JP2014036367A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of appropriately adjusting a position of a carriage, in an image reader for operating a carrier device and the carriage by the power of one motor.SOLUTION: An image reading device includes a motor, a change-over gear, and a control unit. The change-over gear is changed-over between a carriage side position [a FB (Flat Bed) side position] where a motor side transmission gear is connected to a carriage side transmission gear for transmitting power to the carriage and a carriage part side position [an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) side position] where the motor side transmission gear is connected to the carriage part side transmission gear for transmitting power to a carriage part for carrying a document. A control unit performs: position adjustment processing (step S135) for moving the carriage to a home position; and adjustment determination processing for determining whether position adjustment processing is performed or not based on the combination of presence/absence of change-over of the change-over gear from when last-time reading is performed to when position adjustment processing (steps S120, S125) is carried out, with a this-time reading method (step S115).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus in which a conveying device that conveys a sheet-like document to a reading unit such as a CIS and a carriage that moves the reading unit are operated by power of a single motor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image reading apparatus including a reading optical system (reading unit) such as a CIS that is mounted on a carriage and moves a reading position, for example, an image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this image reading apparatus, it is detected that the carriage is located at a predetermined home position. A density level of a reference white image portion that is provided at a position where the carriage can be read when the carriage is positioned at a predetermined home position and forms a predetermined reference white image is detected, and based on the detected density level. The read image data is corrected.

JP 2010-68397 A

  However, in an image reading apparatus in which a conveying device that conveys a sheet-like document to the reading unit and a carriage that moves the reading unit are operated by the power of a single motor, targets to which the motor power is transmitted are the conveying device and the carriage. In the case of switching at, the carriage may not be located at the assumed position due to insufficient motor torque. In this case, when reading using the carriage (moving reading), there is a disadvantage that the reading start position is shifted.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus that can appropriately adjust the position of a carriage in an image reading apparatus that operates a conveyance device and a carriage with the power of a single motor.

An image reading device disclosed in this specification includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document, a transport unit that transports the document, a carriage that holds the reading unit and moves in a predetermined direction, a motor, and the motor A motor-side transmission gear that transmits the power supplied by the printer, a conveyance-side transmission gear that transmits the power to the conveyance unit, and a carriage that moves the carriage when reading a document that is conveyed by the conveyance unit. A carriage-side transmission gear that transmits the power to the carriage during the moving reading, and the carriage side at the conveyance reading position that is the document reading position during the conveyance reading. The transmission gear side meshes with the conveyance unit side transmission gear at a conveyance unit side position connecting the transmission gear and the conveyance unit side transmission gear, and the motor side transmission gear and the carriage side at the time of the movement reading. A switching gear that is switched so as to mesh with the carriage-side transmission gear at a carriage-side position that couples the transmission gear, a receiving unit that receives an instruction as to whether the reading method is the conveyance reading or the moving reading, and a control unit The control unit is a combination of a position adjustment process for moving the carriage to a predetermined position, the presence or absence of switching of the switching gear between the previous reading and the execution of the position adjustment process, and the current reading method. And an adjustment determination process for determining whether or not to execute the position adjustment process.
According to this configuration, in the image reading apparatus that performs moving reading and conveyance reading with one motor by switching gears, the carriage position adjustment process can be executed only when necessary, not for each reading.

In the image reading apparatus, in the adjustment determination process, the control unit switches the switching gear from the transport unit side position to the carriage side position between the previous reading and the execution of the position adjustment process. And the position adjustment process may be determined to be executed on the condition that the moving reading is instructed as the current reading method.
When the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position, there is a possibility that the carriage may not be positioned at a predetermined position, for example, the moving reading start position, due to fluctuations in motor torque or the like. However, the position adjustment process is performed on the condition that the switching gear is switched from the transport unit side position to the carriage side position and the moving reading is instructed, so that the carriage can be reliably moved during the moving reading. It can be moved to a predetermined position. That is, in the image reading apparatus that operates the conveyance device and the carriage with the power of one motor, the position of the carriage can be adjusted appropriately. This prevents the moving reading start position from being shifted.

The image reading apparatus may further include a position adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the carriage, and the control unit may include the position adjustment unit at a position where the position adjustment unit is provided as the predetermined position in the position adjustment process. The carriage may be moved.
According to this configuration, the carriage, that is, the reading unit can be moved to a position where the white correction data can be acquired along with the carriage position adjustment. Thereby, it can be expected that the time required for obtaining the white correction data can be shortened.

Further, in the image reading apparatus, the control unit rotates the motor in a direction to switch the switching gear from the transport unit side position to the carriage side position before the position adjustment process is performed. The carriage may be moved to the predetermined position by executing a passing process for passing the carriage through the position adjusting unit.
When the switching gear is switched to the carriage side position, the carriage may move beyond the position adjustment unit or may not exceed the position adjustment unit, so that the carriage position adjustment control becomes complicated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the carriage position adjustment control from becoming complicated by starting the carriage position adjustment from a position where the carriage surely exceeds the position adjustment unit reference white background portion.

In the image reading apparatus, the position adjustment unit may be a reference white background unit including a predetermined reference white image.
According to this configuration, the carriage, that is, the reading unit can be moved to a position where the white correction data can be acquired along with the carriage position adjustment. Thereby, it can be expected that the time required for obtaining the white correction data can be shortened.

In the image reading apparatus, the control unit is configured to perform a first switching process for switching the switching gear from the transport unit side position to the carriage side position after completion of the transport reading. The position adjustment process may be executed when the moving reading is instructed after one switching process.
According to this configuration, in the image reading apparatus in which the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position after the conveyance reading is completed, the position adjustment process is reliably executed when the moving reading is instructed as the next reading. it can.

The image reading apparatus further includes a switching storage unit that stores first previous switching information indicating that the first switching process has been executed, and the control unit performs the moving reading after the first switching process. Is configured to further execute a first determination process for determining whether or not the first previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit. In the first determination process, When it is determined that 1 previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit, the position adjustment process may be executed.
According to this configuration, by storing the first previous switching information indicating that the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position, the switching gear is changed from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position. Therefore, the position adjustment process can be executed more reliably.

In the image reading apparatus, the control unit performs a first switching process for switching the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position when the moving reading is instructed after the conveyance reading is completed. The position adjustment process may be executed after the first switching process.
According to this configuration, in the image reading apparatus in which the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position after the conveyance reading is completed, the position adjustment process is reliably executed when the moving reading is instructed as the next reading. it can.

The image reading apparatus may further include an information storage unit that stores previous reading information indicating a previous reading method, and the control unit may transfer the transport information as the previous reading information when the moving reading is instructed. It is configured to further execute a first determination process for determining whether or not the previous reading is stored in the information storage unit, and in the first determination process, the conveyance reading is performed last time. When it is determined that the information is stored in the information storage unit, the first switching process and the position adjustment process may be executed.
According to this configuration, the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position by storing the previous reading information indicating that the switching gear has been switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that the position adjustment has been performed, and to perform the position adjustment process more reliably.

Further, in the image reading apparatus, the control unit is configured to execute a second switching process for switching the switching gear from the carriage side position to the transport unit side position after completion of the moving reading. When the moving reading is instructed after the two switching process, the position adjustment process may be executed by switching the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position.
According to this configuration, in the image reading apparatus in which the switching gear is switched from the carriage side position to the conveying unit side position after the moving reading is completed, when the moving reading is instructed as the next reading, the switching gear is set to the conveying unit side position. The position adjustment processing can be executed reliably by switching from the carriage position to the carriage position.

The image reading apparatus further includes a switching storage unit that stores second previous switching information indicating that the second switching process has been executed, and the control unit performs the moving reading after the second switching process. Is configured to further execute a second determination process for determining whether or not the second previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit. In the second determination process, 2. When it is determined that the previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit, the switching gear may be switched from the transport unit side position to the carriage side position and the position adjustment process may be executed.
According to this configuration, by storing the second previous switching information indicating that the switching gear is switched from the carriage side position to the conveyance unit side position, the switching gear is changed from the carriage side position to the conveyance unit side position. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that the switching gear has been switched to, and more reliably switch the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position to execute the position adjustment process.

In the image reading apparatus, the motor is a stepping motor, and the control unit controls the number of driving steps of the motor and moves the carriage to the predetermined position when executing the position adjustment process. You may make it make it.
According to this configuration, the carriage position can be adjusted simply by the number of drive steps, and control relating to the carriage position adjustment can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, in the image reading apparatus in which the conveyance unit and the carriage are operated by the power of one motor, the position of the carriage can be adjusted appropriately.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multifunctional machine containing an image reading apparatus 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the case where a planetary gear exists in FB side position Explanatory drawing showing the case where the planetary gear is at the ADF side position Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the MFP 6 is a flowchart illustrating reading processing according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating reading processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating reading processing according to the third embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
Next, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

1. 1 is a multifunction peripheral device having a printer function, a scanner (document reading) function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image reading device 3 for reading a document above the main body 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device 3 includes a reading unit 30, a carriage 34, an automatic document feeder (ADF) device 40, a document placing unit 50, a reading drive unit 60 (see FIG. 5) and the like. . As an image reading method, the image reading apparatus 3 moves a carriage 34 to read an image (hereinafter referred to as “FB (flatbed) reading”), and conveying units 44, 44A, and 45 (see FIG. 2). And the conveyance reading (hereinafter referred to as “ADF reading”) for reading the document 5 conveyed by the above-mentioned. The image reading device 3 is not limited to a part of the multifunction device 1. For example, the image reading device may be a single scanner device or a copier.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the document placement section 50 includes an underframe 51, a first platen glass 52 made of a transparent glass plate, a second platen glass 53, and an intermediate frame disposed between the glasses 52 and 53. 54. The upper surface of the first platen glass 52 is covered with a rotatable document cover 48.

  The intermediate frame 54 is provided with a home position detection mark (an example of a position adjustment unit) 55. The mark 55 is, for example, a white tape (an example of a reference white background portion) 55A arranged in the sub-scanning direction and a black color. And tape 55B. A position where the data read by the reading unit 30 changes from black to white (or from white to black) is detected as a home position HP (an example of a predetermined position). Here, the home position HP may be a position where the reading unit 30 waits when the reading unit 30 is not executing an image reading process for reading an image of the document 5 placed on the first platen glass 52. In addition, it is set as a reference position for movement control of the carriage 34 when performing an FB (flat bed) reading operation.

  That is, when the driving amount (in this embodiment, the number of driving steps) for driving the motor 62 after the reading unit 30 detects the home position HP reaches a predetermined driving amount, the first platen glass 52 by the reading unit 30 is used. Scanning of the document 5 placed on is started. In other words, when the motor 62 is driven by a predetermined number of FB reading start steps and the reading unit 30 reaches the reading start position PS shown in FIG. 2 from the home position HP, the reading unit 30 scans the document 5. To start. When the motor 62 is driven by a predetermined number of FB reading end steps and the reading unit 30 reaches the reading end position PE shown in FIG. 2 from the home position HP, the reading unit 30 scans the document 5. finish. Thus, the home position HP is set as a reference position when the reading unit 30 performs reading scanning. Therefore, the home position HP detection process is performed as an example of the initialization process of the reading unit 30.

  The document cover 48 is pivotable between a closed posture covering the first platen glass 52 and an open posture opening the first platen glass 52 (the operation unit 11 and the display unit). The side on which 12 etc. are provided is connected to the front side). An ADF device 40 is provided on the document cover 48. A cover sensor 13 for detecting the open / close state of the document cover 48 is provided above the main body 2 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF apparatus 40 includes an ADF cover 41, a document tray 42, a transport path 43, various rollers such as a transport roller 44, a paper feed roller 44 </ b> A, and a paper discharge roller 45, and the top surface of the document cover 48. Including a paper discharge tray 46. The ADF device 40 conveys the originals 5 placed on the original tray 42 one by one, passes them over the second platen glass 53, and discharges them to the paper output tray 46. Further, a rear sensor (an example of a sensor) 47 such as a photosensor for detecting the document 5 conveyed by the conveyance roller 44 and a front such as a photosensor for detecting the document 5 set on the document tray 42. A sensor 49 is provided.

  The rear sensor 47 is provided in the conveyance path 43 on the upstream side of the document conveyance with respect to the reading unit 30. On the document tray 42, when there are a plurality of documents 5, the first document 5 and the subsequent document 5 following the first document are placed. Here, the transport roller 44, the paper feed roller 44 </ b> A, and the paper discharge roller 45 correspond to an example of a transport unit that transports the document 5.

  The reading unit 30 is provided below the document placing unit 50 as shown in FIG. Here, the reading unit 30 is configured to read a document by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) method. The reading unit 30 linearly reflects reflected light reflected by a linear image sensor 33 in which a plurality of light receiving elements are linearly arranged in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, a light source 31 including RGB light emitting diodes, a document 5, and the like. A rod lens array 32 that forms an image on each light receiving element of the image sensor 33 is included. The carriage 34 that holds the reading unit 30 is coupled to the timing belt 35, and moves in the arrow A direction or the B direction as the timing belt 35 moves. The timing belt 35 is driven by a read driving unit 60 described later via a sprocket or the like (not shown). The reading unit 30 is not limited to the CIS method, and may be a so-called CCD method using a reduction optical system and a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor.

  When reading the document 5 placed on the first platen glass 12, that is, when executing the FB reading, the reading unit 30 uses the carriage 34 coupled to the timing belt 35 to move the first platen glass from the home position HP. The original 5 is read while being conveyed at a constant speed in a direction parallel to the board surface 52 (direction A in FIG. 2). At this time, the reading range in the transport direction is, for example, from the reading start position PS to the reading end position PE shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the reading unit 30 reads the document 5 conveyed by the ADF device 40, that is, when executing the ADF reading, the reading reading unit 30 (ADF reading position) RP immediately below the second platen glass 53 by the carriage 34. The original 5 is read while being held in the position. That is, in this embodiment, the carriage 34 moves along a path from the ADF reading position RP to the reading end position PE.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit (an example of a reception unit) 11 including various buttons and a display unit 12 including a liquid crystal display are provided on the front side of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 11 includes a start button 11A for starting a reading operation, and a power button 11B for turning on / off the power of the multifunction device 1.

2. Configuration of Reading Drive Unit Next, the reading drive unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The reading drive unit 60 includes a motor drive unit 61, a motor 62, and a gear unit 70.

  The motor 62 is a stepping motor, and the motor drive unit 61 generates a drive signal for step-driving the motor 62 in accordance with the control of the CPU 20. The gear unit 70 includes a motor side transmission gear 71, a carriage side transmission gear 72, a conveyance unit side transmission gear 73, and a planetary gear mechanism 74. The planetary gear mechanism 74 includes a transmission gear 74A, a sun gear 74B, and a planetary gear 74C.

  The motor-side transmission gear 71 is coupled to the rotation shaft of the motor 62 and is coupled to the transmission gear 74A of the planetary gear mechanism 74. Therefore, the motor-side transmission gear 71 transmits the power supplied by the motor 62 to the transmission gear 74A according to the rotation of the motor 62. The sun gear 74B and the transmission gear 74A are regulated on the same axis, and the sun gear 74B rotates according to the rotation of the transmission gear 74A, that is, according to the rotation of the motor side transmission gear 71.

  The planetary gear 74C is coupled to the sun gear 74B, and rotates and revolves according to the rotation of the sun gear 74B. The position of the planetary gear 74C is such that the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the carriage-side transmission gear 72, and the motor-side transmission gear 71 and the carriage-side transmission gear 72 are connected via the transmission gear 74A and the sun gear 74B. (Hereinafter referred to as “FB side position”), the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the transport unit side transmission gear 73, and the motor side transmission gear 71 and the transport unit side transmission gear 73 are similarly connected to the transmission gear 74A and the sun gear 74B. To the transport unit side position (hereinafter referred to as “ADF side position”) to be connected via the. FIG. 3 shows a case where the planetary gear 74C is at the FB side position, and FIG. 4 shows a case where the planetary gear 74C is at the ADF side position.

  When reading is performed at each position, the planetary gear 74C is prevented from revolving by a predetermined blocking mechanism (not shown), and rotates in response to the rotation of the sun gear 74B while being held at each position. Shall. In addition, when the position of the planetary gear 74C is switched, the planetary gear 74C revolves according to the rotation of the sun gear 74B in a state where the prevention of revolution by the blocking mechanism is released.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage-side transmission gear 72 transmits power from the motor 62 to the carriage 34 via the timing belt 35 when the planetary gear 74 </ b> C is in the FB-side position, that is, when FB reading is performed. . Thereby, the carriage 34 is moved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance unit side transmission gear 73 is configured such that, when the planetary gear 74 </ b> C is at the ADF side position, that is, when ADF reading is performed, a conveyance roller is connected via a predetermined gear mechanism (not shown). 44, the power from the motor 62 is transmitted to the paper discharge roller 45. As a result, the document 5 is conveyed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the reading drive unit 60 will be described in more detail. 3 and 4, the rotation direction in the X direction is a clockwise rotation direction, and the rotation direction in the Y direction is a counterclockwise rotation direction. The motor-side transmission gear 71 rotates in the X direction according to the rotation of the motor 62 in the X direction, and rotates in the Y direction according to the rotation of the motor 62 in the Y direction.

2-1. For example, when the planetary gear 74C is not coupled to the carriage-side transmission gear 72 or the conveyance unit-side transmission gear 73, the motor 62 is rotated in the X direction at the position where the planetary gear 74C is not coupled to the carriage-side transmission gear 72 or The gear 71 rotates in the X direction, and accordingly, the transmission gear 74A and the sun gear 74B rotate in the Y direction. As the sun gear 74B rotates in the Y direction, the planetary gear 74C revolves in the L direction while rotating in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 3, when the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the carriage-side transmission gear 72 and reaches the FB side position, the planetary gear 74C rotates in the X direction, but the carriage-side transmission gear 72 causes the L of the planetary gear 74C to rotate. Directional revolution is prevented. At this time, the restriction of the carriage 34 by a predetermined restricting member (not shown) is released. Further, the carriage-side transmission gear 72 rotates in the Y direction, and accordingly, the timing belt 35 moves the carriage 34 in the A direction in FIG. 2, that is, the direction from the reading start position PS to the reading end position PE. Move to.

  On the other hand, when the carriage 34 is at a position other than the ADF reading position RP, the motor 62 rotates in the Y direction, so that the motor side transmission gear 71 rotates in the Y direction, and accordingly, the transmission gear 74A and the sun gear 74B are Rotate in the X direction. As the sun gear 74B rotates in the X direction, the planetary gear 74C rotates in the Y direction, but is prevented from revolving in the R direction by the blocking mechanism. At this time, the carriage-side transmission gear 72 rotates in the X direction, and accordingly, the timing belt 35 moves the carriage 34 in the B direction of FIG. 2, that is, in the direction from the reading end position PE to the reading start position PS. Move in the direction.

  When the carriage 34 moved in the B direction in FIG. 2 reaches the ADF reading position RP, the regulating member, for example, the carriage 34 is urged in the direction of the platen glass 52, 53 (perpendicular to the A and B directions). The movement of the carriage 34 in the A and B directions is restricted by the elastic body (for example, a coil spring). Further, the blocking of the planetary gear 74C from revolving in the R direction by the blocking mechanism is released, and the planetary gear 74C revolves in the R direction while rotating in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the planetary gear 74 </ b> C is coupled to the transport unit side transmission gear 73 to the ADF side position, the planetary gear 74 </ b> C rotates in the Y direction, but the planetary gear 74 </ b> C is rotated by the transport unit side transmission gear 73. Revolution in the R direction is prevented. At this time, the conveyance unit side transmission gear 73 rotates in the X direction as the planetary gear 74C rotates in the Y direction. With the rotation of the conveyance unit side transmission gear 73 in the X direction, the conveyance roller 44 and the paper discharge roller 45 rotate.

  On the other hand, when the motor 62 rotates in the X direction, the motor side transmission gear 71 rotates in the X direction, and accordingly, the transmission gear 74A and the sun gear 74B rotate in the Y direction. As the sun gear 74B rotates in the Y direction, the planetary gear 74C is prevented from revolving in the R direction and revolves in the L direction while rotating in the X direction.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation direction in the X direction of the motor 62 corresponds to the second rotation direction, and the rotation direction in the Y direction of the motor 62 corresponds to the first rotation direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the rotation direction in the X direction of the motor 62 is the first rotation direction and the rotation direction in the Y direction of the motor 62 is the second rotation direction may be employed.

2-2. Operation of Each Gear for ADF Reading In ADF reading, the motor 62 is moved in the Y direction (counterclockwise) so that the planetary gear 74 </ b> C rotates in the Y direction and revolves in the R direction coupled to the transport unit side transmission gear 73. In the case of rotation, if the motor 62 continues to rotate in the Y direction even after the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the conveyance unit side transmission gear 73, the conveyance roller 44 and the discharge roller 45 cause the document 5 to be discharged from the document tray 42 to the discharge tray. Rotate in the direction of transport to 46

  Further, when the motor 62 is rotated in the X direction after the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the transport unit side transmission gear 73, the planetary gear 74C rotates in the X direction and is separated from the coupled transport unit side transmission gear 73. Revolve in the L direction. Note that the transport unit side transmission gear 73 rotates only in the X direction.

2-3. Operation of Each Gear Related to FB Reading In FB reading, when the motor 62 is rotated in the X direction so that the planetary gear 74C rotates in the X direction and revolves in the L direction coupled to the carriage side transmission gear 72, the planetary gear 74C If the motor 62 continues to rotate in the X direction even after the gear 74C is coupled to the carriage side transmission gear 72, the carriage side transmission gear 72 is moved in the Y direction so that the timing belt 35 moves the carriage 34 in the A direction in FIG. To drive.

  Further, when the motor 62 is rotated backward from the X direction to the Y direction after the planetary gear 74C is coupled to the carriage-side transmission gear 72, the planetary gear 74C rotates in the Y direction. However, the planetary gear 74C rotates in the Y direction without revolving in the R direction by the blocking mechanism that prevents the planetary gear 74C from revolving in the R direction away from the carriage-side transmission gear 72 that has been coupled. At this time, the carriage-side transmission gear 72 rotates in the reverse direction in the X direction, whereby the timing belt 35 is driven in a direction to move the carriage 34 in the B direction in FIG.

  When the timing belt 35 is driven in the direction of moving the carriage 34 in the direction B of FIG. 2 and the carriage 34 reaches a position where it cannot physically move, in this case, the ADF reading position RP, the planetary gear revolves by the blocking mechanism. The blocking is released, and the operation of each gear related to the ADF reading is started.

  As for the blocking mechanism, for example, a lever that pivotally supports the planetary gear 74C, a groove cam that restricts swinging of the lever, a spring that maintains the state of the transmission gear 73, etc. It is realizable by comprising.

3. As shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 20 (an example of a control unit), a ROM 21, a RAM (an example of a switching storage unit and an information storage unit) 22, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 23, a network An interface (an example of a receiving unit) 24 and a facsimile interface 25 are provided, to which an image forming unit 27, a reading unit 30, an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a rear sensor 47, a front sensor 49, a reading driving unit 60, and the like are connected. Is done.

  Various programs for controlling the operation of the multifunction device 1 are stored in the ROM 21, and the CPU 20 controls each unit while storing the processing results in the RAM 22 or the NVRAM 23 according to the programs read from the ROM 21. . Further, for example, a ROM (an example of a storage unit) 21 stores reading parameters such as resolution. In addition, the RAM 22 includes a reading method area 22R that stores previous reading information to be described later.

  The network interface 24 is connected to an external computer or the like via a communication line (not shown), and mutual data communication is possible via the network interface 24. It is also possible to receive a reading start instruction from an external computer via the network interface 24.

  The facsimile interface 25 is connected to a telephone line (not shown), and facsimile data can be communicated with an external facsimile apparatus or the like via the facsimile interface 25. The image forming unit 27 includes a well-known charging unit, exposure unit, photoconductor, developing unit, transfer unit, and fixing unit, and based on image data of an image (original) read by the image reading device 3 Is formed on the paper.

  The CPU 20 controls various processes related to the multifunction machine 1. Further, the CPU 20 executes a reading process described below as a process related to the image reading device 3. In the reading process, the CPU 20 compares the position adjustment process for moving the carriage 34 to the home position HP, whether or not the planetary gear 74C is switched between the previous reading and the execution of the position adjustment process, and the current reading method. Based on the combination, an adjustment determination process for determining whether or not to execute the position adjustment process is executed.

  In the configuration of the image reading apparatus 3, when the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction in order to move the carriage 34 in the movement direction B of FIG. 2, the carriage 34 reads the document as the maximum movement distance. The planetary gear 74C is moved from the end reading end position PE to the switching position where the planetary gear 74C is switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position via the reading start position PS for starting reading of the document (see FIG. 2). This switching position is the ADF reading position RP in this embodiment. The switching position is not limited to this.

  Further, as described above, when the carriage 34 reaches the ADF reading position RP, movement of the carriage 34 is restricted by the restriction member. Then, the planetary gear 74C starts switching from the FB side position to the ADF side position after the carriage 34 is regulated by the regulating member, and the transport units 44, 44A and 45 have the planetary gear 74C set to the ADF side position. At a certain time, the document 5 rotates in the direction in which the document 5 is conveyed.

4). Reading Process Next, a reading process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The reading process is executed, for example, when the power button 11B of the multifunction device 1 is turned on and the power supply to the image reading device 3 is started. Each process related to the reading process is executed by the CPU 20 in accordance with, for example, a predetermined control program stored in the ROM 21 or the like.

  In the reading process of the first embodiment, a case where the standby position of the planetary gear 74C is set to a position corresponding to the previous reading is shown. That is, when the previous reading is the ADF reading, the standby position of the planetary gear 74C is the ADF side position, and when the previous reading is the FB reading, the standby position of the planetary gear 74C is the FB side position.

  In the reading process, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 20 first reads the position adjustment of the carriage 34 (step S105) and the previous reading information (an example of the previous reading method) stored in the RAM 22, for example, as an initial process. A process of storing “FB reading” as the previous reading information in the method area 22R (step S110). Here, in the initial position adjustment, for example, the position of the carriage 34 is adjusted so that the carriage 34 is positioned at the home position HP.

  Next, the CPU 20 waits until there is a reading start instruction (an example of a reading instruction). For example, when the start button 11A is turned on and there is a reading start instruction (corresponding to the current reading start instruction), it is determined whether or not the reading start instruction is an FB reading start instruction (step S115). In this determination, for example, if the opening / closing of the document cover 48 is detected by the cover sensor 13 immediately before the start button 11A is turned on when the start button 11A is turned on, it is determined that it is an FB reading start instruction. The Further, for example, when the document 5 is detected by the front sensor 49 immediately before the start button 11A is turned on, it is determined that the instruction is an ADF reading start instruction.

  When it is determined that the reading start instruction is an FB reading start instruction, that is, when the current reading method is determined to be FB reading (step S115: YES), the previous reading information (an example of the previous reading method) is “FB”. Whether or not it is “read” is determined with reference to the reading method area 22R in the RAM 22 (step S120: an example of adjustment determination processing).

  When it is determined that the previous reading information stored in the reading method area 22R is “FB reading” (step S120: YES), the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the X direction to move the carriage 34 from the home position HP to the A direction. By moving to (see FIG. 2), the current FB reading is performed (step S140). When the FB reading ends, the carriage 34 is moved to the home position HP by rotating the motor 62 in the Y direction and moving the carriage 34 in the B direction (see FIG. 2) (step S145). Then, the CPU 20 stores “FB reading” as the previous reading information in the reading method area 22R (step S150), and waits for the next reading start instruction.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S120 that the previous read information is not “FB read”, that is, the previous read information is “ADF read” (step S120: NO), the planetary gear 74C is in the ADF side position, and thus the CPU 20 Rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction by a predetermined number of steps to switch the planetary gear 74C from the ADF side position to the FB side position (step S125: an example of a first switching process). Further, the motor 62 is rotated in the X direction by a predetermined number of steps, and the carriage 34 is moved from the ADF reading position RP in the A direction to the position adjustment start position (step S130: an example of a passing process). Here, the position adjustment start position is a position on the A direction side with respect to the position of the home position detection mark 55, for example, a position where the first platen glass 52 and the carriage 34 face each other.

Then, the CPU 20 performs carriage position adjustment to start FB reading (step S135). In the carriage position adjustment, the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the direction of switching the planetary gear 74C from the ADF side position to the FB side position, that is, in the Y direction, and moves the carriage 34 in the B direction from the position adjustment start position. For example, the carriage 34 is positioned at the home position HP. Then, the processing from step S140 onward is performed using the home position HP as the reference position for FB reading.
When the carriage 34 is positioned at the home position HP, the carriage 62 is moved to a position on the B direction side of the position of the home position detection mark 55 by rotating the motor 62 in the Y direction. The carriage 34 may be positioned at the home position HP by rotating in the X direction and moving the carriage 34 in the A direction.

  Returning to the process of step S115, when it is determined that the reading start instruction is not the FB reading start instruction, that is, when it is determined that the current reading method is ADF reading (step S115: NO), the same as step S120. In addition, it is determined whether or not the previous reading information (an example of the previous reading method) is “FB reading” (step S160).

  When it is determined that the previous reading information stored in the reading method area 22R is not “FB reading”, that is, the previous reading information is “ADF reading” (step S160: NO), the CPU 20 moves the motor 62 in the Y direction. The transport roller 44 and the paper discharge roller 45 are driven to rotate, and the current ADF reading is performed (step S175). When the ADF reading is completed, the CPU 20 stores “ADF reading” as the previous reading information in the reading method area 22R (step S180), and waits for a next reading start instruction.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that the previous reading information is “FB reading” (step S160: YES), since the planetary gear 74C is in the FB side position, the CPU 20 first sets the motor 62 to a predetermined number of steps. The carriage 34 is moved to the ADF reading position RP by rotating in the Y direction (step S165). Next, the motor 62 is further rotated in the Y direction by a predetermined number of steps to switch the planetary gear 74C from the FB side position to the ADF side position (step S170), and the processing after step S175 is performed.

5. Effects of First Embodiment As described above, the CPU 20 is based on the combination of the presence / absence of switching of the planetary gear 74C from the previous reading to the execution of the position adjustment process (step S135) and the current reading method. It is determined whether or not position adjustment processing is to be executed. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus 3 that performs the FB reading and the ADF reading with one motor 62 by switching the planetary gear 74C, the position adjustment process of the carriage 34 can be executed only when necessary, not every reading.

  Further, when the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position, there is a possibility that the carriage 34 may not be positioned at the home position HP due to a change in motor torque or the like. However, the position adjustment process is performed on the condition that the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position and the FB reading is instructed, so that the carriage 34 can be surely received during the FB reading. Can be moved to the home position HP. That is, the position of the carriage 34 can be adjusted appropriately in the image reading apparatus 3 that operates the conveyance units 44, 44 </ b> A, 45 and the carriage 34 with the power of one motor. This prevents the start position of FB reading from being shifted.

  Further, the carriage 34 is moved to a position where a home position detection mark (an example of a position adjustment unit) 55 is provided as a predetermined position in the position adjustment process, that is, the home position HP. Therefore, along with the position adjustment of the carriage 34, the carriage 34, that is, the reading unit 30 can be moved to a position where white correction data can be acquired. Thereby, it can be expected that the time required for obtaining the white correction data can be shortened. The position adjustment unit is not limited to the home position detection mark 55. Further, the predetermined position in the position adjustment process is not limited to the home position HP.

  When the planetary gear 74C is switched to the FB side position, the carriage 34 may move beyond the home position detection mark 55 or may not exceed the detection mark 55. The position adjustment control becomes complicated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 by a predetermined number of steps in the X direction (direction in which the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position) before the execution of the position adjustment process (step S135). As a result, the carriage 34 is moved in the A direction (see FIG. 2) from the ADF reading position RP, and the home position detection mark 55 is passed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position adjustment control of the carriage 34 from becoming complicated by starting the position adjustment of the carriage 34 from the position where the carriage 34 surely exceeds the home position detection mark 55.

  Further, the CPU 20 executes a first switching process (step S125) for switching the planetary gear 74C from the ADF side position to the FB side position when the FB reading is instructed after the ADF reading is finished, and after the first switching process. Position adjustment processing (step S135) is executed. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus 3 in which the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position after the ADF reading is completed, when the FB reading is instructed as the current reading, the position adjustment process can be surely executed.

  At that time, when the FB reading is instructed, the CPU 20 further executes a first determination process (step S120) for determining whether or not the previous reading information is stored in the RAM 22 as the previous reading information. In the first determination process, when it is determined that the previous ADF reading is stored in the RAM 22 (step S120: NO), the first switching process and the position adjustment process are executed. Thus, by storing the previous read information indicating that the planetary gear 74C has been switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position, the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position this time. It is possible to accurately determine that the position is adjusted, and it is possible to execute the position adjustment process more reliably.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Only the reading process is different from the first embodiment, and the difference will be described below. For this reason, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same processing is denoted by the same step number, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the reading process of the second embodiment, the standby position of the planetary gear 74C is set to the FB side position regardless of the previous reading method. That is, even when the previous reading is the ADF reading, the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position.

  That is, in the reading process of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, after the ADF reading (step S175), the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the X direction by a predetermined number of steps to move the planetary gear 74C to the ADF side. The position is switched to the FB side position (step S205: an example of a first switching process). Then, the CPU 20 stores “ADF reading” as the previous reading information in the reading method area 22 </ b> R (step S <b> 180), and waits for the next reading start instruction.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when there is an FB reading instruction this time (step S115: YES) and the previous time is ADF reading (step S120: NO), the carriage position adjustment (step S135) is performed. The process of step S125 in FIG. 6 is omitted.

6). Effects of Second Embodiment After the ADF reading (step S175) is completed, the CPU 20 executes a first switching process (step S205) for switching the planetary gear 74C from the ADF side position to the FB side position, and after the first switching process, the FB When reading is instructed (step S115: YES), position adjustment processing (step S135) is executed. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus 3 in which the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position after the ADF reading is completed, when the FB reading is instructed as the current reading, the position adjustment process can be surely executed.

  At that time, when the reading is instructed after the first switching process, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the first previous switching information indicating that the first switching process is executed is stored in the RAM 22. The determination process (step S120) is further executed. If it is determined in the first determination process that the first previous switching information is stored in the RAM 22 (step S120: NO), the position adjustment process is executed. Therefore, by storing the first previous switching information indicating that the planetary gear 74C has been switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position, the planetary gear 74C has been switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position. Therefore, the position adjustment process can be executed more reliably.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Only the reading process is different from the first embodiment, and the difference will be described below. For this reason, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same processing is denoted by the same step number, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the reading process of the third embodiment, the standby position of the planetary gear 74C is set to the ADF side position regardless of the previous reading method. That is, even when the reading is an FB reading, the planetary gear 74C is switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position.

  That is, in the reading process of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, as an initial process, the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction for a predetermined number of steps to move the planetary gear 74C from the FB side position to the ADF side position. (Step S305).

  If there is an FB reading instruction this time (step S115: YES), the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position regardless of the previous reading method (step S125). Carriage position adjustment processing is then performed (step S135).

  After the FB reading is completed, the carriage 34 is moved to the home position HP (step S145), and then the CPU 20 further rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction by a predetermined number of steps to move the carriage 34 to the ADF reading position RP. (Step S310). Next, the CPU 20 further rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction by a predetermined number of steps to switch the planetary gear 74C from the FB side position to the ADF side position (step S315), and waits until the next reading start instruction is issued.

  On the other hand, if there is an ADF reading instruction this time (step S115: NO), since the planetary gear 74C is at the ADF side position, the CPU 20 rotates the motor 62 in the Y direction regardless of the previous reading method. ADF reading is performed (step S175).

7). Effect of Embodiment 3 After the FB reading (step S140) is completed, the CPU 20 executes a second switching process (step S315) for switching the planetary gear 74C from the FB side position to the ADF side position, and after the second switching process, the FB When reading is instructed (step S115: YES), the planetary gear 74C is switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position (step S125), and the position adjustment process (step S135) is executed. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus 3 in which the planetary gear 74C is switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position after the FB reading is completed, when the FB reading is instructed as the current reading, the planetary gear 74C is moved from the ADF side position to the FB side. The position adjustment process can be executed reliably by switching to the position.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In the third embodiment, when the FB reading is instructed after the second switching process (step S315), the CPU 20 stores the second previous switching information indicating that the second switching process has been executed in the RAM 22. When the second determination process for determining whether or not it is stored is further executed and it is determined in the second determination process that the second previous switching information is stored in the RAM 22, the planetary gear 74C is moved from the ADF side position to the FB. Switching to the side position may be performed and the position adjustment process may be executed.

  In this case, by storing the second previous switching information indicating that the planetary gear 74C has been switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position, the planetary gear 74C is switched from the FB side position to the ADF side position. The planetary gear 74C can be switched from the ADF side position to the FB side position and the position adjustment process can be executed more reliably.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the planetary gear 74C in the planetary gear mechanism 74 is used as the switching gear is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a switching gear, a carriage side position (FB side position) that connects the motor side transmission gear 71 and the carriage side transmission gear 72, and a conveyance unit side position that connects the motor side transmission gear 71 and the conveyance unit side transmission gear 73 ( Other known configurations that switch to the ADF side position) may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Image reading apparatus, 5 ... Document, 20 ... CPU, 30 ... Reading part, 34 ... Carriage, 42 ... Document tray, 43 ... Conveyance path, 44 ... Conveyance roller, 44A ... Paper feed roller, 45 ... Discharge roller, 47 ... Rear sensor, 49 ... Front sensor, 55 ... Home position detection mark, 55A ... White tape, 55B ... Black tape, 62 ... Motor, 71 ... Motor side transmission gear, 72 ... Carriage side transmission gear, 73 ... Conveyer side Transmission gear, 74C ... Planetary gear

Claims (12)

A reading unit for reading an image of a document;
A transport section for transporting a document;
A carriage that holds the reading unit and moves in a predetermined direction;
A motor,
A motor-side transmission gear for transmitting power supplied by the motor;
A conveyance unit-side transmission gear that transmits the power to the conveyance unit at the time of conveyance reading for reading a document conveyed by the conveyance unit;
A carriage-side transmission gear that transmits the power to the carriage when moving and reading the image by moving the carriage;
During the conveyance reading, in the state where the carriage is in the conveyance reading position which is the document reading position, the conveyance unit side transmission gear is connected at the conveyance unit side position connecting the motor side transmission gear and the conveyance unit side transmission gear. A switching gear that switches to engage with the carriage-side transmission gear at a carriage-side position that connects the motor-side transmission gear and the carriage-side transmission gear during the movement reading;
A receiving unit that receives an instruction as to whether the reading method is the transport reading or the moving reading;
A control unit,
The controller is
Position adjustment processing for moving the carriage to a predetermined position;
An adjustment determination process for determining whether or not to execute the position adjustment process based on a combination of the presence / absence of switching of the switching gear between the previous reading and the execution of the position adjustment process and the current reading method; An image reading device configured to execute The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller is
In the adjustment determination process, the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position during the period from the previous reading to the execution of the position adjustment process, and the current reading method An image reading apparatus that determines to execute the position adjustment process on the condition that the moving reading is instructed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
A position adjusting unit for adjusting the position of the carriage;
The controller is
In the position adjustment process, an image reading apparatus that moves the carriage to the position where the position adjustment unit is provided as the predetermined position. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3.
The controller is
Before the position adjustment process is executed, a passing process for passing the carriage through the position adjustment unit by rotating the motor in a direction to switch the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position is performed. Run,
An image reading apparatus that moves a carriage to the predetermined position in the position adjustment process. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The position adjustment unit is an image reading apparatus, which is a reference white background portion including a predetermined reference white image. In the image reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The controller is
After the completion of the conveyance reading, the switching gear is configured to execute a first switching process for switching from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position;
An image reading apparatus that executes the position adjustment process when the moving reading is instructed after the first switching process. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6.
A switching storage unit for storing first previous switching information indicating that the first switching process has been executed;
The controller is
When the moving reading is instructed after the first switching process, a first determination process for determining whether or not the first previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit is further executed. ,
An image reading apparatus that executes the position adjustment process when it is determined in the first determination process that the first previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit. In the image reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The controller is
When the moving reading is instructed after completion of the conveyance reading, a first switching process is performed to switch the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position;
An image reading apparatus that executes the position adjustment process after the first switching process. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8.
An information storage unit for storing previous reading information indicating the previous reading method;
The controller is
When the moving reading is instructed, a first determination process is further executed to determine whether or not the previous reading is stored in the information storage unit as the previous reading information. And
An image reading device that executes the first switching process and the position adjustment process when it is determined in the first determination process that the previous conveyance reading is stored in the information storage unit. In the image reading device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The controller is
A second switching process for switching the switching gear from the carriage side position to the transport unit side position after the moving reading is completed;
An image reading apparatus that, when the moving reading is instructed after the second switching process, switches the switching gear from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position and executes the position adjustment process. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10.
A switching storage unit that stores second previous switching information indicating that the second switching process has been executed;
The controller is
When the moving reading is instructed after the second switching process, a second determination process for determining whether the second previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit is further executed. ,
In the second determination process, when it is determined that the second previous switching information is stored in the switching storage unit, the switching gear is switched from the conveyance unit side position to the carriage side position, and the position adjustment processing is performed. An image reading apparatus to be executed. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The motor is a stepping motor;
The control unit controls the number of driving steps of the motor to move the carriage to the predetermined position when executing the position adjustment process.

Images