JP2022144403A - Image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that reduces a user's work after the completion of a job to read a document.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises a document conveying unit, a control section, and an operation panel. Document conveyance paths include a first path R1 from a document tray 200 to a first ejection tray 201, and a second path R2 from the document tray to a second ejection tray 202. When executing a conveyance and reading job in a first mode, the document conveying unit ejects the document onto the first ejection tray with a first side Da of both sides of the document directed upward on the document tray being directed downward, and when executing the conveyance and reading job in a second mode, the document conveying unit ejects the document onto the second ejection tray with the first side being directed upward. When executing the conveyance and reading job, the control unit displays, on the operation panel, a check message to encourage checking the directions of the front and back sides of the documents on the document tray.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an original.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image reading apparatus capable of conveying a document and executing a job of reading the document being conveyed. Such an image reading device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200010.

The image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a document tray on which documents are set. Further, the image reading device of Patent Document 1 has a first discharge tray and a second discharge tray. The image reading device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discharges the document to either the first discharge tray or the second discharge tray.

JP-A-7-307832

For example, in an image reading apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays (for example, a first discharge tray and a second discharge tray), when a document is discharged to the first discharge tray, one side of the document faces upward and the document is transferred to the second discharge tray. When ejecting the original, place the original with one side facing down.

Here, after all the scanned originals have been discharged to the output tray, some users quickly obtain a bundle of originals (bundle of scanned originals) in which the orientation of the front and back sides is correct and the pages are stacked in order. sometimes you want to In this case, depending on whether the document is ejected to the first ejection tray or the second ejection tray (according to the ejection destination), the orientation of the front and back sides of the document when the document is set on the document tray and It is necessary to adjust the stacking order.

However, some users may forget to check the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the originals and the stacking order when setting the originals on the original tray. If the orientation and stacking order of the front and back sides of the originals on the document tray are not in accordance with the output tray, after all the originals are ejected (after the job is finished), the orientation and stacking order of the scanned originals will be changed. The user has to do the work of arranging the order. For this reason, it is troublesome and inconvenient for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reducing the user's work after a document reading job is completed.

To achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a document tray on which a document is set, a document conveying unit for feeding and conveying the document set on the document tray, and a document conveying unit. A control unit for controlling a transport reading job for reading a document transported by the unit, and an operation panel. The document conveying unit has a first discharge tray and a second discharge tray. Conveyance paths for documents conveyed in a conveyance reading job include a first route from the document tray to the first discharge tray and a second route from the document tray to the second discharge tray. When the transport reading job is executed in the first mode, the document transport unit transports the document along the first path, and first discharges the document with the first side of both sides of the document facing upward on the document tray facing downward. Eject the document to the tray. When the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the document transport unit transports the document along the second path and discharges the document to the second discharge tray with the first surface facing upward. When executing the transport reading job, the control unit causes the operation panel to display a confirmation message prompting confirmation of the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document on the document tray.

With the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the user's work after the job of reading the document is completed.

1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-function device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a document conveying unit of a multifunction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transport path of a document transported by a document transport unit of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram of an MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a document discharge state when a first mode transport reading job is executed in the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a document discharge state when a transport reading job in a second mode is executed in the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a confirmation message corresponding to the first mode displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a confirmation message corresponding to the second mode displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change request message displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing (processing when a job execution instruction is received) performed by the control unit of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing (processing after starting a job) performed by the control unit of the MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a document discharge state when a second mode transport reading job is executed in a multifunction peripheral according to a modification of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a confirmation message corresponding to the second mode displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine according to the modified example of the present invention;

<Configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 1 , a multifunction machine 100 (corresponding to an “image reading device”) of this embodiment includes a first reading section 1 . The first reading unit 1 reads a document D. As shown in FIG.

The first reading unit 1 has a light source 11 and an image sensor 12 . The light source 11 irradiates the document D with light. The image sensor 12 receives the light reflected by the document D and photoelectrically converts it. The light source 11 and the image sensor 12 are installed inside the housing of the first reading unit 1 . In FIG. 1, the optical path is schematically indicated by a chain double-dashed line.

Contact glasses G<b>1 and G<b>2 are attached to the upper surface of the housing of the first reading unit 1 . The contact glass G1 is used in a transport reading job. Contact glass G2 is used in a place reading job.

The MFP 100 includes a document conveying unit 2 . The document transport unit 2 transports the document D to be read in the transport reading job. The document conveying unit 2 is rotatably attached to the housing of the first reading section 1 .

The document conveying unit 2 has a document tray 200 . A document D to be read in a transport reading job is set on the document tray 200 .

The document conveying unit 2 has a first discharge tray 201 . Further, the document transport unit 2 has a second discharge tray 202 . The document tray 200 is located on one side (on the right side when viewed from the front of the multifunction machine 100). The first discharge tray 201 is positioned below the document tray 200 on one side. The second ejection tray 202 is positioned on the other side opposite to the one side (on the left side when viewed from the front of the multifunction machine 100).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the document conveying unit 2 has a document conveying path DP that guides the conveyance of the document D. As shown in FIG. The document conveying unit 2 feeds and conveys the document D set on the document tray 200 to the document conveying path DP. Then, the document conveying unit 2 discharges the document D onto either the first discharge tray 201 or the second discharge tray 202 .

In the following description, the feed opening for the document D from the document tray 200 to the document transport path DP is denoted by P0. Further, the discharge port of the document D from the document transport path DP to the first discharge tray 201 is denoted by P1, and the discharge port of the document D from the document transport path DP to the second discharge tray 202 is denoted by P2.

Note that the second discharge tray 202 is rotatably attached to the document conveying unit 2 . The second ejection tray 202 pivots between an open position (the position shown in FIG. 2) and a closed position (not shown). The second discharge tray 202 opens the discharge port P2 when it is in the open position. Then, the second discharge tray 202 blocks the discharge port P2 by being closed.

There are a first route R1 and a second route R2 as transport routes for the document D transported in the transport reading job (see FIG. 3). The document conveying unit 2 conveys the document D along either the first route R1 or the second route R2. In FIG. 3, the first route R1 is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the second route R2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 2, the lines indicating the first route R1 and the second route R2 are not shown.

The first route R1 starts at the paper feed port P0 of the document transport path DP and ends at the discharge port P1 of the document transport path DP. A first route R1 extends from the document tray 200 to the first discharge tray 201 . Specifically, the first path R1 extends from one side (right side) of the document conveying unit 2 toward the other side (left side), turns back halfway, and extends toward one side. In other words, the first route R1 is partially curved in a U shape. When using the first path R1, the document transport unit 2 feeds the document D from the document tray 200 to the document transport path DP, and discharges the document D to the first discharge tray 201. FIG.

The second route R2 starts at the paper feed port P0 of the document transport path DP and ends at the discharge port P2 of the document transport path DP. Each starting point of the first route R1 and the second route R2 is the same. The second route R2 branches off from the first route R1 at a predetermined branch position P and reaches the second discharge tray 202 . Specifically, the second route R2 extends linearly from one side (right side) of the document conveying unit 2 toward the other side (left side). Unlike the first route R1, the second route R2 does not turn back halfway. When using the second path R2, the document transport unit 2 feeds the document D from the document tray 200 to the document transport path DP, and discharges the document D to the second discharge tray 202. FIG.

The document transport path DP has a common portion CP as shown in FIG. The common portion CP is a portion from the paper feed port P0 to the branch position P in the document transport path DP. The document transport path DP branches at a branch position P into a first portion DP1 and a second portion DP2. The first portion DP1 extends from the branch position P to the first discharge tray 201. As shown in FIG. The second portion DP2 extends from the branch position P to the second ejection tray 202 . A conveying route of the document D from the document tray 200 to the first discharge tray 201 via the common portion CP and the first portion DP1 is the first route R1. A conveying route of the document D from the document tray 200 to the second discharge tray 202 via the common portion CP and the second portion DP2 is the second route R2.

The first route R1 passes through the second reading position RP2 and the first reading position RP1 in this order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. The second route R2 passes through the second reading position RP2 and the third reading position RP3 in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction.

A first reading position RP1 is set on the upper surface of the contact glass G1. The first reading position RP1 is a position downstream of the branch position P in the transport direction on the first route R1. The first reading unit 1 reads the document D being conveyed at a first reading position RP1 downstream of the branch position P in the first path R1 in the conveying direction.

Here, the MFP 100 further includes a second reading section 20 and a third reading section 30 . That is, the MFP 100 includes a plurality of reading units (first reading unit 1, second reading unit 20 and third reading unit 30). The second reading section 20 and the third reading section 30 are provided in the document conveying unit 2 .

A second reading position RP<b>2 is a reading position of the second reading unit 20 . For example, the second reading unit 20 is a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The second reading position RP2 is located upstream of the branch position P in the transport direction. The second reading unit 20 reads the document D being conveyed at a second reading position RP2 on the upstream side of the branch position P in the conveying direction.

A third reading position RP3 is the reading position of the third reading unit 30 . For example, the third reading unit 30 is CIS. The third reading position RP3 is a position downstream of the branch position P in the transport direction in the second route R2. The third reading unit 30 reads the document D being conveyed at a third reading position RP3 downstream of the branch position P in the conveying direction in the second route R2.

The document conveying unit 2 also includes a paper feeding section 23 . The paper feed unit 23 includes a paper feed roller 231 . The paper feed roller 231 is installed at the paper feed opening P0 of the document transport path DP. Feed roller 231 contacts document D set on document tray 200 from above. In other words, the feed roller 231 contacts the surface of the document D facing upward on the document tray 200 . In other words, the paper feeding roller 231 contacts the surface of the document D facing the opposite side to the setting surface of the document tray 200 (the surface on which the document D is set).

Feed roller 231 rotates in contact with document D set on document tray 200 . As a result, the document D is fed from the document tray 200 to the document transport path DP. When a plurality of documents D are stacked on the document tray 200, that is, when a bundle of documents is set on the document tray 200, the paper feed roller 231 contacts the uppermost document D of the bundle of documents. As a result, the uppermost document D of the document bundle is fed to the document transport path DP.

After a certain document D is fed, the document D one page below the document D (the next document D) becomes the next document D on the uppermost layer. Therefore, the feed roller 231 comes into contact with the next document D, and the next document D is fed to the document transport path DP. That is, when a bundle of documents is set on the document tray 200, the paper feed roller 231 feeds the document D one by one from the uppermost layer of the bundle of documents to the document transport path DP.

Further, the paper feed section 23 includes a lift plate 232 . A lift plate 232 is provided on the document tray 200 . A document D on the document tray 200 is placed on the lift plate 232 . The lift plate 232 has a rotation fulcrum at one end (right side) in the sheet feeding direction. The lift plate 232 rotates such that the end on the other side (left side) in the sheet feeding direction swings up and down. As the lift plate 232 rises, the document D on the document tray 200 comes into contact with the feed roller 231 .

Paper feeding unit 23 includes, for example, a separation unit (not shown). The separation section is, for example, a separation roller. The separation roller contacts the downward facing surface of the document D on the document tray 200 . Also, the separation roller rotates so that the document D advances in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction. As a result, even when a plurality of documents D are pulled out from the document tray 200 while being stacked, the stacked documents D are separated one by one.

A plurality of transport roller pairs 24 are installed in the document transport path DP. Each transport roller pair 24 includes a driving roller and a driven roller. The drive roller and driven roller press against each other to form a transport nip. Each transport roller pair 24 rotates to transport the document D that has entered the transport nip.

In the transport reading job, the document D is set on the document tray 200 . The document conveying unit 2 feeds and conveys the document D on the document tray 200 to the document conveying path DP. In the transport reading job, the document D being transported is read, and image data of the document D is generated.

In the placement reading job, the document D is set on the contact glass G2. In the placement reading job, the document D on the contact glass G2 is read by the first reading unit 1, and the image data of the document D is generated.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the MFP 100 includes a printing unit 3 . The printing unit 3 conveys the sheet S along the sheet conveying path SP (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1). Then, the printing section 3 prints an image on the sheet S being conveyed. For example, the printing unit 3 forms an image to be printed on the sheet S based on the image data obtained by the reading job.

The printing section 3 includes a paper feeding section 31 . Sheets S used for printing are accommodated in a sheet cassette 301 . The paper feeding unit 31 feeds the paper S from the paper cassette 301 to the paper transport path SP.

The printing section 3 includes a transfer section 32 . The transfer section 32 includes a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller. The photosensitive drum carries a toner image on its circumferential surface. The transfer roller is in pressure contact with the photoreceptor drum to form a transfer nip with the photoreceptor drum. The transfer unit 32 transfers the toner image onto the sheet S while conveying the sheet S that has entered the transfer nip.

Although not shown, the printing unit 3 further includes a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The charging device charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image.

The printing section 3 also includes a fixing section 33 . Fixing unit 33 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller incorporates a heater. The pressure roller presses against the heating roller and forms a fixing nip with the heating roller. The fixing section 33 fixes the toner image on the sheet S while conveying the sheet S that has entered the fixing nip. The printed paper S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 302 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 , the multi-function device 100 includes a control section 4 and a storage section 5 . The control unit 4 includes a CPU and the like. The storage unit 5 includes storage devices such as ROM, RAM and HDD. The control unit 4 controls jobs executed by the MFP 100, such as a transport reading job and a placement reading job.

The control unit 4 controls the reading operation of the document D by the first reading unit 1 . The control section 4 controls the operation of conveying the document D by the document conveying unit 2 . That is, the control unit 4 controls motors that rotate various roller members that feed and transport the document D, such as the paper feed roller 231 and the pair of transport rollers 24 . In addition, the control unit 4 controls a motor that raises and lowers the lift plate 232 . Also, the control unit 4 controls each reading operation of the second reading unit 20 and the third reading unit 30 .

Also, the control unit 4 controls the position of a switching claw (not shown). The switching pawl is arranged at the branch position P. As shown in FIG. When the switching claw is at the first position, the transport path from the common portion CP of the document transport path DP to the first portion DP1 is opened, and the transport path from the common portion CP to the second portion DP2 is closed. On the other hand, when the switching claw is at the second position, the transport path from the common portion CP of the document transport path DP to the second portion DP2 is opened, and the transport path from the common portion CP to the first portion DP1 is closed. The control unit 4 switches the transport path of the document D by controlling the position of the switching claw.

A set sensor SS is connected to the controller 4 . Set sensor SS is installed on document tray 200 . The set sensor SS changes its output value according to the presence or absence of the document D on the document tray 200 . Based on the output of the set sensor SS, the control unit 4 detects whether or not the document D is set on the document tray 200 (whether or not the document D remains on the document tray 200).

The MFP 100 also includes an operation panel 6 . The operation panel 6 is provided with a touch screen. The touch screen displays a screen on which software buttons, messages, and the like are arranged, and receives touch operations from the user on the display screen. The operation panel 6 is provided with a plurality of hardware buttons. Among the plurality of hardware buttons, there is a start button that receives a job execution instruction from the user.

The operation panel 6 is connected to the control section 4 . The control unit 4 controls display operations of the operation panel 6 . Also, the control unit 4 detects an operation performed on the operation panel 6 . When the operation panel 6 receives a job execution instruction, the control section 4 executes the job. When the job that has received the execution instruction is a transport reading job, the control unit 4 causes the document transport unit 2 to feed and transport the document D to be read in the transport reading job (that is, the document D set on the document tray 200). let it happen Note that when the start button of the operation panel 6 is operated with the document D set on the document tray 200, the control section 4 determines that an instruction to execute the transport reading job has been received from the user.

<Conveyance reading job mode>
There are a first mode and a second mode for the transport reading job mode. The operation panel 6 accepts from the user the designation of the mode of the transport-reading job to be executed this time, out of the first mode and the second mode, before the transport-reading job is executed. The user designates either the first mode or the second mode. The control unit 4 executes the transport reading job in the specified mode specified by the user, out of the first mode and the second mode. However, in some cases, the transport reading job is executed in a non-designated mode, which is different from the designated mode, out of the first mode and the second mode. Details will be described later. Note that the non-designated mode is the one of the first mode and the second mode that has not been designated at the reception of the mode designation before executing the transport reading job.

A first mode is a mode that uses the first route R1. A second mode is a mode that uses the second route R2. A specific description will be given below with reference to FIG.

When the transport reading job is executed in the first mode, the document transport unit 2 transports the document D along the first route R1. Then, the document conveying unit 2 discharges the document D to the first discharge tray 201 with the surface facing upward on the document tray 200 of both sides of the document D facing downward. That is, the document conveying unit 2 discharges the document D to the first discharge tray 201 with the side facing downward on the document tray 200 of both sides of the document D facing upward.

Note that the surface of the document D facing upward on the document tray 200 corresponds to the "first surface", and will be referred to as the first surface Da with a reference symbol Da in the following description. In the document tray 200, the side of the document D facing downward corresponds to the "second side", and in the following description, it will be referred to as the second side Db with reference numeral Db. The first surface Da of the document D is, in other words, the surface of the two surfaces of the document D that faces the opposite side of the setting surface of the document tray 200 (the surface on which the document D is set). The second surface Db of the document D is, in other words, the surface of the two surfaces of the document D that faces the setting surface of the document tray 200 .

When the transport reading job is executed in the first mode, the first reading unit 1 reads the first surface Da of the document D as the front side when the document D being transported passes the first reading position RP1. When reading both sides of the document D, reading is performed by the second reading section 20 in addition to the first reading section 1 . The second reading unit 20 reads the second side Db of the document D as the back side when the document D being conveyed passes the second reading position RP2. The first reading unit 1 is used for single-sided reading, and the first reading unit 1 and the second reading unit 20 are used for double-sided reading.

When the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the document transport unit 2 transports the document D along the second route R2. Then, the document conveying unit 2 ejects the document D onto the second ejection tray 202 with the first surface Da of the document D facing upward. That is, the document conveying unit 2 discharges the document D to the second discharge tray 202 with the second surface Db of the document D facing downward.

When the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the second reading unit 20 reads the second surface Db of the document D as the front side when the document D being transported passes the second reading position RP2. When reading both sides of the document D, reading is performed by the third reading section 30 in addition to the second reading section 20 . The third reading unit 30 reads the first side Da of the document D as the back side when the document D being conveyed passes the third reading position RP3. The second reading unit 20 is used for single-sided reading, and the second reading unit 20 and the third reading unit 30 are used for double-sided reading.

In the first-mode transport-reading job and the second-mode transport-reading job, when a stack of documents is set on the document tray 200, the document transport unit 2 sequentially feeds the documents from the uppermost layer of the stack of documents.

Note that the document D, such as thick paper, is thicker and stiffer than plain paper. Therefore, when the document D such as thick paper is to be read, the second mode is recommended in which the document D can be conveyed without being bent.

<Orientation of output document>
The orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that there are three documents D to be read. Also, the document D of the first page (the document D to be read first) is denoted by D1, the document D of the second page is denoted by D2, and the document D of the third page is denoted by D3. Further, the front side of the document D is labeled F, and the back side of the document D is labeled B. As shown in FIG. The same applies to FIG. 12, which will be referred to later.

In the transport reading job of the first mode, the first side Da of the document D is read as the front side, and the document D is discharged so that the first side Da faces downward (the second side Db faces upward). Therefore, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5, the originals D1 to D3 are each set on the original tray 200 so that the first side Da becomes the front side F. As shown in FIG. Documents D1 to D3 are stacked from the top to the bottom of document tray 200 in ascending order of page number. That is, the documents D1 to D3 are stacked in this order on the document tray 200 from top to bottom.

As a result, the documents D1 to D3 discharged to the first discharge tray 201 are stacked in this order from the bottom to the top of the first discharge tray 201, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. Here, the surface F of each of the documents D1 to D3 on the first discharge tray 201 faces downward. As a result, after the job is finished, it is possible to obtain a bundle of originals stacked in the correct direction and order without changing the directions of the front and rear surfaces of the originals D1 to D3 and the stacking order.

In the transport reading job of the second mode, the second surface Db of the document D is read as the front side, and the document D is discharged so that the first surface Da faces upward (the second surface Db faces downward). Therefore, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 6, the documents D1 to D3 are each set on the document tray 200 so that the second side Db is the front side F. As shown in FIG. Documents D1 to D3 are stacked from the top to the bottom of document tray 200 in ascending order of page numbers. That is, the documents D1 to D3 are stacked in this order on the document tray 200 from top to bottom.

As a result, the documents D1 to D3 discharged to the second discharge tray 202 are stacked in this order from the bottom to the top of the second discharge tray 202, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. Here, the surface F of each of the documents D1 to D3 on the second discharge tray 202 faces downward. As a result, after the job is finished, it is possible to obtain a bundle of originals stacked in the correct direction and order without changing the directions of the front and rear surfaces of the originals D1 to D3 and the stacking order.

<Display confirmation message>
When executing the transport reading job, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation screen 60 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). On the confirmation screen 60, a confirmation message M prompting confirmation of the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 is arranged. The confirmation message M is a message prompting the user to change the orientation of the document D on the document tray 200 .

Although the details will be described later, the transport reading job is not always executed in the designated mode. In some cases, the transport-reading job mode is switched from the designated mode to the non-designated mode, and the transport-reading job is started. Also, the mode of the transport-reading job may be switched after the transport-reading job is started. In such a case, the confirmation screen 60 is displayed on the operation panel 6 as well. The operation panel 6 displays a confirmation screen 60 before starting the transport-reading job (including before restarting the transport-reading job).

When executing the transport reading job in the first mode, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation screen 60 shown in FIG. The confirmation screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 is also displayed on the operation panel 6 when the transport reading job is switched from the second mode to the first mode. Hereinafter, the confirmation screen 60 displayed when the transport-reading job is executed in the first mode (when the mode of the transport-reading job is switched from the second mode to the first mode) may be described with reference numeral 61 attached. .

Further, when executing the transport reading job in the second mode, the control section 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation screen 60 shown in FIG. The confirmation screen 60 shown in FIG. 8 is also displayed on the operation panel 6 when the transport reading job is switched from the first mode to the second mode. Hereinafter, the confirmation screen 60 displayed when the transport-reading job is executed in the second mode (when the mode of the transport-reading job is switched from the first mode to the second mode) may be described with reference numeral 62 attached. .

A confirmation message M as shown in FIG. 7 is arranged on the confirmation screen 61 . Hereinafter, the confirmation message M displayed on the confirmation screen 61 may be described with reference to M1. The confirmation message M1 is a message that prompts the user to stack a plurality of documents D from the top to the bottom of the document tray 200 in ascending order of the page number, and to direct the surface of each document D upward. That is, the confirmation message M1 is a message prompting the first side Da of the document D to be the front side.

By setting the document D on the document tray 200 in accordance with the confirmation message M1, the direction of the front and back surfaces and the stacking order of the document D ejected to the first ejection tray 201 can be kept unchanged after the completion of the transport reading job in the first mode. Also, it is possible to obtain a bundle of originals in which the orientation of the front and rear surfaces is correct and the originals are stacked in the order of the page numbers.

A confirmation message M as shown in FIG. 8 is arranged on the confirmation screen 62 . Hereinafter, the confirmation message M displayed on the confirmation screen 62 may be described with reference to M2. The confirmation message M2 is a message that prompts the user to stack a plurality of documents D from the top to the bottom of the document tray 200 in ascending order of page number, and to direct the front side of each document D downward. That is, the confirmation message M2 is a message prompting the second side Db of the document D to be the front side.

By setting the document D on the document tray 200 in accordance with the confirmation message M2, after the transport reading job in the second mode is completed, the direction of the front and back surfaces of the document D ejected to the second ejection tray 202 and the order of stacking are not changed. Also, it is possible to obtain a bundle of originals in which the orientation of the front and rear surfaces is correct and the originals are stacked in the order of the page numbers.

Note that a message (not shown) indicating that the transport reading job is to be executed in the first mode may be arranged on the confirmation screen 61 . Also, a message (not shown) to the effect that the transport reading job is to be executed in the second mode may be arranged on the confirmation screen 62 .

<Judge whether the job can be executed>
The control unit 4 determines whether or not each of the first mode transport-reading job and the second mode transport-reading job can be executed. For example, when the controller 4 receives an instruction to execute a transport reading job from a user, it determines whether the transport reading job in each mode can be executed. Note that the mode designation of the transport-reading job is performed before receiving the execution instruction of the transport-reading job. Therefore, the control unit 4 already recognizes the designated mode at the time of receiving the job execution instruction.

Here, the MFP 100 includes a first detection section 41 and a second detection section 42 (see FIG. 4). The first detection section 41 and the second detection section 42 are connected to the control section 4 . Based on the outputs of the first detection section 41 and the second detection section 42, the control section 4 determines whether or not the job can be executed.

The first detector 41 is installed on the first discharge tray 201 . The first detector 41 outputs a signal to the controller 4 . The 1st detection part 41 contains an optical sensor, for example.

The first detection unit 41 detects the discharge amount of the documents D discharged to the first discharge tray 201 (stacking height of the documents D stacked on the first discharge tray 201). Specifically, when the discharge amount of the document D discharged to the first discharge tray 201 reaches a predetermined first threshold value, the first detector 41 changes the level of the output signal. In other words, when the stack height of the documents D stacked on the first discharge tray 201 reaches the first upper limit height, the first detector 41 changes the level of the output signal.

The second detector 42 is installed on the second discharge tray 202 . The second detector 42 outputs a signal to the controller 4 . The second detector 42 includes, for example, an optical sensor.

The second detection unit 42 detects the discharge amount of the documents D discharged to the second discharge tray 202 (stacking height of the documents D stacked on the second discharge tray 202). Specifically, when the amount of the document D discharged to the second discharge tray 202 reaches a predetermined second threshold value, the second detector 42 changes the level of the output signal. In other words, when the stack height of the documents D stacked on the second discharge tray 202 reaches the second upper limit height, the second detector 42 changes the level of the output signal.

Based on the output of the first detection unit 41, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the amount of the documents D discharged to the first discharge tray 201 has reached the first threshold value. Further, based on the output of the second detector 42, the controller 4 determines whether or not the amount of the documents D discharged to the second discharge tray 202 has reached the second threshold.

After the discharge amount of the document D on the first discharge tray 201 reaches the first threshold value, when the transport reading job in the first mode is executed (continued) in this state, the document transport path DP is removed from the first discharge tray. At the discharge port P1 to 201, the front end of the newly discharged document D may collide with the already discharged document D. As shown in FIG. In this case, since the document D is not ejected, a paper jam occurs, and the transport reading job in the first mode is stopped.

After the amount of the document D discharged on the second discharge tray 202 reaches the second threshold value, if the transport reading job in the second mode is executed (continued) in this state, the second At the discharge port P2 to the discharge tray 202, the front end of the newly discharged document D may collide with the already discharged document D. As shown in FIG. In this case, since the document D is not discharged, a paper jam occurs and the transport reading job in the second mode is stopped.

Therefore, when the discharge amount of the document D discharged to the first discharge tray 201 reaches the first threshold value, the control section 4 determines that the transport reading job in the first mode cannot be executed. Further, when the discharge amount of the document D discharged to the second discharge tray 202 reaches the second threshold value, the control section 4 determines that the transport reading job in the second mode cannot be executed. As a result, when there is a risk of a paper jam occurring in a transport-reading job in a certain mode, the control section 4 can reliably determine that the transport-reading job in that mode cannot be executed.

Further, the control unit 4 determines whether or not an abnormality such as a failure has occurred in each of the first reading unit 1, the second reading unit 20 and the third reading unit 30. FIG. Then, the control unit 4 determines whether the job can be executed based on each state of the first reading unit 1, the second reading unit 20, and the third reading unit 30 (whether or not an abnormality has occurred).

Specifically, when an abnormality occurs in the first reading unit 1, the control unit 4 determines that the first mode transport reading job cannot be executed. If there is an abnormality in the second reading section 20, the control section 4 determines that the transport reading job in the second mode cannot be executed. As a result, when reading cannot be performed with a transport-reading job in a certain mode, the control unit 4 can reliably determine that the transport-reading job in that mode cannot be executed.

Note that the first reading unit 1 and the second reading unit 20 are used for double-sided reading in the transport reading job in the first mode. Therefore, in double-sided reading in the first mode transport reading job, even if the first reading unit 1 does not have an abnormality, if the second reading unit 20 has an abnormality, the control unit 4 It is determined that the transport reading mode of mode 1 cannot be executed.

In addition, the second reading section 20 and the third reading section 30 are used for double-sided reading in the transport reading job in the second mode. Therefore, in double-sided reading in the transport reading job in the second mode, even if the second reading section 20 does not have an abnormality, if the third reading section 30 has an abnormality, the control section 4 It is determined that the 2-mode transport reading job cannot be executed.

<Mode Switching for Conveyance Scanning Job>
Before executing the transport-reading job, the operation panel 6 accepts settings for the transport-reading job from the user. At this time, the operation panel 6 accepts from the user a designation of the transport reading job to be executed this time, out of the first mode and the second mode.

When the operation panel 6 accepts the setting of the transport-reading job (designation of the mode of the transport-reading job), the control unit 4 recognizes the specified mode specified by the user, out of the first mode and the second mode. Further, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the transport reading job in the designated mode can be executed. Further, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the non-designated mode, which is different from the designated mode, can be executed among the first mode and the second mode.

When it is determined that the transport-reading job in the designated mode cannot be executed and the transport-reading job in the non-designated mode can be executed, the control section 4 displays a confirmation message M on the operation panel. Then, the control unit 4 switches the mode of the transport-reading job from the designated mode to the non-designated mode, and starts the transport-reading job.

When determining that the transport reading job in the specified mode can be executed, the control section 4 starts the transport reading job in the specified mode. It should be noted that even if the transport-reading job in the specified mode can be executed, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display the confirmation message M before the transport-reading job is started.

After starting the transport reading job in the specified mode, when it is determined that the transport reading job in the specified mode cannot be executed and the transport reading job in the non-designated mode can be executed, the control unit 4 interrupts the transport reading job, A confirmation message M is displayed on the operation panel 6. Then, the control unit 4 switches the mode of the transport-reading job from the designated mode to the non-designated mode, and restarts the transport-reading job.

Note that, for example, if the amount of the document D discharged from the first discharge tray 201 has reached the first threshold value and the amount of the document D discharged from the second discharge tray 202 has reached the second threshold value, the transport reading job in the first mode and the Both of the transport reading jobs in the second mode cannot be executed. However, in this example, if the first reading unit 1 does not malfunction, the placement reading job can be executed.

Therefore, if both the first mode transport reading job and the second mode transport reading job cannot be executed and there is no abnormality in the first reading unit 1, the control unit 4 selects the place reading job from the transport reading job. The operation panel 6 displays a screen 63 (see FIG. 9) on which a change request message CM prompting a change to the job is displayed.

When the change request message CM is displayed on the operation panel 6, the user removes all the documents D from the document tray 200 in order to change the reading means to the placement reading. Then, the user sets the document D on the contact glass G2 for placing and reading, and presses the start button on the operation panel 6. FIG. When the start button of the operation panel 6 is operated while the document D is not set on the document tray 200, the control unit 4 determines that the placement reading job execution instruction has been received, and executes the placement reading job. do. That is, the control section 4 causes the first reading section 1 to read the document D on the contact glass G2.

<Processing performed by the control unit>
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit 4 when receiving an instruction to execute a transport reading job. The flow of processing performed by the control unit 4 when an instruction to execute a transport reading job is received will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 .

The flow shown in FIG. 10 starts when the operation panel 6 receives an instruction to execute the transport reading job from the user. That is, the flow shown in FIG. 10 starts when the transport reading job is started.

Note that the document D is set on the document tray 200 at the start of the flow shown in FIG. Further, at the start of the flow shown in FIG. 10, setting of the transport reading job (mode designation of the transport reading job) is completed.

Here, when the first mode is designated as the mode of the transport reading job, the user sets the document D so as to be in the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. When the user designates the second mode as the transport reading job mode, the user sets the document D so as to be in the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG.

In step S<b>1 , the control unit 4 determines whether or not it is possible to execute the transport reading job in the specified mode. When the controller 4 determines that the transport reading job in the specified mode can be executed, the process proceeds to step S2. After proceeding to step S2, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation message M (confirmation screen 60) corresponding to the designated mode.

Here, the confirmation message M corresponding to the first mode is the confirmation message M1 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the designated mode is the first mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M1 (confirmation screen 61) shown in FIG.

The confirmation message M corresponding to the second mode is the confirmation message M2 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the designated mode is the second mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M2 (confirmation screen 61) shown in FIG.

By displaying the specified mode confirmation message M before the start of the transport reading job in the specified mode, the user can confirm the set state of the document D on the document tray 200 . If the direction and stacking order of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 are not suitable for the specified mode, the user confirms the specified mode for the direction and stacking order of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200. Change according to the message M. As a result, after all the read documents D have been ejected, the document bundle (read A bundle of originals D) can be obtained. This reduces the user's work (such as rearranging the read documents D) after the transport reading job in the specified mode ends. That is, user convenience is improved.

After displaying the confirmation message M, in step S3, the control unit 4 starts the transport reading job. For example, confirmation screen 60 is provided with a confirmation button (not shown) for accepting confirmation of the setting state of document D on document tray 200 . Upon detecting the operation of the confirmed button on the confirmation screen 60, the control section 4 starts the transport reading job. When the process proceeds from step S1 through step S2 to step S3, the transport reading job in the designated mode is started.

If the controller 4 determines in step S1 that the transport reading job in the specified mode cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step S4. After proceeding to step S4, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the non-designated job can be executed. When the controller 4 determines that the non-designated mode transport reading job can be executed, the process proceeds to step S5.

After shifting to step S5, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation message M (confirmation screen 60) corresponding to the non-designated mode. When the non-designated mode is the first mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M1 (confirmation screen 61) shown in FIG. When the non-designated mode is the second mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M2 (confirmation screen 62) shown in FIG.

After the confirmation message M is displayed, the process proceeds to step S3. After moving to step S3, the control unit 4 starts a transport reading job. Here, when moving to step S3 through steps S4 and S5, the control unit 4 switches the mode of the transport reading job from the designated mode to the non-designating mode and starts the transport reading job. Therefore, a confirmation message M corresponding to the non-designated mode is displayed before the start of the transport reading job.

When the non-designated mode confirmation message M is displayed, the user changes the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order according to the non-designated mode confirmation message M. FIG. As a result, after all the read originals D are discharged, the originals D whose front and back faces are correctly oriented and stacked in order of page number can be obtained without rearranging the read originals D.例文帳に追加can be done. This reduces the user's work after the non-designated mode transport reading job is completed.

Also, by displaying the non-designated mode confirmation message M, the user can know that there is an alternative reading means. This improves convenience for users who are unfamiliar with handling the MFP 100 . For example, there is no need to look up the manual of the MFP 100 or ask other users.

Note that when the transport-reading job in the specified mode cannot be executed, the control unit 4 automatically changes the mode of the transport-reading job from the specified mode to the non-specified mode without the user performing an operation related to mode switching of the transport-reading job. switch to As a result, the user does not need to redo the setting of the transport reading job by himself/herself, which is convenient.

In step S4, when the control section 4 determines that the non-designated mode transport reading job cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step S6. If "No" in step S4, it means that both the first mode transport-reading job and the second mode transport-reading job cannot be executed.

After shifting to step S6, the control unit 4 determines whether the first reading unit 1 operates normally (whether the first reading unit 1 can read the document D). Note that the fact that the first reading unit 1 operates normally means that the transport reading job in the first mode could not be executed due to the amount of the document D discharged from the first discharge tray 201 . Therefore, it is possible to execute a placement reading job using only the first reading unit 1 .

In step S6, when the control section 4 determines that the first reading section 1 operates normally, the process proceeds to step S7. After shifting to step S7, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a change request message CM. Accordingly, the user removes all the documents D from the document tray 200 and sets the documents D on the contact glass G2.

For example, the operation panel 6 displays a message (not shown) to the effect that pressing the start button of the operation panel 6 will start the placement reading job together with the change request message CM. Accordingly, the user presses the start button on the operation panel 6 after setting the document D on the contact glass G2. When the start button on the operation panel 6 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

After moving to step S8, the control unit 4 starts a placement reading job. With this configuration, if the transport reading job cannot be executed, the user is notified of alternative reading means, which is convenient for the user.

In step S6, if the control unit 4 determines that the first reading unit 1 does not operate normally (abnormality has occurred in the first reading unit 1), the process proceeds to step S9. After shifting to step S9, the control section 4 does not start any of the first mode transport reading job, the second mode transport reading job, and the placement reading job. For example, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display an error message (not shown). As error messages, a message to the effect that the document D cannot be read, a message to prompt removal of the document D from the first discharge tray 201 and the second discharge tray 202, and a message to the effect that inspection of the MFP 100 is necessary; etc. may be displayed.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit 4 after starting the transport reading job in the designated mode. Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed by the control unit 4 after starting the transport-reading job in the specified mode (during execution of the transport-reading job in the specified mode) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 .

It should be noted that if the carry-reading job in the designated mode can be executed, the carry-reading job in the designated mode is started even if the carry-reading job in the non-designated mode is executable.

In step S11, the control unit 4 determines whether or not it is possible to execute the transport reading job in the designated mode. In other words, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the transport reading job in the designated mode can be continued.

In order to make this determination, even after the specified mode transport-reading job is started, the control unit 4 determines whether the document ejected to the ejection tray used for the specified-mode transport-reading job among the plurality of ejection trays. Determine whether D's emissions have reached the threshold. When the designated mode is the first mode, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the amount of the document D ejected from the first ejection tray 201 has reached the first threshold based on the output of the first detection unit 41 . When the specified mode is the second mode, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the amount of the document D ejected from the second ejection tray 202 has reached the second threshold based on the output of the second detection unit 42 . Further, the control unit 4 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in each of the plurality of reading units (the first reading unit 1, the second reading unit 20, and the third reading unit 30).

In step S11, when the control unit 4 determines that it is possible to execute (continue) the transport reading job in the specified mode, the process proceeds to step S12. After shifting to step S12, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the transport reading job in the specified mode is completed. If the control unit 4 determines that the transport reading job in the designated mode is completed, this flow ends.

If the controller 4 determines in step S12 that the transport reading job in the designated mode has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, when the control unit 4 determines that the specified job cannot be carried and read, the process proceeds to step S13.

After proceeding to step S13, the control unit 4 suspends the transport reading job in the specified mode. Then, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the non-designated mode transport reading job can be executed. When the control unit 4 determines that the non-designated mode transport reading job can be executed, the process proceeds to step S14.

After proceeding to step S14, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display a confirmation message M (confirmation screen 60) corresponding to the non-designated mode. When the non-designated mode is the first mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M1 (confirmation screen 61) shown in FIG. When the non-designated mode is the second mode, the operation panel 6 displays a confirmation message M2 (confirmation screen 62) shown in FIG.

When the non-designated mode confirmation message M is displayed, the user changes the orientation and stacking order of the front and back surfaces of the documents D remaining in the document tray 200 according to the non-designated mode confirmation message M. FIG. After that, the user operates the operation panel 6 to instruct to resume the transport reading job. For example, the operation panel 6 accepts an operation on a confirmed button (not shown) on the confirmation screen 60 as an instruction to resume the transport reading job. Further, for example, the operation panel 6 receives an operation on the start button as an instruction to resume the transport reading job. When the operation panel 6 receives an instruction to resume the transport reading job, the process proceeds to step S15.

After moving to step S15, the control section 4 restarts the transport reading job. Here, when proceeding from step S11 to step S15 via steps S13 and S14, the control section 4 switches the mode of the transport reading job from the designated mode to the non-designated mode. As a result, the transport reading job is resumed in the non-designated mode.

With this configuration, even if the transport reading job in the designated mode cannot be continued, the transport reading job is resumed in the non-designated mode. As a result, the transport reading job can be completed, thereby improving the user's convenience. In addition, since the non-designated mode confirmation message M is displayed, the user changes the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order according to the non-designated mode confirmation message M. FIG. As a result, after all the read originals D are discharged, a bundle of originals in which the front and back faces are oriented correctly and stacked in the order of page numbers can be obtained without rearranging the read originals D.例文帳に追加can be done. This reduces the user's work after finishing the transport reading job resumed in the non-specified mode.

If the controller 4 determines in step S13 that the non-designated mode transport reading job cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step S16. Note that each process from steps S16 to S19 is the same as each process from steps S6 to S9 shown in FIG. Therefore, the description of each process from steps S16 to S19 is omitted as the description of each process from steps S6 to S9 shown in FIG. 10 is incorporated.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when executing the transport reading job, the control unit 4 causes the operation panel 6 to display the confirmation message M prompting confirmation of the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 . With this configuration, it is possible for the user to confirm whether or not the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order are suitable for the mode of the transport reading job to be executed this time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the job from being executed in a state in which the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order are not suitable for the mode of the transport reading job to be executed this time.

If the orientation and stacking order of the front and back surfaces of the originals D on the original tray 200 are not suitable for the mode of the transport reading job to be executed this time, after all the read originals D are ejected, the read originals It is necessary to adjust the orientation of the front and back surfaces of D and the stacking order. Further, in the case of single-sided reading, there may be a problem that the front side of the document D (the side to be read) is not read. These inconveniences do not occur if the orientation and stacking order of the front and back surfaces of the documents D on the document tray 200 are suitable for the mode of the transport reading job to be executed this time. Therefore, it is preferable to display the confirmation message M on the operation panel 6 . As a result, it is possible to reduce the work of the user after the transport reading job is finished.

Further, in this embodiment, as the confirmation message M, the confirmation message M1 corresponding to the first mode and the confirmation message M2 corresponding to the second mode are prepared as described above. As a result, when the transport reading job in the first mode is executed, by displaying the confirmation message M1, the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order are surely made suitable for the first mode. can be made Further, when executing the transport reading job in the second mode, by displaying the confirmation message M2, it is ensured that the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the order of stacking are suitable for the second mode. can be made

<Modification>
In the modified example, when a document stack is set on the document tray 200 in the first mode transport reading job, the document transport unit 2 sequentially feeds the document D from the uppermost layer of the document stack, as in the above-described embodiment. to paper On the other hand, when a stack of documents is set on the document tray 200 in the second mode transport reading job, the document transport unit 2 sequentially feeds the document D from the bottom layer of the stack of documents, unlike in the above embodiment. do. In other words, in the transport reading job in the second mode, when a stack of documents is set on the document tray 200, the document transport unit 2 feeds from the bottom side.

For example, in a modified example, the paper feed section 23 of the document transport unit 2 includes a lower paper feed roller (not shown). The arrangement position of the lower paper feed roller is a position below the document D set on the document tray 200 . The lower paper feed roller contacts the second surface Db of the document tray 200 . The lower paper feed roller is in contact with the document D and rotates so that the document D advances in the paper feed direction. As a result, when a bundle of originals is set on the original tray 200, the originals D in the lowermost layer of the bundle of originals are sequentially fed one by one.

For example, in the second mode transport reading job, the separation roller (not shown) of the paper feed section 23 functions as the lower paper feed roller. That is, there is no need to separately install a rotating body that functions as a lower paper feed roller. In this case, the paper feed roller 231 may function as a separation roller.

In the following, the discharge state of the read document D (orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the discharged document D and stacking order) will be described.

In the modified example, when the transport reading job is executed in the first mode, the state of ejecting the read document D is the same as in the above embodiment (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the modified example, when the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the state of ejecting the read document D is different from that of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 12).

Specifically, when the mode of the transport reading job is the second mode, the document transport unit 2 performs bottom side feeding. Then, the second side Db of the document D is read as the front side, and the document D is discharged so that the first side Da faces upward (the second side Db faces downward). Therefore, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, the documents D1 to D3 are each set on the document tray 200 so that the second side Db is the front side F. As shown in FIG. Also, the documents D1 to D3 are stacked from the bottom to the top of the document tray 200 in ascending order of page numbers. That is, the documents D1 to D3 are stacked in this order on the document tray 200 from bottom to top.

As a result, the documents D1 to D3 discharged to the second discharge tray 202 are stacked in this order from the bottom to the top of the second discharge tray 202, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. Here, the front surface F of each of the documents D1 to D3 faces downward. As a result, after the job is finished, it is possible to obtain a bundle of documents stacked in the correct direction and stacking order without changing the directions and order of the front and back surfaces of the documents D1 to D3.

Therefore, in the modified example, when the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the control unit 4 sends a confirmation message M as shown in FIG. display. The confirmation message M3 is also displayed when the transport reading job is switched from the first mode to the second mode. The operation panel 6 displays a confirmation screen 60 on which a confirmation message M3 is arranged.

The confirmation message M3 is a message prompting the user to stack a plurality of documents D in ascending order of page number from the bottom to the top of the document tray 200 and to direct the front side of each document D downward. That is, the confirmation message M3 is a message prompting the second side Db of the document D to be the front side.

In the modified example, the confirmation message M3 is displayed when the transport reading job in the second mode is executed, that is, when the document transport unit 2 feeds the document from the bottom side. Therefore, even if the document transport unit 2 feeds from the bottom side in the transport reading job in the second mode, the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D on the document tray 200 and the stacking order are not suitable for the second mode. It is possible to prevent jobs from being executed without As a result, the user's work (such as rearranging the read documents D) after the transport reading job in the second mode is finished is reduced, and the user's convenience is improved.

Further, in the modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, when the transport-reading job in the first mode cannot be executed, the mode of the transport-reading job is automatically switched from the first mode to the second mode. However, at this time, in the above-described embodiment, the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the document D must be changed one by one. On the other hand, in the modified example, the stack of documents on the document tray 200 only needs to be turned upside down once per stack.

For example, in the case of a document bundle containing three documents D1 to D3, in the above embodiment, the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5 is changed to the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. You need to flip the orientation of the back side. That is, it is necessary to perform the reversing operation for reversing the front and back surfaces of the document D three times.

On the other hand, in the modified example, the front and back surfaces of the three documents D1 to D3 do not have to be reversed one by one (the top and bottom of the document stack need only be reversed once per stack). Specifically, it is only necessary to change the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5 to the state shown in the upper diagram of FIG. In the modified example, it is only necessary to turn the bundle of documents upside down once as it is, so the user's convenience is further improved.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 first reading unit 2 document feeding unit 4 control unit 6 operation panel 20 second reading unit 41 first detection unit 42 second detection unit 60 confirmation screen 100 multifunction device 200 document tray 201 first discharge tray 202 second discharge tray D Document Da 1st side Db 2nd side M, M1, M2, M3 Confirmation message R1 1st path R2 2nd path

Claims (6)

a document conveying unit having a document tray on which a document is set, and feeding and conveying the document set on the document tray;
a control unit that controls a transport reading job that reads a document transported by the document transport unit;
an operation panel;
The document conveying unit has a first discharge tray and a second discharge tray,
Conveying routes of the document conveyed in the conveying and reading job include a first route from the document tray to the first discharge tray and a second route from the document tray to the second discharge tray,
When the transport reading job is executed in the first mode, the document transport unit transports the document along the first path, and turns the first surface of both sides of the document, which faces upward on the document tray, downward. to eject the document onto the first ejection tray,
when the transport reading job is executed in the second mode, the document transport unit transports the document along the second path and discharges the document onto the second discharge tray with the first side facing upward;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the transport reading job is executed, the control unit causes the operation panel to display a confirmation message prompting confirmation of the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document on the document tray. the operation panel receives from a user a designation of a mode of the transport reading job to be executed this time, out of the first mode and the second mode;
The control unit determines whether or not it is possible to execute the transport reading job in a specified mode specified by a user out of the first mode and the second mode. determining whether or not the transport reading job in a non-designated mode different from the designated mode can be executed;
When determining that the transport-reading job in the designated mode cannot be executed and the transport-reading job in the non-designated mode can be executed, the control unit causes the operation panel to display the confirmation message, and performs the transport-reading job. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transport reading job is started by switching said mode from said designated mode to said non-designated mode. After starting the transport-reading job in the specified mode, when determining that the transport-reading job in the specified mode cannot be executed and the transport-reading job in the non-specified mode can be executed, the control unit 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transport-reading job is interrupted, the confirmation message is displayed on the operation panel, the mode of the transport-reading job is switched from the specified mode to the non-specified mode, and the transport-reading job is restarted. Image reader. a first detection unit that detects the amount of documents discharged to the first discharge tray;
a second detection unit that detects the amount of documents discharged to the second discharge tray;
The control unit determines whether or not the amount of documents discharged to the first discharge tray has reached a first threshold based on the output of the first detection unit, and discharges the document to the second discharge tray. determining based on the output of the second detection unit whether or not the amount of the document being discharged has reached a second threshold;
when the amount of documents discharged to the first discharge tray reaches the first threshold value, the control unit determines that the transport reading job in the first mode cannot be executed;
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the amount of documents discharged to the second discharge tray reaches the second threshold value, the control unit determines that the transport reading job in the second mode cannot be executed. 4. The image reading device according to 3. a first reading unit that reads the first surface as a surface in the transport reading job in the first mode;
a second reading unit that reads, in the transport reading job in the second mode, the second side of both sides of the document facing downward on the document tray as the front side,
In the transport-reading job in the first mode and the transport-reading job in the second mode, when a stack of documents is set on the document tray, the document transport unit sequentially scans the documents from the uppermost layer of the stack of documents. paper feed,
When executing the transport reading job in the first mode, the control section stacks a plurality of documents in ascending order of page number from top to bottom of the document tray, and places the front side of each document upward. display on the operation panel as the confirmation message a message prompting the user to direct the
When executing the conveying and reading job in the second mode, the control unit stacks a plurality of documents in ascending order of page number from top to bottom of the document tray, and directs the surface of each document downward. 5. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation panel displays a message prompting the user to turn the camera toward the user as the confirmation message. a first reading unit that reads the first surface as a surface in the transport reading job in the first mode;
a second reading unit that reads, in the transport reading job in the second mode, the second side of both sides of the document facing downward on the document tray as the front side,
In the conveying and reading job in the first mode, when a bundle of documents is set on the document tray, the document conveying unit sequentially feeds the document from the uppermost layer of the bundle of documents,
In the conveying and reading job in the second mode, when a bundle of documents is set on the document tray, the document conveying unit sequentially feeds the document from the bottom layer of the bundle of documents,
When executing the transport reading job in the first mode, the control section stacks a plurality of documents in ascending order of page number from top to bottom of the document tray, and places the front side of each document upward. display on the operation panel as the confirmation message a message prompting the user to direct the
When executing the conveying and reading job in the second mode, the control unit stacks a plurality of documents in ascending order of page number from the bottom to the top of the document tray, and places the front side of each document downward. 5. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation panel displays a message prompting the user to turn the camera toward the user as the confirmation message.

Images