JP2007166286A - Original reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect abnormality in an original reading apparatus quickly and accurately in abnormal vibration. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a carriage 6 for reading a document, a document reader 7, a detector 11 for detecting vibration for the apparatus, and a carriage diagnostic section 20 for detecting abnormality in original reading operation by a document reading means in abnormal vibration. Abnormality detection and repair can be carried out without causing abnormality of output image. In abnormal vibration, abnormal reading can be detected automatically by providing a control unit 2 for operating the carriage 6, the original reader 7, and the carriage diagnostic section 20. When abnormal reading of the original is detected at the carriage diagnostic section 20, abnormality of output image can be prevented surely by forbidding the reading operation by the original reader 7 and the carriage 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an original reading apparatus that optically reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed by an original feeding device to generate image data.

  The image reading apparatus optically reads a document placed on a platen while moving a part of an optical system by a carriage, or optically reads a document conveyed by a document feeding device at a sheet through position of the platen. The image data is generated by reading the image data and is operated with a mechanical operation. Therefore, in order to accurately read the image data, the mechanical operation needs to be performed with high accuracy. If the mechanical operation is fluctuated or misaligned, the original cannot be read satisfactorily.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, an image corresponding to uneven scanning speed or misalignment in the sub-scanning direction due to uneven rotation of the motor, uneven movement speed of the carriage, or a difference in speed between both ends of the main scanning direction of the carriage. An image reading apparatus that corrects an error in the pixel position of data has been proposed.

By the way, the image reading apparatus is required to have a precise mechanical operation as described above, and if it receives an abnormal vibration such as an earthquake, the operation mechanism may be hindered and the precise mechanical operation may be difficult. However, in the image reading apparatus of Patent Document 1, only normal reading correction is considered, and mechanical damage due to an earthquake disaster or the like is not considered. For this reason, it is not possible to cope with a reading abnormality caused by an earthquake or the like exceeding a correctable range. Therefore, the work procedure is such that the work for detecting an abnormality is performed for the first time after an image abnormality occurs, and an abnormal part is detected, and there is a problem that an abnormal vibration such as an earthquake cannot be quickly dealt with. When an earthquake or the like occurs, it is necessary to quickly confirm the state of the image forming apparatus and notify the user, and the image reading apparatus cannot respond to this request.
On the other hand, Patent Document 2 proposes a method in which an earthquake level is detected by a sensor and control such as shut-off of the image reading apparatus is performed according to the vibration level.
JP-A-9-98256 JP 2000-1989A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, only control such as shut-off is performed according to the vibration level, and mechanical damage to the image reading apparatus is not considered in the return after vibration detection. I can't. Also, abnormal vibration due to an earthquake or the like has various vibration properties, and it is difficult to predict the degree of mechanical damage only by the vibration level. For example, even in the same model, the nature of vibration changes depending on the installation location. Therefore, even at the same vibration level, mechanical damage may occur or there may be no damage. For this reason, if control such as shut-off is performed at a low seismic intensity level in order to increase the safety level, there is a risk that even a device having no abnormality may be suspended. On the other hand, if the control is performed at a higher vibration level, the reading device in which the abnormality has occurred operates as it is, and an output image abnormality occurs in a normal reading operation. This causes problems such as trouble in reading work and delay in handling.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and provides an image reading apparatus that can detect a reading abnormality without causing an output image abnormality after the main body detects an abnormality due to vibration. Basic purpose.

  That is, the invention of the document reading apparatus according to claim 1 detects a document reading unit that reads a document, a vibration detection unit that detects a vibration with respect to the document reading device, and an abnormality in a document reading operation by the document reading unit during abnormal vibration. And a document reading abnormality detecting means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the vibration of the document reading device can be detected by the vibration detecting means, and when the detected vibration is an abnormal vibration, an abnormality in the reading operation by the document reading means is detected. It can be detected by means. Thereby, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality at an early stage without causing an output image abnormality, and it is possible to appropriately cope only with an apparatus having a reading abnormality.

  The document reading means in the document reading apparatus of the present invention generates image data by receiving light from an illumination light source on a document and receiving reflected light passing through an optical system by a sensor such as a CCD. The specific configuration is not particularly limited as the present invention. The document may be placed on the platen, and may be reflected light by applying light to the document while scanning (sub-scanning) an optical system including an illumination light source. The moving original may be reflected from the illumination light source at the sheet-through position to obtain reflected light. The present invention is intended for an original reading apparatus having one or both functions. Can be. The image data obtained by the document reading unit can be stored in an appropriate image data storage unit such as a RAM or an HDD so as to be appropriately readable.

Furthermore, in the present invention, vibration detection means for detecting vibration such as an earthquake is provided. The vibration detecting means may be any means as long as it can detect abnormal vibration such as occurrence of an earthquake, and may be constituted by, for example, a known one, and the present invention is not limited to a specific one. This vibration detection means may be configured to detect only abnormal vibration, or may be configured to determine abnormal vibration by a vibration level determination means described later. Therefore, it is desirable that the vibration detecting means can detect the magnitude of vibration in detecting vibration.
The abnormal vibration is not a normal vibration such as a mechanical vibration but a vibration other than the normal time generated by an earthquake or the like. Therefore, vibration includes normal vibration such as mechanical vibration and abnormal vibration caused by an earthquake or the like.

The document reading abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in the reading operation by the document reading means, and can detect an abnormality based on, for example, image data generated by reading by the reading means in addition to a mechanical operation failure. it can. Reading can be performed using, for example, a detection pattern described later.
The image reading apparatus of the present invention constitutes a part of a multifunction peripheral having a composite function such as a facsimile having an image forming section, a facsimile, a scanner, a printer, a copier, and a facsimile in addition to having an image reading function alone. There may be.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the first aspect, wherein the vibration level determination is performed by acquiring the vibration level information detected by the vibration detecting means and determining whether the vibration is abnormal. Means are provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the vibration is abnormal based on the level of vibration detected by the vibration detection means. Can be distinguished.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the vibration level determination means includes a vibration level storage unit that stores a reference vibration level.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vibration level information detected by the vibration detecting means can be obtained using the vibration level reference data stored in the vibration level storage unit. There may be one reference data or a plurality of reference data. By having a plurality of reference data having different levels, the level of the detected vibration can be evaluated in multiple stages, and for example, the degree of abnormal vibration can be classified by magnitude.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the second aspect, wherein when the vibration level determination means determines that the vibration is abnormal, the document reading means and the document reading abnormality detection means are provided. It has a detection operation control means for operating.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the detected vibration is abnormal vibration, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the apparatus by automatically operating the document reading unit and the document reading abnormality detection unit. Can be detected.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention of the document reading device, in the invention according to the second aspect, when the vibration level determination means determines that the vibration is abnormal, the detection of the document reading abnormality detection means is requested to the operator. It is characterized by comprising a detection request means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality according to the will of the operator, and the operator can appropriately know when the detection is required by the detection request means.
The detection request unit can be configured by a request display using a display unit, a buzzer such as a speaker, or an appropriate notification method such as a voice request.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a reading abnormality based on image data obtained by the reading operation. It is characterized by performing.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, a slight abnormality can be detected by data verification by detecting a reading abnormality based on the image data.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the reading operation is a movement from a standby position of the document reading means to a reading position for reading an image of the document conveyed by the document feeder. It is characterized by being performed on the way.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality while moving to the sheet through position, and to assume a reading abnormality at the sheet through position.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the reading operation is performed in accordance with movement of a carriage that moves the optical system.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality assuming a document placed on the platen.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the reading operation is performed on a maximum readable area.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality up to a range that reliably covers a maximum-size document.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting means performs a reading operation on a detection pattern prepared in advance. And

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly detect a reading abnormality by using a detection pattern prepared in advance.

  The document reading device according to claim 11 is the document image reading device according to claim 10, wherein a normal image data storage unit that stores data relating to a normal image in the case of normal reading based on the detection pattern in advance. And reading abnormality determination by comparing data relating to a normal image read from the normal image data storage unit with data relating to a detected image obtained by the reading operation.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately and quickly detect a reading abnormality by comparing data relating to a normal image stored in advance and data relating to a detected image obtained by a reading operation. Become. As the normal image data storage unit, an appropriate storage device such as a flash memory, RAM, or HDD can be used. Note that the data related to the image may be image data itself, or information related to the image such as the inclination angle, pitch, and thickness of the pattern and the rule of the pattern.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting means determines a reading abnormality in accordance with a predetermined abnormality determination standard.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, when comparing the data related to the normal image and the data related to the detected image, the determination accuracy can be improved by determining the abnormal reading according to the abnormality determination standard. The abnormality determination criterion can be determined by, for example, the amount of dot shift between the data related to the normal image and the data related to the detected image.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting means includes an abnormality determination reference data storage unit for storing abnormality determination reference data.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when making an abnormality determination, the abnormality determination reference data stored in the abnormality determination reference data storage unit can be appropriately read and used for reading abnormality determination. As the abnormal inversion reference data storage unit, an appropriate storage device such as a flash memory, a RAM, or an HDD can be used.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting means includes an abnormality information storage unit for storing the detected reading abnormality information. Features.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the result detected by the document reading abnormality detecting unit can be stored as reading abnormality information in the abnormality information storage unit, and the information can be read and used as necessary. As the abnormality information storage unit, an appropriate storage device such as a flash memory, RAM, or HDD can be used.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the detection pattern is formed on a reading sheet.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality using a reading sheet, and when the operator installs the sheet on the document feeding device or the platen, the reading abnormality at each reading position is achieved. Can be selected and detected.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the detection pattern is arranged in the vicinity of a platen provided in the document reading device so as to be readable by the document reading abnormality detecting means. It is characterized by being.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality by reading the detection pattern by a part of the document reading means moved by the carriage.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the detection pattern is arranged outside the normal reading area.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, during normal reading, the detection pattern does not interfere with reading, and is read only when reading abnormality is detected.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the detection pattern is arranged on the back side of the platen outside in the main scanning direction.

  According to the eighteenth aspect, since the detection pattern is arranged on the back side of the platen, the operator can perform the reading operation without being aware of the detection pattern during normal reading.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the detection pattern has a linear pattern along the sub-scanning direction and a diagonal line pattern inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction. It is characterized by.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect reading abnormalities in detail by using a detection pattern comprising a combination of a linear pattern and a diagonal pattern.

  A document reading device according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the document reading device according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the straight line pattern and the oblique line pattern intersect.

  According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to examine the reading abnormality even through the intersection of the straight line pattern and the oblique line pattern.

  The invention of the document reading device according to claim 21 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein when the document reading abnormality detection means detects a document reading abnormality, the abnormality is performed when the reading abnormality is detected. It has a control means at the time of detection.

  According to the twentieth aspect, it is possible to perform a desired reading abnormality detection control when the reading abnormality is detected. Examples of the reading abnormality detection control include notification to an operator and a management unit, which will be described later, and device function restriction and operation stop. Note that the degree of reading abnormality can be detected in stages, and the control content can be changed depending on the degree of reading abnormality.

  A document reading device according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is the document reading apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects, wherein a reading abnormality is notified to an operator when a document reading abnormality is detected by the document reading abnormality detecting means. A notification means is provided.

  According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the reading abnormality notification means can quickly notify the operator of the reading abnormality. As the reading abnormality notification means, an abnormality detection information display means such as a display for performing display or a touch panel, a buzzer for notification by sound, a speaker, or the like can be used.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading device according to the twenty-second aspect, wherein the reading abnormality notification means includes abnormality detection information display means for displaying abnormality detection information.

  According to the invention described in claim 23, the reading abnormality is displayed on the abnormality detection information display means and notified to the operator.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to twenty-third aspects, when a document reading abnormality is detected by the document reading abnormality detecting means, a reading abnormality is notified to the management unit. A communication means is provided.

  According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, when a reading abnormality is detected, the management unit is notified through the communication means, so that a quick maintenance work can be performed. Examples of the notification to the management unit include notification to the management server and direct notification to the administrator. Communication between the communication unit and the management unit can be performed via a direct connection line or via an appropriate network. For example, communication can be performed via a telephone line, a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or the like.

  According to a 25th aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document reading apparatus according to any one of the first to 24th aspects, wherein when the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a document reading abnormality, the reading operation by the document reading unit is prohibited. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the generation of an abnormal image by prohibiting the reading operation when the document reading abnormality is detected. The prohibition of the reading operation can be performed by stopping the reception of an operation instruction button or the like or by stopping the operation of the reading means.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the document reading device according to the twenty-fifth aspect is characterized in that the prohibition of the reading operation prohibits reading of a document by a document feeder provided in the document reading device.

  According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prohibit document reading by the document feeder. For example, when there is an abnormality in document reading by the document feeder due to a defect in the document feeder, a positional deviation of the carriage that moves the optical system to the sheet through position, a positional deviation of the optical system, a malfunction of the carriage, etc. Generation of abnormal images can be prevented.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, in the invention of the twenty-fifth aspect, the prohibition of the reading operation prohibits reading of a document on a platen provided in the document reading device. .

  According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, reading of a document on the platen can be prohibited. For example, it is possible to prevent the generation of an abnormal image when there is an abnormality in reading a document on a platen due to a displacement of the carriage itself, a malfunction of the carriage, a displacement of an optical system conveyed by the carriage, or the like. it can.

  According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the twenty-fifth aspect, the individual operation permission setting for individually permitting / prohibiting the operation of reading the document by the document feeder provided in the document reading device and reading the document on the platen Means are provided.

  According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the document reading and the reading operation is prohibited, the document reading by the document feeding device provided in the document reading device and the document reading of the document on the platen are permitted or prohibited. It is possible to prohibit only reading methods that need to be prohibited and allow other reading methods.

  The invention of the document reading device according to claim 29 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the operation of the image reading device is stopped when the document reading abnormality detecting means detects the document reading abnormality. It is characterized by that.

  According to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the entire image reading apparatus is stopped to prevent generation of abnormal images and increase in damage. The operation stop of the entire apparatus can be executed by, for example, power shutdown.

  That is, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, a document reading unit that reads a document, a vibration detection unit that detects vibration with respect to the document reading device, and a document that detects an abnormality in a document reading operation by the document reading unit during abnormal vibration Since the reading abnormality detecting means is provided, it is possible to detect a reading abnormality such as a reading drive unit after detecting an abnormality due to vibration, and to detect and repair the abnormality without causing an output image abnormality. Furthermore, it is possible to automatically detect an abnormality in the reading unit due to vibration such as an earthquake at an early stage, and to promptly perform repairs, adjustments, and the like by a service person without causing an output image abnormality.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which the image reading apparatus 1 of the present invention is organized in terms of functions.
The control unit 2 has a function of controlling the entire image reading apparatus 1 and is constituted by, for example, a CPU and a program for operating the CPU. The control unit 2 is connected to a flash ROM or the like (not shown) for storing / reading a program for operating the control unit 2 and setting parameters for operating the image reading apparatus.

The display unit 3 is connected to the control unit 2 in a controllable manner. The display unit 3 is controlled by the control unit 2 to display information and the like. Further, it is possible to display a reading abnormality, and it functions as an abnormality detection information display means, that is, a reading abnormality notification means.
An input unit 4 is connected to the control unit 2, and an operator can perform a predetermined operation on the image reading apparatus 1. Note that the display unit 3 and the input unit 4 may be provided independently and display and operation may be performed independently, and the display unit 3 and the input unit 4 may be configured like an LCD touch panel. It may also be used so that operations can be performed on the display screen.

  Further, the control unit 2 is connected to a carriage control unit 5 and an image reading unit 7 which constitute a part of the image reading unit of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 7 includes a light source 70 that irradiates light on a document, reflecting mirrors 71, 72, and 73 that constitute an optical system that deflects light reflected from the document, a lens 74, and reflected light. In response to this, a CCD 75 for generating image information and a signal processing unit 76 for processing signals obtained by the CCD 75 to generate image data are provided. The optical system is movable in the sub-scanning direction by a carriage 6 that is driven and controlled by a carriage controller 5. The carriage 6 also constitutes a part of the image reading means of the present invention. The light source 70 can scan the original 100 placed on the platen 8a as it is moved by the carriage 6 and apply light to the original to perform reading. When the document feeder 9 is further provided, the carriage 6 allows the light source 70 to illuminate the document fed by the document feeder 9 at the sheet through portion 8b and perform reading. The image data read by the image reading unit 7 is configured by a RAM, an HDD, or the like, and can be stored in the image data storage unit 10 connected to the control unit 2.

  Furthermore, the control unit 2 is connected to a vibration detection unit 11 that serves as a vibration detection unit in a controllable manner. The vibration detection unit 11 detects vibration applied to the image reading apparatus 1, and the detection result is output to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 is connected to a vibration level storage unit 12 configured by a nonvolatile RAM, HDD, or the like, and the vibration level storage unit 12 stores reference vibration level data in a readable manner. The control unit 2 refers to the vibration level data stored in the vibration level storage unit 12 based on the vibration detection result in the vibration detection unit 11, and the detection result vibration is normal mechanical vibration or abnormal vibration such as an earthquake. Determine if there is. Therefore, the control unit 2 and a program for operating the same function as vibration level determination means. The control unit 2 is connected to a vibration information storage unit 13 including a RAM, an HDD, and the like. The vibration information detected above and the vibration level determined above are stored in the vibration information storage unit 13. It can be stored in a readable manner.

  Furthermore, a carriage diagnosis unit 20 including a detection pattern to be described later is connected to the control unit 2. The carriage diagnosis unit 20 diagnoses (determines) whether or not normal image reading is performed based on the image data read by the image reading unit 7 as the carriage 6 moves. It can be constituted by a CPU constituting the unit 2 and a part of a program for operating the CPU. Therefore, the carriage diagnosis unit 20 functions as a document reading abnormality detection unit of the present invention. A specific determination method will be described later.

  In order to make the above determination, the carriage diagnosis unit 20 is connected to an abnormality determination data storage unit 21 for storing data relating to a normal image and data serving as an abnormality determination reference. The abnormality determination data storage unit 21 can be configured by a storage device such as a nonvolatile RAM or HDD, and functions as a normal image data storage unit and an abnormality determination reference data storage unit. In addition, the control unit 2 includes a timer or the like as a time measurement unit 22 that measures a time used for abnormality determination, and the control unit 2 includes a carriage abnormality storage unit 23 including a RAM, an HDD, and the like. The diagnostic results obtained by the carriage diagnostic unit 20 are connected and can be stored as data in the carriage abnormality storage unit 23, and can be read out and used as reference data when maintenance or repair is performed later.

  The carriage diagnosis unit 20 can operate according to a command from the control unit 2 when the vibration level determination unit determines that abnormal vibration has occurred. At this time, the control unit 2 controls the carriage control unit 5 and the document reading unit 7 to execute image reading while moving to the platen 8a or the sheet through unit 8b. Therefore, the control unit 2 functions as detection operation control means of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the carriage diagnosis unit 20 is configured to automatically operate at the time of abnormal vibration by the operation of the control unit 2 as described above. However, according to the present invention, the carriage diagnosis is performed according to the operator's intention. It is also possible to configure so that the operation in the unit 20 is started.
In this case, the control unit 2 notifies the display unit 3 of the occurrence of abnormal vibration and requests the operator to operate the reading abnormality detection means. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 2 and the display unit 3 function as detection request means of the present invention. In the input unit 4, an abnormality detection operation can be started by providing an input key or the like for operating the reading abnormality detection unit by an operation of the operator.

  The control unit 2 is connected to a communication unit 14 configured by an appropriate interface or the like. The communication unit 14 is connected to an external management server 40 via a network 30 such as a LAN or WAN. Yes. In this embodiment, the management server 40 constitutes a management unit. With the above configuration, communication with the management server 40 can be performed via the communication unit 14 and the network 30 under the control of the control unit 2, and a reading abnormality can be notified to the management server 40. Therefore, the control part 2 and the communication part 14 function as a communication means of this invention.

  As described above, the control unit 2 can notify the management server 40 via the communication unit 14 as a reading abnormality detection control when a reading abnormality is detected, and displays an abnormal reading on the display unit 3. be able to. Further, the carriage control unit 5 and the image reading unit 7 can be controlled to prohibit image reading on the platen and the document feeder, and the power supply to the image reading device can be shut off. Therefore, the control unit 2 functions as an abnormality detection control unit of the present invention. Further, the control unit 2 can individually set permission and prohibition of the operation of reading the document on the platen and image reading using the document feeder. The setting may be determined and fixed as an initial setting, or the operator may be able to set whether individual operation settings are allowed or not via the input unit 4. Therefore, at least the control unit 2 has a function as an individual operation permission setting unit, and the input unit 4 can also fulfill a partial function of the individual operation permission setting unit.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the platen, on both sides outside the main scanning direction of the normal reading maximum range and within the readable maximum area, the detection pattern 25 along the sub-scanning direction. Is printed. As shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 3, the detection pattern 25 includes a linear pattern 25a along the sub-scanning direction, and a diagonal line pattern 25b that has one end connected to the linear pattern 25a and is skewed with respect to the sub-scanning direction. The oblique line pattern 25b is provided with a large number at the same inclination angle at a constant interval in the sub-scanning direction, and the base end and the distal end of the adjacent oblique line pattern are located at the same position in the sub-scanning direction. is doing. In this embodiment, the detection pattern 25 is described as being provided on the reading device side. However, in the present invention, in addition to this, a detection pattern for a reading sheet is provided so that the operator can The reading sheet can be placed on the platen 8a for reading.

Next, the image reading abnormality determination operation in the image reading apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the image reading apparatus 1 is operated by turning on the power, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is vibration detection information by the vibration detection unit (step s1). If there is vibration information, the process proceeds to the process branching step when the operation is permitted and when the operation is prohibited without performing the reading abnormality determination (step s7), and the operation is not prohibited. As long as the operation is permitted, the operation is permitted (step s80). When it is determined in step s1 that there is vibration information, the control unit 2 acquires the level information of the vibration detected with reference to the vibration level storage unit 12 (step s2). The control unit 2 determines from the acquired vibration level whether the vibration needs to be detected for reading abnormality or other vibration such as mechanical vibration (step s3). In step s3, if the vibration level does not require diagnosis of reading abnormality, the process proceeds to a process branching step when the operation is permitted and when the operation is prohibited (step s7), and the operation is not prohibited. As long as the operation is permitted, the operation is permitted (step s80). When the vibration level is a level that requires diagnosis in step s3, carriage diagnosis, that is, image reading abnormality detection is performed (step s4). As a result of the diagnosis, whether the reading is normal or abnormal is determined. If it is determined that the reading is normal, the process proceeds to a process branching step when the operation is permitted and when the operation is prohibited ( As long as the operation is not prohibited, the operation is permitted (step s80).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step s5 that there is a reading abnormality, it is determined whether or not the subsequent image reading operation is permitted (step s6), and branch processing is performed based on the result (step s7). . When the operation is permitted, the operation is permitted (step s80), and when the operation is prohibited, the predetermined reading operation is prohibited and the information is displayed on the display unit 3 for operation. The person (user) is notified (step s81). At this time, it is also possible to notify the external management server 40 via the communication unit 14 and the network 30. By notifying the management server 40, the maintenance manager can promptly perform repairs and the like. Further, by prohibiting a predetermined reading operation at the time of reading abnormality, generation of an abnormal image can be prevented in advance.

Next, details of the operation permission determination procedure in step s6 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, as a result of the carriage diagnosis in step s4 (detailed procedure will be described later), it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the carriage operation for the platen reading through image reading (step sa1). If there is no abnormality, it is determined through image reading whether or not there is an abnormality in the carriage operation up to the sheet through position when the document feeder (document feeder) is used (step sa4).

  If it is determined in step sa1 that the carriage operation for the platen reading is abnormal, it is determined whether the permission setting for the individual operation is enabled (step sa2). If this is not the case, the reading operation of both the document on the platen and the document conveyed by the document feeder is prohibited (step sa61). On the other hand, if the permission setting for the individual operation is enabled in step sa2, first, the reading operation for reading the document on the platen is prohibited (step sa3).

Next, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the carriage operation during the movement to the sheet through position (step sa4). Here, when there is no abnormality in reading up to the sheet through position, the entire process of the operation permission determination is finished. On the other hand, if an abnormality is recognized in step sa4, it is determined whether the permission setting for the individual operation is permitted (step sa5). If this is not the case, the reading operation of both the document on the platen and the document conveyed by the document feeder is prohibited (step sa61). On the other hand, if the individual operation permission setting is enabled in step sa4, the reading operation at the reading position using the document feeder is prohibited (step sa60), and the operation permission determination is completed.
The operation prohibition content is reflected in the operation prohibition in step s81.

Next, a detailed procedure for carriage diagnosis in step s4 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the carriage 6 is moved to a position corresponding to the maximum size in the sub-scanning direction that can be read by the platen 8a (step sb1), and image reading is performed based on data relating to a normal image stored in the abnormality determination data storage unit 21. Carriage abnormality determination (details will be described later) is performed while performing (step sb2). A branching process is performed depending on whether or not there is a reading abnormality (step sb3), and when a reading abnormality is detected, a diagnostic result indicating that there is an abnormality in the platen reading is stored in the carriage abnormality storage unit. The stored data is read out and used for branching whether or not there is an abnormality in step sa1.

  After the storage and when there is no reading abnormality, the carriage is moved to the reading position of the document sent by the document feeder (step sb5), and based on the data relating to the normal image stored in the abnormality determination data storage unit 21. Then, a carriage abnormality determination is performed while reading the image during the movement (step sb6). Next, branch processing is performed depending on whether or not there is a reading abnormality (step sb7), and when a reading abnormality is detected, a diagnostic result indicating that there is an abnormality in reading while moving to the sheet through position is stored in the carriage abnormality storage unit 23. The stored data is read out and used for branching whether or not there is an abnormality in step sa4. Carriage diagnosis is performed as described above.

Next, details of the carriage abnormality determination in steps sb2 and sb6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the carriage is moved to a predetermined position in step sb1 or sb5, the carriage is driven for image reading (step sc1), and the detection pattern is read to generate image data (step sc2). Based on the obtained image data, as shown in FIG. 8, time is measured by the time measuring unit 22 until a black edge is detected in the main scanning direction at predetermined time intervals (step sc3). The time interval at which the black edge is detected is measured and held in the data string TSn (n = 1, 2,...) (Step sc4). The data can be stored in a RAM (not shown) provided in the control unit 2, an abnormality determination data storage unit 21, or the like. At the same time, the time measurement unit 22 measures time until the white portion edge is detected in the sub-scanning direction (step sc5), the black portion time is measured, and the data string TLn (n = 1, 2,...). (Step sc6). The data is also stored in a RAM (not shown) provided in the control unit 2, an abnormality determination data storage unit 21, or the like.

Based on the above data, data relating to a normal image is read from the abnormality determination data storage unit 21 and fluctuations in the sub-scanning direction are calculated (step sc8).
Note that the abnormality determination data storage unit 21 stores in advance that the TSn becomes equal at the same measurement timing in the detection patterns on both sides in the data relating to the normal image (Ts1 = Ts2, Ts3 = Ts4, Ts5 = Ts6, Ts7 = Ts8, Ts9 = Ts10,..., Ts (n−1) = Tsn). If this relationship is not satisfied, it indicates that there is fluctuation in the sub-scanning direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion and missing of dots are caused. In this embodiment, a one-dot shift or missing in the sub-scanning direction is within an allowable range, and is stored in the abnormality determination data storage unit 21 as abnormality determination reference data. Therefore, if there is a deviation of 2 dots or more, it is determined that there is fluctuation in the sub-scanning direction (step sc9), and the carriage abnormality is stored in the carriage abnormality storage unit 23. After storage in the carriage abnormality storage unit 23 and when it is determined in step sc9 that there is no fluctuation, fluctuation in the main scanning direction is calculated by TLn. The abnormality determination data storage unit 21 stores in advance that TLn is equal regardless of the value of n in the data relating to normal images (TL1 = TL2 = TL3 = TL4 = TL5 = TL6 = TL7 = TL8 = ... = Ts (n-1) = Tsn). When this relationship is not satisfied, it indicates that there is fluctuation in the main scanning direction. In this case as well, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a one-dot deviation or chipping is also within an allowable range in the main scanning direction, and when there is a deviation of two dots or more, it is determined that there is fluctuation in the main scanning direction (step sc12). The carriage abnormality is stored in the carriage abnormality storage unit 23 (step sc13). Fluctuation data in the sub-scanning direction and main scanning direction stored in the carriage abnormality storage unit can be read by a maintenance person and used for maintenance and repair.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above description, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image reading apparatus of the present invention. Similarly, it is the schematic which shows an image reading means. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the pattern for a detection, and its periphery. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing an image reading abnormality detection step after power-on. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing details of operation permission determination. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing details of carriage diagnosis. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing details of carriage abnormality determination. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing details of abnormality determination using a detection pattern.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading apparatus 2 Control part 3 Display part 4 Input part 5 Carriage control part 6 Carriage 7 Image reading part 10 Image data memory | storage part 11 Vibration detection part 12 Vibration level memory | storage part 13 Vibration information memory | storage part 14 Communication part 20 Carriage diagnostic part 21 Abnormality determination data storage unit 22 Time measurement unit 23 Carriage abnormality storage unit 40 Management server

Claims (29)

  A document reading unit that reads a document, a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the document reading device, and a document reading abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in a document reading operation by the document reading unit when abnormal vibration occurs. Document reader.   2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising vibration level determination means for acquiring level information of vibration detected by the vibration detection means and determining whether or not the vibration is abnormal.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vibration level determination unit includes a vibration level storage unit that stores a vibration level serving as a reference.   3. The document reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a detection operation control unit that operates the document reading unit and the document reading abnormality detecting unit when the vibration level determining unit determines that the vibration is abnormal. apparatus.   3. The document reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a detection requesting unit that requests an operator to perform detection by the document reading abnormality detection unit when the vibration level determination unit determines that the vibration is abnormal.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a reading abnormality based on image data obtained by a reading operation.   7. The document reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading operation is performed during the movement from the standby position of the document reading unit to the reading position for reading the image of the document conveyed by the document feeding device.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading operation is performed in accordance with a movement of a carriage that moves the optical system.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading operation is performed on a readable maximum area.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading abnormality detecting unit performs a reading operation on a detection pattern prepared in advance.   A normal image data storage unit for storing data related to a normal image when normal reading is performed based on the detection pattern in advance, the data related to the normal image read from the normal image data storage unit; The document reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the reading abnormality determination is performed by comparing with data relating to the detected image obtained by the operation.   12. The document reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the document reading abnormality detection means performs a reading abnormality determination according to a predetermined abnormality determination standard.   13. The document reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the document reading abnormality detection unit includes an abnormality determination reference data storage unit that stores abnormality determination reference data.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading abnormality detection unit includes an abnormality information storage unit that stores detected reading abnormality information.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detection pattern is formed on a reading sheet.   11. The document reading device according to claim 10, wherein the detection pattern is arranged in the vicinity of a platen provided in the document reading device so as to be readable by the document reading abnormality detecting means.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detection pattern is arranged outside a normal reading region.   17. The document reading apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the detection pattern is disposed on the back side of the platen outside in the main scanning direction.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detection pattern includes a linear pattern along the sub-scanning direction and a diagonal line pattern inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction.   20. The document reading apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the straight line pattern and the oblique line pattern intersect.   21. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality detection time control unit that performs control when a document reading error is detected by the document reading error detection unit.   The document reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising a reading abnormality notifying unit for notifying an operator of a reading abnormality when the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a document reading abnormality.   23. The document reading apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the reading abnormality notification means includes abnormality detection information display means for displaying abnormality detection information.   24. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that notifies the management unit of a reading abnormality when the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a document reading abnormality.   25. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a document reading abnormality is detected by the document reading abnormality detecting unit, a reading operation by the document reading unit is prohibited.   26. The document reading apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the prohibition of the reading operation prohibits document reading by a document feeder provided in the document reading apparatus.   26. The document reading apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the prohibition of the reading operation prohibits reading of a document on a platen provided in the document reading apparatus.   26. The document reading device according to claim 25, further comprising individual operation permission setting means for individually permitting / disabling operation of document reading by a document feeder provided in the document reading device and document reading of a document on a platen. .   29. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the document reading abnormality detecting unit detects a document reading abnormality, the operation of the image reading apparatus is stopped.

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