JP2011071592A - Image reading device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately continue processing according to the position of an original if mismatching of the original size occurs and a user instructs continuity of processing. <P>SOLUTION: An image reading device includes: a conveyance unit 37 for conveying the original placed on an original tray 11 so that the original passes through a register position and a read position on a first conveyance path 31 in order; a read unit 70 for reading an image of the original at the read position; a reception unit for receiving an instruction whether a series of processing in progress currently continues when the original placed on the original tray 11 is conveyed and when mismatching occurs between the original size detected before start of conveyance and that detected during conveyance; and a control unit 90 for performing control so that operation of each unit is changed when the reception section receives an instruction of continuation of the series of processing according to whether occurrence time of the mismatching is prior to pass time when the front end of the original under conveyance passes through a reference position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-151867 discloses a document tray on which documents of different sizes can be placed simultaneously, a first guide and a second guide for positioning documents of different sizes placed on the document tray, A document feeder having a sensor for detecting the size of a document placed simultaneously with reference to the position of a guide is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a notification means for notifying that when a mismatch occurs between the size and orientation of image information to be imaged and the sheet selected to form the image information, When the notification means indicates that inconsistency has occurred, the selection means for selecting whether or not to continue image formation as it is, and when the selection means selects to continue image formation, image formation is performed. An image forming apparatus including a control unit that performs control so as to execute an operation is disclosed.

  In Cited Document 3, when an automatic magnification selection function or an automatic paper size selection function is selected, there is a determination means for determining the consistency between the selected function and the document size and the paper size. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a display unit that displays a message to that effect when it is determined that there is a match.

JP 2004-48282 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2222019 JP-A-10-301449

  An object of the present invention is to issue a “continue processing” instruction from a user when conveying a document when there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of conveyance and the size of the document detected during conveyance. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of appropriately continuing the subsequent processing in accordance with the position of the document on the document transport path.

The invention described in claim 1
An original placement section where the original is placed;
A transport unit that transports a document placed on the document placement unit through a reference position set in the middle of the document transport path and a reading position set downstream of the reference position in the document transport direction. When,
A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed by the conveyance unit at the reading position;
When a document placed on the document placement unit is transported by the transport unit, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during transport, A reception unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to continue a series of processing;
Control means for controlling the operation of each unit including the transport unit, the reading unit, and the receiving unit,
The control means is configured to continue the series of processes in the receiving unit depending on whether or not the occurrence time of the misalignment is before the passage time when the leading edge of the document being conveyed passes the reference position. The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that performs control so as to change the operation of each unit when an instruction is received.

The invention described in claim 2
When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops the document upstream of the reference position in the document transport direction, and continues the series of processes in that state. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after receiving an instruction to that effect, the operation of each unit is controlled so that conveyance of the original is resumed and an image of the original is read.

The invention according to claim 3
When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit continues to convey the document and reads the image of the document, and then stops conveying the document. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of each unit is controlled so that the conveyance of the original is resumed after receiving an instruction to continue a series of processes.

The invention according to claim 4
When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops reading the image of the document, stops conveying the document, and continues the series of processes in that state. After receiving the instruction, the operation of each part is performed so as to read the image of the original by performing the reverse conveyance for returning the read surface of the original to the original and the re-conveyance for feeding the original again to the reference position. The image reading device according to claim 1 to be controlled.

The invention described in claim 5
It has a display that displays the screen,
When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops reading the image of the document, stops conveying the document, and continues the series of processes in that state. After the instruction is received, the conveyance of the document is resumed and the document is once discharged, and a guidance screen for continuing the series of processes is displayed on the display unit, and then the display content of the guidance screen is displayed. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of each unit is controlled such that when the operation based on the operation is performed, the conveyance of the document is started and the image of the document is read.

The invention described in claim 6
A document transport device for transporting a document;
An image reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by the document conveying device;
An image recording device for recording an image of a document read by the image reading device on a recording medium,
The document conveying device includes:
An original placement section where the original is placed;
A transport unit that transports a document placed on the document placement unit through a reference position set in the middle of the document transport path and a reading position set downstream of the reference position in the document transport direction. When,
A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed by the conveyance unit at the reading position;
When a document placed on the document placement unit is transported by the transport unit, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during transport, A reception unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to continue a series of processing;
Control means for controlling the operation of each unit including the transport unit, the reading unit, and the receiving unit,
The control means is configured to continue the series of processes in the receiving unit depending on whether or not the occurrence time of the misalignment is before the passage time when the leading edge of the document being conveyed passes the reference position. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs control so as to change the operation of each unit when an instruction is received.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the document is transported, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during the transport, It is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of receiving the “continuation” instruction and appropriately continuing the subsequent processing in accordance with the position of the document on the document transport path.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a mismatch occurs between the size of the document detected before the start of conveyance and the size of the document detected during conveyance, the conveyance of the document is resumed and A series of processing can be continued using image information.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of conveyance and the size of the document detected during the conveyance, the document read before stopping the conveyance of the document A series of processing can be continued by utilizing the image information.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a mismatch occurs between the size of the document detected before the start of conveyance and the size of the document detected during conveyance, the image reading is stopped and the document is conveyed. Even when the operation is stopped, the image of the original can be read again and a series of processing can be continued.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of conveyance and the size of the document detected during the conveyance, image reading is stopped and the document is conveyed. Even when the document is stopped and the document is discharged, a series of processes can be continued by re-reading the image of the document.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a document is transported, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during transport, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus that can receive a “continue” instruction and can continue the subsequent processing appropriately in accordance with the position of the document on the document transport path.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a advice screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a advice screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of a processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a guidance screen.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications and improvements have been made within the scope of deriving specific effects obtained by the constituent requirements of the invention and combinations thereof. Including form.

<Definition of terms>
In the embodiment of the present invention, specific terms will be described after defining terms as follows.

  “Original size (dimension)” is defined by “original width” and “original length”. “Original width” refers to the original size in the “main scanning direction” when reading and scanning an original image in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and “original length” refers to the original size in the “sub-scanning direction”. Say. In terms of the document transport direction, “document width” refers to the document size in the direction orthogonal to the document transport direction, and “document length” refers to the document size in the document transport direction. Therefore, the “document width direction” corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction, and the “document length direction” corresponds to the document conveyance direction.

  The “main scanning direction” refers to a direction in which the original and the scanning body relatively move when an image of the original is read using an optical system (lamp, mirror, etc.) mounted on the scanning body such as a carriage. The vertical direction. The “sub-scanning direction” refers to a direction in which the document and the scanning body relatively move when an image of the document is read using an optical system mounted on the scanning body. For this reason, the “main scanning direction” is a direction orthogonal to the “sub-scanning direction”. The “main scanning direction” corresponds to a direction (document width direction) orthogonal to the document conveyance direction, and the “sub-scanning direction” corresponds to the document conveyance direction (document length direction).

  “Document leading edge” refers to the edge of the document placed facing the downstream side in the document transport direction, and “Document trailing edge” refers to the document edge positioned facing the upstream side in the document transport direction. Say. The “side edge of the document” refers to the document edge in a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction.

<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Embodiment of Present Invention>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 generally includes an image recording device 110 and an image reading device 10.

  The image reading apparatus 10 is disposed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100. The image recording apparatus 110 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image reading device 10 optically reads an image of a document and converts the read image into an image signal. The image recording device 110 records an image on a recording medium P such as paper based on the image signal converted by the image reading device 10.

  Here, the configuration of the image recording apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121 at the lower portion thereof.

  The recording medium storage units 120 and 121 store recording media P of different sizes. For example, the recording medium accommodating unit 120 accommodates a B5 size recording medium P, and the recording medium accommodating unit 121 accommodates a B4 size recording medium P.

  Immediately above the leading end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121, the recording medium P rotates in contact with the leading end side of the upper surface of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P is sent out from the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121. A delivery roll 126 is disposed.

  In the image recording apparatus 110, a conveyance path 122 is formed that extends from the leading ends of the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121, curves in an S shape, and extends toward the top of the image recording apparatus 110.

  A plurality of (for example, six) pairs of conveyance rolls 164 and registration rolls 168 are arranged along the conveyance path 122 in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Each of the transport roll pairs 164 and the resist roll 168 transports the recording medium P in a sandwiched state.

  An image recording unit 130 that records an image on the recording medium P is disposed above the recording medium accommodating unit 121. The image recording unit 130 is configured to form (print out) an image on the recording medium P based on an electrophotographic method as an example of a recording method.

  The recording medium P accommodated in the recording medium accommodation units 120 and 121 is sent out by the delivery roll 126, transported through the transport path 122 by the transport roller pairs 164 and the resist roll 168, and sent to the image recording unit 130.

  The image recording unit 130 forms a color image on the recording medium P sent from the recording medium storage units 120 and 121 using, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toners. Incidentally, in addition to forming a color image, the image recording unit 130 may form a black and white image using black toner.

  The image recording unit 130 is provided with four photosensitive drums 112 that can be rotated side by side. Each photoconductive drum 112 is rotated in the direction of arrow K by a driving unit (not shown).

  A charging roll 114 is disposed at a lower left portion of each photosensitive drum 112 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 112. The charging roll 114 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 to a predetermined potential.

  After charging, exposure is performed by light emitted from each exposure head 116 disposed below each photosensitive drum 112, and a latent image corresponding to the image signal converted by the image reading device 10 is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112. Formed.

  The developing roller 119 of each color developing device 118 holds toner of each color charged to a predetermined polarity. The latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 112 is developed by applying a developing bias to the developing roll 119 and becomes a toner image of each color.

  Each color toner image formed on each of the four photosensitive drums 112 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 113 disposed above each of the photosensitive drums 112 by the first transfer roll 115, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 113. To be a full-color toner image.

  The recording medium P sent out from the recording medium storage units 120 and 121 and conveyed by the conveyance roll pair 164 is sent between the second transfer roll 132 and the intermediate transfer roll 134 by the registration roll 168 at a predetermined timing, and is full color. The toner image is transferred to the recording medium P. At this time, the toner image is transferred to the surface of the recording medium P on the intermediate transfer roll 134 side.

  The recording medium P on which the full-color toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 136. The fixing device 136 fixes the toner image on the recording medium P with heat and pressure. The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 140 by the discharge roll 142.

  Note that the toner image is not completely transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 113 and the recording medium P, and a part of the toner image remains on the photosensitive drum 112 and the intermediate transfer belt 113 as residual toner. Residual toner on the photosensitive drum 112 is removed by a cleaning roll 144, and residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 113 is removed by a cleaning device 138.

<Configuration of Image Reading Apparatus According to Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Next, the configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a function as a document conveying device that conveys a document in addition to a function of reading a document image. An upper part of the image reading apparatus 10 is provided with a document tray 11 as an example of a document placement unit on which a document is placed, and a tray lifter 12 that raises and lowers the document tray 11. The document tray 11 is maintained in a stopped state at the same position (height) during document conveyance (from conveyance start to conveyance completion). Normally, a document bundle in which a plurality of documents are collectively overlapped is placed on the document tray 11, but only one document may be placed. In addition, on the document tray 11, not only documents of the same size but also a plurality of documents (document bundles) having at least one of the document length and document width defining the document size are simultaneously placed (mixed). ) Is possible.

  The image reading apparatus 10 includes a transport unit 37 that transports documents placed on the document tray 11 in order from the topmost document, a read unit 70 that reads an image of the document transported by the transport unit 37, and a read unit 70. And a processing device 80 for processing an image signal based on the image of the original document.

  The transport unit 37 includes a feed roll 13 and feed roll pairs 14 and 15. Further, the transport unit 37 serves as a transport path for transporting a document, as a first transport path 31, a second transport path 32, a third transport path 33, a fourth transport path 34, a fifth transport path 35, and a sixth transport path. 36. The conveyance unit 37 conveys the document so as to sequentially pass through a reference position and a reading position described later.

  The feeding roll 13 is held at a position retracted upward so as to be separated from the original tray 11 during standby when no original is placed on the original tray 11. When document conveyance is started with the document placed on the document tray 11, the document is lowered from the retracted position to contact the uppermost surface of the document, and the document is fed from the document tray 11 by rotating in this state. .

  The feeding roll 13 sequentially feeds the document placed on the document tray 11 raised by the tray lifter 12 from the topmost document. The pair of feed rolls 14 and 15 feeds the originals fed by the feed roll 13 one by one to the downstream side in the transport direction.

  The first conveyance path 31 is a conveyance path through which a document placed on the document tray 11 is first sent. In the first transport path 31, in addition to the delivery roll pairs 14 and 15, the takeaway roll 16, the pre-registration roll 17, the registration roll 18, the platen roll 19 and the out roll 20 are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path. Arranged in order. The first transport path 31 is provided with a baffle 41 that rotates around a fulcrum according to the loop state of the transported document.

  The takeaway roll 16 conveys the originals separated and sent one by one by the delivery roll pairs 14 and 15 toward the downstream roll. The pre-registration roll 17 conveys the original conveyed by the takeaway roll 16 toward the further downstream roll, and the original by a predetermined conveyance amount with the leading edge of the conveyed original abutting against the registration roll 18. , A so-called loop is formed in which the document is bent in a loop shape before (upstream side) the registration roll 18. When forming the document loop, the baffle 41 is displaced so as to escape outward from the fulcrum as a center, thereby functioning so as not to prevent the document loop formation.

  The registration roll 18 once stops the progress of the original by abutting against the registration roll 18, and then resumes rotation at a preset timing, and supplies the original while adjusting the registration to the reading unit 70. To do. The registration roll 18 is provided at a position in the middle of the first transport path 31 as an example of a reference position. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the position where the registration roll 18 is provided corresponds to the “reference position”. The platen roll 19 assists the conveyance of the document being read (passing through the second platen glass 72B). The out roll 20 conveys the read original further downstream.

  The second conveyance path 32 and the third conveyance path 33 are branched on the downstream side of the out-roll 20. A switching gate 42 is provided at a branch portion of the second conveyance path 32 and the third conveyance path 33. The switching gate 42 switches the path of the document conveyed by the out-roll 20 to the second conveyance path 32 or the third conveyance path 33.

  A first discharge roll 21 is provided at the end of the second transport path 32. The first discharge roll 21 discharges the document transported to the second transport path 32 onto the discharge tray 40. The first transport roll 21 is provided to be rotatable in both directions.

  A fourth conveyance path 34 is formed on the downstream side of the third conveyance path 33 for switching back the document that has passed through the third conveyance path 33. The fourth conveyance path 34 is provided with an inverter roll 22 and an inverter pinch roll 23 for switching back the document. The document switchback is performed to reverse the relationship between the front and back of the document.

  The fifth conveyance path 35 includes a fourth conveyance path 34 and a first conveyance path 31 for guiding the document switched back by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth conveyance path 34 to the first conveyance path 31. Are connected.

  The sixth transport path 36 and the second transport path 32 are used to guide the document switched back by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth transport path 34 to the second transport path 32. Are connected. A second discharge roll 24 is arranged in the middle of the sixth transport path 36. The second discharge roll 24 is rotatably provided in both directions.

  The switching gate 43 switches the path of the document switched back by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth transport path 34 to the fifth transport path 35 or the sixth transport path 36.

  The reading unit 70 is provided in the lower part of the image reading apparatus 10. The reading unit 70 has a configuration for optically reading an image of a document conveyed by the conveyance unit 37. As an example of a document table, a first platen glass 72A and a second platen glass 72B are provided on the upper part of the apparatus frame 71 forming the casing of the reading unit 70.

  The first platen glass 72A serves as a document table for placing a document (including a book) to be imaged in a stationary state and reading an image of the stationary document. The second platen glass 72B serves as a document table for reading an image of a document being transported (moving) when a document to be read is placed on the document tray 11 and transported by the transport unit 37. . The second platen glass 72 </ b> B is disposed on the downstream side of the registration roll 18 and on the upstream side of the out-roll 20 in the document conveyance direction along the first conveyance path 31.

  In the document conveyance direction, the reading unit 70 reads, for example, an image of a document at the intermediate position with the intermediate position of the second platen glass 72B provided with the platen roll 19 as an example of the “reading position”. A full rate carriage 73 and a half rate carriage 75 are incorporated in the apparatus frame 71 of the reading unit 70. The full rate carriage 73 is equipped with an illumination lamp 74 that irradiates light on the original and a first mirror 76A that receives reflected light obtained from the original. The half-rate carriage 75 is equipped with a second mirror 76B and a third mirror 76C that guide the light obtained from the first mirror 76A to the imaging unit.

  The imaging unit is configured using an imaging lens 77 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 78. The imaging lens 77 optically reduces the optical image reflected by the third mirror 76C. The CCD image sensor 78 generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting the optical image formed by the imaging lens 77. The CCD image sensor 78 is mounted on the drive substrate 79. The image signal obtained by the CCD image sensor 78 is sent to the processing device 80 via the drive substrate 79. The processing device 80 is adapted to send an image signal to the exposure head 116.

  When reading an image of a document placed on the first platen glass 72A, the full rate carriage 73 and the half rate carriage 75 move in the scanning direction (arrow direction) at a ratio of 2: 1. At this time, the light of the illumination lamp 74 of the full rate carriage 73 is irradiated on the surface to be read of the document, and the reflected light from the document is reflected in the order of the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C. Guided to the imaging lens 77.

  The light guided to the imaging lens 77 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 78. The CCD image sensor 78 is a one-dimensional sensor and processes one line at the same time. By repeating the reading in the line direction (main scanning direction) in units of one line while the full rate carriage 73 and the half rate carriage 75 moving in the scanning direction are moved, an image for one page of the document is read.

  On the other hand, the second platen glass 72B is constituted by a transparent glass plate having a long plate-like structure, for example. The document conveyed by the conveyance unit 37 passes over the second platen glass 72B. At this time, the full-rate carriage 73 and the half-rate carriage 75 are stopped at the solid line position (left end) shown in FIG. Under this stop state, the image of the document being conveyed is read as follows.

  First, the light of the illumination lamp 74 of the full-rate carriage 73 is irradiated on the surface to be read of the document pressed against the upper surface of the second platen glass 72B by the platen roll 19 of the transport unit 37, and the reflection from the document is performed. The light is reflected in the order of the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C and guided to the imaging lens 77. Similarly to the above, one line is processed simultaneously by the CCD image sensor 78 which is a one-dimensional sensor. By repeating this reading in units of one line while the document moving on the second platen glass 72B is moving (during conveyance), an image for one page of the document is read.

  The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment employs center registration that transports a document with reference to the center position in a direction orthogonal to the document transport direction A and reads the image of the document that is being transported. In realizing this center registration, a pair of document guides 61 and 62 are provided on the document tray 11 for positioning the document as a center distribution in the main scanning direction.

  The pair of document guides 61 and 62 is provided as an example of a positioning member that positions the document placed on the document tray 11 in the document width direction (main scanning direction). Of the pair of document guides 61, 62, one document guide 61 is arranged on the back side as viewed from the standing position of the user who uses (operates) the image forming apparatus 100, and the other document guide 62 is used for the use. It is arranged on the near side when viewed from the standing position of the person. For this reason, in the following description, one document guide 61 is also referred to as a back guide 61 and the other document guide 62 is also referred to as a front guide 62.

  The back guide 61 and the front guide 62 are configured to be movable in a direction (document width direction) perpendicular to the document transport direction A by a slide groove 65 formed in the document tray 11.

  Further, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are respectively abutted against one side (back side) side edge and the other side (front side) side edge of the document so that both side edge positions of the document are aligned. To position the document.

  Further, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are respectively connected to a rack 63 provided on the back side of the document tray 11 (inside the document tray). The rack 63 extending from the back guide 61 and the rack 63 extending from the front guide 62 are engaged with a common pinion 64. As the racks 63 and the pinions 64 are engaged, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are moved in the direction of approaching or separating from each other by the same amount in the document width direction. At this time, if the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are arranged at positions that are equal to the left and right from the center position in the document width direction (if the center is distributed), the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are arranged. The center position between is maintained at the same position even after these guides slide.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading apparatus 10 includes a first document width detection sensor 50 that detects the document width of a document placed on the document tray 11. The first document width detection sensor 50 includes a plurality of optical sensors 54 arranged along a moving body 52 that moves integrally with the back side guide 61 as the back side guide 61 slides.

  The pair of document guides 61 and 62 are simultaneously abutted against both side edges of the document when positioning the document placed on the document tray 11. Therefore, the positions of the document guides 61 and 62 in a state where the document is positioned are positions corresponding to the document width of the document placed on the document tray 11. Accordingly, the first document width detection sensor 50 detects the document width of the document placed on the document tray 11 according to the position of the back guide 61 that moves in the document width direction.

  The moving body 52 is configured by a plate body bent in an L-shaped cross section, and is configured integrally with the rack 63 of the back side guide 61. A plurality of openings 53 are provided in the moving body 52. Each opening 53 is provided at a position different from each other in the moving direction (original width direction) of the moving body 52. In addition, although the several opening 53 is provided in the mobile body 52 here, it may replace with the said opening 53, and may provide a notch (not shown), for example.

  Each of the plurality of optical sensors 54 constituting the first document width detection sensor 50 includes a light emitting unit 54A and a light receiving unit 54B. The portion of the moving body 52 where the opening 53 is formed moves between the light emitting portion 54A and the light receiving portion 54B of each optical sensor 54. In the state where the opening 53 of the moving body 52 is positioned between the light emitting unit 54A and the light receiving unit 54B of the optical sensor 54, the light sensor 54B receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 54A. It becomes a state. Further, when the opening 53 of the moving body 52 is not positioned between the light emitting portion 54A and the light receiving portion 54B of the optical sensor 54, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 54A is blocked by the moving body 52 and the light receiving portion 54B does not receive light. Therefore, the optical sensor 54 is turned off.

  When the number of sensors of the plurality of optical sensors 54 constituting the first document width detection sensor 50 is three, the on / off state of the three optical sensors 54 is switched in eight patterns depending on the positions of the document guides 61 and 62. The relative positional relationship between each opening 53 of the moving body 52 and each optical sensor 54 is set.

  More specifically, first, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 3, the three optical sensors 54 are arranged in order from the side closer to the front guide 62, the optical sensor 54-1, the optical sensor 54-2, and the optical sensor 54-. 3, and the four openings 53 formed in the moving body 52 are distinguished from the opening 53-1, the opening 53-2, the opening 53-3, and the opening 53-4 in order from the side closer to the front guide 62. .

  In such a case, the patterns of the on / off states of the three optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, 54-3 are eight patterns as shown in Table 1 below according to the positions of the document guides 61, 62. It corresponds to any one of.

  In Table 1, pattern 1 is a pattern in which the optical sensor 54-1 is on and the optical sensors 54-2 and 54-3 are off. Pattern 2 is a pattern in which all of the optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, 54-3 are turned off. Pattern 3 is a pattern in which the optical sensors 54-1 and 54-3 are off and the optical sensor 54-2 is on. Pattern 4 is a pattern in which the optical sensors 54-1 and 54-2 are on and the optical sensor 54-3 is off.

  The pattern 5 is a pattern in which the optical sensors 54-1 and 54-3 are turned on and the optical sensor 54-2 is turned off. Pattern 6 is a pattern in which the optical sensors 54-1 and 54-2 are off and the optical sensor 54-3 is on. Pattern 7 is a pattern in which the optical sensor 54-1 is off and the optical sensors 54-2 and 54-3 are on. The pattern 8 is a pattern in which the optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, and 54-3 are all turned on.

  In this way, by utilizing the difference in the on / off state patterns of the optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, 54-3, the positions of the document guides 61 and 62 are identified by the difference in the on / off pattern. It becomes possible to grasp in which position it exists. The document guides 61 and 62 are simultaneously abutted against both side edges of the document when positioning the document placed on the document tray 11. Therefore, the positions of the document guides 61 and 62 in a state where the document is positioned are positions corresponding to the document width of the document placed on the document tray 11.

  Therefore, it is possible to detect the document width of the document placed on the document tray 11 depending on which of the above eight patterns the on / off state of the three optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, 54-3 described above corresponds to. Become. However, when documents of different sizes are placed on the document tray 11, the document guides 61 and 62 are abutted against both side edges of the document with the maximum width to position the document. For this reason, the document width of the document detected using the first document width detection sensor 50 (the optical sensors 54-1, 54-2, 54-3) is the document width of the documents placed on the document tray 11. Corresponds to the document width of the document with the maximum (hereinafter referred to as “maximum document width”).

  The configuration of the first document width detecting unit that detects the document width of the document placed on the document tray 11 is not limited to the above configuration, and for example, based on the rotation amount and rotation direction of the pinion 64 The document width of the document positioned by the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 may be detected by recognizing the positions of the guide 61 and the near side guide 62.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the document width of the document transported separated from the document tray 11 by the transport unit 37 in the vicinity of the downstream side of the feed roll 14 in the first transport path 31. A second document width detection sensor 66 for detecting the above is provided.

  The second document width detection sensor 66 is configured by using, for example, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) reflective optical sensors. The second document width detection sensor 66 determines the arrangement interval of each sensor in consideration of the detection of the document width of the document expected to be placed on the document tray 11.

  For example, it is distinguished from the first, second, third, fourth from the detection sensor 66 on the side (inner side) close to the center position that is the reference for center distribution in the document width direction (main scanning direction). Then, when a document having a document width corresponding to a short size (182 mm) of A5 size is conveyed, only the first detection sensor 66 is turned on, and a document corresponding to a short size (210 mm) of A4 size is turned on. When a document with a width is transported, the second detection sensor 66 is turned on, and when a document with a document width corresponding to a short size of B4 size (257 mm) is transported, the detection with the third sensor is performed. When the sensor 66 is turned on and a document having a document width corresponding to a short size of A3 size (297 mm) is conveyed, each of the four detection sensors 66 is in a positional relationship that satisfies the condition for turning on. Sen 66 are arranged by shifting the position in the document width direction.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, when the originals G1 and G2 of different sizes are mixedly loaded on the original tray 11, the inner side edge of each of the originals G1 and G2 is brought into contact with the inner side guide 61 and the original G1. The second document width detection sensor 66 is disposed closer to the front guide 62 on the assumption that the side end positions on the back side of G2 are aligned, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although not shown, the second document width detection sensor 66 is moved to the back side on the premise that the side edge on the near side of each document is brought into contact with the near side guide 62 to align the position of the side edge on the near side of the document. You may arrange | position near the side guide 61. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a document length detection sensor 56 that detects the document length of the document placed on the document tray 11 is provided. The document length detection sensor 56 detects the document length of the document placed on the document tray 11 on the document tray 11. Regardless of the size of the document, all the documents are placed on the document tray 11 with the leading end positions of the documents aligned. Therefore, the trailing edge position of the document depends on the document length of the document placed on the document tray 11. That is, when comparing a document with a long document length and a document with a short document length, the trailing edge position of the document with a long document length is located farther from the feeding roll 13 than the trailing edge position of the document with a short document length. It will be a thing.

  The document length detection sensor 56 is configured using, for example, a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of reflection type optical sensors. The document length detection sensor 56 determines the arrangement interval of each sensor in consideration of the detection of the document length of the document expected to be placed on the document tray 11.

  For example, counting from the detection sensor 56 on the side close to the feeding roll 13 in the document length direction, when distinguished from the first, second, third, and fourth, it corresponds to the short dimension (182 mm) of A5 size. When a document having a document length to be placed is placed on the document tray 11, only the first detection sensor 56 is turned on, and a document having a document length corresponding to the A4 size short dimension (210 mm) is placed on the document tray 11. In this case, up to the second detection sensor 56 is turned on, and when a document having a document length corresponding to the short dimension (257 mm) of B4 size is placed on the document tray 11, up to the third detection sensor. 56 is turned on, and when a document having a document length corresponding to a short size of A3 size (297 mm) is placed on the document tray 11, the positional relationship that satisfies the condition that all four detection sensors 56 are turned on. Each sensor 56 is arranged by shifting the position in the document length direction.

  When documents of different sizes are placed on the document tray 11, the number of optical sensors that are turned on among the plurality of optical sensors constituting the document length detection sensor 56 is determined by the size of the document having the maximum document length. Therefore, the document length of the document detected on the document tray 11 using the document length detection sensor 56 is the document length of the document having the maximum document length among the documents placed on the document tray 11 (hereinafter, “ Maximum document length ").

  The document detection sensors 68 and 69 are provided in the middle of the first transport path 31. The document detection sensor 68 is disposed downstream of the feed roll pairs 14 and 15 and upstream of the takeaway roll 16 in the document transport direction. The document detection sensor 69 is disposed downstream of the pre-registration roll 17 and upstream of the registration roll 18 in the document transport direction. Document detection sensors 68 and 69 detect the passage of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document that is transported separately from the document tray 11 by the transport unit 37 at each sensor position. The document detection sensors 68 and 69 are configured using, for example, reflection type optical sensors.

  The first document width detection sensor 50, the second document width detection sensor 66, the document length detection sensor 56, and the document detection sensors 68 and 69 are electrically connected to the control unit 90, respectively. The detection signals of the first document width detection sensor 50, the second document width detection sensor 66, the document length detection sensor 56, and the document detection sensors 68 and 69 are individually taken into the control unit 90. .

  The control unit 90 is configured by using computer hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, for example. The control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100 including the image reading apparatus 10 by, for example, reading the control program stored in the ROM or hard disk into the RAM and executing it. For this reason, the operation of various rolls of the transport unit 37, the switching operation of the gate, and the like are controlled by the control unit 90. The control unit 90 controls the operation of each unit including at least the transport unit 37 and the reading unit 70 described above, and a display unit and a reception unit described later. Details of the operation control will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an operation panel 58 as an example of an operation unit operated by a user who uses (operates) the image forming apparatus 100 is provided on the surface of the casing of the image reading apparatus 10. The operation panel 58 includes a display panel 59 as an example of a display unit. The operation panel 58 also serves as a reception unit that receives various instructions from the user.

  Here, the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment does not allow conveyance of a document of a different size and a conveyance mode that permits conveyance of a document of a different size (hereinafter, “mixed mode”) (in other words, the same size). A conveyance mode (hereinafter, referred to as “normal mode”) that allows conveyance of only a document of a size is provided.

  In the present embodiment, in the mixed loading mode, originals of different sizes are simultaneously stacked and placed on the original tray 11, the originals are conveyed one by one from the original bundle, and the image of the original is read.

  The mixed loading mode is set by the user selecting through the operation panel 58. When the mixed loading mode is selected, the control unit 90 performs processing based on the mixed loading mode.

  In the normal mode, if the document is correctly placed on the document tray 11 and the positions of the document guides 61 and 62 are adjusted accordingly, the detection result of the document width by the first document width detection sensor 50 and the document length There is no particular problem even if the document size is specified based on the detection result of the document length by the detection sensor 56. However, in the mixed loading mode, since different size originals are placed on the original tray 11 at the same time, the size of the original specified from the detection result of the first original width detection sensor 50 and the detection result of the original length detection sensor 56, and actually In some cases, the sizes of documents conveyed from the document tray 11 do not match (align).

  Therefore, in the mixed loading mode, in addition to the detection result of the first document width detection sensor 50 and the detection result of the document length detection sensor 56, the detection result of the second document width detection sensor 66 and the detection of the document detection sensors 68 and 69 are detected. Based on the result, the size of the document is specified (determined). These detection results are taken into the control unit 90 as an example of information relating to document size detection.

  The size of the document specified by the control unit 90 is an image forming condition applied to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100, for example, a reading range when an image of the document is read by the image reading apparatus 10, or a copy applied to a copy process. This is used to determine the magnification, the size of the recording medium P used for copy processing, and the like.

<Operation of Image Reading Apparatus According to Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, an operation for reading an image of a document placed on the document 11 will be described.

  First, after the document placed on the document tray 11 is fed by the feed roll 13, it is sent to the downstream side of the first transport path 31 by the feed roll pairs 14 and 15. Next, the document is fed to the registration roll 18 through the takeaway roll 16 and the pre-registration roll 17 in this order on the first conveyance path 31. At this time, the leading edge of the document is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roll 18 in the rotation stopped state. Then, by feeding the document by a predetermined amount by the pre-registration roll 17 in the abutting state, the document is bent in a loop shape before the registration roll 18.

  Next, by starting rotation of the registration roll 18 at a preset timing, the document is conveyed toward the image reading position set on the second platen glass 72B. Thereafter, the reading unit 70 reads an image of the document passing through the reading position on the second platen glass 72B.

  Next, the document that has passed over the second platen glass 72B is sent to the downstream side by the out-roll 20. Further, the original is guided from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 32 by the switching gate 42. Finally, the original is discharged onto the discharge tray 40 by the first discharge roll 21.

  The above is the operation for reading an image on one side of a document. The operation when reading images on both sides of a document is as follows.

  First, the document that has passed over the second platen glass 72B as described above is sent from the first transport path 31 to the third transport path 33 by the switching gate 42, and then from the third transport path 33 to the fourth transport path 34. To send.

  Next, after the original is switched back by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth conveyance path 34, the original is sent from the fourth conveyance path 34 to the fifth conveyance path 35 by the switching gate 43. The document thus fed into the fifth conveyance path 35 joins the first conveyance path 31 before (on the upstream side) the pre-registration roll 17.

  Thereafter, the image of the document conveyed along the first conveyance path 31 is read in the same manner as described above. Next, the document that has passed over the second platen glass 72B is sent from the first transport path 31 to the third transport path 33 by the switching gate 42, and then sent from the third transport path 33 to the fourth transport path 34. .

  Next, after the document is switched back by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth transport path 34, the document is sent from the fourth transport path 34 to the sixth transport path 36 by the switching gate 43.

  Next, the original is transported toward the first discharge roll 21 by the second discharge roll 24 on the sixth transport path 36. Next, the document is discharged to the discharge tray 41 by the first discharge roll 21.

<First Example of Image Reading Process>
6 to 8 are flowcharts showing a first example of processing procedures of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a processing procedure when an image of a document placed on the document tray 11 is read in the “normal mode” described above will be described.

  First, when starting a series of processes (jobs), the control unit 90 determines whether or not a start button provided on the operation panel 58 has been pressed (step S1). The start button is pressed by the user when instructing the start of a series of processes such as copying and scanning. The “series of processes” described here means that when reading an image of a document placed on the document tray 11, the conveyance of the document is started, the reading of the document is finished, and the document is discharged. The process until the end. Therefore, in a situation where N sheets (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) are placed on the document tray 11, when the conveyance of the document is started, the reading of the N sheets is finished, and the N sheets are scanned. The process until the document discharge is completed is a “series of processes”.

  Next, when determining that the start button has been pressed in step S1, the control unit 90 detects the document width from the positions of the document guides 61 and 62, and determines this as the provisional width W1 of the document (step S2). The document width may be detected by the following mechanism, for example. That is, the data in the correspondence table in which the pattern types in the on / off state of the optical sensor 54 (54-1, 54-2, 54-3) shown in Table 1 and the various document widths are associated with each other is the control data. One is stored in the ROM or hard disk as described above, and the CPU reads the data in the correspondence table therefrom, and detects the document width based on the on / off state pattern type of the optical sensor 54 according to the correspondence table.

  Next, the control unit 90 detects the document length using the document length detection sensor 56, and determines this as the provisional length L1 of the document (step S3). Note that either the process of step S2 or the process of step S3 may be performed first. In step S2 and step S3, the document width and document length of the document are detected before the document conveyance is started. In steps S2 and S3, the document width and document length of the document are detected in a state where the document is placed on the document tray 11, that is, in a state before the document is separated.

  Next, the control unit 90 drives the transport unit 37 to start transporting the document (step S4). As a result, of the documents placed on the document tray 11, the uppermost document is fed by the rotation of the feeding roll 13, and the fed documents are separated one by one by the rotation of the feeding roll pairs 14 and 15. Sent out.

  Next, the control unit 90 checks whether or not the “continuation flag” is on (step S5). The “continuation flag” is, for example, when reading images of N sheets (N is an integer of 2 or more) placed on the document tray 11 during processing such as copying. Until the reading of the image is completed, when the “instruction to continue the process” is received on the operation panel 58, it is turned on. The control unit 90 switches the “continuation flag” on / off setting. In addition, the control unit 90 sets the “continuation flag” to an off state when the image forming apparatus 100 is waiting for an instruction to execute processing such as copying and scanning from the user (standby state). For this reason, at the stage of starting processing such as copying, the initial setting of the “continuation flag” is in an off state.

  If the “continuation flag” is in the on state in step S5, the control unit 90 proceeds to the processing in step S10 described later. If the “continuation flag” is in the off state, the control unit 90 proceeds to the next step. The process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the control unit 90 detects the document width W <b> 2 using the document width detection sensor 66 on the first conveyance path 31. The document width detection sensor 66 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the delivery roll pairs 14 and 15. For this reason, the document width detected by the second document width detection sensor 66 corresponds to the document width of the document that is separated and sent out one by one by the feed roll pairs 14 and 15. In step S5, the document width of the document being conveyed is detected. In step S5, the document width of the document is detected in a state where the document is separated by the delivery roll pairs 14 and 15.

  Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the document width (W1) detected in step S2 and the document width W2 detected in step S6 match (match) (step S7). If it is determined that the document width is aligned, the process proceeds to the next step S8, and if it is determined that the document width is not aligned (that is, if it is determined that a document width mismatch has occurred), it will be described later. The process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S8, the control unit 90 checks whether or not the document length (L2) of the document that has been transported in step S4, that is, the document that is being transported, has been determined. In step S8, the document length of the document being conveyed is detected using document detection sensors 68 and 69. In step S8, the document length of the document is detected in a state where the document is separated by the delivery roll pairs 14 and 15. The document length of the document being conveyed may be detected and determined by the following mechanism, for example.

  First, the document length of the document being conveyed is detected using document detection sensors 68 and 69 provided on the first conveyance path 31 at different positions in the document conveyance direction. In this case, the amount of rotation of the document transport motor after the leading edge of the document being conveyed is detected from the document detection sensor 68 until the document detection sensor 68 detects the passage of the trailing edge of the document. It is proportional to the length. Further, the rotation amount of the document transport motor from the detection of the leading edge of the document being conveyed by the document detection sensor 69 to the detection of the trailing edge of the document by the document detection sensor 68 is also the document length. It is proportional to The rotation amount of the document conveying motor can be detected by using, for example, an encoder.

  Therefore, for example, in the case of a document whose document length is shorter than the transport length from the document detection sensor 68 to the document detection sensor 69 in the document transport direction, the document detection sensor 68 detects the passage of the leading edge of the document and then the document. By detecting the amount of rotation of the document conveying motor before the on-site sensor 68 detects passage of the trailing edge of the document, and converting the motor rotation amount into the document length, the document length is detected (determined). Is possible. Further, in the document conveyance direction, in the case of a document whose document length is longer than the conveyance length from the document detection sensor 68 to the document detection sensor 69, the document detection sensor 68 detects the document passing through the leading edge of the document and then the document detection sensor 68 It is possible to detect (determine) the document length by detecting the amount of rotation of the document conveying motor before detecting the trailing edge of the document and converting the motor rotation amount into the document length. . In the case of a document having a long document length, the leading edge of the document may have passed the position of the registration roll 18 when the document detection sensor 68 detects passage of the trailing edge of the document.

  If it is determined that the document length (L2) is determined in step S8, the control unit 90 determines that the document length (L1) detected in step S3 and the document length (L2) determined (detected) in step S8 are as follows. It is determined whether or not they match (match) (step S9). If it is determined that the document length is aligned, the process proceeds to the next step S10. If it is determined that the document length is not aligned (that is, if it is determined that the document length is mismatched), it will be described later. The process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S10, the control unit 90 controls the reading unit 70 to read an image of the document when the document being conveyed passes the reading position on the second platen glass 72B.

  Next, the control unit 90 feeds the document whose image has been read from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 32, and then the first discharge roll provided at the terminal portion of the second conveyance path 32. Control is performed so that the original is discharged to the discharge tray 40 by the rotation of 21 (step S11).

  Next, the control unit 90 confirms whether or not a document to be transported next remains in the document tray 11 using, for example, a document presence / absence sensor (not shown) provided on the document tray 11 (step S12). . If the next document remains on the document tray 11, the process returns to step S4. If not, a series of processing (for example, copy processing) is completed.

(When the process proceeds to step S13)
In step S13, the control unit 90 controls the transport unit 37 so as to stop the transport of the document. In this case, the control unit 90 stops the document upstream of the position of the registration roll 18 (hereinafter also referred to as “registration position”) in the document transport direction. The state where the document is stopped upstream of the registration position in the document conveyance direction refers to a state where the leading edge of the document is the same as the registration position or upstream of the registration position in the document conveyance direction.

  As described above, “document size mismatch” includes “document width mismatch” and “document length mismatch”. The transition from step S7 to step S13 corresponds to a case where a document width mismatch occurs. In this case, the time when the document width mismatch occurs is before the passage time when the leading edge of the document passes the position of the registration roll 18. The reason for this is that the document width detection sensor 66 is disposed between the feed roll pair 14 and 15 and the transport roll pair 16 in the document transport direction, and the detection result of the document width detection sensor 66 is used to determine the document width. This is because the control unit 90 determines whether or not inconsistency has occurred.

  The process of stopping the conveyance of the document may be performed at any stage as long as the condition that the document is stopped upstream of the registration position in the document conveyance direction is satisfied.

  For example, when document width inconsistency occurs, the conveyance of the document is immediately stopped when the occurrence of the mismatch is recognized (that is, when the leading edge of the document passes the position of the document width detection sensor 66). Processing may be performed. In addition, when the leading edge of the document is abutted against the registration roll 18 and the loop is formed, a process of stopping the document conveyance may be performed. In addition, after the occurrence of the document width mismatch is recognized, the conveyance of the document is stopped at the stage before the leading edge of the document hits the registration roll 18 (for example, when the document detection sensor 69 detects passage of the leading edge of the document). Processing may be performed.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not to continue a series of ongoing processes even if the document width is inconsistent. Control is performed as follows (step S14). As the confirmation screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a “Continue” button and a “Clear” button are displayed together with a confirmation message. The display panel 59 is, for example, a touch panel type. When the user presses one of the buttons, the control unit 90 determines whether the user selects the “Continue” button or the “Clear” button based on the coordinate data of the pressed position. It is a mechanism that can be distinguished by.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays whether a confirmation screen is displayed on the display panel 59 and has received an instruction from the user to continue the series of processing on the operation panel 58, that is, the user displays “ It is determined whether or not the “Continue” button has been selected (pressed operation) (step S15). At this time, when receiving an instruction from the user to continue the series of processing, the control unit 90 sets the “continuation flag” to an on state using the instruction as a trigger. And after controlling the conveyance part 37 so that conveyance of the original document stopped in the said step S13 may be restarted (step S16), it transfers to the process of said step S10. In this case, since the series of processes currently in progress is continued with the “continuation flag” set to ON, the determination result in step S5 is affirmative.

  In step S15, if the user does not receive an instruction to continue the series of processing, that is, if the user selects (presses) the “clear” button on the confirmation screen, the control unit 90 Then, the conveyance unit 37 is controlled so as to stop the series of processes currently in progress and discharge the original on the conveyance path to the discharge tray 40 (step S17).

  Next, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 a advice screen for avoiding the occurrence of document size mismatch for the user, and then returns to a standby state waiting for processing (step S18). In this case, the processing of step S17 and step S18 is performed triggered by the occurrence of document width mismatch. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the advice screen may include a message for prompting alignment of the document guide and a message for prompting setting of the mixed loading mode. Incidentally, when the mixed loading mode is set, a series of processing is performed on the premise that conveyance of originals of different sizes is permitted, that is, inconsistency of original sizes occurs.

(When the process proceeds to step S19)
The transition from step S9 to step S19 corresponds to a case where an inconsistency in document length occurs. In this case, the time when the document length mismatch occurs may be before or after the passing time when the leading edge of the document passes the registration position. In step S19, the control unit 90 determines whether the document has passed the registration position. The state in which the document has passed the registration position refers to a state in which the leading edge of the document exists downstream of the registration position in the document conveyance direction. Therefore, whether or not the document has passed the registration position may be determined based on the following determination criteria, for example.

  That is, when the document is conveyed toward the reading position on the second platen glass 72B, first, the leading end of the document is abutted against the registration roll 18 at the nip portion of the registration roll 18 in the rotation stop state, and then, In the abutting state, a predetermined amount of the original is conveyed and bent in a loop shape, and then the rotation of the registration roll 18 is started at a predetermined timing. For this reason, if it is after the rotation of the registration roll 18 is started, an affirmative determination may be made in step S19, and if it is before the rotation of the registration roll 18 is started, a negative determination may be made in step S19. If a positive determination is made in step S19, the process proceeds to the next step S20. If a negative determination is made in step S19, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S20, the control unit 90 continues the conveyance of the document as it is, and controls the reading unit 70 to read the image of the document when the document being conveyed passes the reading position on the second platen glass 72B. To do.

  Next, after the original has completely passed through the reading position on the second platen glass 72B (after reading the image for one page), the control unit 90 before the original is discharged to the discharge tray 40. In step S21, the conveyance unit 37 is controlled so as to stop the conveyance of the document. The stage before the document is discharged to the discharge tray 40 is a stage before the rear end of the document passes the position of the first discharge roll 21 (the entire document passes through the first discharge roll 21 and is completely transferred to the discharge tray 40. Stage before discharge).

  Next, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not to continue a series of ongoing processes even if the document length is mismatched. Control is performed as follows (step S14). As the confirmation screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a “Continue” button and a “Clear” button are displayed together with a confirmation message.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays whether the operation panel 58 has received an instruction from the user to continue the series of processes while the confirmation screen is displayed on the display panel 59. It is determined whether or not the “Continue” button has been selected (pressed operation) (step S23). At this time, when receiving an instruction from the user to continue the series of processes, the control unit 90 sets the “continuation flag” to an on state using the instruction as a trigger. And after controlling the conveyance part 37 so that conveyance of the original document stopped in said step S21 may be restarted (step S24), it transfers to the process of said step S11. In this case, since the series of processes currently in progress is continued with the “continuation flag” set to ON, the determination result in step S5 is affirmative. Further, before stopping the conveyance in step S21, the image information of the original read in step S20 is stored as valid image information in an image storage unit such as a RAM or a hard disk.

  In step S23, if an instruction to continue the series of processing is not received from the user, that is, if the user selects (presses) the “clear” button on the confirmation screen, the process proceeds to step S17. Transition to processing. In this case, the occurrence of document length inconsistency becomes clear, and the processing in steps S17 and S18 is performed. For this reason, as the advice screen displayed on the display panel 59 in step S18, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, a message for urging attention not to place anything other than the document on the document tray 11 or the setting of the mixed loading mode is prompted. A message may be included.

<Second Example of Image Reading Process>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the processing procedure of the second example, the processing procedure after making a negative determination in step S9 is different from the processing procedure of the first example. For this reason, the flowchart of FIG. 13 shows a processing procedure after a negative determination is made in step S9.

  First, in step S31, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the document has passed the registration position. The determination criterion here may be the same determination criterion as in step S19. If an affirmative determination is made in step S31, the process proceeds to the next step S32. If a negative determination is made in step S31, the process proceeds to step S13 included in the processing procedure of the first example.

  In step S <b> 32, the control unit 90 controls the reading unit 70 and the conveyance unit 37 so as to stop reading the image of the document and stop the conveyance of the document immediately before the discharge. At this time, if the leading edge of the document does not reach the reading position, the document is passed without reading the image on the second platen glass 72B. If the leading edge of the document has reached the reading position, reading of an image by the reading unit 70 is interrupted. The state immediately before the discharge is a state in which the document is sandwiched between the first discharge rolls 21, the leading end of the document is present on the downstream side (discharge tray 40 side) from the first discharge roll 21, and It means a state in which the rear end exists on the downstream side (the first discharge roll 21 side) from the joining position of the second conveyance path 32 and the sixth conveyance path 36.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not to continue a series of ongoing processes even if the document length is mismatched. Control is performed as follows (step S33). As the confirmation screen, for example, as in FIG. 11, the “Continue” button and the “Clear” button are displayed together with the confirmation message.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays whether the operation panel 58 has received an instruction from the user to continue the series of processes while the confirmation screen is displayed on the display panel 59. It is determined whether or not the “Continue” button has been selected (pressed operation) (step S34). At this time, if an instruction to continue the series of processing is not received from the user, that is, if the user selects (presses) the “clear” button on the confirmation screen, the processing procedure of the first example is followed. The process proceeds to included step S17.

  In step S34, when an instruction to continue the series of processes is received from the user, the control unit 90 sets the “continuation flag” to an on state using the instruction as a trigger. Then, the conveyance unit 37 is controlled to perform reverse conveyance for returning the original surface to be read (step S35). The reverse conveyance of the document includes two switchbacks. Specifically, the procedure is as follows.

  First, the first switchback is performed by rotating the first discharge roll 21 in the direction opposite to that during document discharge. Then, the document is fed from the second conveyance path 32 to the sixth conveyance path by the first switchback. Note that when the document is switched back by the reverse rotation of the first discharge roll 21, the document is guided from the second transport path 32 to the sixth transport path 26 without requiring switching of the gate or the like. .

  Next, the controller 90 feeds the document from the sixth transport path 36 to the fourth transport path 34 by the second discharge roll 24, and then the second time by the inverter roll 22 and the inverter pinch roll 23 in the fourth transport path 34. Switch back.

  Next, the control unit 90 controls the conveyance unit 37 so as to perform re-conveyance for re-feeding the original whose surface to be read has been restored by the above-described reverse conveyance to the position of the registration roll 18 (step S36). The document is re-conveyed by switching the path of the document conveyed by the second switchback to the fifth conveyance path 35 by the switching gate 43 and conveying the document toward the pre-registration roll 17.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10 included in the processing procedure of the first example. In this case, since the series of processes currently in progress is continued in a state where the “continuation flag” is set to ON, the determination result in step S5 is affirmative. Further, when the image of the original is read by the reading unit 70 before the conveyance of the original is stopped in step S32, the image information of the read original is stored as invalid image information in an image storage unit such as a RAM or a hard disk. Erase from

  In the above processing procedure, since the document is switched back twice, the original is returned to the first conveyance path 31, and therefore the relationship between the front and back of the original when the takeaway roll 16 conveys the first conveyance path 31. The relationship between the front and back of the document when it is transported on the first transport path 31 by re-transporting after two switchbacks is the same.

<Third Example of Image Reading Process>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing procedure of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the processing procedure of the third example, the processing procedure after the negative determination in step S9 is different from the processing procedure of the first example. For this reason, the flowchart of FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure after a negative determination is made in step S9.

  First, in step S41, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the document has passed the registration position. The determination criterion here may be the same determination criterion as in step S19. If an affirmative determination is made in step S41, the process proceeds to the next step S42. If a negative determination is made in step S41, the process proceeds to step S13 included in the processing procedure of the first example.

  In step S42, the control unit 90 controls the reading unit 70 and the conveyance unit 37 so as to stop reading the image of the document and stop the conveyance of the document (step S42). At this time, if the leading edge of the document does not reach the reading position, the document is passed without reading the image on the second platen glass 72B. If the leading edge of the document has reached the reading position, reading of an image by the reading unit 70 is interrupted. Further, the process for stopping the conveyance of the document may be performed at any stage before the document is discharged onto the discharge tray 41.

  For example, when it is determined in step S41 that the document has passed the registration position, the processing of immediately stopping the document may be performed. Alternatively, a process for stopping the conveyance of the document may be performed when the document has passed the reading position on the second platen glass 72B. In addition, a process of stopping the conveyance of the document may be performed at a stage where the document is being discharged by the first discharge roll 21.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not to continue a series of ongoing processes even if the document length is mismatched. Control is performed as described above (step S43). As the confirmation screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a “Continue” button and a “Clear” button are displayed together with a confirmation message.

  Next, the control unit 90 displays whether a confirmation screen is displayed on the display panel 59, and whether or not the operation panel 58 has received an instruction to continue processing from the user, that is, the user “continues” on the confirmation screen. It is determined whether or not the button has been selected (pressed operation) (step S44). At this time, if the instruction to continue the process is not received from the user, that is, if the user selects (presses) the “clear” button on the confirmation screen, it is included in the processing procedure of the first example. The process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S44, when an instruction to continue the process is received from the user, the control unit 90 sets the “continuation flag” to the on state using the instruction as a trigger. Then, the conveyance unit 37 is controlled so as to resume conveyance of the document stopped in step S42 (step S45).

  Next, the control unit 90 controls the transport unit 37 so that the first discharge roll 21 discharges the document to the discharge tray 40 (step S46).

  Next, the control unit 90 controls the display panel 59 to display a guidance screen for continuing a series of processes (step S47). As the guidance screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a message prompting the user to reset the document or a message prompting the user to operate thereafter is displayed.

  Thereafter, the control unit 90 determines whether an operation based on the display content displayed on the guidance screen (in this example, an operation of pressing the star button) has been performed (step S48). If it is determined that the start button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4 included in the processing procedure of the first example. In this case, since the series of processes currently in progress is continued in a state where the “continuation flag” is set to ON, the determination result in step S5 is affirmative. Further, when the image of the original is read by the reading unit 70 before the conveyance of the original is stopped in step S42, the image information of the read original is invalid image information from an image storage unit such as a RAM or a hard disk. to erase.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the “normal mode” and the “mixed mode” are used as the transport modes applied when transporting the document placed on the document tray 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to those having only “normal mode”.

  In the above embodiment, when it is determined that “continuation” is selected in step S15 or step S23, the continuation flag is set to ON, and thereafter, the determination result in step S5 is affirmative. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a different continuation flag may be set to ON in the case where a document width mismatch occurs and a document length mismatch occurs, and the subsequent processing may be performed by reflecting this setting.

  More specifically, for example, when it is determined that “continuation” is selected in step S15 when the document width mismatch occurs, the first continuation flag is set to ON. When it is determined that “continuation” is selected in step S23 when the document length mismatch occurs, a second continuation flag different from the first continuation flag is set to ON. Further, in place of step S23, the second continuation flag is set to ON even when it is determined that “continuation” is selected in step S34 or step S44. Then, when both the first continuation flag and the second continuation flag are set to ON, the processes of steps S6 to S9 are passed. Further, when only the first continuation flag is set to ON, the processes of steps S6 and S7 are passed, and when only the second continuation flag is set to ON, the processes of steps S8 and S9 are performed. Pass.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading apparatus, 11 ... Document tray, 37 ... Conveyance part, 58 ... Operation panel, 59 ... Display panel, 70 ... Reading part, 90 ... Control part, 100 ... Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

An original placement section where the original is placed;
A transport unit that transports a document placed on the document placement unit through a reference position set in the middle of the document transport path and a reading position set downstream of the reference position in the document transport direction. When,
A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed by the conveyance unit at the reading position;
When a document placed on the document placement unit is transported by the transport unit, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during transport, A reception unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to continue a series of processing;
Control means for controlling the operation of each unit including the transport unit, the reading unit, and the receiving unit,
The control means is configured to continue the series of processes in the receiving unit depending on whether or not the occurrence time of the misalignment is before the passage time when the leading edge of the document being conveyed passes the reference position. An image reading apparatus that controls to change the operation of each unit when an instruction is received. When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops the document upstream of the reference position in the document transport direction, and continues the series of processes in that state. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after receiving an instruction to that effect, the operation of each unit is controlled so as to resume conveyance of the original and read an image of the original. When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit continues to convey the document and reads the image of the document, and then stops conveying the document. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after receiving an instruction to continue a series of processing, the operation of each unit is controlled so as to resume conveyance of the document. When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops reading the image of the document, stops conveying the document, and continues the series of processes in that state. After receiving the instruction, the operation of each part is performed so as to read the image of the original by performing the reverse conveyance for returning the read surface of the original to the original and the re-conveyance for feeding the original again to the reference position. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is controlled. It has a display that displays the screen,
When the occurrence time of the inconsistency is not earlier than the passage time, the control unit stops reading the image of the document, stops conveying the document, and continues the series of processes in that state. After the instruction is received, the conveyance of the document is resumed and the document is once discharged, and a guidance screen for continuing the series of processes is displayed on the display unit, and then the display content of the guidance screen is displayed. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an operation based on the operation is performed, the operation of each unit is controlled so that conveyance of the document is started and an image of the document is read. A document transport device for transporting a document;
An image reading device for reading an image of a document conveyed by the document conveying device;
An image recording device for recording an image of a document read by the image reading device on a recording medium,
The document conveying device includes:
An original placement section where the original is placed;
A transport unit that transports a document placed on the document placement unit through a reference position set in the middle of the document transport path and a reading position set downstream of the reference position in the document transport direction. When,
A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed by the conveyance unit at the reading position;
When a document placed on the document placement unit is transported by the transport unit, if there is a mismatch between the size of the document detected before the start of transport and the size of the document detected during transport, A reception unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to continue a series of processing;
Control means for controlling the operation of each unit including the transport unit, the reading unit, and the receiving unit,
The control means is configured to continue the series of processes in the receiving unit depending on whether or not the occurrence time of the misalignment is before the passage time when the leading edge of the document being conveyed passes the reference position. An image forming apparatus that controls to change the operation of each unit when an instruction is received.

Images