JP2012171789A - Image reader and sheet material conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet material conveying device which does not require a detection sensor to be provided at all of opening parts.SOLUTION: The sheet material conveying device includes: opening parts 11, 12a into which a sheet material can be introduced; a sheet material detecting sensor 114 for detecting the sheet material in the opening part 11; a roller 154 for taking in the sheet material introduced from the opening parts 11, 12a; a driving part 15 for rotatingly driving the roller 154; a CPU 50 for controlling the rotary drive of the driving part 15; and an encoder 16 for detecting rotation of the roller 154. The CPU 50 detects the sheet material in the opening part 12a by the encoder 16 detecting the rotation of the roller 154.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet material conveying technique for conveying a sheet-like medium.

  As an example of the sheet material conveying apparatus, there is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) type image reading apparatus capable of continuously reading stacked sheet-like media (sheet materials). An ADF type image reading apparatus is capable of carrying out image reading processing by separating sheet materials of a predetermined size one by one and continuously automatically feeding them, so that a large amount of media is automatically conveyed. Can be read.

  On the other hand, when the sheet material is a thin medium, a film-like medium, or a medium different from commonly used paper such as a card, it may not be suitable for automatic paper feeding. Therefore, for media that are not suitable for automatic paper feeding, manual feeding from the discharge unit side is performed, and the sheet material is introduced into the apparatus by reversing the transport direction of the transport system from the normal time. Proposals have been made to enable reading (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-284478 JP 2008-270954 A

  In the image reading apparatus capable of introducing a sheet material from a plurality of openings as described above, a detection sensor is provided in the vicinity of each opening to detect the introduction of the sheet material. However, in order to provide the detection sensor, it is necessary to secure a space for disposing a mechanism including the detection sensor in the vicinity of the opening, and the apparatus becomes larger accordingly.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet material conveying apparatus that detects and conveys a sheet material in each opening without providing a detection sensor in at least one opening. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that detects and conveys a sheet material in each opening without providing a detection sensor in at least one opening.

  A sheet material conveying apparatus according to the present invention includes a first opening and a second opening into which a sheet material can be introduced, a sheet material detecting means for detecting a sheet material in the first opening, and a second opening. A take-in roller for taking in the sheet material introduced from the drive, a drive means for rotationally driving the take-in roller, a control means for controlling the rotation of the drive means, and a rotation detection means for detecting the rotation of the take-in roller The control means is characterized in that the rotation detecting means detects the rotation of the take-in roller to detect the sheet material of the second opening.

  The sheet material of the second opening can be detected without providing a detection sensor for detecting the sheet material in the vicinity of the second opening.

1A and 1B are an external view and a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the encoder by one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of the conveyance control of the sheet material by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on an image reading apparatus which is one form of a sheet material conveying apparatus. However, the present invention is also applicable to other forms of sheet material conveying apparatuses.

  FIG. 1A is an external view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus taken along line II in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus includes a conveyance / reading unit 10 having a mechanism for reading the image while conveying the sheet material M1 and the sheet material M2, and storage units 20 and 21 arranged on both sides thereof. For example, the drive unit 15 and the encoder 16 of FIG. 2 are stored in the storage unit 20. In the storage unit 21, for example, the CPU 50, the image reading control unit 51, the drive control unit 52, and the state detection unit 53 of FIG. 2 are stored.

  The sheet material M1 is, for example, paper. The sheet material M2 is, for example, a medium that is narrower and thicker than the sheet material M1, and is, for example, a plastic card.

  A paper feed tray 111 is provided at one end of the conveyance / reading unit 10 so as to be openable and closable. When the sheet feeding tray 111 is opened, the opening 11 (first opening) into which the sheet material M1 can be introduced is opened on the upper end side of the image reading apparatus. On the other hand, a discharge unit 12 from which the sheet material M1 is discharged is formed at the other end of the conveyance / reading unit 10. For example, in the present embodiment, a part of the discharge unit 12 also serves as an opening 12a (second opening) into which the sheet material M2 is manually introduced. In the present embodiment, the opening 12a has a height that is larger than that of the other part of the discharge unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, an automatic paper feeder (ADF) is disposed in the opening 11. The ADF includes a paper feed tray 111 on which a plurality of sheet materials M1 are stacked, a paper feed roller 112, and a separation pad 113. The paper feed roller 112 is a take-in roller for taking in the sheet material M1 located in the lowermost layer among the sheet materials M1 stacked on the paper feed tray 111. Further, the separation pad 113 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 112. The sheet material M1 fed along with the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 112 is taken in between the separation pad 113 and the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller 112 to automatically separate and feed one sheet at a time. Can do. A sheet material detection sensor 114 that detects whether or not the sheet material M1 is placed on the paper feed tray 111 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 11. The sheet material detection sensor 114 is an optical sensor including, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence of the sheet material M1 by blocking the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. can do. Further, for example, a member such as a lever that interlocks with the stacking of the sheet material M1 may be provided, and this member may detect the presence of the sheet material M1 by blocking an optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet material detection sensor 114 notifies the CPU 50 of the presence or absence of the detected sheet material.

  A conveyance path (conveyance space) RT in which the sheet materials M1 and M2 are conveyed is disposed over substantially the entire area of the conveyance / reading unit 10. Referring mainly to FIG. 1B, the sheet material conveying mechanism includes a sheet feeding roller 112, a conveying roller pair including a conveying roller 152 and a driven roller 151, and a conveying roller including a conveying roller 154 and a driven roller 153. A pair.

  One or a plurality of these rollers are provided in the left-right width direction of the conveyance / reading unit 10, and the sheet material M1 introduced from the opening 11 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. It is transported in the transport path RT in the direction and discharged from the discharge unit 12.

  Image reading units 13 and 14 are arranged in the middle of the conveyance path RT from the opening 11 to the discharge unit 12. The image reading units 13 and 14 are units that read the images from the sheet materials M1 and M2 conveyed in the conveyance path RT, and extend over substantially the entire left and right width direction of the conveyance / reading unit 10. . The image reading units 13 and 14 are, for example, optically scanned, converted into electrical signals and read as image data, and include a light source such as an LED, an image sensor, a lens array, and the like.

  The image reading unit 13 reads the upper surfaces of the conveyed sheet materials M1 and M2, and the image reading unit 14 reads the lower surfaces of the conveyed sheet materials M1 and M2, respectively. The image reading unit 14 is disposed on the bottom side of the transport route RT on the top side. In the present embodiment, the configuration is such that both sides of the sheet materials M1 and M2 are read in this way, but one side of the image reading units 13 and 14 may be arranged to read one side.

  Here, in the conveyance of the sheet material M1 from the opening portion 11 to the discharge portion 12, the sheet material is formed at the bent portion RTw between the paper feed roller 112 and the conveyance roller pair (the conveyance roller 152 and the driven roller 151). M1 is curved and conveyed. Accordingly, it is difficult to transport card-like media (particularly thick media, high-rigid media, etc.). Therefore, the sheet material M2 is taken into the apparatus from the opening 12a by the conveyance roller 154 that also functions as a sheet material take-in roller, and then conveyed to the image reading units 13 and 14 to read the image, and the opening is opened again. It is made to discharge | emit from the part 12a. By bending the conveyance path RT of the sheet material M1 in this way, the height dimension, depth dimension, etc. of the image reading apparatus can be reduced, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

  Subsequently, a control mechanism of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The drive unit 15 is, for example, a motor that is rotated by a drive signal from the drive control unit 52, and rotates the transport rollers 152 and 154. The paper feed roller 112 may be driven by the drive unit 15 or may be driven by a drive unit different from the drive unit 15. The CPU 50 controls the drive control unit 52 to rotate the drive unit 15 in order to convey the sheet material M1 introduced from the opening 11 toward the image reading units 13 and 14. The rotation direction of the driving unit 15 for conveying the sheet material M1 toward the image reading units 13 and 14 is referred to as a first rotation direction. In order to convey the sheet material M2 introduced from the second opening 12a to the image reading units 13 and 14, the CPU 50 controls the drive control unit 52 to make the drive unit 15 reverse to the first rotation direction. The direction is rotated in the second rotation direction. After reading the sheet material M2 by the image reading units 13 and 14, the CPU 50 reverses the rotation direction of the driving unit 15 to the first rotation direction, and discharges the sheet material M2 from the discharge unit 12. Note that the image reading is performed by the image reading control unit 51 controlling the image reading units 13 and 14 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 50.

  The state detection unit 53 and the encoder 16 constitute a rotation detection unit that determines whether or not the drive unit 15 is rotating and the rotation direction thereof. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating shaft 165 of the encoder 16 is configured to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing as the driving unit 15 rotates. Further, the slit plate 163 is also rotated by the rotation of the rotating shaft 165. Further, the light detection units 161 and 162 are arranged so as to sandwich the slit plate 163. The light detection units 161 and 162 include a light emitting element and a light receiving element that face each other with the slit plate 163 interposed therebetween. The slit plate 163 is provided with one or more slits 164. When the slit 164 passes through the light detection units 161 and 162 due to the rotation of the slit plate 163, the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting elements facing each other. Receive light.

  The light detection units 161 and 162 output the light reception state of the light receiving element, that is, whether or not light is received to the state detection unit 53. When the light receiving states of the light receiving elements of the light detection units 161 and 162 do not change, the state detection unit 53 determines that the drive unit 15, that is, the transport rollers 152 and 154 are stopped. On the other hand, when the light receiving states of the light receiving elements of the light detection units 161 and 162 change, the state detection unit 53 determines that the transport rollers 152 and 154 are rotating. In this case, the state detection unit 53 determines the rotation direction from the phase difference between the light receiving states of the light receiving elements of the light detection units 161 and 162. Furthermore, the state detection unit 53 can detect the rotation amount of the drive unit 15 from the number of transitions of the light receiving state. In the present embodiment, the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the slit plate 163, and the light receiving element detects the light from the light emitting element at the position of the slit 164. However, for example, a blocking plate is provided at the slit position in FIG. 3 and nothing is provided at the slit plate 163, whereby the light receiving element detects that the light from the light emitting element is blocked. There may be. Further, in FIG. 3, one slit 164 is provided in the slit plate 163, but the number and arrangement thereof are not limited to this. The light detection units 161 and 162 are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees, but the angle is arbitrary as long as the rotation direction can be determined from the phase difference between the light reception states of the light detection units 161 and 162.

  Subsequently, a control method of the drive unit 15 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that at the start, the CPU 50 does not instruct the drive control unit 52 to drive the drive unit 15 and is not in the transport standby state. In the conveyance standby state, the CPU 50 detects that the sheet material has been introduced from the opening 11, and the CPU 50 is waiting for the reception of the image reading instruction signal that triggers the conveyance of the detected sheet material. State.

  In step S <b> 1, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the sheet material detection sensor 114 detects the sheet material M <b> 1 on the paper feed tray 111, that is, the opening 11. When the sheet material M1 is detected, the CPU 50 enters a conveyance standby state of the sheet material M1 in step S2. On the other hand, when the sheet material M1 is not detected, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the state detection unit 53 detects the rotation of the drive unit 15 in the second rotation direction in S6. When the rotation in the second rotation direction is not detected, the CPU 50 returns to S1 and repeats the process. On the other hand, when detecting the rotation of the driving unit 15 in the second rotation direction in S6, the CPU 50 determines that the sheet material M2 is pointed and introduced from the second opening 12a and the conveying roller 154 is rotated. Therefore, the CPU 50 performs the conveyance of the sheet material M2 and the image reading control in S7. Specifically, the CPU 50 instructs the drive control unit 52 to convey the sheet material M2 toward the image reading units 13 and 14, and rotates the conveyance rollers 152 and 154 in the second rotation direction. Further, the CPU 50 controls the image reading control unit 51 to read the image of the sheet material M2 after the sheet material M2 is conveyed to a position where the image reading unit 13 or 14 can read the sheet material M2. Thereafter, the CPU 50 instructs the drive control unit 52 to convey the sheet material M2 toward the discharge unit 12, and rotates the conveyance rollers 152 and 154 in the first rotation direction.

  When the conveyance standby state is set in step S2, the CPU 50 determines whether or not an image reading instruction signal is received in S3. The image reading instruction signal is input by the user from an input unit (not shown) of the image reading apparatus or another apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus. When the image reading signal has not been received, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the conveyance standby state continues in step S4. If the transport standby state continues, the process returns to S3. On the other hand, when the conveyance standby state is not continued, the CPU 50 returns to the process of S1. Whether or not the conveyance standby state is continued is determined by whether or not the sheet material detection sensor 114 detects the sheet material M1 of the opening 11. That is, if the sheet material detection sensor 114 does not detect the sheet material M1 in the opening 11, the CPU 50 determines that the conveyance standby state is not continued.

  When the CPU 50 receives the image reading instruction signal in step S3, the CPU 50 performs conveyance of the sheet material M1 and image reading control in step S5. Specifically, the CPU 50 instructs the drive control unit 52 to convey the sheet material M1 toward the image reading units 13 and 14, and rotates the conveyance rollers 152 and 154 in the first rotation direction. Further, the CPU 50 controls the image reading control unit 51 to read the image of the sheet material M1 after the sheet material M1 is conveyed to a position where the image reading units 13 and 14 can read the sheet material M1. Thereafter, the CPU 50 instructs the drive control unit 52 to convey the sheet material M1 toward the discharge unit 12.

  With the above configuration, the sheet material introduced from the opening portion 12a can be detected without providing a detection sensor for detecting the sheet material in the vicinity of the opening portion 12a into which the sheet material can be introduced. Therefore, a space for providing a detection sensor is not required in the vicinity of the opening 12a, and the apparatus can be miniaturized. Further, by performing the control shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance of the sheet material introduced from the opening portion 11 and the conveyance of the sheet material introduced from the opening portion 12a are exclusively controlled. That is, when the CPU 50 detects the sheet material M1 in the opening 11, the CPU 50 does not control the drive unit 15 to take in the sheet material M2 in the opening 12 into the apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 50 detects the sheet material M2 of the opening 12a based on whether or not the driving unit 15 is rotating in the second rotation direction. However, the CPU 50 may be configured to detect the sheet material M2 of the opening 12a when the driving unit 15 is rotating regardless of the rotation direction. In this case, the encoder 16 in FIG. 3 may be provided with only one of the light detection units 161 and 162. Further, in the above-described embodiment, when it is detected that the sheet material M2 is introduced into the opening 12a, the conveyance and reading control of the sheet material M2 is performed as it is. However, a configuration may be adopted in which after the sheet material M2 is detected, the CPU 50 enters a standby state and the CPU 50 starts image reading control after receiving an image reading instruction signal by a user operation.

  Note that the conveyance roller pair including the conveyance roller 154 and the driven roller 153 is mounted with its interval adjusted so that the sheet material M2 is gripped when the sheet material M2 is manually introduced. Alternatively, the conveyance roller pair including the conveyance roller 154 and the driven roller 153 may be configured to grip the sheet material M2 by narrowing the interval when the sheet material M2 is detected. The interval between the conveying roller 154 and the driven roller 153 is changed by the CPU 50 controlling a position adjusting mechanism of the conveying roller 154 or the driven roller 153 (not shown). Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a sheet material stacking base such as the paper feed tray 111 on the opening 12a side.

  In performing image reading control, in order to detect that the sheet material is in a position that can be read by the image reading units 13 and 14, detection for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material in the vicinity of the image reading units 13 and 14 is performed. A sensor is provided. When these detection sensors detect the presence of the sheet material, if the sheet material in the opening 12a is detected, the CPU 50 outputs an unillustrated warning indicating that the sheet material is present in the transport path RT. It can also be output from the section.

  In addition, a sheet material detection sensor is not provided in the vicinity of the image reading units 13 and 14, but a sheet material conveyance amount is obtained based on a rotation amount that can be acquired from the encoder 16, and the sheet material is obtained by the image reading units 13 and 14. It may be configured to determine that it is in a readable position.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sheet material M2 is narrower and thicker than the sheet material M1, but the sheet material M2 does not have to be different from the sheet material M1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the structure which expands the height of a part of discharge part 12, and does not provide the opening part 12a may be sufficient. That is, the whole discharge part 12 may be used as the opening 12a.

Claims (6)

A first opening and a second opening into which the sheet material can be introduced;
Sheet material detection means for detecting the sheet material of the first opening;
A take-in roller for taking in the sheet material introduced from the second opening;
Drive means for rotationally driving the take-in roller;
Control means for controlling the rotational drive of the drive means;
Rotation detection means for detecting rotation of the take-in roller;
With
The sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the control means detects the sheet material of the second opening by detecting the rotation of the take-in roller by the rotation detecting means. When the sheet material detection unit detects the sheet material of the second opening when the sheet material detection unit does not detect the sheet material of the first opening, the control unit detects the second opening. The rotation of the driving means is controlled so as to take in the sheet material of the part, and the sheet material of the second opening is detected when the sheet material detection means detects the sheet material of the first opening. Even if detected, the rotation of the take-in roller is not controlled so as to take in the sheet material of the second opening,
The sheet material conveying apparatus according to claim 1. The take-in roller rotates in the first rotation direction when conveying the sheet material introduced from the first opening,
The control means detects the sheet material of the second opening when the rotation detection means detects rotation in a direction opposite to the first rotation direction.
The sheet material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material conveying apparatus is a sheet material conveying apparatus. The control means outputs a warning when detecting the sheet material of the second opening when another sheet material is present in the sheet material conveyance path,
The sheet material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material conveying apparatus is a sheet material conveying apparatus. When the control means detects the sheet material of the second opening, the control means grips the sheet material by the take-in roller.
The sheet material conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet material conveying apparatus is any one of the above.   An image reading apparatus comprising the sheet material conveying device according to claim 1.

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