JP2010016682A - Document reader, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document reader and a processing apparatus, which can inform information according to the number of sheets left in the device to a user when successive conveyance is stopped. <P>SOLUTION: A document 10 is placed on a document placing platform 4. A plurality of documents are fed by a pickup roller 6 to a conveyance path without any paper gap. Paper gaps are formed among a plurality of documents conveyed by a high-speed conveyance roller 8 along the conveyance path. A sensor 5A detects whether there is a document 10 on the document placing platform 4. A sensor 5B is provided at a position where a paper gap is formed between documents to detect whether there is a document 10. A document read unit 7 reads images by documents whose paper gaps are determined by the sensor 5B. A control unit 3 performs control to quit document conveyance by the pickup roller 6 and high-speed conveyance roller 8 with a delay behind a stop of conveyance of a document 10, and makes a display unit 2 to inform information showing that a plurality of documents need to be placed again on the document placing platform 4 when the sensor 5A and sensor 5B both detect the documents 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that urge a user to place a document remaining on a conveyance path on a document placing table when the conveyance is stopped due to a jam or the like.

  As a copying machine, when it is necessary to perform image forming processing or document reading processing again due to a jam or the like, the number of documents to be returned to the document table is grasped based on the number of fed sheets, and a message to that effect is displayed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, as an automatic document feeder (ADF) that is provided in a copying machine, a scanner, or the like and feeds a document to be scanned, a plurality of documents are continuously fed to the conveyance path without any gap between the sheets. Among them, there is a type in which a paper gap is formed between originals by increasing the conveyance speed of the originals. In the case of such an ADF, in order to appropriately adjust the image reading timing of each original regardless of the size of the original, a gap between sheets formed between the conveyed originals is detected by a sensor. Further, in order to end the paper feeding operation based on the presence / absence of a document on the document placement table, the presence / absence of the document on the document placement table is detected by a sensor.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-131569

  In an ADF that feeds a plurality of originals continuously to a conveyance path without gaps, it is difficult to grasp the number of originals fed without gaps. For this reason, when a document remains in the conveyance path due to a jam or the like, the number of documents remaining on the conveyance path cannot be grasped, and the user cannot instruct the specific contents of the return operation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to feed a plurality of originals continuously into a conveyance path without gaps between sheets, and when a conveyance stop due to a jam or the like occurs using a conventionally provided sensor, It is an object of the present invention to provide an original reading apparatus and a processing apparatus capable of estimating the number of originals remaining on the printer, informing information corresponding to the number of originals, and instructing the user of the specific contents of the return operation.

  The document reading apparatus of the present invention includes a document placing table, a sheet feeding member, an upstream conveyance path, a downstream conveyance path, a high-speed conveyance member, an upstream sensor, a downstream sensor, a document reading unit, a control unit, and a notification unit. The document placing table can place a plurality of documents. The sheet feeding member is provided above the document table so as to be movable up and down and rotatable. In the upstream conveyance path, a plurality of documents fed by the sheet feeding member are conveyed without a gap. The downstream conveyance path is provided downstream of the upstream conveyance path, and a plurality of originals carried from the upstream conveyance path are conveyed in a state where a sheet interval is formed between the originals. The high-speed conveyance member is provided in the downstream conveyance path, and conveys the document at a higher speed than the paper feed member. The upstream sensor is provided on the upstream conveyance path or the document placing table, and detects the presence or absence of the document. The downstream side sensor is provided in the downstream conveyance path so as to be separated from the upstream side sensor relative to the dimension in the conveyance direction of the document, and detects the presence or absence of the document. The document reading unit is provided further downstream than the downstream sensor of the downstream conveyance path, and reads an image of the document. The control unit performs conveyance stop control for stopping the document conveyance by the sheet feeding member and the high-speed conveyance member when the detection state by the downstream sensor is maintained for a certain period of time. In addition, notification information corresponding to a combination of detection results of the upstream sensor and the downstream sensor after the conveyance stop control is output. The notification unit performs notification according to the notification information input from the control unit. Here, if the upstream side sensor and the downstream side sensor both detect the document after the conveyance stop control, the control unit sets a plurality of documents to be placed on the document placing table with respect to the notification unit. The notification information that there is a sheet is output.

  In this configuration, when the detection signal of the downstream sensor is ON, there is a document that remains on the downstream conveyance path. Further, when the detection signal of the upstream sensor is ON, the next original following the original remaining on the downstream conveyance path is already fed. Therefore, when both the downstream sensor and the upstream sensor are ON, a plurality of documents remain in the upstream conveyance path and the downstream conveyance path. Notification according to the notification information that there is a sheet is performed.

  The downstream sensor is provided at a position away from the paper feed member by a distance shorter than the dimension in the document conveyance direction, and the control unit can detect only the document after the conveyance stop control. For example, it is preferable to output notification information indicating that the number of documents to be placed on the document table is one.

  In this configuration, the conveyance path exists only at a distance shorter than that of one original on the upstream side of the downstream sensor. For this reason, if only the upstream sensor detects the document after the conveyance stop control, there is a high possibility that only one document that has already been fed exists upstream from the downstream sensor. Therefore, notification according to notification information that the number of documents is one is performed.

  If only the downstream sensor detects a document after the conveyance stop control, the control unit preferably outputs notification information indicating that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table is one.

  In this configuration, if only the downstream sensor detects the document after the conveyance stop control, there is no document fed after the document detected by the downstream sensor, and only one document detected by the downstream sensor is detected. It is likely to exist. Therefore, notification according to notification information that the number of documents is one is performed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention preferably includes the above-described document reading device and an image forming unit that forms a document image read by the document reading device on a recording sheet.

  The present invention has a configuration in which a plurality of originals are continuously fed to a conveyance path without a gap between papers, and a document that remains in the apparatus when conveyance is stopped due to a jam or the like using a conventionally provided sensor. Since the notification information corresponding to the estimated number is notified, it is possible to instruct the user of the specific contents of the return operation.

  First, an embodiment of a document reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the document reading apparatus 1.

  The document reading apparatus 1 includes a display unit 2, a control unit 3, a document placing table 4, sensors 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B, a pickup roller 6, a document reading unit 7, a high-speed conveyance roller 8, and a conveyance path 9.

  The document placing table 4 can place a plurality of documents 10. The pickup roller 6 corresponds to a paper feed member of the present invention, and is provided above and below the document table 4 so as to be movable up and down and rotatable, and at a position slightly upstream from the downstream end of the document table 4 in the paper feed direction. The surface contacts the uppermost surface of the document 10 placed on the document table 4. Therefore, by the rotation of the pickup roller 6, a plurality of documents 10 are continuously fed to the conveyance path 9 with the end portions overlapping each other. For this reason, the upstream side of the conveyance path 9 corresponds to the upstream conveyance path 9A of the present invention.

  The high-speed conveyance roller 8 corresponds to a high-speed conveyance member of the present invention, and is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port of the conveyance path 9. Here, the distance between the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 is substantially equal to the dimension in the document conveyance direction, and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 sandwiches the document 10 when the document 10 moves away from the pickup roller 6. I am trying. Further, the high-speed conveyance roller 8 conveys the original document 10 that is in contact with the pickup roller 6 at a higher conveyance speed. Accordingly, the document transported by the high-speed transport roller 8 has a high transport speed, and a sheet interval is formed between the document and the subsequent document on the downstream side of the transport path 9. For this reason, the downstream side of the conveyance path 9 corresponds to the downstream conveyance path 9B of the present invention.

  The document reading unit 7 is disposed upstream of the high-speed transport roller 8 in the transport direction, and reads an image from the image surface of the facing document. The sensor 5A is provided on the document table 4 and detects the presence or absence of a document. The sensor 5A corresponds to the upstream sensor of the present invention. The sensor 5B is disposed upstream of the document reading unit 7 in the paper feeding direction and detects the presence or absence of the document. The sensor 5B corresponds to the upstream sensor of the present invention.

  Based on the detection results of the sensors 5A and 5B, the control unit 3 generates and outputs notification information when the conveyance is stopped due to a jam or the like. The display unit 2 corresponds to a notification unit of the present invention, and performs notification display based on the notification information generated by the control unit 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a document during normal document conveyance. Here, an example in which two originals 10A and 10B are placed on the original placing table 4 will be described. Initially, the documents 10A and 10B are placed on the document table 4, the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON, and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF.

  When the pickup roller 6 rotates while the first original 10A is in contact with the first original 10A, the original 10A is fed from the original table 4 to the conveyance path 9 as shown in FIG. At this time, the upstream end of the document 10A passes through the detection position of the sensor 5A. However, since the second document 10B exists at the detection position of the sensor 5A, the detection signal of the sensor 5A remains ON.

  Thereafter, when the downstream end of the document 10A passes the detection position of the sensor 5B as shown in FIG. 5B, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned ON. Then, the downstream end of the document 10A passes through the reading position of the document reading unit 7, and image reading of the document 10A by the document reading unit 7 is started. When the upstream end of the document 10A moves away from the pickup roller 6 and the downstream end of the document 10A reaches the high-speed conveyance roller 8, the document 10B comes into contact with the pickup roller 6.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3C, the document 10B is fed from the document table 4 to the conveyance path 9 in a state where the upstream end of the document 10A and the downstream end of the document 10B are overlapped. At this time, the high-speed transport roller 8 transports the document 10A at a transport speed faster than that of the pickup roller 6. Therefore, the overlap between the document 10A and the document 10B decreases as the documents 10A and 10B travel along the transport path 9. .

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4D, the upstream end of the document 10A is separated from the downstream end of the document 10B, and a gap is formed between the document 10A and the document 10B. When the upstream end of the document 10A passes the detection position of the sensor 5B, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned off. When the upstream end of the document 10A passes through the reading position of the document reading unit 7, the document reading unit 7 finishes reading the image of the document 10A.

  Here, the control unit 3 determines whether the document is stopped due to a jam or the like when the detection state of the sensor 5B continues for a certain period of time. After determining the conveyance stop, the control unit 3 generates and outputs notification information corresponding to the combination of detection results of the sensors 5A and 5B. The display unit 2 displays the number of documents to be placed on the document placement table based on the notification information. The displayed contents may be, for example, information indicating the location where the document stays or information indicating the removal procedure of the staying document other than the number of documents.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence between the number of documents to be re-placed on the document placing table 4 displayed on the display unit 2 by the notification information output from the control unit 3 and the detection results of the sensors 5A and 5B. Here, when both the sensor 5A and the sensor 5B detect a document after determining the conveyance stop, the number of documents to be re-placed on the document placing table 4 is displayed as two, and at least one of them does not detect the document. In addition, the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is displayed as one.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the conveyance stop of the document occurs when only one document 10A is placed on the document placing table 4. FIG.

  FIG. 6A is an example in which the document 10A jams in a state where the downstream end of the document 10A is positioned between the sensors 5A and 5B and the upstream end is positioned upstream of the sensor 5A. In this state, only the sensor 5A detects the document 10A, the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON, and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF. In the control unit 3, the conveyance stop is determined because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF for a predetermined period. During this determination time, the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate, but the document 10A maintains a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5A is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10A from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 5B is an example in which the document 10A jams with the downstream end of the document 10A positioned between the sensors 5A and 5B and the upstream end positioned between the sensors 5A and 5B. In this state, the detection signals of the sensors 5A and 5B are both OFF. The controller 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF for a predetermined period. During this determination time, the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate, but the document 10A maintains a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since both the detection signals of the sensors 5A and 5B are OFF, the control unit 3 displays notification information on the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. Output. As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10A from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 6C is an example in which the document 10A jams in a state where the downstream end of the document 10A is positioned downstream of the sensor 5B in the paper feeding direction and the upstream end is positioned between the sensors 5A and 5B. . In this state, only the sensor 5B detects the original 10A, the detection signal of the sensor 5A is OFF, and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON. The controller 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON for a predetermined period. During this determination time, the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate, but the document 10A maintains a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 for displaying on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10A from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the conveyance stop of the document 10A occurs when two documents 10A and 10B are placed on the document placing table 4. FIG.

  FIG. 6A is an example in which the document 10A jams in a state where the downstream end of the document 10A is located between the sensors 5A and 5B and the upstream end is located upstream of the pickup roller 6. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF. The control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned off for a predetermined period. During this determination time, the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate, but the document 10A maintains a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5A is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10A from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 5B is an example in which the document 10A jams in a state where the downstream end of the upstream conveyance path 9A is positioned downstream of the sensor 5B and the upstream end overlaps the downstream end of the document 10B in the upstream conveyance path 9A. . In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON and the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON. Since the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON for a predetermined period, the control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop. During this determination time, the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate, but the document 10A maintains a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since both the detection signals of the sensors 5A and 5B output ON, the control unit 3 displays notification information for displaying on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is two. Output to part 2. As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is two. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process in which the original 10A and the original 10B are removed from the conveyance path 9 and placed on the original table 4 again.

  FIG. 6C shows a state in which a paper gap is formed between the upstream end of the document 10A and the downstream end of the document 10B in the downstream conveyance path 9B, and the upstream end of the document 10A is located upstream of the sensor 5B. This is an example in which the document 10A jams. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON and the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON. The control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON for a predetermined period. Since the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8 rotate during this determination time, the document 10A is maintained in the conveyance stopped state, while the document 10B is conveyed by the pickup roller 6 and the gap between the documents 10A is maintained. Clogged. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since both of the detection signals of the sensors 5A and 5B are turned ON, the control unit 3 displays notification information on the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is two. Output to. As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is two. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process in which the original 10A and the original 10B are removed from the conveyance path 9 and placed on the original table 4 again.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the conveyance stop of the document 10B occurs when two documents 10A and 10B are placed on the document placing table 4. FIG.

  FIG. 6A is an example in which the document 10B jams in the upstream conveyance path 9A in a state where the upstream end of the document 10A and the downstream end of the document 10B overlap. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON and the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON. Even if the document 10B is jammed, the document 10A is continuously conveyed by the high-speed conveyance roller 8, and thereafter, the document 10A is conveyed and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned OFF. The control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned off for a predetermined period. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5A is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10B from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 5B is an example in which the document 10B jams in a state where a paper gap is formed between the upstream end of the document 10A and the downstream end of the document 10B in the downstream conveyance path 9B. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5B is OFF and the detection signal of the sensor 5A is ON. Even if the document 10B is jammed, the document 10A is continuously conveyed by the high-speed conveyance roller 8, and thereafter, the document 10A is conveyed. The control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned off for a predetermined period. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5A is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 to display on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10B from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  FIG. 6C is an example in which the document 10B jams in a state where a paper gap is formed between the upstream end of the document 10A and the downstream end of the document 10B in the downstream conveyance path 9B. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor 5A is OFF and the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON. Even if the document 10B is jammed, the document 10A is continuously conveyed by the high-speed conveyance roller 8, and thereafter, the document 10A is conveyed. The control unit 3 determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor 5B is ON for a predetermined period. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit 3 outputs a control signal for stopping the document conveyance of the pickup roller 6 and the high-speed conveyance roller 8. Since only the detection signal of the sensor 5B is turned ON, the control unit 3 outputs notification information to the display unit 2 for displaying on the display unit 2 that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 4 is one. . As a result, the display unit 2 displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the document 10B from the conveyance path 9 and placing it on the document table 4 again.

  As described above, in the document reading apparatus 1, based on the detection results of the documents by the two sensors, the sensor 5A and the sensor 5B, notification regarding the number of documents remaining in the apparatus when the continuous conveyance is stopped. The user can be prompted to remove the original. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus by reducing the number of sensors, and to perform continuous conveyance while realizing a reduction in the bug occurrence rate due to simplification of control and an early development.

  Next, an embodiment of a digital multi-function peripheral will be described as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the digital multifunction machine 11. The digital multi-function peripheral 11 can selectively perform a copy mode, a facsimile mode, a printer mode, and the like. In the copy mode, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 reads an image of a document and prints it on a recording sheet. In the facsimile mode, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 reads an image of a document and transmits it via a public line, or receives an image via a public line and prints it on a recording sheet. In the printer mode, the digital multi-function peripheral 11 prints an image received from the information terminal device through the network on recording paper.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 11 includes a document reading device 12 and an image forming unit 13 when roughly classified. The document reading device 12 includes a document placement table 12A and a document delivery table 12B. When operating in the copy mode or the facsimile mode, the document reading device 12 reads a document image from a document placed on the document placement table 12A, and the document delivery table 12B. Paper is discharged. The image forming unit 13 includes a recording paper document placing table 13A and a recording paper discharging table 13B. When operating in the copy mode or printer mode, the image forming unit 13 applies a document reading device to the recording paper fed from the recording paper document placing table 13A. 12 is formed and discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 13B.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the document reading device 12. The document reading device 12 can operate in a normal reading mode or a continuous reading mode. In the normal reading mode, the document reading device 12 performs a document feeding operation one by one. In the continuous reading mode, the paper feeding operation is continuously performed. Hereinafter, the document reading device 12 will be described focusing on the operation in the continuous reading mode.

  The document reading device 12 includes a housing 21, a pickup roller 22, a separation roller 23, a high-speed conveyance roller 24, a high-speed conveyance roller 25, a paper discharge roller 26, sensor units 27 </ b> A and 27 </ b> B, a platen unit 28, and a document reading unit 29. . The pickup roller 22, the rolling roller 23, the high-speed transport rollers 24 and 25, and the paper discharge roller 26 are driven by a single drive motor (not shown).

  The casing 21 has a paper feed port 21A and a paper discharge port 21B. A document placing table 12A is provided at the paper feed port 21A. A document discharge table 12B is provided at the discharge port 21B. In the housing 21, a pickup roller 22, a separation roller 23, a high-speed conveyance roller 24, a high-speed conveyance roller 25, and a paper discharge roller 26 are arranged in this order from the paper supply port 21A to the paper discharge port 21B, and the main conveyance path is formed. It is configured.

  The pickup roller 22 corresponds to a paper feeding member of the present invention, and is provided at the distal end of an arm (not shown) whose base end is connected to the rolling roller 23, and can move up and down and rotate in conjunction with the rolling roller 23. It is configured. The separation roller 23 regulates the thickness of the original that can pass under the roller, and is configured such that even if a plurality of originals are conveyed, a large frictional force is applied to the lower original so that the original is wound. Yes. The roller 23 is configured so that the rotation of the drive motor is transmitted through a one-way gear, rotates clockwise when the drive motor rotates forward, and stops rotating when the drive motor rotates backward. Further, when a solenoid (not shown) is turned on while the rotation of the whirling roller 23 is stopped, the whirling roller 23 is maintained in a state of being stopped while the solenoid is on. When the pick-up roller 22 is in the raised position, the pickup roller 22 is configured to move to the lowered position when the rotation starts from the state in which the rolling roller 23 has stopped rotating by the forward rotation of the drive motor. Moreover, when it exists in a descent | fall position, when the roller 23 will be in the state which stopped rotation by reverse rotation drive of the drive motor, it is comprised so that it may move to a raise position.

  The high-speed conveyance roller 24 is a high-speed conveyance member of the present invention, and is provided upstream of the document reading unit 29 in the main conveyance path, and is configured to transmit the rotation of the drive motor. Specifically, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, and rotates in the clockwise direction when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction. In addition, the gear ratio is set so that the document is conveyed at a higher speed than the separating roller 23, and the nip force is stronger than that of the separating roller 23. Therefore, even if the trailing edge of the document gripped by the high-speed transport roller 24 is gripped by the scooping roller 23, the document is transported at high speed without being limited by the transport speed by the scooping roller 23. As a result, the document conveyed by the high-speed conveyance roller 24 has a high conveyance speed, and the document held by the high-speed conveyance roller 24 is separated from the downstream end of the subsequent document between the separation roller 23 and the high-speed conveyance roller 24. A paper gap is formed between the originals. For this reason, the downstream conveyance path 40B and the upstream conveyance path 40A of the present invention are configured in the main conveyance path.

  The high-speed conveyance roller 25 is provided on the downstream side of the document reading unit 29 in the main conveyance path, and conveys the document at the same speed as the conveyance roller 24. Further, the planetary gear connected between the forward drive and the reverse drive of the drive motor is switched, so that it rotates counterclockwise regardless of the forward drive and reverse drive of the drive motor. It is configured. A driven roller 25B is provided below the transport roller 25, and the transport roller 25 and the driven roller 25B constitute a part of the main transport path. Further, a driven roller 25C is provided above the conveying roller 25, and the conveying roller 25 and the driven roller 25C reverse the document conveying direction to feed the document to the main conveying path on the upstream side of the document reading unit 29. It constitutes a part of the reverse conveying path to be carried out.

  The paper discharge roller 26 is provided immediately before the paper discharge port 21B of the housing 21, and rotates clockwise when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction and rotates counterclockwise when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction.

  The sensor unit 27A includes a swinging piece that is swingably provided and a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the swinging piece. The sensor unit 27A detects the original placed on the original placement table 12A by detecting the swinging piece in contact with the original with the sensor. The sensor unit 27B is also composed of a swinging piece provided so as to be swingable and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the swinging piece. By detecting the swinging piece in contact with the document by the sensor, high speed conveyance is performed. The document gripped by the roller 25 is detected.

  The document reading unit 29 is provided at a document reading position on the main transport path, faces the platen unit 28 downstream of the high-speed transport roller 24, and reads an image from the document transported between the platen unit 28.

  The original reading device 12 continuously performs a paper feeding operation during the operation in the continuous reading mode, continuously reads one-sided images from a plurality of originals, and discharges them.

  When operating in the continuous reading mode, the drive motor is driven to rotate forward. As the drive motor rotates forward, the pickup roller 22 rotates clockwise at the lowered position in contact with the document, and feeds the document placed on the document placement table 12A to the main conveyance path. The winding roller 23 rotates in the clockwise direction, and feeds the fed document to the downstream side of the main conveyance path. When a plurality of documents are overlapped and fed, the document is wound. The high-speed conveyance roller 24 rotates counterclockwise and sends the conveyed document to the downstream side of the main conveyance path. The peripheral surface of the high-speed conveyance roller 24 moves faster than the pickup roller 22 and the separation roller 23, increases the conveyance speed of the document held by the separation roller 23, and pulls out the rear end of the document from the separation roller 23. And a subsequent document. The sensor unit 27B detects the document gripped by the transport roller 24. The document reading unit 29 reads an image of the conveyed document. The high-speed conveyance roller 25 rotates counterclockwise and conveys the document downstream of the main conveyance path. The discharge roller 26 rotates in the clockwise direction and discharges the document to the document discharge table 12B.

  In the original reading device 12, a reverse conveyance path is provided above the high-speed conveyance roller 25 in order to enable reading of images from both sides of the original in the normal reading mode. When reading an image from both sides of the document, the upstream end of the document from which the single-sided image is read is transported to the downstream side of the high-speed transport roller 25, and then the drive motor is driven in reverse to transport the document to the reverse transport path.

  In this document reading device 12, a control unit (not shown) determines that the document has stopped being conveyed due to a jam or the like on condition that the detection state of the sensor unit 27B continues for a certain period of time. In this case, notification information corresponding to the combination of the detection results of the sensor units 27A and 27B is generated after the conveyance stop is determined, and the display unit displays the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A. Here, the correspondence between the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A and the detection results of the sensor units 27A and 27B is the same as in FIG. When both the sensor unit 27A and the sensor unit 27B detect a document when determining conveyance stop, the number of documents to be placed on the document table 12A is displayed as two, and at least one of them does not detect the document. The number of documents to be placed on the document table 12A is displayed as one.

  When stopping the continuous conveyance operation in the continuous reading mode, for example, when the control unit determines that the conveyance is stopped due to a jam or the like, the document reading device 12 temporarily drives the drive motor in the reverse direction. As a result, the pickup roller 22 moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the peripheral surface of the pickup roller 22 moves away from the document, and the feeding of the document to the main conveyance path is stopped.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which document conveyance stops due to a jam or the like.

  Only one original 30A placed on the original table 12A is placed with its downstream end positioned between the sensor unit 27A and the sensor unit 27B, and with its upstream end positioned upstream of the sensor unit 27A. 30A is an example of jamming. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is ON, and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is OFF. The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned off for a predetermined period. During this determination time, the drive motor is driven in the normal direction, but the document 30A is maintained in a state where conveyance is stopped due to a jam. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction to move the pickup roller 22 to the raised position. At this time, since only the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is turned ON, the control unit outputs notification information to the display unit to display on the display unit that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A is one. To do. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the original 10A from the conveyance path and placing it on the original table 12A.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where continuous conveyance of a document occurs.

  Of the originals 30A and 30B placed on the two original placement tables 12A, the subsequent original 30B is located at the downstream end of the original between the sensor unit 27A and the sensor unit 27B, and the upstream end of the original is the sensor unit 27A. This is an example in which the document 30B jams while being conveyed until it is positioned upstream of the original. When the jam shown in FIG. 5A occurs, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is turned on and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned on. The document 30A continues to be conveyed by the high-speed conveyance rollers 24 and 25 until the conveyance stop is determined. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5B, the document 30A is conveyed and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned off. . The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned off for a predetermined period. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction. Since only the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is turned ON, the control unit outputs notification information for displaying on the display unit that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A is one. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the original 30B from the conveyance path and placing it on the original table 12A.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where continuous conveyance of a document occurs.

  Of the originals 30A, 30B, and 30C placed on the original placing table 12A, the original 30A jams in a state where the upstream end of the original 30A is positioned upstream of the sensor unit 27B. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is ON, and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON. The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON for a predetermined period. Also during this determination time, the drive motor is driven to rotate forward, the original 10B is conveyed, and the gap between the original 10B and the original 10A is blocked. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction. Since both the detection signals of the sensor unit 27A and the sensor unit 27B are turned ON, the control unit displays notification information on the display unit to display on the display unit that the number of documents to be placed on the document table 12A is two. Output. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is two. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the original 30A and the original 30B from the conveyance path and placing them on the original table 12A.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where continuous conveyance of a document occurs.

  This is an example in which the document 30A jammed in a state where the document 30A placed on one document table 12A is positioned upstream of the sensor unit 27A. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is OFF and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON. The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON for a predetermined period. The drive motor is driven during this determination time, but the document 30A is maintained in a state where conveyance is stopped due to a jam. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction. Since only the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned ON, the control unit outputs notification information that causes the display unit to display that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A is one. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the original 30A from the conveyance path and placing it on the original table 12A.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where continuous conveyance of a document occurs.

  Of the originals 30A, 30B, and 30C placed on the original placement table 12A, the upstream end of the original 30A is located between the separation roller 23 and the high-speed conveyance roller 24, and the downstream end is downstream of the sensor 27B. This is an example in which the document 30A is jammed in a positioned state. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is ON, and the detection signal of the sensor 27B is ON. The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON for a predetermined period. The drive motor is driven during this determination time, but the document 30A is maintained in a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction. Since both the detection signals of the sensor unit 27A and the sensor unit 27B are turned ON, the control unit displays notification information on the display unit to display on the display unit that the number of documents to be placed on the document table 12A is two. Output. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is two. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the originals 30A and 30B from the conveyance path and placing them again on the original table 12A.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state where continuous conveyance of a document occurs.

  A state in which the document upstream end of one document 30A placed on the document table 12A is located between the separation roller 23 and the high-speed conveyance roller 24, and the document downstream end is located downstream of the high-speed conveyance roller 24. This is an example of jamming. In this state, the detection signal of the sensor unit 27A is OFF and the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON. The control unit determines the conveyance stop because the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is ON for a predetermined period. The drive motor is driven during this determination time, but the document 30A is maintained in a state where conveyance is stopped. After the determination time has elapsed, the control unit outputs a control signal for temporarily driving the drive motor in the reverse direction. Since only the detection signal of the sensor unit 27B is turned ON, the control unit outputs notification information for displaying on the display unit that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table 12A is one. As a result, the display unit displays that the number of documents whose conveyance has been stopped is one. Therefore, the user who sees this display is urged to perform a return process of removing the original 30A from the conveyance path and placing it on the original table 12A.

  As described above, the document reading device 12 notifies the user of the number of documents remaining in the device when continuous conveyance stops based on the detection results of the documents by the two sensors, and removes the document to the user. Processing can be prompted. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus by reducing the number of sensors, and to perform continuous conveyance while realizing a reduction in the bug occurrence rate due to simplification of control and an early development.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a document reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram for explaining a normal operation of the document reading apparatus. FIG. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the sensor detection result of the same document reading apparatus and notification information. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a document reading device provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example when conveyance of the document reading apparatus is stopped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Document reading apparatus 2 ... Display part 3 ... Control part 4 ... Document mounting base 5A, 5B ... Sensor 6 ... Pickup roller 7 ... Document reading part 8 ... High-speed conveyance roller 9A ... Upstream conveyance path 9B ... Downstream conveyance path 11 ... Digital Multifunction machine 12 ... Document reading device 12A ... Document placement table 12B ... Document discharge table 21 ... Case 22 ... Pickup roller 23 ... Peeling rollers 24, 25 ... High-speed transport roller 26 ... Discharge rollers 27A, 27B ... Sensor unit 28 ... Platen section 10, 30 ... manuscript

Claims (4)

A document table on which a plurality of documents can be placed;
A sheet feeding member provided above and below the document table so as to be vertically movable and rotatable;
An upstream conveyance path through which a plurality of documents fed by the sheet feeding member are conveyed without a gap between the sheets;
A downstream conveyance path that is provided downstream of the upstream conveyance path and that conveys a plurality of documents carried in from the upstream conveyance path in a state in which a sheet interval is formed between the documents;
A high-speed conveyance member that is provided in the downstream conveyance path and conveys a document at a higher speed than the paper feeding member;
An upstream sensor that is provided on the upstream conveyance path or the document table and detects the presence or absence of a document;
A downstream sensor that is provided in the downstream conveyance path apart from the upstream sensor by a distance longer than a dimension in the conveyance direction of the document, and detects the presence or absence of the document;
A document reading unit that is provided further downstream than the downstream side sensor of the downstream conveyance path and reads an image of a document;
When the detection state by the downstream sensor is maintained for a certain period of time, the upstream sensor after the conveyance stop control is performed, and the conveyance stop control for stopping the document conveyance by the paper feeding member and the high-speed conveyance member is performed. And a control unit that outputs notification information according to a combination of detection results of the downstream sensor,
A notification unit that performs notification according to the notification information input from the control unit,
If the upstream side sensor and the downstream side sensor both detect a document after the conveyance stop control, the control unit indicates that there are a plurality of documents to be placed on the document placing table. The broadcast information of
Document reader. The downstream side sensor is provided at a position away from the paper feeding member on the downstream side by a distance shorter than a dimension in the document conveyance direction,
If only the upstream sensor detects a document after the conveyance stop control, the control unit outputs notification information indicating that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table is one. ,
The document reading device according to claim 1. If only the downstream sensor detects a document after the conveyance stop control, the control unit outputs notification information indicating that the number of documents to be placed on the document placing table is one. ,
The document reading device according to claim 2. A document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an image forming unit that forms an image read by the document reading unit of the document reading device on a recording sheet.
The control unit is provided in the image forming unit, and stops the operation of the image forming unit during the conveyance stop control.
Image forming apparatus.

Images