JP5141589B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus in which an automatic document feeder is replaceable.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is provided as an image reading device, and a document is read by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor to acquire image data while conveying a document to a reading position. A sheet-through type image reading apparatus is widely used.
The ADF is often provided as an optional device that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image reading apparatus, and can be replaced when the ADF fails. In such a case, the control unit is not mounted on the ADF side, but mounted on the image reading apparatus main body side, and when a new ADF is mounted, a service person or the like sends control information including the control parameters of the ADF to the main body. It is necessary to set the control unit on the side, and it is very complicated and troublesome to install and replace.

  Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a memory is provided in the ADF, and control information is stored in the memory at the time of manufacturing, and after the ADF is attached to the image reading apparatus, the control unit stores the control information in the memory. The information is read out, whereby the control information of the ADF can be automatically acquired.

JP 2007-174596 A

However, even if the configuration of Patent Document 1 is adopted, it is necessary to provide a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) in the ADF in order to store control information, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost. Therefore, there is a demand for a configuration that allows the ADF control information to be automatically acquired by the image reading apparatus main body by a cheaper method.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that suppresses the cost and does not require complicated setting work of control information when the ADF is attached. .

  In order to solve the above problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads a document image and generates image data, and a document transport unit that transports the document to a document image reading position in the image reading unit. The document conveying unit is configured to be detachable from the image reading unit, and the document conveying unit is located at a position where the image reading unit can read the document conveying unit. An information carrying pattern for carrying control information for controlling the operation of the image reading unit, and the image reading unit reads the information carrying pattern at a predetermined timing to obtain the control information; Control information storage means for storing the acquired control information, and based on the stored control information Characterized in that a control means for controlling the operation of the serial conveyance unit.

  Here, the “information carrying pattern” includes not only an image pattern such as a barcode but also characters, symbols, numbers, and the like.

With the above configuration, it is not necessary to mount a memory or the like storing control information in the document conveyance unit, and the control information is acquired and controlled simply by reading the information carrying pattern formed on the document conveyance unit with the image reading unit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load at the time of mounting / replacement of the document transport unit while suppressing the cost.
Here, the predetermined timing may be a time when the apparatus is turned on.

Thus, since the control information of the document transport unit is acquired every time the power is turned on, even if the document transport unit is replaced when the power is turned off, the control information can always be acquired and accurately controlled. I can do it.
And an exchange information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that the document transport unit has been replaced or newly installed, and the predetermined time is determined when the document transport unit is replaced or newly installed by the replacement information acquisition unit. It is good also as the time when the information to the effect is acquired.

Thus, when the document transport unit is replaced or newly installed, the control information of the document transport unit can be reliably acquired.
Furthermore, the control information storage means may be updated and stored when the acquired control information is different from the previously acquired and stored control information.
Here, the control information may be a control parameter for controlling the operation of the document conveying unit.

  Here, the control information is model information of the document transport unit, and the control means includes parameter storage means for storing control parameters corresponding to each model of the document transport unit, and corresponds to the acquired model information. The control parameter to be read may be read from the parameter storage means, and the operation of the document conveying unit may be controlled based on the read control parameter.

  Furthermore, the information carrying pattern may be a bar code.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a copying machine including an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit of a copying machine. It is a figure which shows the sticking position of the information label with which the information image holding ADF control information was printed, and the aspect of the said information label. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ADF control information update process in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of an ADF document reading job execution process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ADF control information update process in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case where it is applied to an image reader unit of a digital color copying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “copying machine”).
<Embodiment 1>

(1. Overall configuration of copier)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the copying machine 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 is roughly divided into an image reader (IR: Image Reader) unit 10 that reads an original image, and a printer unit 20 that prints and reproduces the read image on a recording sheet. A sheet feeding unit 30 that supplies a recording sheet to the printer unit 20 is disposed below the IR unit 10, and an ADF 40 that automatically conveys a document to the IR unit 10 is disposed above the IR unit 10. .

  The IR unit 10 is configured to be able to read a document image by both a sheet-through method that is one of fixed optical systems and a scanner moving method that is one of moving optical systems. Here, in the sheet-through method, a scanner unit 11 in which a lamp 111 that irradiates a document and a mirror 112 that guides reflected light from the document surface to a CCD line sensor (solid-state imaging device) 17 is integrated with a sheet-through platen. In this method, the original is moved and read in a state of being stationary (fixed) at a sheet through reading position 18 indicated by a broken line below the glass 12. The scanner moving method is a method in which the scanner unit 11 is moved with respect to the document while the document is stationary, and is read while the optical path length from the document reading position to the CCD line sensor is always kept constant.

The ADF 40 is installed on the upper part of the IR unit 10 in order to realize the sheet-through method.
The ADF 40 separates the originals one by one from the original bundle set on the original feed tray 401, passes the upper surface of the sheet-through platen glass 12, and then outputs the originals to the original output tray 402.

The document feed tray 401 is provided with a document sensor 408 composed of, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor, and the document sensor 408 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document feed tray 401.
The uppermost document in the document bundle set on the document feed tray 401 is separated from the document bundle by the pickup roller 403 and the separating roller 404 and conveyed to the registration roller 405. A sheet trailing edge detection sensor 409 is installed between the separating roller 404 and the registration roller 405, and the trailing edge of the document has passed when the document is transported and passed through the installation location. Detected by the detection sensor 409. Further, a paper leading edge detection sensor 410 is installed immediately downstream of the registration roller 405, and it is detected by the paper leading edge detection sensor 410 that the leading edge of the document has passed when the document is conveyed and passed through the installation location. Detected.

  The original conveyed to the registration roller 405 is corrected to the skew (skew) and then conveyed to the sheet-through platen glass 12 by the registration roller 405. A document pressing member 411 is disposed at a position facing the sheet through platen glass 12 of the ADF 40, and abuts against the back surface of the passing document so that the document surface at the document reading position and the sheet through platen glass 12 are in contact with each other. The distance is kept constant so that the original can be read appropriately.

The document that has passed through the sheet-through platen glass 12 is further conveyed to a discharge roller 407 by a post-reading roller 406, and is discharged to a document discharge tray 402 by the discharge roller 407.
When reading a plurality of documents continuously, when the trailing edge detection sensor 409 detects the passage of the trailing edge of the document being conveyed, the next document is detected by the pickup roller 403 and the separation roller 404. Is separated from the original bundle and transport is started. At this time, whether or not to read a plurality of documents continuously is determined based on whether or not the document sensor 408 detects a document placed on the document feed tray 401 during document reading. That is, if a document is placed on the document feed tray 401 when the document is read, it is determined that there are a plurality of documents to be read, and the document placed on the document feed tray 401 is not detected. Continue reading until the document.

Each of the rollers described above is driven to rotate through a power transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear gear or a belt using the document conveying motor M1 as a power source, and transmission and interruption of the rotation driving to each roller is prevented. This is executed by turning on / off an electromagnetic clutch (not shown).
The type of the document conveying motor M1 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, a stepping motor capable of highly accurate rotation speed control is used.

  When reading a document by the sheet through method, the scanner unit 11 is moved to the sheet through reading position 18. The document passing through the upper surface of the sheet-through platen glass 12 is irradiated by the lamp 111 of the scanner unit 11 stationary at the sheet-through reading position 18, and the reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirrors 112, 14, and 15. The optical path is changed, and an image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 17 by the imaging lens 16.

  On the other hand, when the original is placed on the manual placement platen glass 13 and read, the ADF 40 is opened upward and the original is set on the manual placement platen glass 13. In this case, the scanner unit 11 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. At this time, the mirrors 14 and 15 are paired and move in the same direction as the scanner unit 11 at half the moving speed thereof, whereby the distance from the document surface to the imaging lens 16 ( The optical path length is always kept constant, and the reflected light of the original is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 17. The scanner unit 11 and the mirrors 14 and 15 are driven to travel through a power transmission mechanism (not shown) composed of a belt, a wire, and the like, using the scan motor M2 as a power source.

  In the IR unit 10, a reference white plate (shading plate) 19 for obtaining a reference white output is disposed between the sheet-through platen glass 12 and the hand-placed platen glass 13. When reading a document, the scanner unit 11 is moved to the position where the reference white plate 19 is arranged to read the image data of the reference white plate 19, and the sensitivity variation between the image sensors of the CCD line sensor 17, the lamp 111. A process for correcting variations in the amount of irradiation light is performed.

The control unit 5 controls the operations of the IR unit 10 and the ADF 40, performs predetermined data processing on the image data read by the CCD line sensor 17, and stores the data in the image memory 53 (see FIG. 2). Based on the stored R, G, B image data, the printer unit 20 forms an image on a recording sheet.
The printer unit 20 exposes and scans the photosensitive drum with a laser diode (not shown) that is modulated and driven by image data obtained by reading the original, and forms an electrostatic latent image. Is a known electrophotographic printer that develops the toner image and then transfers the toner image onto a sheet to form an image, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toners. A full color image is formed by multiple transfer of the image onto transfer paper.

The printer unit 20 is not limited to the electrophotographic system as described above, and may be another system, such as an ink-jet color printer.
The copying machine 1 includes an operation panel 6 (see FIG. 2) at a position on the upper surface where it can be easily operated. The operation panel 6 has a key group for setting the number of copies, a key group such as a start key for starting copying, and a setting for receiving input such as a document reading mode and a reading magnification (enlargement / reduction ratio). A screen, buttons, and a liquid crystal display for displaying messages such as out of paper and paper jam are arranged.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 5 of the copying machine 1.
As shown in the figure, the control unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, an image processing unit 52, an image memory 53, an LD drive unit 54, programs necessary for controlling these units, and the like as main components. A stored ROM (Read Only Memory) 55, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 56 serving as a work area during program execution, an ADF control information storage unit 57, a communication interface (I / F) unit 58, and the like are included.

  The image processing unit 52 samples the read data from the CCD line sensor 17 at a predetermined timing, amplifies the data to an appropriate level, converts the data into R, G, and B digital data, and changes the sensitivity variation of each CCD line sensor. A shading correction process is performed to correct variations in the amount of light due to the characteristics of the optical system. The shading-corrected digital data of R, G, and B is a document conveyance speed so that R, G, and B image data of the same pixel is output in units of one line (main scanning line). Is output after a predetermined time delay.

Thereafter, the R, G, B image data is subjected to color correction processing such as known black generation (BP) and under color removal (UCR), and the density of each reproduced color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Data is generated and output to the image memory 53.
The image memory 53 stores the density data of each color in a frame memory prepared for each reproduction color. When an address is instructed from the CPU 51 and a read request is received, the data of each reproduction color stored in the address is stored. Based on this data, the LD drive unit 54 drives a laser diode (not shown) in the printer unit 20 based on this data to perform exposure scanning on the photosensitive drum.

The CPU 51 controls the operation of each unit such as the IR unit 10 and the printer unit 20 based on the control program stored in the ROM 55, thereby realizing a smooth copying operation. Further, the CPU 51 accepts a key input by the operator via the operation panel 6 and displays a necessary message on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 6.
The ADF control information storage unit 57 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and stores control parameters for smoothly operating the ADF 40.

The communication I / F unit 58 is an interface for connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network) such as a LAN card or a LAN board, and receives print job data from the outside.
The type of scan motor M2 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, a stepping motor capable of controlling the rotational speed with high accuracy is used.
(2. ADF control information update process)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a position where the information label 412 is pasted and an aspect of the information label 412. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the ADF 40, and FIG. 3B is a bottom surface of the ADF 40 (an installation surface of the ADF 40 on the IR portion 10).

  In the figure, an area indicated by A is an image readable area by the sheet-through method (area opposed to the sheet-through platen glass 12), and an area indicated by B is an area opposed to the reference white plate 19. , C is an image readable area by the scanner movement method (area facing the platen glass 13 for manual placement), and an area indicated by D is a document conveyance area.

  The information label 412 is formed by printing a barcode carrying ADF control information on the surface (surface readable by the scanner unit 11) of a sheet member made of paper, plastic, metal or the like, as shown in FIG. On the installation surface of the ADF 40, the scanner unit 11 of the IR unit 10 is in a range that can be read by the sheet-through method and is attached outside the document conveyance area.

An enlarged view of the information label 412 is shown in a circle in FIG. In this embodiment, the barcode printed on the information label 412 is formed so as to be read in the main scanning direction (Y direction). However, the barcode is tilted by 90 degrees to move the optical scanning device 11 in the sub scanning direction. You may make it read, moving to (X direction).
A program for converting the image data of the information label 412 read by the scanner unit 11 into ADF control information is stored in advance in the ROM 55, read from the ROM 55 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 51. The information label 412 may be a two-dimensional bar code as well as a bar code as shown in the figure, and may acquire ADF control information by recognizing characters, symbols, and numbers. You may make it do. In the case of characters and symbols, control information can be obtained by performing character recognition processing on the read image data.

  Further, the application position of the information label 412 is not limited to the application position as long as it is within a range that can be read by the scanner unit 11 and does not interfere with smooth document conveyance and good scanning. . For example, it may be on the document pressing member 411 outside the document conveyance area, or within a readable range by the scanner movement method and at a position outside the document conveyance area.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ADF control information update process.
When the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on, the information label 412 is read by the scanner unit 11, and the image data is converted into ADF control information (step S1: YES, step S2, step S3). When the control information obtained by the conversion and the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57 are compared and both are the same (step S4: YES), a new ADF is installed. Therefore, the update process is terminated. If both are not the same, it is determined that a new ADF has been installed, so the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57 is updated and stored with the control information obtained by reading the information label 412. (Step S4: NO, Step S5), and the update process is terminated.

In the present embodiment, as control information acquired from the information label 412, times t <b> 1 and t <b> 2 for determining the reading start and reading end of the document are set. Details will be described later.
If an ADF is newly installed in the IR unit 10 in which no ADF is installed, there is no control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57, but in this case also in step S4, the information label 412 is stored. The control information obtained by reading is stored on the assumption that the control information obtained by reading is not the same as the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57 (step S4: NO, step S5).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of execution of a job for reading a document using the automatic document transport function of the ADF 40 (ADF document reading job execution processing). Note that there is a separate main routine (not shown) for controlling the entire copying machine 1, and is executed each time a subroutine of the ADF document reading job execution process is called in the main routine.
First, it is determined whether or not a document reading start instruction from the user has been received (step S11). The presence / absence of the document reading start instruction is determined when, for example, a copy mode for copying a document or a scan mode for acquiring image data of a document and transmitting it to a designated terminal is set from the operation panel 6. It can be determined whether or not the user has pressed the start button of the operation panel 6.

  When a document reading instruction is received (step S11: YES), it is next determined whether or not a document is placed on the document feed tray 401 (step S12). This determination can be made based on whether or not the document sensor 408 detects a document on the document feed tray 401. If a document is not placed on the document feed tray 401 (step S12: NO), the process returns directly to the main routine, but if a document is placed on the document feed tray 401 (step S12). (S12: YES), the uppermost document is fed out and document conveyance is started (step S13).

  Then, it is determined whether or not time t1 has elapsed since the leading edge detection sensor 410 detected the leading edge of the document. Here, the time t1 is control information updated in the ADF control information update process of FIG. 4 and stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57, and the time t1 is detected after the paper leading edge detection sensor 410 detects the leading edge of the document. This is the time until the document reaches the document reading position by the sheet-through method.

When time t1 elapses after the paper leading edge detection sensor 410 detects the leading edge of the document, the document has reached the document reading position by the sheet-through method, so reading by the CCD line sensor 17 is started (step S14: YES). Step S15).
Then, if the time t2 has elapsed after the trailing edge of the document is detected by the sheet trailing edge detection sensor 409, it is considered that the trailing edge of the document has passed the document reading position, and one page by the CCD line sensor 17 is detected. Is finished (step S16: YES, step S17).

  Then, returning to step S12, it is determined whether or not there is a next document on the document feed tray 401. If it is determined that there is a next document on the document feed tray 401 (step S12: YES), The operations from step S13 to S17 are repeated to execute the document reading process for the next page and thereafter, and when there is no next document on the document feed tray 401, it is determined that the document reading job is completed (step S12). : NO, step S18), the process returns to the main routine.

Note that the above flowchart is an example of control of the ADF 40 at the time of executing a document reading job, and needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above flowchart, the conveyance of the next original is started after the completion of the reading of the previous original. However, even if the previous original is being read, the trailing edge is detected by the paper trailing edge detection sensor 409. As soon as it is detected, the presence or absence of the next document may be determined and the conveyance may be started.
<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, whether the ADF is newly installed or replaced is determined by reading the information label 412 with the scanner unit 11 when the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on. However, in recent years, ADFs having specifications corresponding to hot plugs such as USB have come to be widely used, and ADFs can be installed and replaced while the system power is on. In such a case, even if a new ADF is installed or replaced, the power source does not switch from OFF to ON. Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the information label 412 is not read, and then the power source is switched from OFF to ON. Until then, the ADF control information is not updated.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the copier 1 is provided with a reset button, and when the ADF is newly installed or replaced, the user or service person presses the reset button to newly install the ADF. A configuration for detecting that the ADF has been exchanged or the ADF has been exchanged will be described as an example. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, the description is abbreviate | omitted about the same content as Embodiment 1, and shall attach | subject the same code | symbol about the same component.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ADF control information update process in the second embodiment. Here, a description will be given assuming that an ADF is replaced or newly installed while the power of the copier is turned on in a situation where a plurality of users share one copier in an office or the like. . This flowchart is executed every time a subroutine of the ADF control information update process is called in the main routine for controlling the entire copying machine 1.

  First, it is determined whether or not the reset button is ON (the reset button has been pressed). If the reset button is not ON (step S21: NO), the process directly returns to the main routine. If the reset button is ON, it is next determined whether another job (a job that does not use ADF, such as a print job) is being executed (step S21: YES, step S22). If not, the information label 412 is read by the scanner unit 11 (step S22: NO, step S26). If another job is being executed, it is subsequently determined whether or not the job has ended (step S22: YES, step S23). If the job has not ended, the determination of whether or not the job has ended is repeated (step S23: NO, step S23). If the job has ended, it is determined whether there is a job waiting next (step S23: YES, step S24). When there is a waiting job, the execution of the waiting job is temporarily stopped, and the information label 412 is read by the scanner unit 11 (step S24: YES, step S25, step S26). If there is no waiting job, the scanner unit 11 reads the information label 412 (step S24: NO, step S26).

  Next, the control information obtained by reading the information label 412 is compared with the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57. If both are the same (step S27: YES), the main routine is entered. Return. When both are not the same, the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57 is updated and stored in the control information obtained by reading the information label 412 (step S27: NO, step S28).

  Then, the reset button is released, and then it is determined whether there is a waiting job (steps S29 and S30). If there is a waiting job, it is paused in step S25, so the pause is released, the job is executed, and the process returns to the main routine (step S30: YES, step S31). If there is no waiting job (step S30: NO), the process directly returns to the main routine.

  If the copier is used only by one user and a job is being executed when a new ADF is installed or replaced, or if no new job is issued, the reset button is turned ON in step S21. If so, the process proceeds to the information label reading step in step S26, and steps S22 to S25 in the meantime can be omitted, and the control information is updated in step S28 and reset in step S29. After releasing the button, the process immediately returns to the main routine, and step S30 and step S31 can be omitted.

The means for detecting the installation of the new ADF 40 and the replacement of the ADF 40 is not limited to the reset button described above, and the following configuration may be used.
That is, a switch having a lever biased in a direction protruding upward from the top surface of the IR portion 10 by a spring or the like is provided on the top surface of the IR portion 10 near the attachment portion (hinge portion) of the ADF 40. After the ADF 40 is removed and the lever protrudes and the switch is turned off, when the new ADF is installed and the lever is pushed back and turned on again, it is determined that a new ADF is installed. Also good.

Alternatively, a recognition means for recognizing the connection status of the ADF hot plug is provided, and when the recognition means recognizes that the hot plug connection has changed from the OFF state to the ON state, a new ADF is installed. You may make it detect.
In the above flowchart, the information label 412 can be read in an apparatus capable of reading an image in parallel even when another job such as a print job is being executed. Therefore, the steps S22 to S25 are omitted. It doesn't matter.
<Modification>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications can be implemented.
(1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the information label 412 is a sheet member made of paper, plastic, metal, etc. on which the information carrying pattern carrying the control information is printed at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the ADF 40. However, the information carrying pattern may be directly printed or stamped on the bottom surface of the ADF 40, or another member on which the pattern is formed may be embedded in the bottom surface of the ADF 40.
(2) In the above embodiments, times t1 and t2 are shown as examples of control information carried by the information label 412. These control parameters can be set to fine-adjusted values during assembly, taking into account variations in individual products and parts errors due to electromagnetic clutch response delay, etc., enabling more accurate ADF control It is.

  However, if detailed adjustment is not required, the control parameters unique to each ADF are within the error range, the common control parameters are applied to the same type of ADF, and the information label has the type Only information is carried, and a plurality of types of information and control information associated therewith are stored in advance in a storage unit such as the ROM 55 in the control unit 5 and carried on the information label 412. The model information may be read by the scanner unit 11 and the control information corresponding to the read model may be read from the storage unit to update the control information.

By adopting such a configuration, the amount of information carried on the information label 412 can be reduced, and the size of the information label can be reduced.
Furthermore, among the control information, adjustment values specific to individual ADFs such as response delays of the electromagnetic clutch are carried on the information label 412 and updated in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments, so The adjustment value common to the same type of ADF such as dimension information corresponds to the type information as described above, and the control information corresponding to the type information read by the scanner unit 11 is stored in the storage unit such as the ROM 55. It is also possible to read out more and update the control information. Even in this case, it is considered that the information label can be downsized to some extent.

However, when the control information is updated according to the model, the control information of the existing model can be stored in the storage unit in advance, but it is difficult to store the new product in advance. Therefore, in the case of a new product, if it is determined that the control information corresponding to the type information read from the information label is not stored in the storage unit such as the ROM 55, a network such as a LAN or the Internet via the communication I / F unit 58 The control information of the corresponding type may be downloaded from a server connected to.
(3) In the first embodiment, the control information obtained by reading the information label 412 is compared with the control information stored in the ADF control information storage unit 57. If both are not the same, the information is stored. The control information is updated to the control information obtained from the information label 412. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The information label 412 is read by the scanner unit 11 every time the power is turned on, and the obtained adjustment value is stored in the RAM 56 or the like. It is good also as a structure memorize | stored. In this case, the ADF control information storage unit 57 can be omitted.

  The contents of the above embodiment and the above modification may be combined.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is useful as a technique for reducing the workload and cost reduction of a user or a service person when updating an adjustment value when an ADF is newly installed or replaced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copy machine 10 IR part 11 Scanner unit 111 Lamp 112, 14, 15 Mirror 12 Platen glass for sheet through 13 Platen glass for hand placement 16 Imaging lens 17 CCD line sensor 18 Sheet through reading position 19 Reference white board 20 Printer part 30 Supply Paper part 40 ADF
401 Document feed tray 402 Document discharge tray 403 Pickup roller 404 Rolling roller 405 Registration roller 406 Post-reading roller 407 Discharge roller 408 Document sensor 409 Paper trailing edge detection sensor 410 Paper leading edge detection sensor 411 Document pressing member 412 Information label 5 Control unit

Claims (7)

An image reading apparatus comprising an image reading unit that reads a document image and generates image data, and a document transport unit that transports the document to a document image reading position in the image reading unit,
The document transport unit is configured to be detachable from the image reading unit, and control information for controlling the operation of the document transport unit is placed at a position where the image transport unit can read the document transport unit. An information carrying pattern to be carried is formed,
The image reading unit includes:
Control information acquisition means for reading the information carrying pattern at a predetermined timing and acquiring the control information;
Control information storage means for storing the acquired control information;
An image reading apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the operation of the document conveying unit based on the stored control information.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is when power is supplied to the apparatus. Exchange information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that the document transport unit has been replaced or newly installed;
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is when information indicating that the document transport unit has been replaced or newly installed is acquired by the replacement information acquisition unit. The said control information storage means updates and memorize | stores when the acquired control information differs from the control information acquired and memorize | stored last time. Image reading device.   5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information is a control parameter for controlling an operation of the document conveying unit. The control information is model information of the document transport unit,
The control means includes
Parameter storage means for storing control parameters corresponding to each type of the document transport unit;
5. The control parameter corresponding to the acquired type information is read from the parameter storage means, and the operation of the document conveying unit is controlled based on the read control parameter. The image reading apparatus described in 1.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information carrying pattern is a bar code.

Images