JP2024065486A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an image reading device that eliminates the task of placing each document stack on a placement table in multiple batches when reading a document stack with different reading settings for each document stack. [Solution] An image reading device 100 includes a placement table on which documents are placed, a first transport section 10 to a third transport section 30 that transport the documents, image reading units 70a and 70b that are reading sections that read images of the documents transported by each transport section, a setting section that associates a reading setting for reading the document images by the reading section and a reading number that is the number of documents to be read for each document stack, and sets setting information corresponding to the multiple document stacks, a storage section that stores the setting information set by the setting section, and a control section that switches to a second reading setting when the number of documents read with a first reading setting in the setting information stored in the storage section becomes the same value as the first reading number associated with the first reading setting. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading device.

When multiple stacks of documents are read using an image reading device that reads images from documents, different read settings may be used for each stack. In this case, the user must place each stack of documents on the document placement table of the image reading device and set the read settings and give the command to start reading each time a stack of documents is read. This reduces work efficiency because the user must repeatedly set the read settings and give the command to start reading in addition to placing the stack of documents.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology to solve the above problem. Specifically, when a user sets the reading settings for each of multiple document stacks in advance and issues a command to start reading, the first document stack is read using the first reading settings. Then, after reading of the first document stack is completed and there are no documents on the tray, if it is detected that a document has been placed on the tray again, the reading of the second document stack is automatically started using the second reading settings. This eliminates the need to repeatedly set the reading settings and issue a command to start reading, improving work efficiency.

Patent Publication 2018-174513

However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, after the reading of the first stack of documents is completed, the user must again place the second stack of documents on the placement table. In other words, it was still necessary to repeatedly place stacks of documents.

The present invention aims to solve the above problem by providing a technology that can eliminate the need to place each document stack on the loading table in multiple batches when scanning multiple document stacks with different scanning settings.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is characterized by comprising a placement table for placing an original document, a transport unit for transporting the original document, a reading unit for reading an image of the original document transported by the transport unit, a setting unit for associating a read setting for reading the image of the original document by the reading unit with a read number, which is the number of sheets to read the image of the original document, for each bundle of original documents, and setting setting information corresponding to multiple bundles of original documents, a storage unit for storing the setting information set by the setting unit, and a control unit for switching to a second read setting when the number of sheets of the original document read with a first read setting of the setting information stored in the storage unit becomes the same value as the first read number associated with the first read setting.

According to the present invention, when scanning multiple document stacks with different scanning settings, it is not necessary to repeat the scanning settings and scanning start command for each document stack, and it is also possible to eliminate the task of placing each document stack on the loading table in multiple separate instances.

Schematic diagram of an image reading device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image reading device according to the present invention. Document size table for the image reading device according to the present invention Conveying speed table of the image reading device according to the present invention UI screen for scanning execution of the operation unit of the image scanning device according to the present invention Flowchart showing the number of copies specified job operation in the present invention A flowchart showing a reading operation during separate paper feeding according to the present invention. A flowchart showing a reading operation during non-separation paper feeding according to the present invention. Message screen of the operation unit of the image reading device according to the present invention

<Basic configuration of image reading device>
First, the basic configuration of an image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment.

The image reading device 100 is a device that transports a transport medium S (original document) or multiple transport media S (stack of original documents) placed on a loading platform 1 through a route RT into the device, reads the image, and discharges the medium to a discharge tray 2. The transport medium S is, for example, a sheet such as office paper, a check, a cheque, or a card, and may be a thick or thin sheet. Examples of cards include insurance cards, driver's licenses, and credit cards. Also included are booklets such as passports.

The transport medium S is placed on the loading platform 1 with its surface facing down. The loading platform 1 is equipped with a paper presence sensor 80, which is a detection unit, and detects whether the transport medium S is placed on the loading platform 1.

A first transport unit 10 is provided as a feeding mechanism that feeds the transport medium S along the path RT. In this embodiment, the first transport unit 10 includes a feed roller 11 and a separation roller 12 arranged opposite the feed roller 11, and transports multiple transport media S (stack of documents) on the mounting table 1 one by one in the transport direction D1. A driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 11 from a drive unit 3 such as a motor via a transmission unit 5, and the feed roller 11 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure (the positive direction that transports the transport medium S along the path RT). The transmission unit 5 is, for example, an electromagnetic clutch, and interrupts the driving force from the drive unit 3 to the feed roller 11.

In this embodiment, for example, the transmission unit 5 that connects the drive unit 3 and the feed roller 11 is in a state in which the drive force is normally transmitted, and the drive force is cut off when the transport medium S is fed in reverse. When the transmission of the drive force is cut off by the transmission unit 5, the feed roller 11 is in a state in which it can rotate freely. Note that such a transmission unit 5 does not need to be provided when the feed roller 11 is driven in only one direction.

The separation roller 12, which is disposed opposite the feed roller 11, is a roller for separating the multiple transport media S (stack of documents) one by one, and is pressed against the feed roller 11 with a constant pressure. To ensure this pressed state, the separation roller 12 is arranged to be swingable and configured to be biased toward the feed roller 11. The driving force transmitted from the drive unit 3 via the transmission unit 6 is further transmitted to the separation roller 12 via a torque limiter 12a, and the separation roller 12 is rotated in the direction of the solid arrow (the opposite direction to the forward direction of the feed roller 11). The transmission unit 6 is, for example, an electromagnetic clutch, and continues the driving force from the drive unit 3 to the separation roller 12.

Since the transmission of driving force to the separation roller 12 is restricted by the torque limiter 12a, when the separation roller 12 is in contact with the feed roller 11, it rotates in the direction (indicated by the dashed arrow) that rotates with the feed roller 11. As a result, when multiple transport media S (stack of documents) are transported to the pressure contact area between the feed roller 11 and the separation roller 12, two or more documents are blocked from being transported downstream.

Here, the image reading device 100 is provided with a separation lever (not shown) for switching the transport mode, which is the transport method, to determine whether or not the separation roller 12 separates and transports the multiple transport media S (stack of original documents) one by one. The separation lever serves as a transport mode switching means and can be switched between a separation setting in which separation is performed by the separation roller 12, and a non-separation setting in which separation is not performed.

When the transport mode is switched to the separation setting, the transmission unit 6 transmits the driving force from the drive unit 3 to the separation roller 12, and separation is performed by the separation roller 12. On the other hand, when the transport mode is switched to the non-separation setting, the transmission of the driving force by the transmission unit 6 is cut off, and the separation roller 12 becomes freely rotatable, so separation is not performed by the separation roller 12. The image reading device 100 is equipped with a transport mode detection sensor 90, which detects the switching state of the separation lever as a transport mode acquisition means.

The second transport section 20, which serves as a transport mechanism located downstream of the first transport section 10 in the transport direction, includes a drive roller 21 and a driven roller 22 driven by the drive roller 21, and transports the transport medium S transported from the first transport section 10 downstream. A driving force is transmitted to the drive roller 21 from a drive unit 4 such as a motor, and the drive roller 21 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The driven roller 22 is pressed against the drive roller 21 with a constant pressure, and rotates with the drive roller 21. The driven roller 22 may be configured to be biased against the drive roller 21 by a biasing unit (not shown) such as a spring.

The third transport section 30, which is located downstream in the transport direction from the second transport section 20, includes a drive roller 31 and a driven roller 32 driven by the drive roller 31, and transports the transport medium S transported from the second transport section 20 to the discharge tray 2. In other words, the third transport section 30 functions as a discharge mechanism. A driving force is transmitted from a drive section 4 such as a motor to the drive roller 31, and the drive roller 31 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The driven roller 32 is pressed against the drive roller 31 with a constant pressure, and rotates with the drive roller 31. The driven roller 32 may be configured to be biased against the drive roller 31 by a biasing unit (not shown) such as a spring.

In the image reading device 100 of this embodiment, the image is read by the image reading units 70a and 70b arranged between the second conveying section 20 and the third conveying section 30, so the second conveying section 20 and the third conveying section 30 convey the conveying medium S at a constant speed. By always setting the conveying speed to be equal to or higher than the conveying speed of the first conveying section 10, it is possible to reliably prevent the following conveying medium S from catching up with the preceding conveying medium S. For example, in this embodiment, the conveying speed of the conveying medium S by the second conveying section 20 and the third conveying section 30 is controlled to be faster than the conveying speed of the conveying medium S by the first conveying section 10.

Even if the transport speed of the transport medium S by the second transport unit 20 and the third transport unit 30 and the transport speed of the transport medium S by the first transport unit 10 are the same, it is possible to form a minimum gap between the preceding transport medium S and the following transport medium S by controlling the drive unit 3 to intermittently shift the timing at which the following transport medium S starts to be fed. In this embodiment, the intermittent shifting control described above is performed.

A double-feed detection sensor 40 is disposed between the first transport section 10 and the second transport section 20. The double-feed detection sensor 40 is an example of a detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior or state of sheets) that serves as a double-feed detection means for detecting when transport media S, such as paper, come into close contact with each other due to static electricity or the like and pass through the first transport section 10 in a double-feed state. Various types of double-feed detection sensor 40 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an ultrasonic sensor that includes an ultrasonic transmitter 41 and a receiver 42, and detects double-feed based on the principle that the attenuation of ultrasonic waves passing through transport media S, such as paper, differs between when the transport media S are being double-fed and when they are being transported one at a time.

The medium detection sensor 50, which is disposed downstream in the transport direction from the double feed detection sensor 40, is an example of an upstream detection sensor (sensor that detects the behavior or state of a sheet) disposed upstream of the second transport unit 20 and downstream of the first transport unit 10, and detects the position of the transport medium S transported by the first transport unit 10, more specifically, whether or not the end of the transport medium S has reached or passed the detection position of the medium detection sensor 50. Various types of medium detection sensor 50 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an optical sensor that includes a light emitting unit 51 and a light receiving unit 52, and detects the transport medium S on the principle that the received light intensity (received light amount) changes when the transport medium S arrives or passes through.

In this embodiment, the media detection sensor 50 is provided downstream of and near the double feed detection sensor 40 so that when the leading edge of the transported medium S is detected by the media detection sensor 50, the transported medium S has reached a position where the double feed can be detected by the double feed detection sensor 40. Note that the media detection sensor 50 is not limited to the optical sensor described above, and may be, for example, a sensor (such as an image sensor) that can detect the end of the transported medium S, or a lever-type sensor that protrudes into the path RT.

The media detection sensor 60, which is separate from the media detection sensor 50, is an example of a downstream detection sensor arranged upstream of the image reading units 70a and 70b, which are the reading units, and downstream of the second conveying unit 20, and detects the position of the conveyed medium S conveyed by the second conveying unit 20. Various types of media detection sensor 60 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an optical sensor like the media detection sensor 50, and has a light emitting unit 61 and a light receiving unit 62, and detects the conveyed medium S based on the principle that the received light intensity (received light amount) changes when the conveyed medium S arrives or passes through. In this embodiment, the media detection sensors 50 and 60 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the conveying direction of the second conveying unit 20, respectively, but only one of them may be used.

Image reading units 70a and 70b, which are located downstream of the media detection sensor 60, for example, optically scan and convert the image data into an electrical signal to read it, and are equipped with a light source such as an LED, an image sensor, a lens array, etc. In the case of this embodiment, image reading units 70a and 70b are arranged on either side of the path RT, and image reading unit 70a reads the front side of the transported medium S, and image reading unit 70b reads the back side of the transported medium S. Also, in this embodiment, image reading units 70a and 70b are arranged facing each other on either side of the path RT, but they may also be arranged with a gap in between in the direction of the path RT, for example.

<Hardware Configuration of Image Reading Device>
Next, the electrical hardware configuration of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment.

The CPU 200 is a controller that performs overall control of each part of the image reading device 100. The ROM 201 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the CPU 200. The RAM 202 is a storage device that stores various data used by the CPU 200 in conjunction with the execution of the control program.

The input/output I/F 221 is an interface for communicating control signals and detection signals between the CPU 200 and the actuator 220 and sensor 222. The actuator 220 includes a drive unit 3, a drive unit 4, a transmission unit 5, a transmission unit 6, etc. The sensor 222 includes a double feed detection sensor 40, medium detection sensors 50 and 60, image reading units 70a and 70b, a paper presence sensor 80, a transport mode detection sensor 90, etc.

The operation unit 230 is composed of switches, a touch panel, etc., and displays information related to image reading and accepts operations related to image reading from the user.

The communication I/F 210 is an interface for communicating information with an external device. A PC (personal computer) 240 is connected as the external device, and the communication I/F 210 may be for either wired or wireless communication.

The PC 240 accepts image reading operations from the user and notifies the image reading device 100, and receives image data read from the image reading device 100.

<Scanning process>
Next, a basic scanning process of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

When the CPU 200 receives an instruction to start reading from the operation unit 230 or the PC 240, it starts driving the first conveying unit 10 to the third conveying unit 30. The multiple conveying media S (stack of original documents) placed on the placement table 1 are conveyed one by one starting from the conveying media S located at the bottom.

During transport, the transported medium S is checked by the double feed detection sensor 40 to determine whether a double feed has occurred, and if it is determined that there is no double feed, transport continues. If it is determined that there is a double feed, transport is stopped and reading is terminated.

The CPU 200 starts image reading of the transport medium S transported by the second transport section 20 using the image reading units 70a and 70b at a timing based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor 60. Then, the read image data is sent to the PC 240. The transport medium S that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 2 by the third transport section 30, and the scanning process of the transport medium S is completed.

<Separation lever switching>
Next, switching of the separation lever in the image reading device 100 will be described.

As mentioned above, the image reading device 100 is provided with a separation lever (not shown) to switch the transport method, whether or not the separation roller 12 separates and transports multiple transport media S (stack of documents) one by one.

Normally, when scanning a document, the user must switch the separation lever to the separation setting. By switching the separation lever to the separation setting, it is possible to prevent multiple documents from being fed downstream of the feed roller 11 and separation roller 12.

On the other hand, when scanning a document in half-folded scan mode, the user must switch the separation lever to the non-separation setting.

Half-fold scan mode is a reading method for reading an A3-sized document on a reading device that can read both sides of documents up to A4 size. The A3-sized document is folded in half to A4 size, and both sides are read while folded. The front and back of the scanned images are then linked together to obtain an A3-sized document image.

In half-fold scan mode, the document must be transported in a non-separation setting in order to transport the document in a folded state. If transported in separation setting, the separation roller 12 rotates in the opposite direction to the feed roller 11, causing the folded top surface to be transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction, resulting in a jam. For this reason, in half-fold scan mode, the separation lever must be set to non-separation.

Furthermore, in the half-folded scan mode, not only must the non-separation setting be used, but only one document stack must be placed on the stack. In the non-separation setting, the transport medium S is not separated, so if multiple transport media S (document stacks) are placed on the placement table 1, there is a possibility of double feeding. Therefore, in the half-folded scan mode, the document must be read with only one half-folded document (half-folded transport medium S) placed on the placement table 1.

<Double feed detection>
Next, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the detection of double feed in the image reading device 100.

As described above, the image reading device 100 is provided with a multi-feed detection sensor 40 that can detect multi-feeding of multiple transport media S, i.e., document stacks. Multi-feeding can be detected based on the principle that the attenuation of ultrasonic waves passing through documents differs when the transport media S, i.e., documents, are transported in a multi-feed manner and when they are transported one sheet at a time.

When reading a document, the CPU 200 normally uses the multi-feed detection sensor 40 to check whether a multi-feed of multiple documents has occurred.

On the other hand, when a folded document is transported in half-fold scan mode, if the CPU 200 uses the multi-feed detection sensor 40 to detect a multi-feed, it will determine that the document being transported is a multi-feed.

Therefore, in the half-folded scan mode, the CPU 200 uses the multi-feed detection of the multi-feed detection sensor 40 to determine whether the document being transported is a half-folded document. When the CPU 200 determines using the multi-feed detection sensor 40 that the document being transported is a multi-feed, it determines that a half-folded document is being transported. When the CPU 200 determines that the document being transported is not a multi-feed, it determines that a document other than a half-folded document is being transported. This allows the CPU 200 to use the multi-feed detection to determine whether a half-folded document is being transported, and makes it possible to determine whether the document being transported in the half-folded scan mode is a half-folded document.

<Document size check process>
Next, a description will be given of the document size check process in the image reading device 100. The document size check process is intended to reduce the possibility of the medium S placed by the user being read with a read setting unintended by the user.

The user must set the size of the transport medium S placed on the placement table 1 before reading the original document. This is so that the original size detection means can detect when a transport medium S of a size different from the size previously set by the user is transported. When reading the original document (transport medium S), if the size previously set by the user and the size of the original document placed on the placement table 1 do not match, this may be due to a setting error by the user or an incorrect number of original documents placed.

When scanning an original document, the character string indicating the original size previously set by the user is stored in RAM 202 as described below, and this character string is acquired. A row is searched for in the original size table shown in FIG. 3, which is previously written in ROM 201, where the original size matches the character string, and the vertical value of the original size is acquired.

The system checks whether the vertical value of the document size and the vertical length of the document being transported are equal, and notifies the user of the check result, allowing the user to notice incorrect settings or an incorrect number of documents placed on the document. The document size check process also includes cases where the document sizes are determined to match when the difference between the vertical value of the document size and the vertical length of the document being transported is less than a specified value.

In this invention, the vertical length of the document being transported is obtained in the following way.

The CPU 200 uses the media detection sensor 60 to detect the leading and trailing ends of the document, thereby measuring the time it takes for the document to pass through the media detection sensor 60.

For example, the time from when the media detection sensor 60 detects the leading edge of the document to when it detects the trailing edge is measured, and the detection time is regarded as the document passing time. The transport speed table shown in FIG. 4 is written in the ROM 201. Using the resolution and color mode stored in the RAM 202, the CPU 200 searches the transport speed table shown in FIG. 4 for a row that matches the resolution and color mode, and obtains the document transport speed (mm/s).

Then, the CPU 200 can calculate the vertical length of the document by multiplying the document transport speed and the passing time. However, in the present invention, the method of detecting the document size is not limited to this, and for example, the image of the document read by the image reading device 100 may be analyzed to detect the document size.

<Scan Processing Execution Method from Operation Unit 230>
Next, a method of executing a scan process in the image reading device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, taking as an example an operation from the operation unit 230 provided in the image reading device 100.

When the image reading device 100 is turned on, the reading setting screen shown in FIG. 5(a) is displayed on the operation unit 230.

When the add read setting button 501 in FIG. 5(a) is pressed on the operation unit 230, the read setting change menu 502 shown in FIG. 5(b) is displayed, and it becomes possible to register multiple read settings. In the read setting change menu 502, pull-down menus are prepared for the following changeable menus: resolution menu 503, document size menu 504, color mode menu 505, reading side menu 506, and number of pages menu 507. In addition to these, there may be a menu for switching image processing functions (automatic tilt correction, image rotation, etc.) on and off, and the pull-down menus are not limited to the above. After making any settings from these pull-down menus, pressing the start read button 509 starts the scan process with the selected read settings.

In the resolution menu 503, the resolution of the scanned image data can be selected, and there are two options: 300 dpi and 600 dpi. In the document size menu 504, the document size can be selected, and there are options such as A3 half-fold and A4. In the color mode menu 505, the color mode of the scanned image data can be selected, and there are two options: color and gray.

In the reading side menu 506, the reading side of the document can be selected, and there are two options: single-sided and double-sided. In the number of sheets menu 507, the number of documents to be read can be input. When the add reading setting button 510 is pressed, the order menu 508 displays the next value in the order being set as the initial setting. In this embodiment, the order menu 508 always operates in the order in which the reading settings were added, except when A3 half-folding, which will be described later, is set. However, it is also possible to change the value in the order menu 508 and change the order in which the reading settings are switched.

Each time the add read setting button 510 is pressed, the change read setting menu 502 is added, and the list of read settings shown in FIG. 5(c) is displayed. Note that the user must stack multiple original document stacks with different read settings in order and place them on the placement table 1.

If you select A3 half-fold in the document size menu 504, you cannot select the sides to be read or the number of pages. Also, as mentioned above, in half-fold scan mode, it is necessary to read only one half-fold document placed on the placement table 1, so the A3 half-fold reading setting must be set last.

Therefore, when A3 half-fold is selected in the document size menu 504, the maximum number of reading settings to be registered is automatically set in the order menu 508.

When the scan process starts, the screen display of the operation unit 230 transitions to the currently active reading settings screen of FIG. 5(d), and information on the currently active reading settings is displayed. When the reading settings are switched, the currently active reading settings displayed on the operation unit 230 also switch.

Figure 5 (d) shows a situation in which a document is read using a read setting with a value of "1" in the pre-set read setting order menu 508, and after the document has been read, the document is read using a read setting with a value of "2" in the order menu 508.

<Flowchart of Number of Sheets Designation Job Operation of Image Reading Apparatus 100>
Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 100 according to the present invention for executing a job in which the number of sheets is specified will be described with reference to FIGS.

A number-of-sheets-specified job is a job in which the memory unit stores setting information that associates the reading settings with the number of sheets to be read, which is set in advance by the setting unit, and the reading settings are automatically switched to another setting when the number of sheets to be read reaches the stored number. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the number-of-sheets-specified job of the image reading device 100. FIG. 9 shows an example of the error determination reason and determination result that are displayed to notify the user.

When the user presses the start reading button 509 in FIG. 5(b), the CPU 200 starts the following process.

In S601, the CPU 200 stores the read settings for each of the multiple document stacks set on the read setting screen in FIG. 5(c) in the RAM 202. Note that in this embodiment, the CPU 200 performs a process of associating the read information set on the operation unit 230 with the number of sheets to be read.

In S602, the CPU 200 initializes the variable (reading sequence number) stored in the RAM 202 to 1 and proceeds to S603.

In S603, the CPU 200 reads from the RAM 202 the reading settings for the document stack corresponding to the value of the variable: reading order number stored in the RAM 202, applies them as the reading settings, and proceeds to S604.

In S604, the CPU 200 determines whether the document size of the read setting applied in S603 is A3 half-fold. If the document size of the read setting is other than A3 half-fold, the process proceeds to S605. On the other hand, if the document size of the read setting is A3 half-fold, the process proceeds to S613. The flow when the document size of the read setting is A3 half-fold will be described in detail later.

In S605, the CPU 200 detects the state of the separation lever with the transport mode detection sensor 90, and if the non-separation paper feed setting is selected, the process proceeds to S606, and if the separation paper feed setting is selected, the process proceeds to S607.

In S606, the CPU 200 displays a screen in FIG. 9A on the operation unit 230 to prompt the user to switch the separation lever, and waits until the OK button 901 is pressed. Then, when the OK button 901 is pressed, the operation unit 230 displays the currently active reading setting screen in FIG. 5D, and returns to S605. However, this is only an example, and it is sufficient to inform the user that the separation lever setting is different.

In S607, the CPU 200 initializes the variable (number of sheets count value) stored in the RAM 202 to 0 and proceeds to S608.

In S608, the CPU 200 performs scanning processing and proceeds to S609.

Here, we will use the flowchart in Figure 7 to explain S608, which describes the document transport and reading process when the separation lever is switched to the separation setting.

In S701, the CPU 200 determines whether or not a document is detected on the placement table 1 by the paper presence/absence sensor 80. If no document is detected, the process proceeds to S702; if a document is detected, the process proceeds to S703.

In S702, the CPU 200 displays the page count error screen of FIG. 9B on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 902 is pressed. When the OK button 902 is pressed, the page count error screen is closed and this flow chart ends. This is because the process reaches S702 when no document is placed on the document placement table 1.

In the above state, the CPU 200 can determine that this is a number-of-sheets error, since this state occurs only when the number of sheets to be read in the reading settings registered in advance by the user differs from the number of documents placed on the placement table 1. However, this error screen is only an example, and it is sufficient to inform the user that the number of sheets to be read differs from the number of documents placed on the placement table 1.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the number difference error in the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S703, the CPU 200 starts transporting the transport medium S placed on the mounting table 1 and proceeds to S704.

In S704, the CPU 200 uses the multi-feed detection sensor 40 to determine whether a document has been multi-fed. If the CPU 200 determines that a document has been multi-fed, the process proceeds to S705. If the CPU 200 determines that a document has not been multi-fed, the process proceeds to S707.

In S705, the CPU 200 stops transporting the document and proceeds to S706.

In S706, the CPU 200 displays the multifeed error screen of FIG. 9C on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 903 is pressed. Then, when the OK button 903 is pressed, the multifeed error screen is closed and this flowchart ends. This is because the occurrence of a multifeed causes a difference between the variable: sheet count value stored in the RAM 202 and the value of the number of original sheets placed on the placement table 1, and the reading settings cannot be changed at the correct timing. However, this error screen is only an example, and it is sufficient if it is possible to notify the user that a multifeed has occurred.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the multiple feed error in the error flag variable stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S707, the CPU 200 reads the front and back sides of the transported medium S using the image reading units 70a and 70b, and proceeds to S708.

The CPU 200 then stores the read image data in the RAM 202.

In S708, the CPU 200 performs document size check processing to determine whether the detected document size matches the document size of the reading settings stored in the RAM 202. If they do not match, the process proceeds to S709; if they do match, the process proceeds to S711.

In S709, the CPU 200 stops transporting the document and proceeds to S710.

At S710, the CPU 200 displays the size error screen of FIG. 9(d) on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 904 is pressed. Then, when the OK button 904 is pressed, the size error screen is closed and this flowchart ends.

This is because in S708, the CPU 200 determines through the document size check process that the document in the read settings is different from the document that was transported. However, this error screen is only an example, and it is sufficient to inform the user that the document size of the transported document is different from the document size in the read settings.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the size difference error in the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S711, the CPU 200 ejects the transport medium S onto the ejection tray 2 and proceeds to S712.

At S712, the CPU 200 adds 1 to the variable (number of sheets count value) stored in the RAM 202 and proceeds to S513.

At S713, the CPU 200 transmits the image data stored in the RAM 202 to the PC 240 and ends this flowchart.

Let's go back to the explanation of the flowchart in Figure 6.

In S609, the CPU 200 determines whether an error such as a double feed error or wrong size error has occurred in the scan process of S608 based on whether a specific bit of the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 is set to 1. This is used as the error determination means. If it is determined based on the error determination means that an error has occurred, the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 is set to 0, and this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if no error has occurred, the process proceeds to S610.

In S610, if the variable (sheet count value) stored in RAM 202 in S608 matches the number of sheets read, CPU 200 proceeds to S611, and if they do not match, returns to S608 to read the remaining sheets of the same document stack.

At S611, the CPU 200 increments the variable (reading sequence number) stored in the RAM 202 by +1 and proceeds to S612.

In S612, if the reading settings for the reading sequence number are stored in RAM 202, CPU 200 returns to S603 to read the next document with different reading settings, and if they are not stored in RAM 202, ends this flowchart.

In other words, among the setting information stored in the memory unit, the setting for reading the original document is the first reading setting, the associated number of pages read is the first number of pages read, and when the number of pages read with the first reading setting becomes the same as the first number of pages read, the setting information stored in the memory unit is switched to another second setting information (reading setting). Similarly, when the number of pages read with the second reading setting becomes the same as the second number of pages read, the setting information stored in the memory unit is switched to a third setting information (reading setting). In this way, the reading setting is switched sequentially for each stack of original documents, and the switching is controlled by the CPU 200 (control unit).

Next, we will explain the flow when the document size in the scan settings is A3 half-fold.

In S604, if the document size of the reading setting applied in S603 is an A3 half-folded document, the CPU 200 proceeds to S613.

In S613, the CPU 200 detects the state of the separation lever with the transport mode detection sensor 90, and if separation is set, proceeds to S614, and if non-separation is set, proceeds to S615.

In S614, the CPU 200 displays a screen in FIG. 9(e) on the operation unit 230 to prompt the user to switch the separation lever, and waits until the OK button 905 is pressed. When the OK button 905 is pressed, the CPU 200 displays the reading in progress screen in FIG. 5(d) on the operation unit 230, and returns to S613. However, this error screen is only an example, and it is sufficient to inform the user that the transport mode setting is different.

At S615, the CPU 200 executes the scan process and ends this flowchart.

Here, regarding S615, the document transport and reading process when the separation lever is switched to the non-separation setting will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 6. Note that detailed explanations of the same processes as those in the flowchart in FIG. 8 will be omitted.

In S801, the CPU 200 determines whether or not a document is detected on the placement table 1 by the paper presence/absence sensor 80. If no document is detected, the process proceeds to S802; if a document is detected, the process proceeds to S803.

In S802, the CPU 200 displays the number difference error in FIG. 9B on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 902 is pressed. Then, when the OK button 902 is pressed, the number difference error screen is closed and this flowchart ends.

The process reaches S802 when no document is placed on the placement table 1. In this state, the CPU 200 can determine that this is a number-of-pages error because this state occurs only when the number of pages to be read in the reading settings registered in advance by the user differs from the number of documents placed on the placement table 1.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the number difference error in the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S803, the CPU 200 starts transporting the transport medium S placed on the mounting table 1 and proceeds to S804.

In S804, the CPU 200 uses the multi-feed detection sensor 40 to determine whether a document has been multi-fed. If the CPU 200 determines that a multi-feed has not occurred, the process proceeds to S805. If the multi-feed detection sensor 40 determines that a multi-feed has occurred, the process proceeds to S807.

In S805, the CPU 200 stops transporting the document and proceeds to S806.

In S806, the CPU 200 displays the half-fold error screen of FIG. 9(f) on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 906 is pressed. Then, when the OK button 906 is pressed, the half-fold error screen is closed and this flowchart ends.

This is because the CPU 200 has determined that a document different from the reading settings is being conveyed. When an A3 half-folded document is conveyed, the multi-feed detection sensor 40 always detects a multi-feed, so it is possible to determine whether or not a conveyed document that is not detected as a multi-feed is a half-folded document. However, this error screen is only an example, and it is sufficient to inform the user that the conveyed document is not half-folded.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the half-fold error in the error flag variable stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S807, the CPU 200 reads the front and back sides of the transported medium S using the image reading units 70a and 70b, and proceeds to S807.

The CPU 200 then stores the read image data in the RAM 202.

In S808, the CPU 200 determines whether the detected document size matches the set document size, and if it does not match, proceeds to S809, and if it does match, proceeds to S811.

In S809, the CPU 200 stops transporting the document and proceeds to S810.

In S810, the CPU 200 displays the size error screen of FIG. 9(d) on the operation unit 230 and waits until the OK button 904 is pressed. When the OK button 904 is pressed, the size error screen is closed and this flowchart ends.

This is because in S808, it was determined that the document size in the read settings is different from the size of the document that was transported.

Here, the CPU 200 sets the bit corresponding to the size difference error in the variable: error flag stored in the RAM 202 to 1.

In S811, the CPU 200 ejects the transport medium S onto the ejection tray 2 and proceeds to S812.

In S812, the CPU 200 adds 1 to the variable (number of sheets count value) stored in the RAM 202 and proceeds to S813.

At S813, the CPU 200 transmits the image data stored in the RAM 202 to the PC 240 and ends this flowchart.

The method described in this embodiment eliminates the need to repeat the work of setting the read settings and issuing the read start command for each document stack when changing the settings to different read settings for each document stack, and also eliminates the need to place each document stack on the loading platform 1 in multiple batches.

In addition, the method of starting reading from the operation unit 230 has been described as an example of a method for the user to perform reading, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained even if a reading instruction is given from an externally connected information processing device such as the PC 240.

In this embodiment, when reading an A3 half-folded document, the A3 half-folded document is read at the end of the document stack, but this can be changed so that the A3 half-folded document is read in the middle of the document stack. In this case, however, the documents need to be placed separately.

40 Double feed detection sensor 60 Media detection sensors 70a, 70b Image reading unit 80 Paper presence sensor 90 Separation lever setting sensor 100 Image reading device 200 CPU 230 Operation unit 240 PC

Claims (10)

An image reading device comprising: a placement table for placing an original; a transport unit for transporting the original; a reading unit for reading an image of the original transported by the transport unit; a setting unit for associating a read setting for reading the image of the original by the reading unit with a read number, which is the number of sheets to read the image of the original, for each bundle of originals, and setting setting information corresponding to multiple bundles of originals; a storage unit for storing the setting information set by the setting unit; and a control unit for switching to a second read setting when the number of sheets of the original read with a first read setting of the setting information stored in the storage unit becomes equal to the first read number associated with the first read setting. An error determination means for determining an error,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of notifying a user of the occurrence of the error based on the error determination means. a document size detection unit for detecting a size of the document conveyed by the conveying unit,
the setting information includes at least information on the size of the document;
3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the error determination means makes a determination based on the document size detected by the document size detection means and the document size of the setting information stored in the storage unit. a detection unit for detecting the document provided on the document placement table,
the setting information includes at least information on the number of pages of a document to be read,
The image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the error determination means determines that the number of documents in the setting information and the number of documents placed on the placement table are different when the detection unit does not detect the document before the transport unit starts transporting the document. a double feed detection unit for detecting that a plurality of documents are being conveyed through the conveying unit in an overlapping state,
the setting information set by the setting unit includes at least a half-folded scan mode for conveying a half-folded document,
The image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the error determination means determines that the half-folded original is being transported when the half-folded scan mode is specified by the setting unit and the double feed detection means does not detect that the original is being double-fed during transport. The image reading device according to claim 5, characterized in that the error determination means determines that the document has been multi-fed when the multi-fed detection means detects that the document has been multi-fed during transport. The image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit terminates the reading of the document by the reading unit based on the error determination means. The image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit notifies a user of the reason for or result of the error determination based on the error determination means. A method of transporting the document is set to a transport mode,
the transport mode has a separation setting and a non-separation setting,
a transport mode switching means for switching the transport mode,
The separation setting is a means for separating and conveying one document from a document stack,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-separation setting is a means for conveying the document stack without separating the document stack. An error determination means for determining an error;
a transport mode acquisition means for detecting a state of the transport mode,
notifying a user that the error has occurred based on the error determination means;
The image reading device according to claim 9, characterized in that the error determination means determines whether or not the transport mode to be switched based on the setting information when reading the original document matches the transport mode acquired by the transport mode acquisition means.

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