JP2016060569A - Feeder, control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve working efficiency when a small quantity of document bundles is separately read in a plurality of times, in a sheet-like member feeding mechanism having a lifting document placing table.SOLUTION: A paper feeder comprises a document placing table having a movable range between a first position for placing a document and a second position for carrying the placed document into the feeder, detection means for detecting whether or not the document is placed on the document placing table, feeding means for feeding the document placed on the document placing table in the feeder and control means for controlling a position of the document placing table. The control means repeatedly controls the position of the document placing table to a third position nearer to the second position than the first position when not detecting that the document is placed on the document placing table by the detection means when designating a predetermined mode, and controls the position of the document placing table to the second position when detecting that the document is placed on the document placing table by the detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In the image reading apparatus having the sheet-like member sheet feeding mechanism, after reading the image of the first document bundle set on the conveying unit, the second document bundle set on the conveying unit is continuously read, There is a continuous reading mode that handles a series of documents. A technique is disclosed in which, when this mode is valid, the image forming apparatus displays a display prompting the operator to continue to set the second original bundle on the conveying unit, and displaying a display that can stop reading. (See Patent Document 1).

  In addition, an image forming apparatus including a document placing table that moves up and down so that a large number of documents can be placed and read at one time is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4205203 JP 2010-189121 A

  In the image reading apparatus as described above, when reading an enormous bundle of documents with the staples being stapled, the operator prepares a bundle of documents from which all staples have been removed in advance, and then at once. When performing the reading operation, the working efficiency is good.

  However, when the scanner reads each bundle of several sheets while removing staples and the like one by one, an inquiry display as to whether or not to continue reading is displayed each time the bundle of documents is set on the conveying means. End up. Furthermore, the document table is raised and lowered each time, resulting in poor work efficiency.

  The present invention provides an apparatus capable of conveying a document with work efficiency without performing a useless raising / lowering of a document table.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A document feeder having a movable range between a first position for placing a document and a second position for transporting the placed document into the device; ,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table;
A feeding means for feeding a document placed on the document placing table into the apparatus;
Control means for controlling the position of the document table,
The control means, when a predetermined mode is designated,
If the detection means does not detect that the document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is set to a third position closer to the second position than the first position. Control to position,
When it is detected by the detection means that a document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is repeatedly controlled to the second position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize document conveyance with high work efficiency.

1 is a perspective view showing an overview of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a document placement table and a paper feed unit of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for a continuous paper feed mode according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for a continuous paper feed mode standby time according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing a movable position of the document table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode is valid according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a document table and a paper feed unit of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment. The figure which shows the movable position of the paper feed roller which concerns on 2nd embodiment. FIG. 10 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode is valid according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a document table and a paper feed unit of an image reading apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus when a continuous paper feed mode is valid according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a document table and a paper feed unit of an image reading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode is valid according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a document table and a paper feed unit of an image reading apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. Sectional drawing which showed the movable position of the paper feed auxiliary roller and the paper feed auxiliary roller position change lever in the image reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. The external appearance front view which showed the movable position of the paper feed auxiliary roller and the paper feed auxiliary roller position change lever in the image reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a document table and a paper feed unit of an image reading apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a movable position and an angle of a document placement table of an image reading apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of a document placement table when a document placement table lifting / lowering motor and a document placement table lifting / lowering auxiliary motor in an image reading apparatus according to a sixth embodiment are driven. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of a document placement table when a document placement table lifting / lowering motor and a document placement table lifting / lowering auxiliary motor in an image reading apparatus according to a sixth embodiment are driven. FIG. 10 is a conveyance sequence diagram of an image reading apparatus when a continuous paper feed mode is valid according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a document placement table and a paper feeding unit of the image reading apparatus. FIG. 10 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode is invalid.

[Explanation of operation when continuous feed mode is disabled]
Before describing the continuous paper feed mode according to the present invention, the operation of the image reading apparatus when the continuous paper feed mode according to the present embodiment is invalid will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the document table and the paper feed unit of the image reading apparatus.

  The document placing table raising / lowering motor 802 moves the document placing table 801 up and down by rotating forward and backward. A transport motor 809 drives a paper feed roller 805 and a feed roller 806. The paper detection sensor 803 is document detection means for detecting that the document P is placed on the document placement table 801. The paper feed roller 805 rotates to move the document P to the separation paper feed position. The feed roller 806 rotates so as to feed the document P into the transport path.

  The separation roller 807 is a roller for preventing a plurality of documents P from being overlapped and fed into the conveyance path. The separation motor 808 drives the separation roller 807 to rotate the separation roller 807 in the direction opposite to the transport direction when feeding a plurality of documents P continuously. Paper feeding in a state where the separation roller 807 rotates in the separation direction that is the reverse of the conveyance direction is referred to as “separation paper feeding”. Further, based on the time measured by the CPU (not shown) using a timer (not shown) which is a time measuring means, the motors such as the document placing table elevating motor 802, the transport motor 809, and the separation motor 808 are driven in the driving time. Control the moving distance.

  FIG. 24 is a conveying sequence of the image reading apparatus when the continuous paper feeding mode according to the present invention is invalid. This sequence is realized, for example, by a CPU (not shown) included in the image reading apparatus reading and executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) such as a ROM.

  When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected personal computer (not shown) (S901), the image reading apparatus determines whether or not the document P is placed on the document placement table 801 by the paper detection sensor 803. Detect (S902). When it is detected that the document P is placed on the document placement table 801 (YES in step S902), the image reading apparatus drives the feed motor 809 and the separation motor 808, whereby the paper feed roller 805, the feed roller 806, Then, the separation roller 807 is rotated to start separation sheet feeding (S903).

  The image reading apparatus drives the document placing table raising / lowering motor 802 by a predetermined amount to raise the document placing table 801 by a predetermined amount (S904). The image reading apparatus continues to raise the document placing table 801 for a while, and then the document P at the top of the document stack comes into contact with the paper feed roller 805 to start conveying the document P into the apparatus. At that time, the next original is pushed back so as not to enter the apparatus by the rotation of the separation roller 807 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

  Thereafter, the image reading apparatus again detects whether or not the document P is placed on the document placing table 801 by the paper detection sensor 803 (S905). That is, the image reading apparatus determines whether or not all the documents placed on the document placing table 801 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the documents placed on document table 801 are conveyed into the apparatus (NO in S905), the image reading apparatus rotates document table raising / lowering motor 802 in the direction opposite to the upward direction. Thus, the document table 801 is lowered and moved to the lower limit position (S906). Further, the image reading apparatus finishes driving the transport motor 809 and the separation motor 808, and ends the separation feeding (S907).

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus 1000 is a main body of the image reading apparatus. The document placing table 101 is a document placing table on which a plurality of documents P can be placed and can be moved up and down. A paper discharge table 1002 is a paper discharge table for discharging a read document. The image reading apparatus 1000 is connected to an external personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) via an interface such as a known SCSI or USB interface, and can read an image via the PC. A display / operation unit 1003 is a display / operation unit as a user interface with the user.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of electrical components built in the image reading apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. The image reading apparatus 1000 includes a front surface image reading sensor control unit 601, a back surface image reading sensor control unit 602, an image composition unit 603, an image processing unit 604, and an image memory 605. A surface image reading sensor control unit 601 reads image data on the surface of a document. The back side image reading sensor control unit 602 reads image data on the back side of the document. The image combining unit 603 combines the front and back image data. The image processing unit 604 performs predetermined image processing such as color tone adjustment on the synthesized image data. The image memory 605 holds image data that has undergone image processing.

  Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 includes a drive control unit 606, a paper detection sensor control unit 607, a CPU 609, a flash memory 608, a timer 610 (timer), and an interface control unit 611. A drive control unit 606 controls driving of motors for carrying and separating the original. A paper detection sensor control unit 607 detects the presence or absence of a document on the document table 101 and the conveyance path. The CPU 609 controls the image reading apparatus 1000. The flash memory 608 holds various control programs executed by the CPU 609. The timer 610 generates a timing signal for controlling the drive control unit 606 and the like. The interface control unit 611 transmits and receives image data and the like. Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 includes a display / operation control unit 612 that controls the display / operation unit 1003 and changes a continuous paper feed mode setting to be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding device including the document placing table 101 and the paper feeding unit provided in the image reading apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment. The feeding device feeds a document that is an image reading target into the image reading device 1000.

  The feeding device continuously feeds and conveys a bundle of a plurality of documents (sheet-like members) placed on the document placing table 101. In the present embodiment, a paper document is described as an example of the sheet-like member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a film or a bill may be used.

  The document placing table raising / lowering motor 102 moves the document placing table 101 up and down by rotating forward and backward. The transport motor 109 is a motor for driving the paper feed roller 105 and the feed roller 106. The paper detection sensor 103 is a document detection unit that detects that a document is placed on the document placement table 101. The paper feed roller 105 is a transport unit that rotates to move the document to a separation paper feed position described later. The feed roller 106 is a transport unit that rotates so as to feed the document into the transport path. The separation roller 107 is a roller that rotates so that a plurality of documents are not overlapped and fed into the conveyance path. The feed roller 106 and the separation roller 107 are a roller unit that is a pair of rollers.

  The separation motor 108 is a motor that drives the separation roller 107, and rotates the separation roller 107 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction when feeding a plurality of documents continuously. Paper feeding in a state where the separation roller 107 rotates in the separation direction opposite to the conveyance direction is called “separation paper feeding”, and the position where the document is sandwiched between the feeding roller 106 and the separation roller 107 is “separation”. This is called “paper feeding position”.

  Here, the separation roller 107 may be a simple friction member and may have a configuration of a separation pad that realizes separation of a document by being pressed against the document. Further, based on the time counted by the CPU 609 using the timer 610, the driving time or moving distance of motors such as the document placing table lifting motor 102, the transport motor 109, and the separation motor 108 is controlled.

  In this embodiment, the motors use a timer to control the driving time and movement distance of the motors. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position of the encoder for detecting the rotation speed of the motor or the document placement table is detected. Therefore, the position detection sensor may be separately provided and controlled.

[Menu screen]
4 and 5 are menu display screens for setting the continuous paper feed mode setting and the continuous paper feed mode standby time set by the display / operation unit 1003 shown in FIG. When the operation is executed in the continuous paper feed mode, the operator makes settings using these screens before starting the reading.

  In this embodiment, the continuous paper feed mode setting and the continuous paper feed mode standby time setting are set on the display / operation unit 1003. However, the continuous paper feed mode setting and the continuous paper feed mode standby time may be set on the image reading apparatus control program on the externally connected PC or by means such as an input switch. In this embodiment, the continuous paper feed mode standby time setting is set. However, the continuous paper feed mode may be operated using a predetermined time determined in advance by the image reading apparatus.

[Description of operation]
FIG. 6 shows the movable position of the document table 101. When the continuous feed mode as described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24 is invalid, the document table 101 is stopped at the lower limit position so that the document can be placed on the document table 101 as much as possible. . On the other hand, when the continuous paper feed mode is valid, a small amount of originals can be placed, and the continuous time that is between the movable ranges of the original table 101 is reduced in order to minimize the time required for raising and lowering the original table 101. Stop at the paper feed preparation position. Here, the small amount of originals may be defined as a number of originals smaller than a predetermined number.

  In the present embodiment, the continuous paper feed preparation position is set to a height position determined in advance by the feeding device, but the height position may be specified by the operator. Further, although the continuous paper feed preparation position is one, a plurality of continuous paper feed preparation positions may be provided so that an operator can select from among them. Here, for convenience, in the movable position of the document placing table 101, the lower limit position is also referred to as a first position, the upper limit position is referred to as a second position, and the continuous paper feed preparation position is also referred to as a third position.

  FIG. 7 shows a conveyance sequence of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode according to the present embodiment is valid. As described above, the conveyance sequence shown in FIG. 24 is performed when the continuous sheet feeding mode is invalid.

  When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected PC (not shown) (S201), the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S202). Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placement table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S203). When it is detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S203), image reading apparatus 1000 drives sheet feeding roller 105, feeding roller by driving conveyance motor 109 and separation motor 108. 106 and the separation roller 107 are rotated to start separation paper feeding (S204).

  The image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document table 101 by a predetermined amount by driving the document table lifting motor 102 by a predetermined amount (S205). The image reading apparatus 1000 continues to raise the document placing table 101 for a while, and then the document on the top of the document P comes into contact with the paper feed roller 105 to start conveying the document into the apparatus. At this time, the originals are separated one by one by the separation roller 107 so that the next originals do not overlap and enter the apparatus, and the next originals are pushed back.

  Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects again whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S206). That is, the image reading apparatus 1000 determines whether all the documents placed on the document placing table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the documents placed on document table 101 are conveyed into the apparatus (NO in S206), image reading apparatus 1000 rotates document table raising / lowering motor 102 in the direction opposite to the upward direction. As a result, the document table 101 is lowered. As a result, the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 again to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S207). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 while the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108 are continuously driven (S208). .

  When it is detected again that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S208), image reading apparatus 1000 raises document placing table 101 again (S205) and continues document conveyance. On the other hand, when it is not detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (NO in S208), image reading apparatus 1000 waits for continuous feed mode set in display / operation unit 1003. Until the document has elapsed, the document on the document table 101 is continuously detected (NO in S209). Thereafter, when the continuous feed mode standby time has elapsed without detecting the document on document table 101 (YES in S209), image reading apparatus 1000 finishes driving conveyance motor 109 and separation motor 108, and Separation feeding is ended (S210).

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, the image can be read without waiting for a reading start instruction from an externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. Reading can be done. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table.

  In the present embodiment, the elevation speed of the document table 101 is the same regardless of whether the continuous paper feeding mode is valid / invalid, but this is not restrictive. For example, the ascending / descending speed when the continuous feed mode is enabled may be lower than when it is disabled, or the descending speed may be set lower than when the continuous mode is enabled. Further, the time between the respective processes such as raising the document table, starting the separation sheet feeding, and lowering the document table may be changed according to the work situation of the operator.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the scanner feeding device of the first embodiment, a paper feed roller lifting motor 110 for lifting the paper feed roller 105 is provided.

  FIG. 9 shows the movable range of the paper feed roller 105. As in the first embodiment, when the continuous paper feed mode is valid, a small amount of originals can be placed, and the movable range of the original placement stage 101 can be reduced in order to minimize the time required for raising and lowering the original placement stage 101. Is stopped at the continuous paper feed preparation position. Further, when the continuous paper feed mode is valid, the paper feed roller 105 is also stopped at the retracted position farther from the original than the original feed position. With this configuration, when placing a document on the document placing table 101, the operator can easily place the document by widening the frontage. Here, for convenience, in the movable position of the paper feed roller, the retracted position is described as a fourth position, and the paper feed position is described as a fifth position.

[Processing sequence]
FIG. 10 shows a conveyance sequence of the image reading apparatus 1000 when the continuous paper feed mode is valid according to the present embodiment. When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected PC (not shown) (S301), the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S302). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position (303). Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placement table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S304). When it is detected that a document is placed on document placement table 101 (YES in S304), image reading apparatus 1000 drives feed motor 109 and separation motor 108 to feed paper feed roller 105, feed roller. 106 and the separation roller 107 are rotated to start separation paper feeding (S305). The image reading apparatus 1000 lowers the paper feed roller 105 to the paper feed position in order to move the document to the separation paper feed position (S306).

  The image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document table 101 by a predetermined amount by driving the document table lifting motor 102 by a predetermined amount (S307). The image reading apparatus 1000 continues to raise the document placing table 101 for a while, and then the document on the top of the document P comes into contact with the paper feed roller 105 to start conveying the document into the apparatus.

  Thereafter, the image reading apparatus again detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S308). In other words, the image reading apparatus determines whether or not all the documents placed on the document placing table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the documents placed on document table 101 are conveyed into the apparatus (NO in S308), image reading apparatus 1000 rotates document table lifting motor 102 in the direction opposite to that when it is raised. As a result, the document table 101 is lowered. As a result, the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 again to the continuous feeding preparation position (S309). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 also raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position again (S310). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 while the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108 are continuously driven (S311). .

  When it is detected again that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S311), image reading apparatus 1000 lowers paper feed roller 105 to the paper feed position again (S306). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document placing table 101 (S307) and continues document conveyance. On the other hand, when it is not detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (NO in S311), image reading apparatus 1000 waits for continuous feed mode set in display / operation unit 1003. Until the document has elapsed, the document on the document table 101 is continuously detected (NO in S312). After that, when the continuous paper feed mode standby time has elapsed without detecting the original on the original table 101 (YES in S312), the image reading apparatus 1000 ends the driving of the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108, and Separation feeding is ended (S313).

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, the image can be read without waiting for a reading start instruction from an externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. Reading can be done. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table. Furthermore, by retracting the paper feed roller, it is possible to widen the opening for placing the document and provide an apparatus with high work efficiency.

<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the scanner feeding device of the second embodiment, a paper feed clutch 111 (paper feed roller drive cutting means) for turning off the paper feed roller 105 is provided. It is set as the structure provided with.

  In this embodiment, in order to reduce the friction on the document surface by the roller as much as possible when reading when the continuous feed mode is enabled, the document is placed instead of transporting the document to the separation position by the feed roller 105. The document is pushed by the operator's hand when receiving the document. That is, the document is inserted by the operator's manual operation up to the separation feeding position where the leading edge of the document contacts the feed roller 106.

[Processing sequence]
FIG. 12 shows a conveyance sequence of the image reading apparatus 1000 when the continuous sheet feeding mode is valid in the present embodiment. When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected PC (not shown) (S401), the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 to the continuous feeding preparation position (S402). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position (S403). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 disconnects the sheet feeding clutch 111 in order to disconnect the driving of the sheet feeding roller 105 (S404). That is, the rotation driving of the paper feed roller 105 is stopped. Even when the sheet feeding clutch 111 is disconnected, the connection with the sheet feeding roller lifting / lowering motor 110 is not disconnected, and therefore the sheet feeding roller 105 can be lifted / lowered.

  Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S405). When it is detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S405), image reading apparatus 1000 drives feed roller 106 and separation roller by driving conveyance motor 109 and separation motor 108. 107 is rotated and separation feeding is started (S406). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 has the operator press the document and insert the document so that the leading end of the document reaches the separation position. As described above, the sheet is retracted from the sheet feeding position in order to reduce the friction caused by the sheet feeding roller 105, but the image reading apparatus 1000 keeps driving of the sheet feeding clutch 111 in order to prevent the document from being violated or lifted. Then, it is lowered to the paper feed position (S407). In other words, the paper feed roller 105 functions as a part that suppresses rampage and floating instead of the operation of conveying the placed document.

  The image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document table 101 by a predetermined amount by driving the document table lifting motor 102 by a predetermined amount (S408). The image reading apparatus 1000 continues to raise the document placing table 101 for a while, and then the document on the top of the document P comes into contact with the paper feed roller 105 to start conveying the document into the apparatus. At this time, the originals are separated one by one by the separation roller 107 so that the next originals do not overlap and enter the apparatus, and the next originals are pushed back.

  After that, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects again whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S409). That is, the image reading apparatus 1000 determines whether all the documents placed on the document placing table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the documents placed on document table 101 have been transported into the apparatus (NO in S409), image reading apparatus 1000 rotates document table lifting motor 102 in the direction opposite to the upward direction. As a result, the document table 101 is lowered. As a result, the image reading apparatus 1000 again moves the document placing table 101 to the continuous feeding preparation position (S410). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 also raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position again (S411). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 while keeping the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108 driven (S412). .

  When it is detected again that the document is placed on the document placing table 101 (YES in S412), the image reading apparatus 1000 lowers the paper feed roller 105 to the paper feed position (S407). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document placing table 101 (S408) and continues document conveyance. On the other hand, if it is not detected that the document is placed on document placing table 101 (NO in S412), the image reading apparatus waits for the continuous feed mode standby time set in display / operation unit 1003. Until then, the document on the document table 101 is continuously detected (NO in S413). Thereafter, when the continuous feed mode standby time has elapsed without detecting the document on document table 101 (YES in S413), image reading apparatus 1000 ends the driving of transport motor 109 and separation motor 108, and Separation feeding is terminated (S414).

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, the image can be read without waiting for a reading start instruction from an externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. Reading can be done. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table. Furthermore, by retracting the paper feed roller, it is possible to widen the opening for placing the document and provide an apparatus with high work efficiency. In addition, in order to reduce the friction caused by the rollers as much as possible, even when the paper feed roller is retracted and reading is performed, it is possible to suppress unfed and unfed originals due to separated paper feed, and to provide a device with high work efficiency. can do.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the scanner feeding device of the second embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not the document arrives after the separation feeding position on the document transport path. The transported document detection sensor 112 (transported document detection means) is provided.

  In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, instead of transporting the document to the separation position by the paper feed roller 105 in order to reduce the friction of the document surface by the roller as much as possible when reading when the continuous paper feed mode is enabled. In addition, the rear end of the document is pushed in by the operator's hand.

[Processing sequence]
FIG. 14 is a conveying sequence of the image reading apparatus when the continuous sheet feeding mode is valid in the present embodiment. When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected PC (not shown) (S501), the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S502). Further, the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position (S503). Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S504). When it is detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S504), image reading apparatus 1000 starts driving conveyance motor 109 and separation motor 108, thereby supplying paper feed roller 105, The feed roller 106 and the separation roller 107 are rotated to start separation paper feeding (S505). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 has the operator press the document and insert the document so that the leading end of the document reaches the separation position.

  Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not the document has reached (passed) by the transport document detection sensor 112 (S506). If the transport document detection sensor 112 cannot detect the arrival of the document (NO in S506), the image reading apparatus 1000 lowers the paper feed roller 105 (S507). Then, the image reading apparatus 1000 confirms whether or not the original has arrived again by the transported original detection sensor 112 (S508). As described above, the sheet is retracted from the sheet feeding position in order to reduce friction caused by the sheet feeding roller 105. However, when the document does not enter the apparatus, the sheet feeding roller 105 assists the conveyance.

  When the transport document detection sensor 112 cannot detect the arrival of the document (NO in S508), the image reading apparatus 1000 ends the separation feeding (S516). Then, this processing flow ends. On the other hand, if the transport document detection sensor 112 can detect the arrival of the document (YES in S508), the image reading apparatus 1000 raises the paper feed roller 105 to the retracted position (S509).

  The image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document table 101 by a predetermined amount by driving the document table lifting motor 102 by a predetermined amount (S510). At this time, the originals are separated one by one by the separation roller 107 so that the next originals do not overlap and enter the apparatus, and the next originals are pushed back.

  After that, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects again whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S511). That is, the image reading apparatus 1000 determines whether all the documents placed on the document placing table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the originals placed on original table 101 are conveyed into the apparatus (NO in S511), image reading apparatus 1000 rotates original table raising / lowering motor 102 in the direction opposite to the upward direction. As a result, the document table 101 is lowered. As a result, the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 again to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S512). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 while the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108 are continuously driven (S513). .

  When it is detected again that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S513), image reading apparatus 1000 determines the arrival of the document by transported document detection sensor 112 (S506). On the other hand, when it is not detected that the document is placed on document placing table 101 (NO in S513), the image reading apparatus waits for the continuous feed mode standby time set in display / operation unit 1003. Until then, the document on the document table 101 is continuously detected (NO in S514). After that, when the continuous paper feed mode standby time has elapsed without detecting the original on the original table 101 (YES in S514), the image reading apparatus 1000 ends the driving of the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108, and Separation feeding is ended (S515).

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, the image can be read without waiting for a reading start instruction from an externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. Reading can be done. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table. Furthermore, by retracting the paper feed roller, it is possible to widen the opening for placing the document and provide an apparatus with high work efficiency. Further, in order to reduce friction caused by the rollers as much as possible, an apparatus with high work efficiency can be provided even when reading is performed by retracting the paper feed roller.

<Fifth embodiment>
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the separation roller, the feed roller, and the motor are arranged upside down with respect to the scanner feeding device of the first embodiment. In addition, it includes a paper feed auxiliary roller 113 and a paper feed auxiliary roller position change lever 114 which are arranged in a pair vertically with the paper feed roller 105 incorporated in the document table 101 and have no driving force.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the movable positions of the paper feed auxiliary roller 113 and the paper feed auxiliary roller position changing lever 114. FIG. 17 is an external front view showing the movable positions of the paper feed auxiliary roller 113 and the paper feed auxiliary roller position changing lever 114.

  When reading in the continuous paper feed mode, the operator raises the paper feed auxiliary roller position changing lever 114. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 16, since the convex portion is provided on the upper part of the paper feed auxiliary roller position changing lever 114, it is fixed at the retracted position. Further, the paper feed auxiliary roller 113 that moves up and down through the lever and the shaft also moves to the retracted position.

  In the present embodiment, the paper feed auxiliary roller 113 having the paper feed auxiliary roller position changing lever 114 is used. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a roller lifting motor for lifting the roller shown in the second embodiment or the like is provided, and the paper feeding auxiliary roller is retracted by the drive control unit 606. Thereby, it becomes the structure which the apparatus side controls a position instead of performing manually using a lever.

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, image reading can be performed without waiting for a reading start instruction from the externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. It can be carried out. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table. Furthermore, by retracting the paper feed roller, it is possible to widen the opening for placing the document and provide an apparatus with high work efficiency.

<Sixth embodiment>
Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the document placement table 101 is inclined with respect to the conveyance surface in the apparatus, and the document placement table 101 can be adjusted to adjust the inclination of the document placement table 101. An auxiliary motor 115 is provided. The reason why the document placing table 101 is inclined with respect to the conveyance surface in the apparatus is that when the document is placed on the document placing table 101, the leading edge of the document can be easily neatly aligned by the weight of the document. It is to do.

  FIG. 19 shows the movable position and angle of the document table 101. When the continuous paper feed mode is invalid, the document table 101 is inclined with respect to the conveyance surface in the apparatus and stopped at the lower limit position. On the other hand, when the continuous feed mode is valid, a small amount of originals can be placed, and in order to minimize the time required for raising and lowering the original placement table 101, the continuation is within the movable range of the original placement table 101. At the paper feed preparation position, it is stopped at the same inclination as the transport surface in the apparatus.

  Note that the reason for keeping the same inclination as the transport surface in the device is that when the continuous feed mode is enabled, the document is placed on the document placement table by the operator little by little. Low need to align. Further, when the same inclination as the conveying surface in the apparatus is used, it becomes easier to place the document on the document placing table regardless of the size of the document.

  FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the document placement table when the document placement table lifting / lowering motor 102 and the document placement table lifting / lowering auxiliary motor 115 are driven to control the inclination of the document placement table 101 with respect to the conveyance surface in the apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows these positions. A document table raising / lowering cam 116 and a document table raising / lowering auxiliary cam 117 are attached to the shafts of the document table raising / lowering motor 102 and the document table raising / lowering auxiliary motor 115, respectively. The position and angle of the document table 101 are adjusted by adjusting the inclination of the corresponding cam according to the driving angle of each motor. FIG. 20 shows the upper limit movable position of the document table 101 when the continuous feeding mode is invalid. On the other hand, FIG. 21 shows the upper limit movable position of the document table 101 when the continuous paper feed mode is valid.

  FIG. 22 is a conveyance sequence diagram of the image reading apparatus 1000 when the continuous sheet feeding mode according to the present embodiment is valid. When receiving an instruction to start reading from an externally connected PC (not shown) (S701), the image reading apparatus 1000 eliminates the inclination of the document table 101 and moves to the continuous feeding preparation position as shown in FIG. (S702). Thereafter, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S703). When it is detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S703), image reading apparatus 1000 starts driving conveyance motor 109 and separation motor 108, thereby supplying paper feed roller 105, The feed roller 106 and the separation roller 107 are rotated to start separation paper feeding (S704).

  The image reading apparatus 1000 raises the document table 101 by a predetermined amount by driving the document table lifting motor 102 by a predetermined amount (S705). The image reading apparatus 1000 continues to raise the document placing table 101 for a while, and then the document on the top of the document P comes into contact with the paper feed roller 105 to start conveying the document into the apparatus. At that time, the originals are separated one by one by the separation roller 107 so that the next originals do not overlap and enter the apparatus, and the next originals are pushed back.

  After that, the image reading apparatus detects again whether or not the document is placed on the document placing table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 (S706). In other words, the image reading apparatus determines whether or not all the documents placed on the document placing table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus. After all the documents placed on document table 101 have been conveyed into the apparatus (NO in S706), image reading apparatus 1000 rotates document table lifting motor 102 in the direction opposite to the upward direction. As a result, the document table 101 is lowered. As a result, the image reading apparatus 1000 moves the document table 101 again to the continuous paper feed preparation position (S707). At this time, the image reading apparatus 1000 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document placement table 101 by the paper detection sensor 103 while the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108 are continuously driven ( S708).

  When it is detected again that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (YES in S708), image reading apparatus 1000 raises document placing table 101 (S705) and continues document transportation. On the other hand, when it is not detected that a document is placed on document placing table 101 (NO in S708), image reading apparatus 1000 waits for continuous feed mode set in display / operation unit 1003. Until the document has elapsed, the document on the document table 101 is continuously detected (NO in S709). After that, when the continuous paper feed mode standby time has elapsed without detecting the original on the original table 101 (YES in S709), the image reading apparatus 1000 ends the driving of the transport motor 109 and the separation motor 108, Separation feeding is ended (S710).

  As described above, even when a small amount of original bundles are read in a plurality of times, image reading can be performed without waiting for a reading start instruction from the externally connected PC, that is, without instructing continuous reading one by one. It can be carried out. In addition, it is possible to provide an apparatus with high work efficiency that does not raise and lower the useless manuscript placement table. Furthermore, by setting the inclination of the document placing table to the same inclination as the conveying surface in the apparatus, it is possible to provide an apparatus that makes it easy to place the document on the document placing table regardless of the size of the document.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

1000 Image Reading Device 101 Document Placement Table 1002 Document Discharge Stand 1003 Display / Operation Unit P Document 102 Document Placement Stand Lift Motor 103 Paper Detection Sensor 105 Paper Feed Roller 106 Feed Roller 107 Separation Roller 108 Separation Motor 109 Conveyance Motor 110 Paper Feed Roller Lifting motor 111 Feeding clutch 112 Conveyed document detection sensor 113 Feeding auxiliary roller 114 Feeding assist roller lever 115 Document placement table lifting assist motor

Claims (12)

A document placement table having a movable range between a first position for placing a document and a second position for transporting the placed document into the apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table;
A feeding means for feeding a document placed on the document placing table into the apparatus;
Control means for controlling the position of the document table,
The control means, when a predetermined mode is designated,
If the detection means does not detect that the document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is set to a third position closer to the second position than the first position. Control to position,
When it is detected by the detection means that a document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is repeatedly controlled to the second position. Feeding device. Further comprising a time measuring means for measuring a time elapsed after the original is not placed, after controlling the original placement table to the third position;
The control means controls the position of the document table from the third position to the first position when a time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time. Item 2. The feeding device according to Item 1.   The feeding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a unit that receives the setting of the predetermined time.   4. The mode according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined mode is a mode in which a document placed on the document placing table is fed to a target number of documents smaller than a predetermined number. 5. The feeding device described.   The feeding means has a movable range between a fourth position when the document is placed on the document placement table and a fifth position when the document placed on the document placement table is transported. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device is provided. A second control means for controlling the position of the feeding means;
The second control means, when the predetermined mode is designated,
When the detection means does not detect that a document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the feeding means is controlled to the fourth position;
When the detection unit detects that a document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is repeatedly controlled to the fifth position. Item 6. The feeding device according to Item 5.   The feeding apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a lever for manually switching the feeding unit between the fourth position and the fifth position by a user. The feeding means separates the first roller unit that feeds the document placed on the document placing table into the apparatus and the document fed from the first roller unit one by one. And a second roller portion for feeding
When the predetermined mode is designated, the first roller unit suppresses the floating of the document placed on the document placement table at the fifth position instead of driving for feeding. The feeding device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the feeding device functions as a part for the purpose. A second detecting means for detecting whether or not the document has reached the transport path;
The first roller unit is configured to drive for conveyance at the fifth position when the second detection unit does not detect that the original has reached the conveyance path. The feeding device according to claim 7 or 8. The control means further controls the inclination of the document table,
The feeding angle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an inclination angle is switched between the case where the document table is at the first position and the case where the document table is at the third position. Feeding device. A document placing table having a movable range between a first position for placing a document and a second position for feeding the placed document into the apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table;
A feeding means for feeding a document placed on the document placing table into the apparatus;
A control method of a feeding device having control means for controlling the position of the document table,
The control means, when a predetermined mode is designated,
If the detection means does not detect that the document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is set to a third position closer to the second position than the first position. Control to position,
When it is detected by the detection means that a document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is repeatedly controlled to the second position. A method for controlling the feeding device. A document placing table having a movable range between a first position for placing a document and a second position for feeding the placed document into the apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the document placing table;
A feeding means for feeding a document placed on the document placing table into the apparatus;
A computer having control means for controlling the position of the document table;
When the predetermined mode is designated by the control means,
If the detection means does not detect that the document is placed on the document placement table, the position of the document placement table is set to a third position closer to the second position than the first position. Control to position,
When the detection unit detects that a document is placed on the document placement table, the function for repeating the control of the position of the document placement table to the second position is provided. program.

Images