JP2022138555A - Document feeding device, image reading device and image formation device equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a document feeding device which can let a user to know the actual draft detection status, an image reading device, and an image formation device equipped with the same.SOLUTION: The document feeding device generates pre-determined alarms when a difference is greater than a specified tolerance between a standard size value corresponding to a standard size determined by standard size determining means Q3 among standard size values stored in a storage unit 172 and a detected size value detected by a document size detection unit 192, and/or when a destination specification set by destination specification setting means Q5 does not match a destination specification corresponding to the detection size value detected by the document size detection unit 192, and/or when the standard size determination means Q3 cannot determine the standard size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

The present invention provides a document feeding device, an image reading device, and a document feeder that places a document on a document placement tray and restricts movement of the document placed on the document placement tray in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a document guide member. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multi-function machine, and a facsimile machine.

As a document feeder, the document is placed on the document placement tray, and the document guide member regulates the movement of the document placed on the document placement tray in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, supporting the standard size of the document. The document size value is stored in advance as a standard size value in the storage unit, the document size detection unit detects the size value of the document as a detection size value, and the detected detection size value and the standard size value stored in the storage unit are stored in advance. Conventionally, there is known a document feeder that determines the standard size of a document based on a value (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100003).

In such a document feeder, the following inconveniences occur because the document guide member is not properly aligned with the normal size width of the document placed on the document placement tray.

For example, the document may be transported in a skewed state because the document guide member is not properly aligned with the document to the normal size width, which causes the printed output image to be skewed. In addition, the document may be conveyed in a positionally displaced state in the width direction of the document, resulting in displacement or chipping in the width direction of the output image. Also, if the document is too skewed or displaced in the width direction, it may be caught in the middle of the transport path and the document may be jammed and stopped. In addition, a document different from the destination specification set in the document feeder (for example, inch system destination specification) (for example, an A4R document with AB system destination specification), or an undefined document size for which the standard size of the document cannot be determined If the document is read as it is, the output image may be missing.

Regarding this point, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100001 discloses that the guide width of the guide means is appropriate based on the number of control steps from the start of paper transport to the detection of the leading edge of the paper by the paper detection sensor, or the inclination of the paper with respect to the feeding direction. A configuration is described in which it is determined that the guide width is not correct, and the user is alerted to set the guide means so that the guide width is appropriate.

JP-A-2007-50969 JP 2010-184764 A

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, whether or not to call attention to the user that the guide means should be properly set is determined based on the paper transport state, so that the user is made aware of the actual detection state of the document. I can't.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a document feeder, an image reader, and an image forming apparatus having the same, which allow a user to recognize the actual document detection state.

In order to solve the above problems, the following first to third aspects of the document feeding device, the image reading device, and the image forming device are provided.

(1) Document Feeding Apparatus of First Aspect A document feeding apparatus of the first aspect according to the present invention includes a document placing tray on which a document is placed, and a direction in which the document placed on the document placing tray is conveyed perpendicularly. a document guide member for restricting movement in the width direction, the document feeder comprising: a storage unit for pre-storing a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value; a document size detection unit that detects a size value as a detected size value; and the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit and the standard size value stored in the storage unit. standard size determination means for determining a size, the standard size value corresponding to the standard size determined by the standard size determination means among the standard size values stored in the storage unit; A predetermined alarm is issued when there is a difference of a predetermined allowable value or more from the detected size value detected by the size detection unit.

(2) Document feeder according to second aspect A document feeder according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a document placement tray on which a document is placed, and a direction in which the document placed on the document placement tray is conveyed perpendicularly. and a document guide member for restricting movement in the width direction, the storage unit storing in advance a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value for each destination specification. a document size detection unit for detecting the document size value as a detected size value; destination specification setting means for setting the destination specification; standard size determination means for determining the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit and the standard size value stored in the storage unit; A predetermined alarm is issued when the destination specification set by the setting means and the destination specification corresponding to the detected size value detected by the document size detection section do not match.

(3) Document feeder according to third aspect A document feeder according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a document placement tray on which a document is placed, and a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the document placed on the document placement tray is conveyed. a document guide member for restricting movement in the width direction, the document feeder comprising: a storage unit for pre-storing a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value; a document size detection unit that detects a size value as a detected size value; and the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit and the standard size value stored in the storage unit. and standard size determination means for determining a size, and a predetermined alarm is issued when the standard size determination means cannot determine the standard size.

(4) Image Reading Apparatus An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including any one of the document feeder according to the first to third aspects of the present invention.

(5) Image Forming Apparatus An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to allow the user to recognize the actual document detection state.

1 is a front view perspectively showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the document feeder shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the document feeder shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how documents of each size are arranged with the center in the width direction as a reference; FIG. 4 is a chart showing standard size values for each size of an original; FIG. 4 is a chart showing an example of a document detection size table; 4 is a chart showing an example of a document detection size table; FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing an example in which the document guide member is wider than the standard size document and the difference between the standard size value and the detected size value is greater than or equal to a predetermined allowable value; FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing an example in which the document guide member is narrower than the standard size document and the difference between the standard size value and the detected size value is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value; FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a display form displayed on the indicator lamp; 7B is a plan view showing an example of a message displayed on the display screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 7A; FIG. 7C is a plan view showing an example of a message displayed on the display screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 7B; FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an example of a document different from the set destination specification is placed; 4 is a chart showing the difference in standard size in the width direction of a document between AB system destination specifications and inch system destination specifications. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a message displayed on the display screen of the display unit due to differences in destination specifications; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another example of a message displayed on the display screen of the display unit due to the difference in destination specifications; FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an example of a document whose standard size cannot be determined is placed; FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a message displayed on the display unit when a standard size cannot be determined; 4 is a flow chart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing the second half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the third embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to a combination of the first embodiment to the third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an intermediate part of an example of control of an alarm operation according to a combination of the first to third embodiments;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a front view perspectively showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a system block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, X indicates the horizontal direction (horizontal direction), Y indicates the width direction (front-rear direction), and Z indicates the vertical direction.

The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and includes an image reading device 102 . The image forming apparatus 100 transmits the image of the document G read by the image reading apparatus 102 to the outside. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image of the document G read by the image reading apparatus 102 or an image received from the outside in color or monochrome on paper (recording material).

A document feeder 160 [automatic document feeder (ADF)] is provided above the image reading section 130 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the image reading section 130 . The image reading device 102 has a document feeding device 160 . The document feeder 160 sequentially conveys one or a plurality of documents G one by one. The image reading device 102 reads one or more originals G conveyed one by one by the original feeder 160 . The image reading device 102 includes a document placement table 130a (document setting table) on which a document G is placed, and a placed document reading function for reading the document G placed on the document placement table 130a. In the image forming apparatus 100, when the document feeder 160 is opened, the document table 130a above the image reading section 130 is opened so that the document G can be manually placed. The document feeder 160 also includes a document placement tray 161 (placement tray) on which the document G is placed, and a document ejection tray 162 (ejection tray) on which the document G ejected to the outside is stacked. The image reading device 102 has a conveyed document reading function of reading the document G conveyed by the document feeder 160 . The document feeding device 160 conveys the document G placed on the document placing tray 161 onto the document reading section 130 b of the image reading section 130 . The image reading unit 130 scans the document G placed on the document table 130a by scanning the scanning optical system 130c, or reads the document G conveyed by the document feeder 160 to generate image data.

The image forming apparatus main body 101 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a drum cleaning device 4, a charging device 5, an intermediate transfer belt 7, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, a paper feeding cassette 18, and paper. A discharge tray 141 (internal discharge tray) is provided.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image corresponding to a color image using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black). data is handled. The image transfer unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with four developing devices 2, four photosensitive drums 3, four drum cleaning devices 4, and four chargers 5 for forming four types of toner images. Corresponding to cyan, magenta and yellow, four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc and Pd are configured.

The optical scanning device 1 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 . The drum cleaning device 4 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 . The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. A toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 by the series of operations described above.

An intermediate transfer roller 6 is arranged above the photosensitive drum 3 with an intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched around a transfer drive roller 7a and a transfer driven roller 7b, and circulates in the direction of arrow M. As shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 100 , residual toner is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 9 , and the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoreceptor drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 . A color toner image is formed.

A nip area is formed between the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer portion 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path S is nipped in the nip area and conveyed. When the paper passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to the paper, and the paper is conveyed to the fixing device 12 .

The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 31 and a pressure roller 32 that rotate while sandwiching the paper. The fixing device 12 sandwiches the paper having the toner image transferred between the fixing roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 and applies heat and pressure to fix the toner image on the paper.

The paper feed cassette 18 is a sheet storage unit for storing paper used for image formation, and is provided below the optical scanning device 1 . The paper is pulled out from the paper feed cassette 18 by the paper pickup roller 16 and transported to the paper transport path S. As shown in FIG. The paper transported to the paper transport path S passes through the secondary transfer section 11 and the fixing device 12 , is transported to the discharge rollers 17 , and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 141 . A transport roller 13 , a registration roller 14 and a discharge roller 17 are arranged in the paper transport path S. As shown in FIG. The transport roller 13 promotes transport of the paper. The registration rollers 14 temporarily stop the paper and align the leading edges of the paper. The registration rollers 14 convey the temporarily stopped sheet in synchronism with the timing of the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 . The color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred to paper in the nip area between intermediate transfer belt 7 and transfer roller 11a.

In FIG. 1, there is one paper feed cassette 18, but this is not a limitation, and a configuration in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes 18 are provided, and the same and/or different types of paper may be loaded in each of them. good.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 conveys the paper from the ejection roller 17 to the paper reversing path Sr in the reverse direction when forming an image on the back surface as well as the front surface of the paper. The image forming apparatus 100 turns over the sheet conveyed in the opposite direction, and guides the sheet to the registration rollers 14 again. Also, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the back surface of the sheet guided to the registration rollers 14 in the same manner as the front surface, and conveys the sheet to the sheet discharge tray 141 .

(control part)
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 170 has a processing unit 171 made up of a microcomputer such as a CPU, and a storage unit 172 including non-volatile memory such as ROM and volatile memory such as RAM. The control unit 170 loads a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 172 by the processing unit 171 onto the RAM of the storage unit 172 and executes the control program, thereby controlling the operation of various components.

The image forming apparatus 100 further includes an operation unit 120 (operation panel) provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 101, and an indicator lamp 161a (see FIG. 2) provided on the front side of the document tray 161. I have. The indicator light 161a is a light emitting element (light emitting diode element (LED)) in this example.

The operation unit 120 is provided with a display unit 121 and an input reception unit 122 . The display unit 121 displays predetermined display information. The input reception unit 122 receives predetermined input information from the user. The display unit 121 and the indicator lamp 161 a are electrically connected to the output system of the control unit 170 . Accordingly, the control unit 170 can cause the display unit 121 to display a message, which will be described later, by transmitting the display control data processed by the processing unit 171 to the display unit 121 . Further, the control unit 170 can cause the display unit 121 to display whether or not the document G is placed and a lighting mode described later by transmitting the display control data processed by the processing unit 171 to the indicator lamp 161a. . Input reception unit 122 is electrically connected to an input system of control unit 170 . Thereby, the control unit 170 can receive the input data received by the input receiving unit 122 from the input receiving unit 122 .

<Document feeder>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing document feeder 160 shown in FIG. 4 is a sectional view of document feeder 160 shown in FIG.

In the document feeder 160, in the lateral direction X when viewed from the front, a transport section 164 is provided on one end side (the left side in the example shown in FIG. 4), and the other end side (the left side in the example shown in FIG. 4). , right) are provided with a document placement tray 161 and a document discharge tray 162 . The document loading tray 161 and the document ejection tray 162 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z, with the document loading tray 161 arranged on the upper stage and the document ejection tray 162 arranged on the lower stage.

In the document feeder 160 , the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 is taken into the transport section 164 through the document insertion opening 165 . Inside the transport section 164 , the document G read by the image reading device 102 passes through the document discharge roller 166 provided in the document discharge port 163 , is discharged from the transport section 164 , and is stacked on the document discharge tray 162 . be.

The document feeder 160 further includes a document placement detection section 191 (document placement sensor) and a document size detection section 192 (document size sensor).

The document placement detection unit 191 detects the presence or absence of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 . The document size detection unit 192 detects the size value of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 as a detected size value (detected size). The document placement detection section 191 and the document size detection section 192 are electrically connected to the input system of the control section 170 .

The document placement detection unit 191 transmits a signal (on/off signal) indicating the presence or absence of the document G on the document placement tray 161 to the control unit 170 . Thereby, the control section 170 can detect whether or not the document G is placed on the document placement tray 161 . Document size detection unit 192 transmits a signal indicating the size of document G on document placement tray 161 to control unit 170 . Thereby, the control section 170 can detect the size of the document G on the document placing tray 161 .

As the document placement detection section 191 and the document size detection section 192, conventionally known ones can be used. As the document placement detection unit 191 and the document size detection unit 192, typically, a light reflection sensor that detects light from the document G or a light transmission sensor that has an actuator that turns on and off depending on the presence or absence of the document G is used. can be mentioned.

The document size detection section 192 is composed of a plurality of size detection sections. Specifically, the document size detection unit 192 has a plurality of transport direction document size detection units 1921 (transport direction document size sensors) and width direction document size detection units 1922 (width direction document size sensors). A plurality of transport direction document size detection units 1921 detect transport direction size values of the document G in the transport direction H (in this example, a first size range of less than 232 mm, a second size range of 232 mm or more and less than 305 mm, a third size of 305 mm or more). range) is detected as the transport direction detection size value.

In this example, the plurality of transport direction document size detection units 1921 are two size detection units, a first size detection unit 1921a (first size sensor) and a second size detection unit 1921b (second size sensor). .

As shown in FIG. 4, the first size detection section 1921a is provided downstream of the second size detection section 1921b in the transport direction H of the document G. As shown in FIG. In this example, the first size detector 1921a has a distance of 232 mm from the setting position W of the document G to the detection position W1. In the second size detection portion 1921b, the distance from the set position W of the document G to the detection position W2 is 305 mm.

Further, the width direction document size detection unit 1922 detects the width direction size value in the width direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction H of the document G as the width direction detection size value. The document placement tray 161 includes document guide members 161b, 161b (document guides) (see FIG. 3) that regulate the movement of the document G in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. As the width direction document size detection unit 1922, typically, a width direction document size detection unit 1922 (variable resistor) can be used. Specifically, the document guide members 161b and 161b are configured to reciprocate so that the distances from the center C in the width direction Y are the same with each other by rack gears and pinion gears (not shown). The width direction document size detection unit 1922 is designed such that the electric resistance value (that is, the voltage value) changes approximately linearly according to the movement distance in the width direction Y of the document guide members 161b and 161b. Thereby, the control unit 170 can convert the electric resistance value (that is, the voltage value) of the width direction document size detection unit 1922 into the width direction detection size value using the conversion formula. In this example, the detection accuracy of the width direction detection size value of the control unit 170 is 0.1 mm.

FIG. 5A is a plan view and a chart showing how the originals G of each size are arranged with the center C in the width direction Y as a reference. FIG. 5B is a table showing standard size values for each size of the document G. FIG.

In a state where the document placement detection unit 191 is turned on (a state in which the document G is placed on the document placement tray 161), the control unit 170 controls the first size detection unit 1921a, the second size detection unit 1921b, and the second size detection unit 1921b. The width direction document size detection unit 1922 is used to detect the size of the document G, for example, as follows.

That is, the storage unit 172 stores in advance the size value of the document G corresponding to the standard size of the document G as the standard size value (see FIG. 5B). Specifically, the storage unit 172 pre-stores the transport direction size value of the document G corresponding to the transport direction standard size in the transport direction H of the document G as the transport direction standard size value. Further, the storage unit 172 stores in advance the width direction size value of the document corresponding to the width direction standard size of the document G in the width direction Y as the width direction standard size value. The control unit 170 detects a standard size document G based on the detection results of the first size detection unit 1921 a , the second size detection unit 1921 b and the width direction document size detection unit 1922 .

6A and 6B are charts showing an example of the document detection size table TB (TB1, TB2). The document detection size table TB includes a first document detection size table TB1 (see FIG. 6A) used when the AB system is set, and a second document detection size table TB2 (see FIG. 6B) used when the inch system is set. . The document detection size table TB (TB1, TB2) is pre-stored in the storage unit 172. FIG. The control unit 170 is configured to set destination specifications in the AB system or the inch system according to selection information input from the input reception unit 122 by the user.

When AB system destination specifications are set, the control unit 170 refers to the first document detection size table TB1 as shown in FIG. 6A. When both the first size detection unit 1921a and the second size detection unit 1921b are turned off (when the transport direction size value is within the first size range of less than 232 mm), the control unit 170 controls the width direction document size detection unit 1922. Each size of A4, 11×8.5 (Letter), B5, A5, A5R or irregular size is detected according to the width direction detection size value. In addition, when the first size detection unit 1921a is on and the second size detection unit 1921b is off (when the transport direction size value is in the second size range of 232 mm or more and less than 305 mm), the control unit 170 determines the width direction document size. Each size of A4R and B5R or irregular size is detected according to the width direction detection size value of the detection unit 1922 . Furthermore, when both the first size detection unit 1921a and the second size detection unit 1921b are on (when the transport direction size value is in the third size range of 305 mm or more), the control unit 170 controls the width direction document size detection unit Each size of A3, 11×17 (Ledger), B4, 8.5×13 (Foolscape) or irregular size is detected according to the width direction detection size value of 1922 .

On the other hand, when the inch system destination specification is set, the control unit 170 refers to the second document detection size table TB2 as shown in FIG. 6B. The control unit 170 selects A4 according to the width direction detection size value of the width direction document size detection unit 1922 when both the first size detection unit 1921a and the second size detection unit 1921b are off (in the first size range). , 11×8.5, 8.5×5.5 (Invoice), and 5.5×8.5R (Invoice-R). In addition, when the first size detection unit 1921a is turned on and the second size detection unit 1921b is turned off (within the second size range), the control unit 170 controls the width direction detection size value of the width direction document size detection unit 1922. to detect 8.5×11R (Letter-R) or irregular size. Furthermore, when both the first size detection unit 1921a and the second size detection unit 1921b are on (within the third size range), the control unit 170 controls the width direction detection size value of the width direction document size detection unit 1922. to detect each size of A3, Ledger, 8.5×13 or irregular size.

Here, irregular sizes are shaded in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Note that when the control unit 170 detects an irregular size, the display unit 121 displays document sizes near the detected size value as shown in the shaded areas in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

<Original Standard Size Judgment Operation>
By the way, in the conventional document feeder, the document guide members (161b, 161b) are not correctly aligned with the normal size width of the document G placed on the document placement tray (161). inconvenience occurs.

For example, since the document guide members (161b, 161b) are not correctly aligned with the normal size width of the document G, the document G may be conveyed in a skewed state, and the printed output image may be distorted. tilted. Further, the document G may be conveyed in a state of being displaced in the width direction Y of the document G, and in such a case, misalignment or chipping in the width direction Y of the output image may occur. Further, if the document G is too skewed or shifted too much in the width direction Y, it may be caught in the middle of the transport path and the document G may be jammed and stopped. Alternatively, if an irregular-sized document G whose standard size cannot be determined is read as it is, the output image may be missing or the like.

In this respect, the document feeder 160 according to the present embodiment has the configurations of the following first to third embodiments.

(First embodiment)
In the document feeder 160 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Prepare.

The document size detection control means Q1 passes the detection size values (specifically, the transport direction detection size value and the width direction detection size value) detected by the document size detection unit 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922) to the document size detection unit 192. Get from In this example, the conveying direction detection size value is ON information or OFF information for the first size detection unit 1921a and ON information or OFF information for the second size detection unit 1921b. Also, the width direction detection size value is a size value in units of 0.1 mm.

The storage control means Q2 stores the detection size value acquired by the document size detection control means Q1 in the storage section 172. FIG. Further, the storage control means Q2 reads from the storage unit 172 the detected size value stored in the storage unit 172 and the standard size value stored in the storage unit 172 in advance.

The standard size determination means Q3 uses the first document detection size table TB1 or the second document detection size table TB2 to store the detection size values detected by the document size detection unit 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922) and the storage unit 172. The standard size of the document G is determined based on the stored standard size value. Specifically, the standard size determination unit Q3 determines the transport direction detection size detected by the transport direction document size detection unit 1921 (1921a, 1921b) from the transport direction standard size value and the width direction standard size stored in the storage unit 172. value and the standard size of the document G corresponding to the width direction detection size value detected by the width direction document size detection unit 1922 is determined.

7A and 7B schematically show an example in which the document guide members 161b and 161b are wider and narrower than the standard size document G, respectively, and the difference between the standard size value and the detected size value is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value. is a plan view shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a. 9A and 9B are plan views showing examples of messages displayed on the display screen 121a of the display unit 121 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7A, if the document guide members 161b and 161b are wider than the standard size document G, the document guide members 161b and 161b cannot reliably guide the document G, or the document G cannot be guided in the width direction Y. may not be aligned. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, if the document guide members 161b and 161b are narrower than the standard size document G, the document G may be bent or folded by the document guide members 161b and 161b.

In this regard, in the first embodiment, the notification control means Q4 selects the standard size value corresponding to the standard size (for example, A4R) determined by the standard size determination means Q3 among the standard size values stored in the storage unit 172. (for example, 210 mm) and the detection size value (for example, 215.0 mm to 235.9 mm or 196.0 mm to 205 mm) detected by the document size detection unit 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922). 5.0 mm) or more (for example, +5.0 mm to +25.9 mm or -14.0 mm to -5.0 mm), a predetermined alarm is issued.

By doing this, whether or not there is a warning to the user that the document guide members 161b and 161b should be properly set can be determined by whether or not there is a difference of a predetermined allowable value or more between the standard size value and the detected size value. It can be carried out. This allows the user to recognize the actual document G detection state.

Here, examples of the predetermined warning include a mode of changing the display mode displayed on the indicator light 161a, and a mode of displaying a message for warning the user on the display screen 121a. As a mode for changing the display mode displayed on the indicator lamp 161a, when the document G is placed on the document placement tray 161 and the document placement detection unit 191 is turned on, the indicator lamp 161a is changed from lighting to blinking. Alternatively, the lighting color (for example, blue) of the indicator lamp 161a can be changed (for example, from blue to red). The same applies to the second embodiment and the third embodiment, which will be described later. Note that the alarm information AI for issuing an alarm is pre-stored in the storage unit 172 .

In the example shown on the left side of FIG. 8, when the document guide members 161b and 161b are wider or narrower than the standard size document G, the notification control means Q4 changes the indicator lamp 161a from lighting to blinking. Alternatively, the lighting color (for example, blue) of the indicator lamp 161a is changed (for example, from blue to red). Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, when the document guide members 161b and 161b are correctly adjusted to the normal size width, the difference between the standard size value and the detected size value is larger than a predetermined allowable value (for example, ±5 mm). become smaller. Then, the control unit 170 turns on the indicator lamp 161a (for example, blue lighting).

In the example shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, the notification control means Q4 displays the messages M1 and M2 on the display screen 121a when the document guide members 161b and 161b are wider or narrower than the standard size document G. to display respectively.

With such a caution/warning, the user can correctly align the document guide members 161b and 161b and align the document G, thereby preventing jams due to skewed feeding of the document G and damage to the document G. can be effectively prevented. Further, even if the document G does not jam, it is possible to effectively prevent the printed output image from being skewed or missing, thereby eliminating wasteful print output.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 170 further includes destination specification setting means Q5. The destination specification setting means Q5 sets destination specifications. That is, the destination specification setting means Q5 sets the AB system destination specification for the document feeder 160 according to the selection information of the destination specification input by the user from the input reception unit 122 as the destination specification, or sets the destination specification in inches. Set to the destination specification of the system.

The storage unit 172 stores in advance the size value of the document G corresponding to the standard size of the document G as a standard size value for each destination specification.

The standard size determination means Q3 detects the document size detected by the document size detection section 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922) from the standard size value stored in the storage section 172 in the destination specification set by the destination specification setting means Q5. A standard size of the document G corresponding to the detected size value is determined.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing how an example of a document G different from the set destination specification is placed.

By the way, in the document feeder 160, for example, AB system destination specifications or inch system destination specifications are set. The user places an A4R document (G) of AB system on the document placement tray 161 for the setting of the inch system, and the controller 170 detects the document G by the document size detection section 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922). However, the document Ga of the set destination specification (for example, 8.5×11R according to the inch system setting) is detected. If a document G different from the set destination specification is read as it is, the printed output image may be missing.

In this regard, in the second embodiment, the notification control means Q4 determines the destination specifications set by the destination specification setting means Q5 and the detection size values detected by the document size detection section 192 (1921a, 1921b, 1922). If the standard size determined by the standard size determining means Q3 does not match the destination specifications, a predetermined alarm is issued.

By doing so, it is possible to check whether the set destination specification and the destination specification corresponding to the detected detection size value match whether or not to alert the user that the document guide members 161b and 161b should be properly set. It can be done depending on whether or not This allows the user to recognize the actual document G detection state. This is further explained with reference to Figures 11, 12A and 12B.

FIG. 11 is a table showing the difference in the standard size in the width direction Y of the document G between the AB system destination specifications and the inch system destination specifications. 12A and 12B are plan views respectively showing one example and another example of messages displayed on the display screen 121a of the display unit 121 depending on the difference in destination specifications. 12A and 12B, "destination specification setting" means that the control unit 170 sets the destination specification received from the input reception unit 122 (see FIG. 2) by the user's selection operation. "Manual size setting" means that the control unit 170 sets the standard size of the document G received from the input receiving unit 122 by the user's selection operation.

- For documents with similar standard size values in the width direction -
As shown in FIG. 11, there is a document G whose standard size in the width direction Y (standard size value in the width direction) is similar between the AB system destination specification and the inch system destination specification. for example,
・When AB system destination specifications are set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is A4R/A5 (210 mm), but the detected size value is 215. If it is around 0.9 mm, there is a high possibility that 8.5×5.5/8.5×11R (215.9 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b, 161b (document guides) are wider than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed, and/or as shown in FIG. 12A. The message M3 is displayed on the display screen 121a.

・When the inch-based destination specification is set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is 8.5×5.5/8.5×11R (215 9 mm), but if the detected size value is around 210.0 mm, there is a high possibility that A4R/A5R (210.0 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b and 161b are narrower than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or a message M4 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 121a.

・When AB system destination specifications are set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is A5R (148.5 mm), but the detected size value is 139. When it is around 0.7 mm, there is a high possibility that 5.5×8.5R (139.7 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b and 161b are narrower than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or a message M4 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 121a.

・When the inch-based destination specification is set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is 5.5×8.5R (139.7 mm). , when the detected size value is around 148.5 mm, there is a high possibility that A5R (148.5 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b and 161b are wider than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or a message M3 as shown in FIG. 12A is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 121a.

- For originals that cannot be detected with inch-based destination specifications -
As shown in FIG. 11, the number of standard size types for the inch system destination specifications is smaller than the standard size types for the AB system destination specifications. For this reason, there are documents G that cannot be detected with the specification of the destination of the inch system. for example,
When the specification of the destination in inches is set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is 11×8.5/Ledger (279.4 mm). , when the detected size value is around 257.0 mm, there is a high possibility that B4/B5 (257.0 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b and 161b are narrower than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or a message M3 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 121a.

When the specification of the destination in inches is set, the standard size of the document G placed on the document placement tray 161 and determined is 8.5×11R (215.9 mm). When the size value is around 182.0 mm, there is a high possibility that B5R (182.0 mm) is actually placed on the document placement tray 161 . In this case, since the document guide members 161b and 161b are narrower than the standard size value of the document G, the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or a message M3 as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 121a.

In any case, the user may set the specifications of the destination, or set the standard size of the document G, as in the messages M3 and M4 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

With such cautions/warnings, the user can check the document guide members 161b, 161b, and correctly match the destination specification settings and manual size settings, thereby allowing the user to read documents G1 of different destination specifications (for example, 8.5×11R size). (G1) is read in the size (for example, A4R) of the document Ga of the set destination specification. output can be eliminated.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, different points from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an example of a document G whose standard size cannot be determined is placed.

By the way, in the document feeder 160, for an irregular size document G whose standard size cannot be determined by the standard size determination means Q3, for example, as shown in FIG. Since the detection size value in the width direction of the document G of the standard size matches, the detection state of the document G of the irregular size cannot be notified in the first and second embodiments.

In this regard, in the third embodiment, the notification control means Q4 issues a predetermined warning when the standard size determination means Q3 cannot determine the standard size.

By doing so, it is possible to notify the detection state of the document G of irregular size. This allows the user to recognize the actual document G detection state.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a message displayed on the display unit 121 when the standard size cannot be determined. In FIG. 14, "direct size setting" means that the control unit 170 sets an irregular size (for example, XX mm length x XX mm width) received from the input reception unit 122 by the user's input operation. means that Here, 〇〇 is the actual size value of the document G of irregular size.

Documents G whose standard size cannot be determined by the standard size determining means Q3 are classified into irregular sizes (e.g., widthwise size The size of the document is 297 mm (A3/A4 size)×250 mm in the transport direction).

For this reason, the document G placed on the document tray 161 is determined by the document detection size table TB (TB1, TB1) based on the combination of the width direction detection size value and the transport direction detection size value. If the size cannot be determined as a standard size and can be determined as an irregular size (see the shaded portion of the tables in FIGS. 6A and 6B), the display form displayed on the indicator lamp 161a is changed and/or the size shown in FIG. A message M5 as shown is displayed on the display screen 121a.

Such a note/warning allows the user to directly enforce sizing. As a result, it is possible to read an irregular size document G at a reading size desired by the user, and wasteful print output can be eliminated.

(First to Third Embodiments)
At least two of the first to third embodiments can be combined. Further, when the first to third embodiments are combined, first, it is determined whether or not the standard size cannot be determined. determines whether or not there is a difference greater than or equal to a predetermined allowable value, and if there is a difference greater than or equal to the predetermined allowable value, the set destination specifications match the destination specifications corresponding to the determined standard size. It is possible to determine whether or not

By doing so, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy for issuing a predetermined alarm, and it is possible to issue the predetermined alarm more accurately.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the transport direction detection size value detected by the transport direction document size detection unit 1921 (1921a, 1921b) and the width direction detection size detected by the width direction document size detection unit 1922 The standard size of the document G is determined based on the value and the transport direction standard size value and the width direction standard size stored in the storage unit 172 . By doing so, it is possible to accurately determine the standard size of the document G in the transport direction and the width direction with a simple configuration.

<Example of alarm action control>
Next, control examples of alarm operations according to the first to third embodiments will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15A to 18B.

-Example of alarm operation control according to the first embodiment-
15A and 15B are flowcharts showing the first half and the second half of an example of alarm operation control according to the first embodiment.

In the alarm operation according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the document G is placed on the document placement tray 161 (S1). If not (S1:N), the attention/warning to the indicator lamp 161a and/or the display screen 121a is canceled (S2). On the other hand, when the document G is placed (S1: Y), the control unit 170 detects the detected size value using the document size detection unit 192, and stores the detected size value in the storage unit 172. The standard size determined from the specified standard size value is displayed on the display screen 121a (S3).

Next, the control section 170 determines whether or not there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value between the standard size value and the detected size value (S4a). If there is a difference equal to or greater than the allowable value (S4a: Y), the control unit 170 changes the display mode of the indicator lamp 161a and/or displays messages M1 and M2 on the display screen 121a (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). ) is displayed to issue a caution/warning (S5a). On the other hand, if the difference is not equal to or greater than the allowable value (S4a: N), the control section 170 cancels the caution/warning to the display lamp 161a and/or the display screen 121a (S6).

Next, the control unit 170 repeats the processing of S1 to S7 until the user gives an instruction to start reading the document G (S7: N). Transition.

Next, the control unit 170 starts feeding the document G (S8), and further starts reading the document G (S9). Next, the control unit 170 waits until the reading of the document G is completed (S10: N), and when the reading is completed (S10: Y), it determines whether or not there is the next document G (S11). If the next document G exists (S11: Y), the control unit 170 repeats the processes of S8 to S11, and if there is no next document G (S11: N), the process ends.

- Example of alarm operation control according to the second embodiment -
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the second embodiment. Note that the flowchart showing the second half of the example of the control of the alarm operation according to the second embodiment is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 15B, and the figure and description thereof will be omitted.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 15A, S4b and S4c are provided in place of S4a, and S5b is provided in place of S5a. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the same processing as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 15A is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted.

In S4b, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the destination specification set by the destination specification setting means Q5 matches the destination specification corresponding to the determined standard size. S4b: N), the process proceeds to S6, while if they do not match (S4b: Y), the process proceeds to S4c.

Next, in S4c, the control unit 170 determines whether or not there is manual size setting by the user. If yes (S4c: Y), the process proceeds to S6, otherwise (S4c: N). , change the display form of the indicator lamp 161a, and/or display messages M3 and M4 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B) on the display screen 121a to issue a caution/warning (S5b).

- Example of alarm operation control according to the third embodiment -
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the first half of an example of control of an alarm operation according to the third embodiment. Note that the flowchart showing the second half of the example of the control of the alarm operation according to the third embodiment is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 15B, and the figure and description thereof will be omitted.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, S4b and S4c are replaced with S4d and S4e, and S5b is replaced with S5c in the flowchart shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 15A and 16, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In S4d, the control section 170 determines whether or not the document G is of an irregular size for which the standard size cannot be determined by the standard size determining means Q3. , S6, and if the document G is of an irregular size (S4d: Y), the process proceeds to S4e.

Next, in S4e, the control unit 170 determines whether or not there is direct size setting by the user. If yes (S4e: Y), the process proceeds to S6. If no (S4e: N). , change the display form of the indicator light 161a, and/or display a message M5 (see FIG. 14) on the display screen 121a to issue a caution/warning (S5c).

-Example of control of alarm operation according to combination of first to third embodiments-
FIGS. 18A and 18B are flow charts respectively showing the first half and middle part of an example of alarm operation control according to a combination of the first to third embodiments. Note that the flowchart showing the second half of the example of the control of the alarm operation according to the third embodiment is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 15B, and the figure and description thereof will be omitted.

The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B are obtained by removing S4e from the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 and adding S4a, S4b, S4f to S4k, S5a, and S5c. In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the same processes as those in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 15A, 16 and 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Note that the condition flags used in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B are stored in the storage unit 172. FIG.

In S4d shown in FIG. 18A, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the document G is of an irregular size for which the standard size cannot be determined by the standard size determination means Q3. (S4d: Y), C is input to the condition flag, and the process proceeds to S4i shown in FIG. 18B.

Next, in S4a, the control unit 170 determines whether or not there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value between the standard size value and the detected size value. : Y), the process proceeds to S4b. On the other hand, if there is no difference equal to or greater than the allowable value (S4a: N), the process proceeds to S6 shown in FIG. 18B.

Next, in S4b, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the destination specifications set by the destination specification setting means Q5 match the destination specifications corresponding to the determined standard size. (S4b: N), A is input to the condition flag and the process proceeds to S4i shown in FIG. 18B. transition to

Next, in S4i shown in FIG. 18B, the control unit 170 determines whether or not there is manual size setting or direct size setting by the user. If so (S4i: N), the process proceeds to S4j.

Next, in S4j, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the condition flag is A. If it is A (S4j: Y), the control unit 170 proceeds to S7 via S5a. (S4j: N), the process proceeds to S4k.

Next, in S4k, the control unit 170 determines whether the condition flag is B or not. If so (S4k:N), the process proceeds to S7 via S5c.

(Other embodiments)
In the document feeder 160 according to the first to third embodiments, the document guide members 161b and 161b regulate the movement of the document G with the center C in the width direction Y as a reference. The movement of the document G may be restricted with reference to one side edge.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the embodiment concerned is merely an example in all respects, and should not be construed in a restrictive manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of claims are within the scope of the present invention.

100 Image forming apparatus 102 Image reading device 120 Operation unit 121 Display unit 121a Display screen 122 Input reception unit 160 Document feeder 161 Document placement tray 161a Indicator lamp 161b Document guide member 170 Control unit 171 Processing unit 172 Storage unit 191 Document placement Detection unit 192 Document size detection unit 1921 Feeding direction document size detection unit 1921a First size detection unit 1921b Second size detection unit 1922 Width direction document size detection unit AI Warning information C Center G Document H Feeding direction M1 Message M3 Message M4 Message M5 Message Q1 Document size detection control means Q2 Storage control means Q3 Standard size determination means Q4 Notification control means Q5 Destination specification setting means TB Document detection size table TB1 First document detection size table TB2 Second document detection size table W Set position W1 Detection Position W2 Detection position X Horizontal direction Y Width direction Z Vertical direction

Claims (10)

A document feeder comprising: a document placing tray on which a document is placed; and a document guide member for regulating movement of the document placed on the document placing tray in a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction,
a storage unit that stores in advance a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value;
a document size detection unit that detects the size value of the document as a detection size value;
standard size determination means for determining the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit and the standard size value stored in the storage unit;
the standard size value corresponding to the standard size determined by the standard size determination means among the standard size values stored in the storage unit, and the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit; , wherein a predetermined alarm is issued when there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value. A document feeder comprising: a document placing tray on which a document is placed; and a document guide member for regulating movement of the document placed on the document placing tray in a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction,
a storage unit that stores in advance a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value for each destination specification;
a document size detection unit that detects the size value of the document as a detection size value;
destination specification setting means for setting the destination specification;
the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection section and the standard size value stored in the storage section in the destination specification set by the destination specification setting means; and standard size determination means for determining size,
The destination specifications set by the destination specification setting means, and the destination specifications corresponding to the standard size determined by the standard size determination means for the detection size value detected by the document size detection unit. A document feeder that issues a predetermined alarm when the two do not match. The document feeder according to claim 2,
the standard size value corresponding to the standard size determined by the standard size determination means among the standard size values stored in the storage unit, and the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit; , wherein a predetermined alarm is issued when there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value. The document feeder according to claim 2 or claim 3,
A document feeder, wherein a predetermined alarm is issued when the standard size determination means cannot determine the standard size. The document feeder according to claim 3,
issuing a predetermined alarm when the standard size determination means cannot determine the standard size;
First, it is determined whether or not the standard size cannot be determined, and if the standard size can be determined, whether or not there is a difference equal to or greater than the predetermined allowable value between the standard size value and the detected size value. If there is a difference equal to or greater than the predetermined allowable value, it is determined whether or not the set destination specifications match the destination specifications corresponding to the determined standard size. A document feeder characterized by: A document feeder comprising: a document placing tray on which a document is placed; and a document guide member for regulating movement of the document placed on the document placing tray in a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction,
a storage unit that stores in advance a size value of the document corresponding to the standard size of the document as a standard size value;
a document size detection unit that detects the size value of the document as a detection size value;
standard size determination means for determining the standard size of the document based on the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit and the standard size value stored in the storage unit;
A document feeder, wherein a predetermined alarm is issued when the standard size determination means cannot determine the standard size. The document feeder according to claim 6,
the standard size value corresponding to the standard size determined by the standard size determination means among the standard size values stored in the storage unit, and the detected size value detected by the document size detection unit; , wherein a predetermined alarm is issued when there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value. The document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The document size detection unit detects a transport direction size value of the document in the transport direction as a transport direction detection size value;
a width direction document size detection unit that detects a width direction size value of the document in a width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction as a width direction detection size value;
The storage unit pre-stores, as a transport direction standard size value, a document transport direction size value corresponding to a transport direction standard size of the document in the transport direction, and a width direction standard size of the document in the width direction. pre-storing the width direction size value of the document corresponding to as a width direction standard size value;
The standard size determination means stores the transport direction detected size value detected by the transport direction document size detection unit and the width direction detection size value detected by the width direction document size detection unit in the storage unit. determining the standard size of the document based on the transport direction standard size value and the width direction standard size. An image reading apparatus comprising the document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 9 .

Images