example, when performing so-called N-up processing, in which a plurality of document images are reduced and combined into one sheet and arranged, a plurality of document images are read in one scan. Even in such a case, different processing can be performed for each document image according to the recording information of the wireless tag embedded in each document.

  Further, at least one of the CPU 14a or the modulator / demodulator 14i determines the size of the sensitivity region in the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c... When the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. It may have a function that varies according to the set position of the document 20 in which the wireless tag 21 is embedded. Specifically, depending on whether the document 20 is set on the platen glass of the scanner unit 11 or on the paper feed tray 12a of the document transport unit 12, the sensitivity areas in the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c. Different sizes. In this way, for example, since the document 20 on the platen glass is close to the antennas 15a, 15b, 15c..., The sensitivity area of each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c. On the other hand, for the original 20 conveyed by the original conveying unit 12, it is possible to increase the sensitivity area of each antenna 15a, 15b, 15c. Note that a specific technique for changing the sensitivity region may be performed by using a known technique, for example, by increasing or decreasing the applied power.

[Another configuration example of the image reading apparatus]
In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the suitable Example of this invention, this invention is not limited to the content.
For example, in this embodiment, the case where a plurality of antennas are arranged in the main scanning direction has been described as an example. However, instead of providing the plurality of antennas, one antenna is provided, and the one antenna is subjected to main scanning. Even if it is configured to move in the direction, the same effect as the configuration described in the present embodiment can be obtained. The mechanism for moving the antenna in the main scanning direction may be realized using a known technique such as using a drive source such as a motor.
That is, the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) is the plane schematic diagram, (b) is the front schematic diagram. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure in the control part of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of the principal part structure of the image reader which concerns on this invention, (a) is the front schematic diagram, (b) is the plane schematic diagram. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a sensitivity region of each antenna in the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of the principal part structure of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) is the front schematic diagram, (b) is the plane schematic diagram. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative movement area | region in the 1st example of the principal part structure of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative movement area | region in the 2nd example of the principal part structure of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading apparatus, 11 ... Scanner part, 11a ... Platen glass, 11b ... Carriage, 11d ... Carriage drive motor, 12 ... Document conveyance part, 12a ... Paper feed tray, 12b ... Paper discharge tray, 13 ... UI part, 14 Control unit, 14a ... CPU, 14b ... ROM, 14c ... RAM, 14d ... Converter, 14e ... ASIC, 14f ... Motor drive circuit, 14g ... Lamp drive circuit, 14h ... ASIC, 14i ... Modulator / demodulator, 15 ... Antenna Array, 15a, 15b, 15c ... antenna, 20 ... original, 21 ... wireless tag

Claims (10)

Image reading means for optically reading an image drawn on the original from the original to be read;
A plurality of transmission / reception means arranged side by side along the main scanning direction when the image reading means performs image reading in order to perform non-contact communication with the wireless tag embedded in the document;
An image reading apparatus comprising: a position moving unit that moves a relative position between the transmission / reception unit and the document along a sub-scanning direction when the image reading unit performs image reading. The transmission / reception means sets the sensitivity areas so as to cover the entire reading area in the main scanning direction by the image reading means when the plurality of sensitivity areas are integrated. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the transmission / reception means performs a time-sharing operation. The image reading unit scans the document using a carriage that moves along the sub-scanning direction when reading an image from the document.
The transmission / reception means is mounted on the carriage,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position moving unit moves a relative position between the transmission / reception unit and the document by moving the carriage. The image reading unit scans the document using a carriage that moves along the sub-scanning direction when reading an image from the document.
The transmission / reception means is mounted on a carrier that moves along the sub-scanning direction separately from the carriage,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position moving unit moves a relative position between the transmission / reception unit and the document by moving the supporting unit. The image reading unit includes a document conveying unit that conveys a document to be read, and
4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position moving unit moves a relative position between the transmission / reception unit and the document by document conveyance performed by the document conveyance unit. A size setting means for setting a document reading size for specifying an image reading range in the image reading means;
Size recognition means for recognizing the size of a document to be read by the image reading means,
The position moving unit may be configured to determine whether the transmission / reception unit and the document are relative to each other based on the recognition result of the size recognition unit when the setting result of the size setting unit does not match the recognition result of the size recognition unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moving area is determined. And a position recognizing unit for recognizing an embedding position of the wireless tag on the document based on each of the plurality of arrangement positions of the transmitting / receiving unit and a relative position moving amount by the position moving unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. Sensitivity adjustment means that varies the size of the sensitivity area in the transmission / reception means when the transmission / reception means communicates with the wireless tag according to the set position of the document in which the wireless tag is embedded. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. Image reading means for optically reading an image drawn on the original from the original to be read;
A transmission / reception means for contactlessly communicating with a wireless tag embedded in the document;
Main scanning position moving means for moving the transmitting / receiving means in the main scanning direction when the image reading means performs image reading;
An image reading apparatus comprising: a sub-scanning position moving unit that moves a relative position between the transmission / reception unit and the document along a sub-scanning direction when the image reading unit performs image reading.

Images