JP2018016439A - Sheet conveyance device, image reading device and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which a conventional device has caused increase in cost because a dedicated sensor was necessary for a pickup part to perform an operation without waste for performing separation and feeding of sheet documents.SOLUTION: By using sensors for detecting the existence of sheets, the positions of rollers used for performing pickup of the sheets are detected. Specifically, by the first sensor provided in the vicinity of the rollers, the existence of the sheets and the existence of a movable member which moves according to the positions of the rollers are detected. Furthermore, by the second sensor provided in the vicinity of separation means for separating the plurality of sheets picked up and conveyed by the rollers one by one, the existence of the sheets and the existence of the movable member are detected. Then, based on the result of this detection, the positions of the rollers are determined, and according to the determination, the operation of a sheet conveyance device is controlled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a control method therefor, and more particularly, for example, a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a plurality of stacked sheets one by one, an image reading apparatus using the apparatus, and a control method therefor About.

  A conventional sheet conveying apparatus employs a configuration in which a pickup unit contacts and picks up a plurality of sheets stacked on a tray and stably separates and feeds the sheets one by one. In such a configuration, a dedicated sensor is provided in the pickup unit to detect whether the pickup unit is in contact with the sheet on the tray or in a position away from the sheet, and feeding operation is performed while checking the state of the pickup unit. There has been proposed an apparatus for performing the above (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-167589

  However, in the above-described conventional example, since a dedicated sensor is provided in the pickup unit that feeds the sheet, there is a problem in that the production cost of the apparatus increases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a sheet conveying apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a control method thereof that can stably convey a sheet with an inexpensive and simple configuration. Yes.

  In order to achieve the above object, the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, a tray for stacking sheets, a transport unit that is movable in a direction approaching or separating from the sheets stacked on the tray, and transports the sheets stacked on the tray, and the transport unit. A first detection unit that detects that the conveyed sheet is a bound sheet, and a control that controls the conveyance unit according to a position of the conveyance unit that is determined from a detection result by the first detection unit. Means.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated sensor for the roller for picking up the sheet, sheet conveyance and separation control can be performed with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus that optically reads an image of a sheet, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure with an ADF upper surface cover opened for explaining the arrangement of staple detection sensors in the ADF unit of the image reading apparatus. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of two staple detection sensors. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a staple document is conveyed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a staple document is conveyed. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating types of staple documents detected by an ADF unit of the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a sectional side view which shows the internal structure of the ADF part at the time of using the staple detection sensor 249. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a feeding roller, a sensor flag, and an optical path (optical axis) of a staple detection sensor 249. It is a sectional side view which shows the internal structure of an ADF part at the time of using the staple detection sensor 251. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a feeding roller, a sensor flag, and an optical path (optical axis) of a staple detection sensor 251. FIG. It is a figure explaining execution control of initial operation according to the combination of the detection state of each sensor of an image reading device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating execution control of an initial operation when power is supplied to the image reading apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating sheet document feeding operation control of an ADF unit.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, “sheet” refers not only to image original paper and photographic paper used in general image reading apparatuses, but also widely, cloth, plastic film (OHP), metal plate, wood, leather. Etc., including media that can be transported.

・ Outline of image reader (FIGS. 1 to 3)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus that optically reads an image of a sheet original such as a cut sheet, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit (scanner unit) 110 that optically reads an image on a sheet, and a document feeding unit (ADF unit) 120 that automatically conveys a document to the image reading unit 110. And. The image reading unit 110 includes an image sensor unit 50 that optically reads an image of a sheet document D automatically conveyed from the ADF unit 120, a reading glass 20, and a document table glass 10. Further, the image sensor unit 50 is disposed below the reading glass 20. The image sensor unit 50 is a line-type reading sensor in which a light receiving sensor such as a CCD and a light source such as an LED are configured in a direction (perpendicular to the paper surface: main scanning direction) intersecting the sheet conveyance direction.

  The image sensor unit 50 is fixed to the drive belt 54 and is movable in the direction of arrow H along the guide shaft 56 by transmitting the driving force of the motor 55 via the drive belt 54. The lower surface of 10 can be scanned. Here, a stepping motor, a DC motor, or the like is used as the motor 55.

  When the document feeding unit (ADF unit) is configured as a single device, this is called a sheet conveying device. This sheet conveying apparatus can also be used by being attached to a single-function scanner apparatus that does not include an ADF unit.

  The ADF unit 120 is supported by an opening / closing support member (not shown) such as a hinge so as to be rotatable about the back side of the paper surface of FIG. For this reason, the ADF unit 120 can open and close the upper surfaces of the document table glass 10 and the reading glass 20.

  When reading an image of a sheet without using the ADF unit 120, the sheet is placed directly on the platen glass 10. In this case, the image sensor unit 50 irradiates the sheet with light through the platen glass 10 while moving from the left side to the right side of the sheet of FIG. 1, and receives the reflected light from the sheet to read the image on the sheet. Such a document reading method is called a “fixed reading” method. Here, the scanning direction (arrow H direction) of the image sensor unit 50 is referred to as a sub-scanning direction. On the other hand, a method of reading a sheet conveyed onto the reading glass 20 by the ADF unit 120 while fixing the image sensor unit 50 directly below the reading glass 20 is called a “flow-reading” method. The image reading apparatus 100 is capable of image reading by both of these methods.

  When reading an image of a sheet document using the “flow-reading” method, the user pulls the sheet document D placed on the document tray 30 by the feed roller 31 and feeds it to the separation unit including the separation roller pairs 32 and 33. To send. Here, when a plurality of sheet originals D are fed by the feed roller 31, the separation roller pair 32 and 33 is a sheet on which the separation roller 33 becomes a load with respect to the separation roller 32, and the document D is set to 1. Transport while separating into sheets.

  Next, when the leading edge of the sheet document D is detected by the registration sensor S1, the rotation of the registration roller pair 34 is stopped, the leading edge of the sheet document D conveyed by the separation roller pairs 32 and 33 is received, and the sheet document D is skewed. To correct. In addition to measuring the skew correction timing of the sheet document D, the registration sensor S1 measures the feeding timing by the feeding roller 31 according to the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet document D, and detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet document D. The size of the sheet original D can be determined according to the timing.

  The sheet document D whose skew has been corrected by the registration roller pair 34 is conveyed onto the reading glass 20 through the conveyance path PS1. Then, the image sensor unit 50 stopped below the reading position of the reading glass 20 reads an image in accordance with the reading timing detected by the read sensor S2. At this time, the image of the sheet document is read by the image sensor unit 50 while the sheet document D is conveyed from the upper surface of the reading glass 20 in a state where the floating amount is regulated by the platen roller 35 that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed.

  Further, lead roller pairs 36 and 37 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively, in the sheet document transport direction of the platen roller 35. The sheet document D is read by the image sensor unit 50 while the image sensor unit 50 reads an image. 37 is conveyed. When only an image on one side of the sheet document D is read, the sheet document D on which the image has been read is conveyed to the reverse discharge roller pair 38 by the read roller pair 37 and discharged to the discharge tray 39. Here, a discharge sensor S3 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the pair of reverse discharge rollers 38, and whether or not the sheet document D is discharged to the discharge tray 39 from the detection timing of the document edge by the discharge sensor S3. Is determined.

  Further, when reading images on both sides of the sheet document D, after reading the first page, the rotation of the reverse discharge roller pair 38 for discharging the sheet document D is stopped, and then the sheet document D is rotated in the reverse direction so Pull back. Then, the sheet document D is again fed into the conveyance path PS1 by switching the sheet document conveyance path to the reverse conveyance path PS2 by the flapper 40, and the second side is read by the image sensor unit 50. To 39.

  Here, each of the registration sensor S1, the lead sensor S2, and the discharge sensor S3 can detect a stay jam, a delay jam, and the like when the sheet document is conveyed based on the detection timing of the sheet document edge.

  In FIG. 1, the part surrounded by the broken line is enlarged and shown on the lower side of FIG. The portion shows a detailed configuration of the image sensor unit 50. The image sensor unit 50 includes light sources 51 a and 51 b for irradiating a sheet document with light, an optical lens 52, and an imaging unit 53. Each of the light sources 51a and 51b includes a white-type light guide tube having three red LEDs, green LEDs, and blue LEDs, and irradiates light on the document from a direction inclined with respect to the document table glass 10 by a predetermined angle. .

  Then, the reflected light irradiated from the light sources 51a and 51b and reflected by the sheet original is transferred to a predetermined imaging position of the imaging unit 53 including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the main scanning direction by the optical lens 52. Led. Then, the reflected light from the sheet original is imaged by the imaging unit 53 so that the image of the sheet original is read at the same magnification and stored in an image memory (not shown).

  In addition, distortion (output error) exists in each photoelectric conversion element of the imaging unit 53 arranged in the main scanning direction. Therefore, in order to make the output signal of the imaging unit 53 uniform before reading the image of the sheet original, the distortion is corrected using the output signal when the white reference plate 60 provided at the end of the original table glass 10 is read. Perform shading correction. In addition, light amount adjustment or the like is performed in order to keep the exposure amount of the light sources 51a and 51b constant during shading correction.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure in which the ADF upper surface cover is opened for explaining the arrangement of the staple detection sensor of the ADF unit of the image reading apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a staple detection sensor 249 is provided in the ADF unit 120. The staple detection sensor 249 is a photointerruptive type sensor, which includes a light emitting element 249H and a light receiving element 249J, and an optical path from the light emitting element 249H to the light receiving element 249J is formed between these two elements. A movable sensor flag 75 is provided on the back side of the upper surface cover of the ADF unit 120. When the thickness of the sheet document fed by the ADF unit 120 and taken into the apparatus exceeds a predetermined threshold at the place where the sensor flag 75 is provided, the sheet document moves the sensor flag 75 to block the optical path. The staple detection sensor 249 detects the sheet document.

  Note that another sensor having the same configuration as the staple detection sensor 249 is provided inside the ADF unit 120 and further downstream in the sheet document conveyance direction. Another staple detection sensor will be described later as 251.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of two staple detection sensors. 3 clearly shows the relationship between the conveyance direction of the sheet document D and the arrangement positions of the two staple detection sensors with the upper cover of the ADF unit 120 removed. In FIG. 3, a sheet document D is conveyed from the right side to the left side of the sheet. Accordingly, the right side is the upstream side in the transport direction, the left side is the downstream side, the staple detection sensor 249 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the staple detection sensor 251 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction. Also, the same reference numerals are given to the components already described in FIG. 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a document detection sensor 235 is disposed beside (in the vicinity of) the feed roller 31 and can detect that the sheet document D is placed on the document tray 30. A light emitting element 249H and a light receiving element 249J of the staple detection sensor 249 are disposed upstream of the document detection sensor 235, and an optical path of light (infrared rays) is provided between these elements. Further, a sheet document stopper 71 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the separation roller 32 (the separation roller 33 is not shown in this drawing). Further, a timing sensor 237 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the separation roller pair 32 and 33. A light emitting element 251H and a light receiving element 251J of the staple detection sensor 251 are arranged on both sides (near), and an optical path of light (infrared rays) is provided between the elements.

  Accordingly, the light on the optical path of the staple detection sensors 249 and 251 is shielded by the bent portion of the sheet that is generated when the stapled sheet document is conveyed, thereby detecting whether or not the sheet document is stapled.

A method for detecting a stapled document (hereinafter, stapled document) (FIGS. 4 to 6)
Here, a method in which the ADF unit of the image reading apparatus detects a staple document will be described.

(1) In the case where the downstream side in the transport direction is a document bound with staples FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a staple document is transported. Here, FIG. 4A is a side sectional view of the upper part of the ADF unit into which the staple document is drawn, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the ADF unit into which the staple document is drawn.

  In the case of the staple document shown in FIG. 4, the leading end side (downstream in the transport direction) of the document is stapled. In this case, the sheet document is fed by the feed roller 31 and is conveyed in a bundled state even after passing through the separation roller pairs 32 and 33. However, since the rotation of the registration roller pair 34 is stopped and the separation roller pairs 32 and 33 try to separate the staple document, the transport amount of the sheet on the upper side of the document bundle increases, as shown in FIG. Thus, a sheet loop is formed on the upper side of the original bundle. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, the loop becomes large at the end portion on the stapled side, and the staple document blocks the optical path of the staple detection sensor 251 due to the floating. As a result, the image reading apparatus 100 can detect the sheet document and determine that it is a staple document.

(2) In the case of a document in which the upstream side in the conveyance direction is stapled FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the staple document is conveyed. Here, FIG. 5A is a side sectional view of the upper part of the ADF portion into which the staple document is drawn, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the ADF portion into which the staple document is drawn. The components already described in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the staple document shown in FIG. 5, the trailing edge side of the document (upstream side in the transport direction) is stapled. In this case, when the sheet document is fed by the feed roller 31 and passes through the separation roller pairs 32 and 33, the leading edge of the document bundle is separated and the upper sheet document is conveyed, so that FIG. As shown in the drawing, the rear end side of the sheet document bound by the staple is swollen. In particular, when only one side of the rear end side of the document is stapled, as shown in FIG. 5B, the bulge becomes large at the end of the stapled side, and the staple document is stapled by the bulge. The optical path of the detection sensor 249 is blocked. As a result, the image reading apparatus 100 can detect the sheet document and determine that it is a staple document.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the types of staple documents detected by the ADF unit of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the patterns A and B in which the staple document is bound at the downstream end in the conveyance direction can be detected by the staple detection sensor 251 as described with reference to FIG. 4. For patterns C and D in which one side of a bundle of documents in a direction different from the conveyance direction is bound, when separation is attempted by the pair of separation rollers 32 and 33, only the sheet document on the upper side of the staple document is conveyed. However, in this case, since one side is bound, the sheet document is moved in an oblique direction with respect to the transport direction, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the sheet document is bound by the upper staple of the document bundle. The side that is on the surface rises. This lifting is detected by the staple detection sensor 251. The staple document is bound at the upstream end in the conveyance direction, and the patterns E, F, and G are detected by the staple detection sensor 249 as described with reference to FIG.

  Further, when the staple document is bound at two or more positions on the downstream end in the conveyance direction, the document cannot be separated by the separation roller pairs 32 and 33, and any staple detection sensor can be used. It cannot be detected. However, in this case, since the sheet document is transported in a bundled state without being separated, the sheet document can be detected by another double feed detection sensor 245 (described later), and thus is bound by staples of all patterns. Document detection is possible.

-Control configuration of image reading apparatus (FIG. 7)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 261 includes a CPU 261 a, a sequence of each unit, that is, a ROM 261 b that stores a control program, and a RAM 261 c that temporarily stores various information and uses it as a work area of the CPU 261 a as necessary. The CPU 261a reads out a control program stored in the ROM 261a and executes it using the work area of the RAM 261c, thereby controlling the operation of the apparatus and controlling each actuator.

  The actuator (drive system) includes a feed motor 203 that drives the feed roller 31, a transport motor 201 that drives each roller for transporting the fed sheet document to the image reading unit 110, and a separation pressure is adjusted. The cam motor 205 is provided. Further, the actuator includes a pressure switching SL 211, a stamp SL 207 that presses the conveyed stamp on the conveyed sheet document, and a separation SL 209 that separates the reverse discharge roller pair 38 when the sheet document is reversed.

  The sensors include a DF opening / closing sensor 231 that detects whether the ADF unit 120 is connected to the image reading unit 110 and an open / closed state, and a cover opening / closing sensor 233 that detects opening / closing of a cover that is opened when a jam occurs in the ADF unit 120. Further, the sensor includes a document detection sensor 235 that detects that a sheet document is placed on the document tray 30, a timing sensor 237 that is disposed in the sheet document conveyance path and detects the sheet document, the above-described registration sensor S1, and a lead. A sensor S2 and a paper discharge sensor S3 are included. Further, the sensor includes a double feed detection sensor 245 for detecting whether the sheet document bundle is double fed, the staple detection sensor 249 and the staple detection sensor 251 described above. The CPU 261a of the control unit 261 controls the operation of each actuator based on inputs from these sensors.

  Next, a method for detecting the position of the feeding roller 31 using the two staple detection sensors 249 and 251 will be described. Note that the feeding roller 31 and the feeding motor 203 as a driving source thereof are collectively referred to as a pickup unit because they perform an operation of picking up a sheet document placed on the document tray 30 and feeding it to the ADF unit 120.

  Since the ADF unit 120 shown in this embodiment has a configuration in which the staple detection sensors for detecting the staple document are provided in two places as described above, a description will be given by taking detection examples when these sensors are used.

When detecting the position of the feeding roller 31 using the staple detection sensor 249 (FIGS. 8 to 9)
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the ADF unit when the position of the feeding roller 31 is detected using the staple detection sensor 249. FIG. 8A is a view showing a state (lifted state) in which the feeding roller 31 of the pickup unit is lifted up so as to be separated from the sheet original D on the original tray 30. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state where the feeding roller 31 of the pickup unit is down so as to contact the sheet original D on the original tray 30 (down state).

  The state shown in FIG. 8A is a state in which the sheet original D can be set on the original tray 30, and the stopper 71 is also lowered to block the conveyance path. In this case, the sensor flag 75 is lifted by a member on the side of the feeding roller 31 and enters a state where the optical path of the staple detection sensor 249 is blocked. On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows a state in which the sheet document D cannot be set on the document tray 30. In this case, since the sensor flag 75 is not lifted by the feeding roller 31, the sensor flag 75 does not block the optical path of the staple detection sensor 249.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship among the feeding roller 31, the sensor flag 75, and the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 249.

  FIG. 9A shows the raised state of the feed roller 31. The sensor flag 75 is lifted by a member on the side of the feed roller 31, and the sensor flag 75 is rotated about its rotation shaft 75 ′. The optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 249 is blocked. This is called an ON state (ON) of the staple detection sensor 249. FIG. 9B shows the lowered state of the feeding roller 31, and the sensor flag 75 is not in contact with a member beside the feeding roller 31, and therefore a spring (not shown) around the rotation shaft 75 ′ of the sensor flag 75. ) And does not block the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 249. This is called an OFF state (OFF) of the staple detection sensor.

  With this configuration, when the feeding roller 31 is in the lowered state in which the sheet document D on the document tray 30 can be fed, the staple detection sensor 249 can determine the presence or absence of the staple document. On the other hand, when the feeding roller 31 is in a raised state waiting for feeding, the staple detection sensor 249 can detect that the pickup roller is in the raised position.

  Next, a case where the position of the feeding roller 31 is detected using the staple detection sensor 251 (FIGS. 10 to 11) will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the ADF unit when the position of the feeding roller 31 is detected using the staple detection sensor 251. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state where the feeding roller 31 of the pickup unit is lifted up (up state), and FIG. 10B is a state where the feeding roller 31 of the pickup unit is down (down). FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which the sheet document D can be set on the document tray 30. In this state, the stopper 71 is also lowered to block the conveyance path. In this case, the sensor flag 76 is rotated around the rotation shaft 76 ′ by a member beside the feeding roller 31, and the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 251 is blocked. On the other hand, FIG. 10B shows a state in which the sheet document D cannot be set on the document tray 30. In this case, since the sensor flag 75 is not rotated by the feeding roller 31, the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 251 is not blocked.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship among the feeding roller 31, the sensor flag 76, and the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 251.

  FIG. 11A shows the raised state of the feeding roller 31. The sensor flag 76 is lifted by a member beside the feeding roller 31, and the sensor flag 76 is rotated about its rotation shaft 76 ′. The optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 251 is blocked. As a result, the staple detection sensor 251 is turned on. FIG. 11B shows the lowering state of the feeding roller 31. Since the sensor flag 76 does not touch the members beside the feeding roller 31, the sensor flag 76 is a spring (not shown) around the rotation shaft 76 ′. ) And the optical path (optical axis) of the staple detection sensor 251 is not blocked. As a result, the staple detection sensor 251 is turned off.

  With this configuration, when the feeding roller 31 is in the lowered state in which the sheet document D on the document tray 30 can be fed, the staple detection sensor 251 can determine the presence or absence of the staple document. On the other hand, when the feeding roller 31 is in the raised state waiting for feeding, the staple detection sensor 251 can detect that the pickup roller is in the raised position.

  As described above, the stapling detection sensor 249 or 251 is used to detect the on state and the off state of these sensors, so that the feeding roller 31 is turned on when the apparatus is turned on and before the reading of the sheet original. Can be detected. Then, it can be determined whether or not an initial operation described below needs to be executed.

  In the above example, the position of the feeding roller 31 is detected from the detection result of the staple detection sensor 249 or 251, but the position of the feeding roller 31 is determined from the detection result of both of the two staple detection sensors 249 and 251. The structure to detect may be sufficient.

Execution control of initial operation of image reading apparatus (FIGS. 12 to 13)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating execution control of the initial operation according to the combination of detection states of the sensors of the image reading apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 12, there are four combinations according to the combination of the ON / OFF state of the staple detection sensors 249 and 251 and the ON / OFF states of the path sensors (timing sensor 237, registration sensor S1, lead sensor S2, and paper discharge sensor S3). There is an operation pattern.

  First, when the path system sensors (timing sensor 237, registration sensor S1, lead sensor S2, and paper discharge sensor S3) detect a sheet when the apparatus is powered on or before an image reading operation (pattern Nos. 1 and 3). ) Means that a jam has occurred in the transport path. For this reason, the image reading apparatus displays a message indicating the occurrence of a jam on the operation panel (not shown) or turns on a warning lamp regardless of the state of the staple detection sensors 249 and 251. In response to this, when the user removes the cause of the jam, the image reading apparatus cancels the jam occurrence state, and then executes an initial operation so that the sheet document can be fed and read.

  Next, when the user opens or closes the cover to remove the jam at the upper part of the ADF unit 120 or aligns the sheet document on the document tray 30 of the ADF unit 120 and the ADF unit 120 vibrates, The feeding roller 31 may be lowered. In this case, the pattern No. 4, it is determined that the feed roller 31 is in the lowered state because the staple detection sensor is OFF, and the initial operation is executed before the start of feeding the sheet document. Thereafter, the sheet document is fed and can be read.

  Finally, if the jam is not generated in the transport path in the state in which the apparatus is normally turned on by the user or in the standby state (pattern No. 2) after the power is turned on, the state of the path system sensor Is OFF. The path-type sensors here are the timing sensor 237, the registration sensor S1, the read sensor S2, and the paper discharge sensor S3. Further, since the staple detection sensor is ON in this state, it is determined that the feeding roller 31 is in the raised state, and the initial operation is not executed. As it is, the apparatus is in a state where the sheet document can be fed and read.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing execution control of the initial operation when the image reading apparatus is powered on.

  When the apparatus is turned on, first, in step S101, it is confirmed whether or not a jam has occurred in the ADF unit 120 (that is, whether or not a sheet document is left). In this embodiment, the next sensor for detecting a sheet document is a confirmation target. That is, if the timing sensor 237, the registration sensor S1, the lead sensor S2, the paper discharge sensor S3, and the double feed detection sensor 245 detect the presence of a sheet document, it is determined that a jam has occurred.

  If the occurrence of a jam is detected, the process proceeds to step S103, where a message indicating the occurrence of a jam is displayed on the display (not shown) of the operation panel, prompting the user to remove the jammed sheet document. If it is confirmed in step S105 that the jammed sheet original has been removed (jam processing is complete), the process returns to step S101.

  On the other hand, if the occurrence of a jam is not detected in step S101, the process proceeds to step S105, where the status of the staple detection sensor 249 or 251 is checked to check whether the feeding roller 31 is in the lowered state. To do. If the feeding roller 31 is in the lowered state (when the staple detection sensor is OFF), the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, an initial operation (operation of lifting the feed roller 31 by rotating the feed motor 203 in the direction opposite to the sheet separating direction) is executed. On the other hand, when the feeding roller 31 is not lowered (when the staple detection sensor is ON), it is not necessary to raise the feeding roller 31, and the power-on operation is terminated.

-Feeding operation of the ADF unit of the image reading apparatus (FIG. 14)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating sheet document feeding operation control of the ADF unit.

  When the sheet document feeding operation is started, first, when the sheet document is detected by the document detection sensor 235 in step S201, reading of the sheet document image can be started.

  Next, when the document detection sensor 235 detects that the sheet document D is placed on the document tray 30 (Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203 to wait for an image reading instruction. Here, when the user presses a button on the operation panel or receives an image reading instruction from a host device (for example, a PC) connected to the image reading device, the process proceeds to step S205, as described above. Start feeding and separating the sheet document.

  In step S207, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, it is determined whether the sheet document separated in step S205 is a staple document. If the staple detection sensor 249 or 251 is turned on and it is determined that the sheet document that has been fed and separated is a staple document (Yes in step S207), the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the actuators (conveyance motor 201, feeding motor 203) that convey the sheet document are stopped, and a stapling document is displayed on the display of the operation panel. This prompts the user to remove the staple document from the ADF unit 120.

  If it is confirmed in step S211 that the staple document has been removed, the process executes an initial operation similar to step S109 described above in step S213. Then, a series of operation | movement is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the staple detection sensor 249 or 251 is OFF and the separated sheet document is not a staple document (No in step S207), the sheet is read to execute image reading. The document is further conveyed. In step S215, it is confirmed whether there is a next sheet document. If it is confirmed that there is a next sheet document, the process returns to step S205, the next sheet document is separated, and the above-described transport operation for image reading is repeated. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that there is no next sheet document, a series of processing is ended.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, it is possible to detect not only the presence of the staple document but also the position of the feeding roller by the outputs from the two staple detection sensors. Thereby, the position of the feeding roller can be detected without providing a dedicated sensor for the feeding roller. Further, when a staple document is fed at the time of document feeding, the user can be prompted to remove it from the pickup unit. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately feed the sheet document. In addition, since a dedicated sensor can be omitted, the apparatus cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the execution of the initial operation can be executed only when it is really necessary, the start of the image reading operation can be accelerated, noise during the initial operation can be reduced, and extra power can be reduced. Also contribute.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a single-function image reading device (scanner device) has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a copier system in which an image reading apparatus (scanner apparatus), an image forming apparatus (LBP), and an ADF apparatus are integrated, or a combined system in which a facsimile function is added to the copier system. good.

10 document glass, 20 reading glass, 30 document tray, 31 feeding roller,
32 to 33 Separation roller pair, 34 Registration roller pair, 50 Image sensor unit,
75 sensor flag, 100 image reading device, 110 image reading unit, 120 ADF unit,
249, 251 Staple detection sensor

Claims (12)

A tray for loading sheets;
A transport unit that is movable in a direction approaching or separating from the sheets stacked on the tray, and that transports the sheets stacked on the tray;
First detecting means for detecting that the sheet conveyed by the conveying means is a bound sheet;
And a control unit that controls the conveying unit according to the position of the conveying unit determined from the detection result of the first detecting unit. Further comprising separating means for separating and conveying the sheets conveyed by the conveying means one by one;
The first detection unit detects a bending of the sheet due to the bound sheet being separated by the separation unit when the sheet conveyance by the conveyance unit is started, and the sheet conveyance by the conveyance unit is started. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the conveying unit is detected before the sheet is conveyed.   3. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit is provided upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction of the sheet.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first detection unit is provided on the downstream side of the separation unit in the sheet conveyance direction. The first detection means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that receives light from the light emitting element,
5. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are provided in a direction in which an optical axis between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element obstructs a conveyance direction of the sheet. The sheet conveying apparatus according to item. When a sheet bound by the first detection unit is detected, the display unit further includes a display unit that displays a message indicating that the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit is a bound sheet,
6. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the conveying unit to be stopped when a sheet bound by the first detecting unit is detected.   The first detection means detects the presence of the bound sheet by blocking the optical axis by the floating of the sheet formed by separation of the bound sheet. The sheet conveying apparatus according to 1. A member that is movable in accordance with the movement of the conveying means in the approaching or separating direction;
8. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the member moves so as to block the optical axis of the first detecting unit according to a position of the conveying unit. 9. A second detection unit that is provided on the downstream side of the separation unit in the conveyance direction of the sheet and detects the presence of the sheet;
9. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls execution of an initial operation of the sheet conveying apparatus based on detection results of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein in the initial operation, the position of the first roller is moved to a position separated from a sheet stacked on the tray. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads an image of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying apparatus. A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a tray for stacking sheets; and a conveying unit that is movable in a direction approaching or separating from the sheets stacked on the tray and that conveys the sheets stacked on the tray. A control method,
A detection step of detecting that the sheet conveyed by the conveying means is a bound sheet;
And a control step of controlling the transport unit according to the position of the transport unit determined from the detection result in the detection step.