JP5621800B2 - Document reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus that reads an image from a document.

  In a document feeder such as an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) used in a document reading device, a configuration is used in which submerged discharge is performed so that the subsequent originals are sequentially inserted under the originals already discharged onto the discharge tray. Are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-238252 A

  By the way, in the configuration in which the submerged discharge is performed, the frictional resistance increases as the number of originals discharged onto the discharge tray increases, and the subsequent originals are less likely to enter under the already discharged originals. Eventually, the subsequent document cannot dig into the already ejected document, resulting in wrinkles or document jams.

  Therefore, the number of documents that can be placed on the supply tray may be regulated to be less than the maximum number of documents that can be discharged (can be submerged) on the discharge tray. If you start adding documents or forgetting to remove the documents on the output tray, you may exceed the maximum number of documents that can be discharged, causing wrinkles or document jams. Was insufficient to prevent.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a document reading apparatus that can prevent wrinkles and document jams in advance and that can be easily used by a user and can perform submerged discharge.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an original reading apparatus according to the present invention is an original reading apparatus capable of ejecting a subsequent original in order under a previously ejected original. A supply tray, a discharge tray disposed on the supply tray for discharging the document, a transport mechanism for transporting the document from the supply tray to the discharge tray through a reading position, and the discharge tray being discharged to the discharge tray A discharge detection sensor for detecting a document; and a control device for controlling a reading operation of the document by controlling driving of the transport mechanism. The control device receives the discharge when an instruction to start reading is input. When it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray based on detection by the detection sensor, the document reading operation is started, and when the document is determined to be on the discharge tray, the document reading operation is started. Characterized in that it does not start.

  According to the document reading apparatus configured as described above, when the reading start instruction is input, when it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray based on the detection of the discharge detection sensor, the document reading operation is performed. Therefore, the conveyance of the document to the discharge tray is not started. As a result, wrinkles and document jams can be prevented in advance.

  When it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray, the apparatus itself determines that the document reading operation is not started when it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray. Therefore, the user can use the document without having to worry about the presence or number of documents on the discharge tray. As a result, the document reading apparatus can be easily used by the user.

  According to the document reading apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jams in advance and to make it easy for the user to use in a configuration in which the paper can be ejected by sneaking.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view showing a configuration of a paper discharge detection sensor, and (b) is a diagram for explaining an operation of the paper discharge detection sensor. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a document conveying unit. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of double-sided reading. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of single-sided reading. 6 is a flowchart of document reading control by the control device in a submerged mode.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a paper discharge detection sensor, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the paper discharge detection sensor, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the document conveying unit.

  Here, in the following description, the “conveyance direction” is a direction in which a document is conveyed from the supply tray 10 toward the discharge tray 20 (the arrow direction in FIG. 1), and the “discharge direction” is a document conveyance of the document. This is the direction in which the sheet is discharged from the section 30 to the discharge tray 20. In addition, upstream and downstream in the transport direction and unload direction are simply referred to as “upstream” and “downstream”, respectively, and directions perpendicular to the document transport direction and discharge direction (front and back sides in FIG. 1) are referred to as “width direction”. "

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document reading device 1 includes a flatbed scanner 2 having a known configuration, a document transport device 3 that transports a document to a reading position R, a control device 4 that controls a document reading operation, It mainly includes an operation unit 5 operated by a user and a display unit 6 as an example of notification means for notifying a user of a message.

<Configuration of flatbed scanner>
The flatbed scanner 2 is disposed below the document reading device 1 and mainly includes a platen glass 2G as an example of a document table on which a document is placed and an image sensor 2S as an example of a reading device. In the flatbed scanner 2, the image sensor 2S can read the document placed on the platen glass 2G while scanning, and can read the document conveyed to the reading position R.

<Configuration of document feeder>
The document transport device 3 is a device that transports a document to a reading position R so that one or both sides of the document can be read. The document transport device 3 is disposed above the flat bed scanner 2 and can be opened and closed with respect to the platen glass 2G. It has been. The document transport device 3 mainly includes a supply tray 10 on which a document is placed, a discharge tray 20 on which the document is discharged, and a document transport unit 30 that transports the document.

[Configuration of the output tray]
The discharge tray 20 is disposed above the supply tray 10, and mainly includes a fixed tray 21 and a flap 22 disposed on the upstream side of the fixed tray 21, and a discharge detection sensor 23 is provided.
The fixed tray 21 is fixed so as not to be displaced with respect to the document conveying unit 30.

  The flap 22 is supported by the main body frame 30A of the document conveying device 3 so as to be swingable up and down with respect to the fixed tray 21 around a swing shaft 22A provided on the downstream side. The flap 22 has a bent portion 22 </ b> C bent downward at the upstream end portion. A cam 24 is engaged with the upstream end of the flap 22.

  The cam 24 includes a push-up bar 24A extending below both ends in the width direction below the flap 22, shaft portions 24B provided on both sides of the flap 22, and connecting portions 24C that connect both ends of the push-up bar 24A and the shaft portions 24B. It consists of and. Each shaft portion 24B is pivotally supported by the main body frame 30A.

  Such a cam 24 is rotated in the forward / reverse direction by a driving means (not shown) controlled by the control device 4 so that the flap 22 is in the lower state shown in FIG. 1 and the upper side shown in FIG. Swing between states. As a result, the document discharge mode can be switched between a stacking mode and a dive mode, which will be described later.

  The paper discharge detection sensor 23 is a sensor that detects a document discharged to the discharge tray 20, and is provided on the fixed tray 21 on the downstream side of the swing shaft 22 </ b> A in the discharge tray 20. As shown in FIG. 2A, the paper discharge detection sensor 23 mainly includes an optical sensor 25 as an example of a swing detection sensor and an actuator 26 configured to be swingable.

  The optical sensor 25 is a sensor that detects the swing of the actuator 26, and includes a light emitting unit 25A that emits light and a light receiving unit 25B that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 25A. The optical sensor 25 outputs a change in the light detection state at the light receiving unit 25B to the control device 4 as a predetermined signal.

The actuator 26 includes a swing shaft 26A, a contact portion 26B, and a shielding portion 26C.
The swing shaft 26 </ b> A is disposed below the document placement surface 21 </ b> A of the discharge tray 20 (fixed tray 21) (see FIG. 1), and is attached to the fixed tray 21 so as to be rotatable.

  The abutting portion 26B is a portion that abuts on the document discharged to the discharge tray 20, and is provided at the approximate center of the swing shaft 26A. A part of the contact portion 26B protrudes from the document placement surface 21A and is exposed to the outside by the action of a spring or a weight (not shown) during normal operation (see FIGS. 1 and 2A).

  The shielding part 26C is a plate-like member provided at one end of the swing shaft 26A, and is normally located between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B of the optical sensor 25 and emits light emitted from the light emitting part 25A. Shielded.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the paper discharge detection sensor 23, the original M discharged to the discharge tray 20 comes into contact with the contact portion 26B, so that the contact portion 26B is pushed down by the weight of the original and shakes. Move. In conjunction with this, since the shielding part 26C is retracted from between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B, the detection state of light in the light receiving part 25B changes. At this time, the optical sensor 25 outputs a predetermined signal to the control device 4.

[Configuration of document feeder]
As shown in FIG. 3, the document transport unit 30 is formed with a transport path 31 for guiding the document from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20 and a reverse path 32 for switching back the document. 13, a passage detection sensor 33, and a counter 34 are provided. The paper feed detection sensor 13 and the passage detection sensor 33 have the same configuration as that of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 described above, and thus detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

  The conveying path 31 includes a suction path 31A extending substantially horizontally from the supply tray 10, an inclined path 31B extending obliquely downward from the suction path 31A, a horizontal path 31C extending substantially horizontally from the inclined path 31B, and a horizontal path 31C. The curved path 31D extends in an arc shape upward, and the discharge path 31E extends obliquely upward from the curved path 31D toward the discharge tray 20 (outside). Of the conveyance path 31, the lower side of the horizontal path 31C is a reading position R facing the image sensor 2S through the platen glass 2G.

  The conveyance path 31 is provided with a conveyance mechanism that conveys the document from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20 through the reading position R. The conveyance mechanism is provided on the suction roller 41, the suction nip piece 42, the separation roller 43 and the separation nip piece 44 provided on the suction path 31A, the first conveyance roller 45 provided on the inclined path 31B, and the curved path 31D. The second conveying roller 47 and a discharge roller 49 provided in the discharge path 31E are mainly configured.

  The suction roller 41 and the suction nip piece 42 are members that bring the original on the supply tray 10 to the separation roller 43, and the separation roller 43 and the separation nip piece 44 separate the original one by one and send it to the reading position R. It is. The first transport roller 45 and the second transport roller 47 are rollers for transporting the document in the transport path 31, and the paper discharge roller 49 is a roller for discharging the document that has been read to the discharge tray 20.

  The paper feed detection sensor 13 is a sensor that detects a document placed on the supply tray 10, and in the normal state shown in FIG. 3, the contact portion 16 </ b> B is located between the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43 and the suction path. It protrudes from 31A. In this paper feed detection sensor 13, when a document is set (placed) on the supply tray 10, the contact portion 16 </ b> B is pushed down by the weight of the document and swings, so that a light receiving portion of an optical sensor (not shown) The detection state of light changes. At this time, the optical sensor outputs a predetermined signal to the control device 4.

  The passage detection sensor 33 is a sensor that detects passage of a document conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20, and a swingable contact portion 36B protrudes from the inclined path 31B in a normal state shown in FIG. . Although a detailed description is omitted, the document reading apparatus 1 performs reading start control of the image sensor 2S, determination of document jam in the conveyance path 31, and the like based on detection by the passage detection sensor 33.

  The counter 34 counts the number of documents conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the discharge tray 20, and is disposed at an appropriate position in the document conveyance unit 30. The counter 34 is a known counter that counts the number of documents based on the detection of the passage detection sensor 33, and outputs the counted number of documents (count value) to the control device 4. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the counter 34 is illustrated separately from the control device 4, but the counter 34 may be a part of the configuration in the control device 4.

  The reversing path 32 branches from the curved path 31D and extends toward the outside (right side in FIG. 3), and the reversing path 32 branches from substantially the center of the first reversing path 32A and extends obliquely downward, and the sloping path 31B. And a second reversing path 32B that joins. The reversing path 32 is provided with a reversing mechanism that conveys or guides the document during switchback.

  The reversing mechanism includes a third conveying roller 51 and a switchback roller 53 provided in the first reversing path 32A, a first guide member 61 provided in a branch portion between the curved path 31D and the first reversing path 32A, It is comprised from the 2nd guide member 62 provided in the branch part of 32 A of 1 inversion paths, and the 2nd inversion path 32B.

  The third transport roller 51 is a roller for transporting the document in the first reversing path 32A, and the switchback roller 53 is a roller for discharging a part of the document to the outside. The first guide member 61 and the second guide member 62 are configured to be swingable, and are members that switch the path through which the document is conveyed.

<Configuration of control device / operation unit / display unit>
The control device 4 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output circuit (not shown), and the like, and is disposed at an appropriate position in the document reading device 1. This control device 4 is based on programs and data stored in the ROM, changes in detection states of the paper feed detection sensor 13 and paper discharge detection sensor 23, outputs from the counter 34 and the operation unit 5, and the like. The driving of the mechanism, the image sensor 2S, and the like are controlled to control the reading operation of the document, and a message for the user is displayed on the display unit 6. The control of the reading operation by the control device 4 will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 4 is configured such that the shielding part 26C of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 is between the light emitting part 25A and the light receiving part 25B and shields the light emitted from the light emitting part 25A (FIG. 2 ( In (a), it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20. On the other hand, when the shielding unit 26C is retracted from between the light emitting unit 25A and the light receiving unit 25B and the light receiving unit 25B receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 25A (see FIG. 2B), the document Is determined to be on the discharge tray 20. Further, the control device 4 determines whether or not a document is on the supply tray 10 based on the detection by the paper feed detection sensor 13 in the same manner as the paper discharge detection sensor 23.

  The operation unit 5 is configured to allow the user to operate the document reading apparatus 1 and is configured from a plurality of operation buttons (see FIG. 1) in the present embodiment. The user operates the operation unit 5 to input an instruction to start reading (for the document conveying device 3 an instruction to start conveyance) or the like, or to determine whether single-sided reading (striking mode) or double-sided reading (stacking mode). You can choose.

  The display unit 6 is a liquid crystal display (see FIG. 1) for displaying (notifying) a message (characters, symbols, etc.) to the user. The display unit 6 displays a message that informs the user of the current status of the apparatus, a message that informs the content of the error, a message that prompts the user to select (operate), and the like.

<Operation of Document Reading Device>
The operation of the document reading apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation at the time of double-sided reading, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation at the time of single-sided reading.

[Operations for duplex scanning]
As shown in FIG. 4A, at the time of double-sided reading, the document M2 is set on the supply tray 10 with the front reading surface P3 facing downward and the back reading surface P4 facing upward. When the user operates the operation unit 5 to select double-sided reading, the flap 22 swings downward, the first guide member 61 swings upward, and the second guide member 62 swings downward.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start reading, the document M2 on the supply tray 10 is conveyed to the reading position R by the separation roller 43, the first conveying roller 45, and the like, and the reading surface P3 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31 </ b> D is transported by the second transport roller 47, enters the first reverse path 32 </ b> A along the lower surface of the first guide member 61, and the first reverse path 32 </ b> A by the third transport roller 51 and the switchback roller 53. Is transported to the outside.

  When almost the entire document M2 is discharged from the switchback roller 53, the switchback roller 53 is temporarily stopped by a known control. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the document M2 is in a state where the front reading surface P3 faces upward and the back reading surface P4 faces downward. The first guide member 61 swings downward and the second guide member 62 swings upward to switch the document path.

  When the switchback roller 53 is reversed, the document M2 is pulled back to the first reversing path 32A, enters the second reversing path 32B along the lower surface of the second guide member 62, and is conveyed again to the inclined path 31B. Then, it is conveyed to the reading position R by the first conveying roller 45 and the reading surface P4 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31D and the discharge path 31E are conveyed by the second conveyance roller 47 and the discharge roller 49, and discharged onto the discharge tray 20 with the front reading surface P3 facing downward and the back reading surface P4 facing upward. Is done.

  Here, in a state in which the flap 22 is below, the bent portion 22C of the flap 22 is positioned below the paper discharge roller 49, and therefore the rear end of the already discharged document M1 placed on the bent portion 22C. Is positioned below the paper discharge roller 49. Thus, the document M2 discharged later is discharged so as to be stacked on the document M1 that has already been discharged to the discharge tray 20. The discharge mode at this time is called a lamination mode.

  In the stacking mode, the document is discharged so that the front reading surface faces downward and the back reading surface faces upward, and is stacked in order on the already discharged document. , P1, P2, P3, and P4 can be aligned in order from the bottom. This order is the same as the page order when the documents M1 and M2 are placed on the supply tray 10.

[Operation during single-sided scanning]
As shown in FIG. 5, at the time of single-sided reading, the document M2 is set on the supply tray 10 with the reading surface P2 facing downward. When the user operates the operation unit 5 to select single-sided reading, the flap 22 swings upward and the first guide member 61 swings downward.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start reading, the document M2 on the supply tray 10 is conveyed to the reading position R by the separation roller 43, the first conveying roller 45, and the like, and the reading surface P2 is read. Thereafter, the curved path 31D and the discharge path 31E are conveyed by the second conveyance roller 47 and the discharge roller 49, and are discharged onto the discharge tray 20 with the reading surface P2 facing upward.

  Here, in the state where the flap 22 is on the upper side, the bent portion 22C of the flap 22 is located above the position where the pair of paper discharge rollers 49 are nipped, so that it has already been discharged on the flap 22. The rear end of the document M1 is positioned above the position where the pair of paper discharge rollers 49 are nipped. As a result, the document M2 discharged later comes into contact with the rear end of the document M1 that has already been discharged to the discharge tray 20 from below, and is then discharged so as to sink under the document M1. The discharge mode at this time is called a sneak mode.

  In the sneak mode, the document is discharged so that the reading surface faces upward and sequentially sinks under the already discharged document. Therefore, the page order of the documents M1 and M2 is aligned with P1 and P2 in order from the top. be able to. This order is the same as the page order when the documents M1 and M2 are placed on the supply tray 10.

[Document reading control by control unit]
Next, document reading control by the control device 4 in the sneak mode, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of document reading control by the control device in the submerged mode.

  Here, in the following description, the “predetermined value” is a value that is set in a range in which the document that is discharged to the discharge tray 20 can sink under the already discharged document. This corresponds to the number of documents that can be discharged onto the discharge tray 20 in the mode. This predetermined value is set in advance and stored in the ROM of the control device 4. In the present embodiment, an example in which the number of documents that can be discharged onto the discharge tray 20 in the submersion mode is set to 35 (predetermined value is 35) will be described, but the predetermined value is not limited to 35 and is set as appropriate. be able to.

  In FIG. 6, “detection sensor ON” is a state in which the light receiving unit of the optical sensor receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. Therefore, “Detection sensor ON” is “Yes” when the document is on the tray, and “No” is when the document is not on the tray. “FB reading” refers to reading a document placed on the platen glass 2G, and “ADF reading” refers to reading a document conveyed from the supply tray 10 to the reading position R by the document conveying device 3. .

The control device 4 continuously executes the process shown in FIG.
First, when an instruction to start reading is input from the operation unit 5 operated by the user (S111, Yes), the control device 4 places a document on the supply tray 10 based on detection by the paper feed detection sensor 13 (set). (S112).

  When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 (S112, Yes), the control device 4 determines whether the document is on the discharge tray 20 based on the detection of the discharge detection sensor 23 (S113). .

  When it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20 (S113, No), the control device 4 drives the transport mechanism to transport the document on the supply tray 10 to the reading position R and read the document (ADF reading). ) Is started (S114). Then, the counter 34 counts up the number of documents (adds 1 to the count value n) (S115). Since the document that has been read is discharged onto the discharge tray 20 by the transport mechanism, when the ADF reading ends, the document is on the discharge tray 20 (discharge detection sensor ON).

  Thereafter, the control device 4 determines again whether or not the document is on the supply tray 10 based on the detection of the paper feed detection sensor 13 (S116). If it is determined that the document is not on the supply tray 10 (S116, No), it means that there is no document to be read on the supply tray 10, so that the control device 4 controls the transport mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43). ) Is not driven (ADF reading is not started), and the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, when it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 (S116, Yes), it is determined whether or not the count value n by the counter 34 exceeds a predetermined value 35 (S117).

  When the count value n exceeds 35 (S117, Yes), the control device 4 does not drive the transport mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43) (does not start ADF reading), and proceeds to step S101. . On the other hand, when the count value n does not exceed 35 (S117, No), the control device 4 returns to step S114 and executes ADF reading until the count value n exceeds 35 (that is, steps S114 to S117). repeat).

  If it is determined in step S113 that the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S113, Yes), the control device 4 does not drive the transport mechanism (at least the suction roller 41 and the separation roller 43). That is, the control device 4 does not start a document reading operation (ADF reading). At this time, a message indicating that the document is on the discharge tray 20 may be displayed on the display unit 6. Thereafter, the control device 4 proceeds to step S101.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the document is not on the supply tray 10 (S112, No), it means that the document has not been set on the supply tray 10, and the control device 4 next detects the discharge detection sensor 23. Based on this detection, it is determined whether or not the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S123). When it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20 (S123, No), the control device 4 scans the image sensor 2S and starts a reading operation (FB reading) of the document placed on the platen glass 2G. (S124). When the FB reading is completed, the control device 4 proceeds to step S101.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S123, Yes), it means that the document is not set on the supply tray 10 and is on the discharge tray 20. There is a possibility that a document is set on the discharge tray 20 by mistake. In addition, there is a possibility that the user who has used the previous time just forgot to remove the document on the discharge tray 20 and the user currently using the user wants to execute FB reading.

  Therefore, the control device 4 does not start the document reading operation, displays a message indicating that the document is on the discharge tray 20 on the display unit 6 (S125), and proceeds to step S111. The “message indicating that the document is on the discharge tray” may be a message merely notifying the user that the document is on the discharge tray, or “Do you want to continue copying?” Such a message that prompts the user to select (operate) may be added.

  Thereafter, when a user who has correctly set the document on the supply tray 10 or a user who wants to execute FB reading inputs an instruction to start reading (continue reading) by operating the operation unit 5 (S111, Yes), The control device 4 executes the processes after step S112 described above.

  In step S <b> 101, the control device 4 confirms whether or not a document is on the discharge tray 20 based on detection by the discharge detection sensor 23. If it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S101, Yes), the control device 4 proceeds to step S111 and periodically reads the document on the discharge tray 20 until an instruction to start reading is input. It is confirmed whether or not there is (S111, No).

  If it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20 (S101, No), it means that the document has been removed from the discharge tray 20, and the control device 4 resets the count value n of the counter 34 (n = (S102). Thereafter, the control device 4 proceeds to step S111 and periodically checks whether or not the document is on the discharge tray 20 until a reading start instruction is input (S111, No).

  While the control device 4 repeats the processes of steps S111, S101, and S102, the document reading device 1 is in a standby state. The process in step S101 may be executed immediately after proceeding to step S101, or may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after proceeding to step S101. If it is determined in step S113 that the document is on the discharge tray 20 (S113, Yes), the process may proceed to S111.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
When it is determined that a document is on the discharge tray 20 based on the detection of the discharge detection sensor 23 when an instruction to start reading is input, the reading operation of the document is not started. The document transport is not started. As a result, it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of wrinkles and document jams that are problematic in the submerged mode.

  If it is determined that the document is on the discharge tray 20, the conveyance of the document is not started. If it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20, the apparatus itself starts when the document reading operation is started. Since the determination is made, the user can use the document without worrying about the presence or number of documents on the discharge tray 20 or the number of documents. As a result, the document reading apparatus 1 can be easily used by the user.

  When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 and the document is on the discharge tray 20, the control device 4 does not start the document reading operation, and thus prevents wrinkles and document jams in advance. can do. If it is determined that the document is not on the supply tray 10 and the document is on the discharge tray 20, a message indicating that the document is on the discharge tray 20 is displayed on the display unit 6. It is possible to quickly recognize the reason why the reading operation is not started (the document is on the discharge tray 20). Thereby, it is possible to make the document reading apparatus 1 easier to use for the user.

  When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray 10 and the document is not on the discharge tray 20, the control device 4 starts ADF reading, the document is not on the supply tray 10, and the document is If it is determined that it is not on the discharge tray 20, FB reading is started, so that it is possible to save the user's own operation (selection) and to prevent selection errors. Thereby, it is possible to make the document reading apparatus 1 easier to use for the user.

  Since the control device 4 does not drive the transport mechanism when the count value n exceeds a predetermined value (ADF reading is not started), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and document jams that are problematic in the submerged mode in advance. it can. Since the ADF reading can be performed until the count value n exceeds a predetermined value, the user can use the apparatus without worrying about the number of documents on the discharge tray 20. Thereby, it is possible to make the document reading apparatus 1 easier to use for the user.

  Since the control device 4 resets the count value n of the counter 34 when it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray 20, the user can save time and effort to reset the counter 34. it can. The user can use the document without worrying about the number of documents on the discharge tray 20. Thereby, it is possible to make the document reading apparatus 1 easier to use for the user.

  Since the actuator 26 of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 is disposed so that the contact portion 26B that contacts the document is exposed to the outside, the user can easily visually recognize and recognize the position of the paper discharge detection sensor 23 from the outside. be able to. As a result, the user can easily confirm whether or not the document is at the position of the paper discharge detection sensor 23, so that the document reading apparatus 1 can be more easily used by the user.

  Since the discharge detection sensor 23 is provided in the fixed tray 21 that is not displaced in the discharge tray 20 on the downstream side of the swing shaft 22A of the flap 22, the discharge detection sensor 23 is provided in the flap 22 that swings up and down. In comparison, the possibility of erroneous detection and failure can be reduced. As a result, malfunctions of the document reading apparatus 1 can be reduced, so that the document reading apparatus 1 can be made easier for the user.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment. About a concrete structure, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the document reading apparatus 1 capable of switching the document discharge mode between the stacking mode and the hidden mode has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a document reading apparatus that performs only submerged paper discharge.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the display unit 6 (liquid crystal display) that displays characters, symbols, and the like is employed as an example of the notification unit has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a speaker that informs the user with a sound or a lamp that informs the user with a flashing light may be employed. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the alerting | reporting means which combined two or more liquid crystal displays, speakers, lamps, etc.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the operation unit 5 configured by a plurality of operation buttons is adopted as a configuration for inputting an instruction to start reading is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a notification unit is provided. A touch panel may also be used. Further, the configuration for inputting an instruction to start reading is not limited to that provided in the document reading apparatus 1 itself, and may be, for example, a personal computer or a remote controller provided outside the document reading apparatus 1.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the document reading apparatus 1 in which the discharge tray 20 is disposed above the supply tray 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a document reading apparatus in which the discharge tray is disposed below the supply tray.

  The configuration of each detection sensor shown in the above-described embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and widely known detection sensors can be used. Moreover, the configuration of each detection sensor may be different.

  The configurations of the transport mechanism and the reversing mechanism shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number and arrangement of each roller can be changed as appropriate. Further, the configuration (cross-sectional shape) of the conveyance path 31 and the reversing path 32 shown in the above-described embodiment is an example, and is appropriately changed depending on the positional relationship between the supply tray and the discharge tray, the shape and size of the document conveyance unit, and the like. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document reading apparatus 2G Platen glass 2S Image sensor 4 Control apparatus 5 Operation part 6 Display part 10 Supply tray 13 Paper feed detection sensor 20 Discharge tray 21 Fixed tray 21A Original placement surface 23 Discharge detection sensor 25 Optical sensor 26 Actuator 26A Shaking Moving shaft 26B Abutting section 34 Counter 41 Suction roller 42 Suction nip piece 43 Separating roller 44 Separating nip piece 45 First transport roller 47 Second transport roller 49 Paper discharge roller M Original M1 Original M2 Original R Reading position

Claims (6)

A document reading device capable of discharging a document so that subsequent documents are sequentially inserted under a document that has already been discharged,
A supply tray for placing documents;
A discharge tray disposed on the supply tray for discharging documents;
A transport mechanism for transporting a document from the supply tray to the discharge tray through a reading position;
A paper discharge detection sensor for detecting a document discharged to the discharge tray;
A control device for controlling the driving of the transport mechanism and controlling the reading operation of the document,
The controller is
Based on the detection of the paper discharge detection sensor when a reading start instruction is input,
When it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray, the document reading operation is started,
An original reading apparatus, wherein when the original is determined to be on the discharge tray, the original reading operation is not started. A paper feed detection sensor for detecting a document placed on the supply tray;
An informing means for informing a user of a message,
The controller is
Based on the detection of the paper feed detection sensor and the paper discharge detection sensor when a reading start instruction is input,
When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray and the document is on the discharge tray, the document reading operation is not started,
When it is determined that the document is not on the supply tray and the document is on the discharge tray, the notification unit notifies the message that the document is on the discharge tray. Item 2. The document reading device according to Item 1. A paper feed detection sensor for detecting a document placed on the supply tray;
A document table provided separately from the supply tray, on which a document is placed;
A reading device that scans and reads a document placed on the document table;
The controller is
Based on the detection of the paper feed detection sensor and the paper discharge detection sensor when a reading start instruction is input,
When it is determined that the document is on the supply tray and the document is not on the discharge tray, the transport mechanism is driven to start reading the document on the supply tray;
When it is determined that the document is not on the supply tray and the document is not on the discharge tray, the reading device is scanned to start a document reading operation on the document table. The document reading device according to claim 1.   4. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a counter that counts the number of documents conveyed from the supply tray to the discharge tray. 5.   5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the control device resets the count value of the counter when it is determined that the document is not on the discharge tray based on the detection of the discharge detection sensor. Document reading device. The paper discharge detection sensor includes an actuator that swings when the document discharged to the discharge tray abuts, and a swing detection sensor that detects the swing of the actuator,
2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged such that a swing shaft is disposed below a document placement surface of the discharge tray, and a contact portion that contacts the document is exposed to the outside. 6. The document reading device according to any one of items 5.

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