JP2007243885A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively use various reading modes in one image reading apparatus by making a detached flat reader singly available by providing the flat reader attachable to and detachable from a double-sided image reading apparatus, and reading continuously fed documents using the image reading apparatus after the flat reader is detached therefrom. <P>SOLUTION: An attachable and detachable flat reader including a first reading means is provided. A fall prevention member is provided for preventing a document from falling from an opening after the flat reader is detached. There are included a first reading mode during which a document is scanned and read by the first reading means and a second reading mode during which continuously fed documents are read by the stopped first reading means. During the second reading mode, rear sides of documents can be continuously read by a second reading means. A third reading mode is provided during which documents are continuously read by the second reading means in a state where the flat reader is detached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a function of reading an original such as an image scanner, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

  Conventionally, various reading methods have been proposed and implemented in image reading apparatuses having a function of reading images, such as image scanners, facsimiles, and copying machines. An example will be described below. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus, and shows a case where the image reading apparatus is an image scanner. The image scanner shown in FIG. 9 has a first reading mode for reading an image of a document P101 placed on a platen glass 101 and a second reading for reading a document P102 on a paper sheet stacked on a document stacking tray 103. Mode.

  In the first reading mode, the original P101 placed on the original platen glass 101 is read by moving (scanning) the first reading means 102 from the position X1 to the position X2 by a driving means (not shown). . In the second reading mode, the documents P102 stacked on the tray 103 are separated one by one by the separation roller 105, and the separated documents are discharged by the first conveyance roller pair 107 and the second conveyance roller pair 108. Transport to the paper tray 104. During this time, the back side and the front side of the conveyed document P102 are read by the second reading unit 120 fixed to the transport unit and the first reading unit 102 stopped at a predetermined position.

  That is, in the second reading mode, one lowermost document among the stacked documents P102 is separated by the separation roller 105 and the separation pad 106, and the separated document is conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 107. . While being conveyed, the second reading unit 120 reads an image on the back surface (upper surface) of the document P102, and the first reading unit 102 stopped at the position X1 further detects the front surface (lower surface) of the document P102. I will read the image.

The original P102 whose front and back images have been read in this manner is discharged to the paper discharge tray 104 by the second conveying roller pair 108. When the next original P102 is separated by the separation roller 105 and the separation pad 106 and conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 107, the back and front of the original P102 are read in the same manner. An image reading apparatus having such a configuration is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP-A-11-27507

  The configuration of the conventional example has two reading modes, a first reading mode for reading a document placed on the platen glass and a second reading mode for reading a document conveyed from the document stacking unit. It is very convenient in that it can be used properly according to. However, since the two functions are constituted by one device, there is a disadvantage that the device itself is increased in size. In addition, there are problems such as difficulty in manuscript handling and difficulty in carrying the image reading apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can use various reading modes properly with a single unit and that is excellent in portability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenience in which the flat reading unit is made detachable, and both the removed flat reading unit and the apparatus main body after the flat reading unit is removed can be read independently. It is to provide a high image reading apparatus.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a first reading mode in which a document placed on a platen glass is scanned by a first reading unit and reading the document conveyed from the document stacking unit. And a second reading mode for reading by the reading means. Further, in the second reading mode, the second reading unit disposed on the opposite side of the first reading unit is configured to be able to read the surface on the opposite side of the conveyed document. Therefore, according to the present invention, the platen glass and the first reading unit are provided in a flat reading unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body. Further, there is adopted a configuration including a fall prevention member for preventing the transported document from dropping from the position where the document table glass is located when the flat type reading unit is removed from the apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, a single image reading apparatus can selectively use a reading mode in which a stacked original can be read continuously and a reading mode in which a book or a large original can be read by a removed flat reading unit. Can do. Furthermore, it is possible to continuously read the stacked originals even in the apparatus main body after the flat reading unit is removed. Both the flat reading unit and the apparatus main body can independently read, and the convenience can be greatly improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an image scanner that captures an original image into a computer or the like. In FIG. 1, the present image reading apparatus reads a document P 1 set on a document table glass 1 with an image surface (front surface) as a bottom surface by a first reading unit 2 that moves along the document table glass 1. Read mode. In addition, the image reading apparatus includes a second reading unit 5 fixed to the conveying unit, and images on both sides of the document P2 conveyed from the document stacking tray 3 to the paper discharge tray 4 by the document feeding reading unit 7. A second reading mode is used for reading by the first reading means 2 that is stopped.

  FIG. 1 shows a state when an image is read in the second reading mode out of the two reading modes described above. The illustrated image reading apparatus roughly includes a flat type reading unit 6 used in the first reading mode and a document feed reading unit 7 used in the second reading mode. The document table glass 1 and the first reading unit 2 are provided in the flat type reading unit 6, and the document stacking unit 3 and the second reading unit 5 are provided in the document feeding reading unit 7. The document feed reading unit 7 is fixed on the apparatus main body side (on the stand 8), and the flat reading unit 6 is detachably assembled to the apparatus main body or the document feed reading unit 7. In the present embodiment, the combined body of the flat reading unit and the document feeding reading unit is held by the stand 8 in a state where the document table glass 1 is inclined. However, the original table glass 1 does not necessarily need to be inclined, and may be in another angle posture such as a horizontal state. However, the installation area can be reduced by holding the original table glass diagonally or upright. can do.

  The document feeding and reading unit 7 is provided with a separation and conveyance mechanism that separates the documents P2 on the tray 3 serving as a document stacking unit one by one and conveys them to the paper discharge tray 4. That is, a separation roller 10 and a separation pad 11 are provided at the exit portion of the document stacking tray 3 for separating and feeding the documents P2 one by one in order to scan the document P2. The separation roller 10 is formed of a rubber roller or the like, and the separation pad is formed of a rubber sheet or the like, and these are in pressure contact. The separation roller 10 is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown), and sends out one of the stacked originals P2 on the contact side, and the separation pad 11 has a function of stopping other originals from being sent out. On the downstream side of the separation roller 10, a first conveyance roller pair 12 and 13 that conveys the separated document to the second reading unit 5 is disposed. An image on the back surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the document P2 is read by the second reading means 5 disposed on the downstream side of the first conveying roller pair.

  The second reading means 5 includes a light source composed of a light emitting diode (LED), and a CIS sensor composed of a selfoc lens and a line light receiving sensor. Here, a CIS sensor is used, which uses a light source such as a cold cathode tube and a reading means of a reduction optical system composed of several optical path folding mirrors, an imaging lens, and a CCD line sensor. The thing of the structure of may be sufficient. On the downstream side of the second reading unit 5, a second pair of conveyance rollers 14 and 15 that convey the document P <b> 2 to the sheet discharge tray 4 are disposed. With such a configuration, the document P2 from the document stacking unit 3 can be separated one by one and continuously conveyed through the second reading unit 5 and the first reading unit 2. At this time, both reading means 5 and 2 can read the images on both sides of the original P2.

  The flat reading unit 6 has a configuration in which the document table glass 1 and the first reading unit 2 are assembled to a frame. On the document table glass 1, the document P1 is placed with the surface (reading surface) facing down. The first reading unit 2 is driven from a position X1 to a position X2 by a driving unit (not shown) along the lower side of the document table glass 1, thereby scanning the surface of the document P1 and reading an image. The second reading unit 5 of the document feed reading unit 7 is disposed on the opposite side of the document with respect to the first reading unit 2 of the flat type reading unit 6. The first reading means 2 is also composed of a CIS sensor, like the second reading means 5. Note that the first reading unit 2 may have another configuration, such as using a reading unit of a reduction optical system.

  The image reading apparatus is connected to the computer PC1 via the USB cable 51 and is controlled by the computer. In the present embodiment, the second reading unit 5 is provided with an AC adapter. With the flat reading unit 6 mounted, power is supplied from the AC adapter. Then, the first reading unit 2 and the second reading unit 5 are configured to operate via a USB cable 51 connected to the flat reading unit 6 by communication from the personal computer PC1.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the flat reading unit is attached to and detached from the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the flat reading unit removed from the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1 is used as a flat bed scanner in another place. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of the apparatus main body side after the flat reading unit is removed from the image reading apparatus of FIG. 2 to 4, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the flat reading unit 6 having the first reading unit 2 is moved from the apparatus main body (or the document feed reading unit 7). It can be removed. The removed flat reader 6 is portable and can be used in other places.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flat reading unit 6 is provided with a USB terminal 21, and the removed flat reading unit can be used by connecting the USB terminal 21 to another computer PC <b> 2 via a cable 22. it can. At this time, the flat reading unit 6 separated from the apparatus main body is driven by being supplied with power from the USB of the computer PC2. That is, the removed flat reading unit 6 can be used independently at another place as a flat bed scanner. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the image reading apparatus after the flat-type reading unit has been removed has one side (back side) of the document P2 conveyed from the document stacking unit (tray) 3 by the second reading unit 5. Can be read.

  FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the fall prevention member 26 in the document feed reading unit 7 of the image reading apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 5, there is a gap between a lower end 24 a of the lower part (lower cover) 24 of the cover of the document feed reading unit 7 and an upper end 25 a of the housing 25 that pivotally supports the second transport roller pair 14, 15. An opening 35 for reading an image on the lower surface (front surface) of the document P2 is formed. That is, the opening 35 is for reading the document P2 by the first reading unit 2 stopped at the X1 position in a state where the flat type reading unit 6 is mounted. Partly formed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the opening 35 is closed by the transparent plastic sheet 26 fixed to the lower cover 24 and the housing 25. The plastic sheet 26 serves as a document fall prevention member that prevents the document P2 from falling from the opening 35 when the document P2 is read by the second reading unit 5 after the flat-type reading unit 6 is removed. It functions.

  The operation of the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. For example, when scanning a plurality of printed-out originals or a paper sheet that is cut out from a page such as a book or a magazine, the user normally selects the second reading mode. The user sets the document P2 on the tray 3 which is a document stacking unit. When the user instructs the computer PC1 to start reading a document, the PC1 starts driving the separation roller 10 of the document feed reading unit 7. As a result, the lowermost one of the documents P2 on the stacking tray 3 is fed to the first transport roller pair 12 and 13, and is transported through the second reading means 5 by the first transport roller pair. The image on the back surface (upper surface in the figure) of the document P2 is read by the second reading unit.

  Next, the conveyed document P is conveyed through the first reading means 2 stopped at the position X1, and the image on the front surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the document P2 is read by the first reading means. At this time, the stop position X1 of the first reading means 2 is set at the lower end of the document table glass 1 or a position in the vicinity thereof. The document P2 that has passed through the first reading unit 2 is transported by the second transport roller pair 14 and 15 and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4. The above operation is repeated until all the originals loaded on the stacking tray 3 are read in this way, and then the image reading operation is terminated. With the above operation, the images on both sides of the document P2 conveyed from the document stacking unit 3 can be read continuously. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the document P2 conveyed from the document stacking unit 3 is configured to pass near the document table glass 1. Therefore, a double-sided reading mechanism by the second reading unit 5 and the first reading unit 2 can be easily configured.

  For example, when a thick original such as a book or magazine, an original larger than an original platen glass such as a newspaper, or an original that does not want to be damaged by a roller such as a printed photograph, the user usually selects the first reading mode. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the user removes the flat reading unit 6 from the apparatus main body and connects the flat reading unit to another computer PC 2 with the USB cable 22. Then, the document table cover 23 is opened, and the document P1 is set on the document table glass 1. After setting the document, the document table cover 23 is closed. When the user instructs the computer PC2 to start reading a document, the first reading unit 2 is driven from a position X1 to a position X2 by a driving unit (not shown), and scans the surface of the document P1 to read the image. Note that the power of the flat reading unit 6 at this time is supplied from the computer PC2 through the cable 22 connected to the USB terminal 21, so that no other power cord or AC adapter is required.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, even in the image reading apparatus after the flat-type reading unit 6 is removed, it is possible to read an image in the following third reading mode. At this time, the user sets the document P2 on the document stacking tray 3 with the reading surface as shown in the drawing. When the user instructs the computer PC1 to start reading a document, the PC1 starts driving the separation roller 10 of the document feed reading unit 7. As a result, the lowermost one of the documents P2 stacked on the stacking tray 3 is fed to the first transport roller pair 12 and 13, and is transported through the second reading unit 5 by the first transport roller pair. The At this time, the image of the original P2 is read by the second reading means 5.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end (downstream end) 24 a of the lower cover 24 of the document feed reading unit 7 and the upper end (upstream) of the housing 25 of the second transport roller pair 14, 15. A space 35 exists between the side end portion 25a. The space 35 is closed by the transparent plastic sheet 26 as described above. The plastic sheet 26 functions as a fall prevention member that prevents the document P2 from falling from the opening 35. Therefore, even when the flat reading unit 6 is removed, the document P2 transported from the document stacking unit 3 does not drop from the position where the document table glass 1 is removed, and the paper jam is removed. Without being generated, it is transported in a stable state along the transport path.

  Accordingly, the original P2 read by the second reading means 5 is guided along the upper surface of the transparent plastic sheet 26 and introduced between the second conveying roller pair 14 and 15 without dropping. Then, the document P2 is transported in a stable state by the second pair of transport rollers, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4. Such an operation is repeated until all the originals P2 on the stacking tray 3 are read, and then a series of image reading operations are finished. In this third reading mode, since the flat reading unit 6 is removed, both sides of the document P2 are not read, and one side (upper surface in the drawing) is read by the second reading unit 5. Become.

  According to the embodiment described above, one image reading apparatus can freely use the first reading mode, the second reading mode, and the third reading mode as described above. Here, the first reading mode is a mode in which the flat reading unit 6 removed from the apparatus main body scans the original P1 with the first reading unit 2 and reads one side. In the second reading mode, both sides of the document P2 are continuously read by the second reading unit 5 of the document feed reading unit 7 and the first reading unit 2 of the flat type reading unit 6 with the flat type reading unit 6 mounted. It is a mode to do. The third reading mode is a mode in which one side of the document P2 is continuously read by the second reading unit 5 of the document feed reading unit 7 with the image reading apparatus from which the flat type reading unit 6 is removed. Further, each of the removed flat reading unit 6 and the image reading apparatus after removing the flat reading unit can be read independently and can be carried alone, so that the convenience is greatly improved. Can do.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state after the flat reading unit is removed from the image reading apparatus of FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the fall prevention member 30 in the document feed reading unit 7 of the image reading apparatus of FIG. 7 is at the set position Z2. 6-8, the part shown with the same code | symbol as FIGS. 1-5 is a part which has the structure and function substantially the same as these. In the first embodiment, the transparent plastic sheet 26 is used as a fall prevention member for preventing the document P2 from dropping. However, in the present embodiment, instead of this, a movable fall prevention having a flat portion 30a is used. A member 30 is used. The flat portion 30a is set at the same position as the original reading glass 1 of the flat reading portion when the flat reading portion 6 is removed, thereby forming a part of the conveyance path. To do.

  6 to 8, the fall prevention member 30 is formed of a swingable lever-like member, and a flat surface portion 30a is provided at the tip thereof. The fall prevention member 30 is attached so as to be rotatable around the fulcrum 8a of the stand 8 and to be positioned and held at the retracted position Z1 and the use position Z2. As this positioning and holding means, a well-known mechanism such as a mechanical type such as a spring type engaging mechanism or a ball latch mechanism, or a magnet type can be used. When the flat reading unit 6 is mounted, the fall prevention member 30 is held at a retracted position (non-set position) Z1 that avoids interference with the flat reading unit 6, as shown in FIG.

  When using the image reading apparatus from which the flat reading unit 6 is removed, after removing the flat reading unit, the user moves the fall prevention member 30 from the retracted position Z1 to the set position Z2. Thereby, the fall prevention member 30 is positioned and held at the set position Z2 as shown in FIGS. At the set position Z2 that is the drop prevention position, the flat surface portion 30a of the document drop prevention member 30 is set at the same position as the position where the document table glass 1 was present with the flat reading unit 6 mounted. That is, the flat surface portion 30 a closes the space 35 between the lower end portion 24 a of the lower cover 24 of the document feed reading portion 7 and the upper end portion 25 a of the housing 25 of the second transport roller pair 14, 15. Then, it is set at a position where a part of the conveyance path of the document P2 is formed.

  Thus, like the transparent plastic sheet 26 described above, the flat surface portion 30a functions as a fall prevention means for preventing the original P2 from dropping from the opening 35. For this reason, even when the flat reading unit 6 is removed, the document P2 conveyed from the document stacking unit 3 does not fall from the position where the document table glass 1 is removed at the front end portion along the conveyance path. It is transported in a stable state. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 except for the points described above.

  According to the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, even when the flat reading unit 6 is removed, the document drop prevention member 30 is moved to the set position Z2 and is not removed. And substantially the same transport path is formed. For this reason, even when the original P2 is continuously transported to read the original P2 with the flat reader 6 removed, the original P2 is transported in a stable state along the predetermined transport path without causing a paper jam. can do. Accordingly, also in the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the first reading mode, the second reading mode, and the third reading mode can be freely used by one image reading apparatus. be able to. Similarly, each of the removed flat reading unit 6 and the image reading apparatus after removing the flat reading unit can be read independently and can be carried independently, greatly improving convenience. Can be improved.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state when a flat reading unit is attached and detached in the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which uses the flat type reading part removed from the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1 as a flat bed scanner in another place. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of the apparatus main body side after a flat reading unit is removed in the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a fall prevention member in a document feed reading unit of the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of 2nd Embodiment of the image reading apparatus by this invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state after a flat reading unit is removed in the image reading apparatus of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a fall prevention member in a document feed reading unit of the image reading apparatus of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Platen glass 2 1st reading means 3 Document loading part 4 Paper discharge tray 5 2nd reading means 6 Flat type reading part 7 Document feed reading part 8 Stand 26 Fall prevention member (transparent plastic sheet)
30 Fall prevention member (lever-like member)

Claims (7)

A first reading mode in which a document placed on the platen glass is scanned and read by the first reading unit, and a second reading in which the first reading unit which stops the document conveyed from the document stacking unit is read. Mode, and in the second reading mode, the second reading unit disposed on the opposite side of the first reading unit can read the surface on the opposite side of the conveyed document. In the reading device,
The platen glass and the first reading means are provided in a flat reading unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body,
An image reading device comprising: a fall prevention member that prevents the conveyed document from dropping from a position where the document table glass is located when the flat reading unit is removed from the apparatus main body. apparatus.   2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the flat reading unit is removed, the second reading unit can read the surface on the opposite side of the conveyed document.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fall prevention member is a transparent sheet disposed along a conveyance path of the conveyed document.   The fall prevention member is movable between a retracted position that avoids interference with the flat reading unit and a set position that prevents dropping of the conveyed document, and when the flat reading unit is removed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is moved from the retracted position to the set.   The dropping member is provided with a flat portion that forms a conveyance path for the conveyed document, and the flat portion is located at a position where the original platen glass was present when the dropping prevention member was at the set position. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image reading apparatus is provided.   6. The document of the document stacking unit is separated one by one and can be continuously conveyed through the second reading unit and the first reading unit. The image reading apparatus described in 1.   7. The image according to claim 1, wherein in a state in which the flat reading unit is mounted, an original conveyed from the original stacking unit passes in the vicinity of the original platen glass. Reader.

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