JP6794826B2 - Transfer device, transfer program and image data production method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transport device, a transport program, and an image data production method for transporting a manually fed transport object.

As a transport device for transporting a manually fed transport target, when the manually fed transport target is detected so that the transport target does not fall to the floor even if the hand is released from the manually fed transport target. A transport device in which a transport object is held by a paper roller is known (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 04-366860 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-246063

In such a transport device, when the user manually feeds the transport target, the transport target is held and the transport of the transport target is started. Therefore, the transport target is erroneously inserted diagonally by the user. Even if there is, the user cannot reinsert it and the transportation of the object to be transported is started. Therefore, there is a possibility that the object to be transported is transported diagonally with respect to the transport direction. As a result, wrinkles and the like occur on the object to be transported.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transport device, a transport program, and an image data production method capable of appropriately transporting an object to be transported.

The transport device of the present invention has a transport unit that transports a manually fed transport object, a timekeeping unit that measures the elapsed time after the instruction that has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired, and a time-lapse after the timed instruction. It is characterized in that the transport unit is provided with a control unit that starts transporting the object to be transported after the time is reached.

In the transfer program of the present invention, the step of causing the clocking unit to time the elapsed time after the instruction elapsed after the transfer start instruction is acquired by the processor of the transfer device and the elapsed time after the timed instruction reach the standby time. Later, it is characterized in that the step of starting the transport of the transported object manually fed to the transport unit is executed.

According to this configuration, the transport of the transport target is started after the elapsed time after the instruction that has passed since the transport start instruction is acquired reaches the waiting time. As a result, the user can manually feed the object to be transported after performing the operation for instructing the start of transportation until the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. Therefore, the transportation of the transportation target is started while the transportation target is held by the user. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object to be transported from being obliquely transported, and to appropriately transport the object to be transported.

In this case, it is preferable to further include a storage unit that rewritably stores the waiting time information corresponding to the waiting time.

According to this configuration, a desired waiting time can be set, and waiting time information corresponding to the set waiting time can be stored in the storage unit. As a result, the transportation of the object to be transported can be started after the desired waiting time is reached.

In this case, the control unit causes the transport unit to start transporting the transport target when the transport target is manually fed when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time, and the transport target is manually fed. If not, it is preferable not to let the transport unit start transporting the object to be transported.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the transport unit from being unnecessarily operated when the transport target is not manually fed when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time.

In this case, the control unit acquires size information that can specify the size of the object to be transported, determines whether or not the size of the object to be transported is smaller than the reference size based on the acquired size information, and transports the object. When it is determined that the size of the object is smaller than the reference size, it is preferable to control the transport unit so that the transport of the transport object is started before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time.

According to this configuration, when the size of the object to be transported is smaller than the reference size, the transportation of the object to be transported is started more quickly than when the size of the object to be transported is larger than the reference size. Therefore, even if the transportation of the transportation target is started while the transportation target is not held by the user, the size of the transportation target is small and there is little possibility that the transportation target is obliquely transported. Can transport the object to be transported with priority given to shortening the time required from the instruction to start the transportation to the start of the transportation.

In this case, the control unit determines whether or not the size of the object to be transported is smaller than the reference size, with the length of the object to be transported in the transport direction as the size of the object to be transported and the reference length as the reference size. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the size of the transported object is smaller than the reference size based on the length of the transported object that has a large influence on the transport of the transported object.

In this case, it is preferable that the control unit notifies at least one of the remaining time until the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time and the elapsed time after the instruction.

According to this configuration, the user can be made to recognize the time remaining until the transporting unit starts the transporting of the transported object.

In this case, it is preferable that the control unit extends the waiting time when the extension instruction is obtained before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time.

According to this configuration, it is possible to delay the timing at which the transportation of the transportation object is started. As a result, for example, when the elapsed time after the instruction approaches the waiting time and the user has not been able to manually feed the transported object, it is possible to gain time for manually feeding the transported object.

In this case, if the standby stop instruction is acquired before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time, the control unit transfers the waiting stop instruction to the transport unit without waiting for the elapsed time after the instruction to reach the waiting time. It is preferable to start the transportation of the object.

According to this configuration, it is possible to accelerate the timing at which the transportation of the transportation object is started. As a result, for example, when the user can manually feed the object to be transported at a time when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches a considerable time, the waiting time until the transfer of the object to be transported is started is waited. Can be shortened.

In this case, it is preferable to further include a reading unit that reads image data from the transported object.

According to this configuration, since the transported object is appropriately transported, the image data can be appropriately read from the transported object.

In the image data production method of the present invention, the timekeeping unit reaches the step of measuring the elapsed time after the instruction that has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired, and the transfer unit reaches the standby time after the timed instruction. Later, it is characterized in that the step of starting the transport of the manually fed transport target and the step of the reading unit reading the image data from the transport target are executed.

According to this configuration, since the transported object is appropriately transported, the image data can be appropriately read from the transported object.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the multifunction device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control composition of a multifunction device. It is a figure which shows the scan main screen. It is a figure which shows the timer setting screen. It is a figure which shows the other item setting screen. It is a figure which shows the scan waiting screen. It is a figure which shows the screen during a scanning operation. It is a flowchart which shows the scan process. It is a flowchart which shows the scan operation control process.

A schematic configuration of the multifunction device A, which is an embodiment of the transport device of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. The multifunction device A of the present embodiment is larger than the multifunction device generally used in homes and offices, and can read image data from a large-format manuscript B such as A0 size or B0 size and print in a large format. Printing is performed on the medium C. The multifunction device A includes a support leg 1, an operation panel 2, a reading mechanism 3, and a printing mechanism 4. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device A further includes a controller 5 (see FIG. 2) and the like.

The operation panel 2 functions as a user interface that outputs information to the user and accepts operations from the user.

The reading mechanism 3 performs a scanning operation of reading image data from the manually fed document B. The reading mechanism 3 includes a document base 31, a transport unit 32, a scanning unit 33, and a document detecting unit 34.

Document B is manually set on the platen 31. The size of the manuscript B (hereinafter referred to as "manuscript size") is not particularly limited, but in the case of a fairly large manuscript B such as A0 size and B0 size, and the width of the manuscript is A4 size. In the case of long paper, which is small but has a considerably long document length, the document B is manually fed by a plurality of users.

The transport unit 32 transports the document B manually fed to the platen 31, and ejects the document B from the paper ejection port 35. The transport unit 32 includes a paper feed roller 321, a transport roller pair 322, and a transport motor 323 (see FIG. 2). The paper feed roller 321 is provided so as to be detachable from the platen 31. The paper feed roller 321 is located away from the platen 31 while the scanning operation is not performed, but when the scanning operation is started, the paper feed roller 321 moves toward the platen 31 and is between the paper feed roller 321 and the platen 31. The original B is sandwiched between the two and the original B is conveyed. The transport roller pair 322 transports the document B sent from the paper feed roller 321 toward the paper ejection port 35. The transfer motor 323 is a drive source for rotating the paper feed roller 321 and the transfer roller pair 322.

The reading unit 33 reads image data from the conveyed document B. The reading unit 33 includes a light source 331 and an image sensor 332 (see FIG. 2). The light source 331 irradiates the reading surface of the conveyed document B with light. The image sensor 332 detects the reflected light from the document B and outputs an electric signal according to the detected amount of light. The reading unit 33 acquires image data by converting the output electric signal into a digital signal by a conversion circuit (not shown). The image data read from the document B by the reading unit 33 is output to the outside via the controller 5.

The document detection unit 34 detects whether or not the document B has been manually inserted into the document table 31. As the document detection unit 34, for example, a photo interrupter or a micro switch can be used. The detection signal of the document detection unit 34 is output to the controller 5.

The printing mechanism 4 prints on the print medium C sent in a roll-to-roll manner based on print data received from, for example, a computer PC (see FIG. 2) via the controller 5. The printing mechanism 4 includes a feeding unit 41, a feeding unit 42, a winding unit 43, and a printing unit 44. The feeding unit 41 feeds out the printing medium C from the roll body R in which the printing medium C is wound in a roll shape. The feeding unit 42 feeds the print medium C fed from the feeding unit 41 toward the winding unit 43. The take-up unit 43 winds up the sent print medium C in a roll shape. The printing unit 44 prints on the printing medium C sent from the feeding unit 41 to the winding unit 43, for example, by an inkjet method.

The control configuration of the multifunction device A will be described with reference to FIG. In addition to the operation panel 2, the reading mechanism 3, and the printing mechanism 4, the multifunction device A includes a controller 5, a storage 6, a medium interface 7, a communication interface 8, and a timer 9. In FIG. 2, the printing mechanism 4 is omitted.

The operation panel 2 includes a touch panel 21 and operation buttons 22. The touch panel 21 displays options, messages, and the like to the user, and detects the touch position with respect to the touch panel 21. The operation button 22 includes, for example, a power button for switching the power of the multifunction device A on / off, a number button for inputting a number, and the like. The detection signal of the touch panel 21 and the detection signal of the operation button 22 are output to the controller 5.

The detection signal of the touch panel 21, the detection signal of the operation button 22, the detection signal of the document detection unit 34, the image data read by the image sensor 332, and the like are input to the controller 5. Further, the controller 5 outputs a control signal to a driver circuit (not shown) that drives the touch panel 21, the transfer motor 323, the light source 331, and the like. Further, the controller 5 transmits and receives various commands and data including print data and image data to and from the computer PC. As the computer PC, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone can be used. The controller 5 includes a CPU 51 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 52 (Read Only Memory), and a RAM 53 (Random Access Memory).

Programs and data are stored in the storage 6. As the storage 6, for example, a hard disk drive can be used. The medium interface 7 is an interface with the storage medium M, which is an external storage medium. As the storage medium M, for example, a flash memory such as a USB memory can be used. The communication interface 8 is an interface for connecting the multifunction device A directly to a computer PC or via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) so as to be able to communicate with each other. The timer 9 keeps time.

A screen displayed by the touch panel 21 regarding the scanning operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. The touch panel 21 may display all the buttons on one screen on each screen, but the buttons may be displayed on a plurality of screens and scrolled so that all the buttons are displayed. ..

When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation panel 2 and the scan mode is entered, the touch panel 21 displays the scan main screen D1 as shown in FIG. A plurality of setting buttons and a scan start button D1d are displayed on the scan main screen D1. The plurality of setting buttons include a scan destination setting button D1a, a timer setting button D1b, and another item setting button D1c.

When a touch operation on the scan destination setting button D1a displayed on the scan main screen D1 is detected, the touch panel 21 displays the scan destination setting screen (not shown). The scan destination setting screen is a screen for setting a scan destination, that is, a destination to which image data read from the document B by the scanning operation is transmitted. On the scan destination setting screen, multiple scan destination candidates are displayed in a selectable manner. The scan destination candidates include, for example, a storage 6, a storage medium M, a computer PC, and the like. The controller 5 sets the scan destination based on the detection of the touch operation on the scan destination candidate. When the scan destination is set on the scan destination setting screen, the touch panel 21 displays the scan main screen D1 again.

When a touch operation on the timer setting button D1b displayed on the scan main screen D1 is detected, the touch panel 21 displays the timer setting screen D2 as shown in FIG. The timer setting screen D2 is a screen for setting the standby time. Here, the standby time is the time from when the controller 5 acquires the scan start instruction based on the detection of the touch operation on the scan start button D1d until the reading mechanism 3 starts the scanning operation, that is, the transport unit 32. Means the time until the start of transporting the document B. On the timer setting screen D2, one or a plurality of predetermined time setting buttons D2a, an arbitrary time setting button D2b, and a timer setting release button (not shown) are displayed.

The predetermined time setting button D2a is a button for setting the standby time to a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). The controller 5 sets the standby time based on the detection of the touch operation on the predetermined time setting button D2a displayed on the timer setting screen D2.

The arbitrary time setting button D2b is a button for setting the standby time to an arbitrary time. When a touch operation on the arbitrary time setting button D2b displayed on the timer setting screen D2 is detected, the touch panel 21 displays a time input field (not shown) for accepting an arbitrary time input. The controller 5 sets the waiting time based on the input to the time input field. The timer setting release button is a button for preventing the standby or setting the already set standby time to 0.

In this way, the user can set a desired waiting time by performing a touch operation on the predetermined time setting button D2a or the arbitrary time setting button D2b. When the standby time is set on the timer setting screen D2, the touch panel 21 displays the scan main screen D1 again. On the scan main screen D1, the set waiting time is displayed in the timer setting button D1b.

When a touch operation on the other item setting button D1c displayed on the scan main screen D1 is detected, the touch panel 21 displays the other item setting screen D3 as shown in FIG. The other item setting screen D3 is a screen for setting setting items (for example, document size) other than the scanning destination and the waiting time regarding the scanning operation. On the other item setting screen D3, the display can be switched by a plurality of tabs including the document size tab D3c. When a touch operation on the document size tab D3c displayed on the other item setting screen D3 is detected, one or more predetermined size setting buttons D3a and an arbitrary size setting button D3b are displayed on the other item setting screen D3. To.

The predetermined size setting button D3a is a button for setting the document size, which is the basis of the scanning range, to a predetermined size (for example, "length 1189 mm x width 841 mm"). That is, the controller 5 acquires size information (for example, "A0 vertical") based on the detection of the touch operation on the predetermined size setting button D3a displayed on the other item setting screen D3. Here, the size information can specify the original size. The controller 5 refers to, for example, the document size table stored in the ROM 52, and sets the document size (for example, “length 1189 mm × width 841 mm”) associated with the acquired size information. Here, the "vertical" numerical value of the original size corresponds to the length of the original B in the conveying direction, but the "horizontal" numerical value of the original size corresponds to the length of the original B in the conveying direction. It may be.

The arbitrary size setting button D3b is a button for setting the original size to an arbitrary size. When a touch operation on the arbitrary size setting button D3b displayed on the other item setting screen D3 is detected, the touch panel 21 displays a size input field (not shown) that accepts input of the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the original size. The controller 5 acquires size information (for example, "length 1500 mm x width 1000 mm") based on the input to the size input field. The controller 5 sets the acquired size information as it is as the document size.

When the document size is set on the other item setting screen D3, the touch panel 21 displays the scan main screen D1 again.

The scan start button D1d is a button for starting the scan operation. That is, when a detection signal is output from the touch panel 21 based on a touch operation on the scan start button D1d displayed on the scan main screen D1, the controller 5 acquires the detection signal as a scan start instruction. Then, when the timer is not set, the controller 5 causes the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation. On the other hand, when the timer is set, the controller 5 waits for the time set in the timer setting, and then causes the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation. During standby, the touch panel 21 displays the scan waiting screen D4 as shown in FIG. On the scan waiting screen D4, the remaining time display D4a, the waiting message D4b, the time addition button D4c, and the waiting stop button D4d are displayed.

The remaining time display D4a is a number that decreases the remaining time until the elapsed time after the instruction obtained by the controller 5 reaches the standby time set on the timer setting screen D2 with the passage of time. Indicated by.

The waiting message D4b includes a wording prompting the user to set (manually feed) the document B on the document table 31, and a number indicating the time until the scanning operation is started.

The time addition button D4c is a button for adding a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) to the standby time set on the timer setting screen D2. That is, when the detection signal is output from the touch panel 21 based on the touch operation on the time addition button D4c displayed on the scan standby screen D4, the controller 5 acquires the detection signal as an extension instruction. Then, the controller 5 adds a predetermined time to the standby time set on the timer setting screen D2. This can also be interpreted as adding a predetermined time to the remaining time until the scanning operation is started.

The standby stop button D4d is a button for immediately starting the scanning operation while waiting for the scanning operation. That is, when a detection signal is output from the touch panel 21 based on a touch operation on the standby stop button D4d displayed on the scan waiting screen D4, the controller 5 acquires the detection signal as a standby stop instruction. Then, the controller 5 starts the scanning operation without waiting for the elapsed time after the instruction to reach the waiting time.

When the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time, the reading mechanism 3 starts the scanning operation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the touch panel 21 displays the screen D5 during the scanning operation. On the scanning operation screen D5, the scanning operation message D5a and the stop button D5b are displayed. The stop button D5b is a button for stopping the scanning operation. That is, when a touch operation on the stop button D5b displayed on the screen D5 during the scanning operation is detected, the controller 5 controls the transfer motor 323 and the like to stop the scanning operation.

When the scanning operation is completed, the multifunction device A transmits the image data read from the document B to the scanning destination set on the scanning destination setting screen.

The scanning process executed by the controller 5 regarding the scanning operation will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 5 executes the scan process by the CPU 51 executing the scan program stored in the ROM 52 or the storage 6 using the RAM 53.

When the operation instructing the operation panel 2 to shift to the scan mode is detected, the controller 5 starts the scan process.

In step S1, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the scan main screen D1.

In step S2, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the scan destination setting button D1a displayed on the scan main screen D1 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the scan destination setting button D1a has been detected (S2; Yes), the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the scan destination setting screen.

In step S4, the controller 5 sets the scan destination based on the detection of the touch operation on the scan destination candidate displayed on the scan destination setting screen, and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S2 that the touch operation on the scan destination setting button D1a has not been detected (S2; No), the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the timer setting button D1b displayed on the scan main screen D1 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the timer setting button D1b has been detected (S5; Yes), the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the timer setting screen D2.

In step S7, the controller 5 detects a touch operation on the predetermined time setting button D2a displayed on the timer setting screen D2, inputs on the time input field displayed on the timer setting screen D2, or touches the timer setting release button. Set the waiting time based on the detection of. The controller 5 stores the standby time information corresponding to the set standby time in, for example, the RAM 53, and returns to step S1.

In this way, the controller 5 can set the waiting time desired by the user and store the waiting time information corresponding to the set waiting time in the RAM 53 so as to be rewritable. As a result, the transfer of the document B can be started after the desired waiting time is reached.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S5 that the touch operation on the timer setting button D1b has not been detected (S5; No), the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the other item setting button D1c displayed on the scan main screen D1 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the other item setting button D1c has been detected (S8; Yes), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the other item setting screen D3.

In step S10, the controller 5 is based on, for example, detecting a touch operation on the predetermined size setting button D3a displayed on the other item setting screen D3, or inputting to the size input field displayed on the other item setting screen D3. , Get size information. The controller 5 sets the document size based on the acquired size information, and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, in step S8, when the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the other item setting button D1c has not been detected (S8; No), the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the scan start button D1d displayed on the scan main screen D1 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the scan start button D1d has been detected (S11; Yes), the controller 5 acquires the detection signal of the touch operation as a scan start instruction, and proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the controller 5 executes the scan operation control process described later, and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S11 that the touch operation on the scan start button D1d has not been detected (S11; No), the process returns to step S1.

If the touch operation on the timer setting button D1b is not detected and the touch operation on the scan start button D1d is detected, the controller 5 sets the default value as the standby time (for example, 0 seconds which means that it does not wait). May be set. Alternatively, the touch panel 21 may display a message prompting the user to operate the timer setting button D1b. The same applies when the touch operation on the scan start button D1d is detected without detecting the touch operation on the scan destination setting button D1a or the other item setting button D1c.

The scan operation control process executed by the controller 5 in step S12 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 5 executes the scan operation control process by executing the scan operation control program included in the above scan program by the CPU 51 using the RAM 53.

In step S101, the controller 5 causes the timer 9 to time the elapsed time after the instruction, that is, the time elapsed since the touch operation on the scan start button D1d is detected.

In step S102, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the scan waiting screen D4 in parallel with step S101. As described above, the remaining time display D4a is displayed on the scan waiting screen D4. The remaining time display D4a displays the time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time after the instruction measured by the timer 9 from the set standby time. Therefore, the user can be made to recognize the time left until the transfer of the document B is started by the transfer unit 32. In other words, by looking at the remaining time display D4a, the user can grasp how much time is left (in how many seconds are left) to manually feed the manuscript B.

In step S103, the controller 5 determines whether or not the document size set based on the size information acquired in step S10 is smaller than the reference size. More specifically, the controller 5 uses the vertical dimension of the document size, that is, the length of the document B in the transport direction as the document size, and the reference length as the reference size, and whether or not the document size is smaller than the reference size. To judge. This reference length is, for example, the maximum length of the document B in which the document B is stably supported by the platen 31, that is, the document even when the transfer is started without the document B being held by the user. The maximum length of the original B, which is unlikely to be skewed, is determined in advance by an experiment or the like and stored in the ROM 52 or the like.

When the controller 5 determines that the document size is smaller than the reference size (S103; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110 and step S111.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S103 that the document size is not smaller than the reference size (S103; No), the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the time addition button D4c displayed on the scan waiting screen D4 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the time addition button D4c is detected (S104; Yes), the controller 5 acquires the detection signal based on the touch operation as an extension instruction, and proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the controller 5 adds a predetermined time (10 seconds in this embodiment) to the waiting time set in step S7 to extend the waiting time. Further, the controller 5 rewrites the standby time information stored in the RAM 53, and proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, when the controller 5 determines in step S104 that the touch operation for the time addition button D4c has not been detected (S104; No), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the standby stop button D4d displayed on the scan waiting screen D4 has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation for the standby stop button D4d has been detected (S106; Yes), the controller 5 acquires the detection signal of the touch operation as a standby stop instruction, and proceeds to step S108.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S106 that the touch operation on the standby stop button D4d has not been detected (S106; No), the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the controller 5 determines whether or not the elapsed time after the instruction started by the timer 9 in step S101 has reached the standby time. When the controller 5 determines that the elapsed time has not reached the standby time after the instruction (S107; No), the process returns to step S104.

On the other hand, in step S107, when the controller 5 determines that the elapsed time after the instruction has reached the standby time (S107; Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, the controller 5 determines whether or not the document B has been manually inserted based on the detection signal of the document detection unit 34. If the controller 5 determines that the document B has not been manually fed (S108; No), the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the controller 5 displays a message on the touch panel 21 that the document B has not been manually inserted, and then ends step S12 and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S108 that the document B has been manually inserted (S108; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110 and step S111.

In step S110, the controller 5 causes the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation. That is, the controller 5 starts the paper feed roller 321 to move toward the document base 31, sandwiches the document B with the document table 31, and conveys the document B. Then, the reading mechanism 3 reads the conveyed document B and generates image data. After that, the generated image data is output to the set scan destination. Here, the scanning operation is performed from the start of the movement of the paper feed roller 321 to the end of the output of the generated image data.

In step S111, the controller 5 causes the touch panel 21 to display the scanning operation screen D5 in parallel with step S110.

In step S112, the controller 5 determines whether or not a touch operation on the stop button D5b displayed on the screen D5 during the scanning operation has been detected. When the controller 5 determines that the touch operation on the stop button D5b has been detected (S112; Yes), the process proceeds to step S113.

In step S113, the controller 5 stops the scanning operation.

On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines in step S112 that the touch operation on the stop button D5b has not been detected (S112; No), the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, the controller 5 determines whether or not the scanning operation is completed. When the controller 5 determines that the scanning operation has not been completed (S114; No), the process returns to step S112.

On the other hand, when the controller 5 determines in step S114 that the scanning operation has been completed (S114; Yes), or when the scanning operation is stopped in step S113, the scanning process step S1 shown in FIG. 8 is performed. Return.

In this way, when the controller 5 determines in step S103 that the document size is smaller than the reference size, the controller 5 skips step S107 and determines whether or not the elapsed time after the instruction has reached the waiting time. Instead, in step S110, the reading mechanism 3 is made to start the scanning operation. As a result, the scanning operation is started before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. In this case, it is preferable that the user manually feeds the document B before performing the touch operation on the scan start button D1d.

That is, the controller 5 acquires size information that can specify the document size, and determines whether or not the document size is smaller than the reference size based on the acquired size information. When the controller 5 determines that the document size is smaller than the reference size, the controller 5 controls the reading mechanism 3 so that the scanning operation is started before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. As a result, when the document size is smaller than the reference size, the transfer of the document B is started more quickly than when the document size is larger than the reference size. Therefore, even if the document B is started to be conveyed while the document B is not held by the user, if the document size is small and there is little possibility that the document B is obliquely conveyed, the scanning start instruction is given. The document B can be conveyed with priority given to shortening the time required to start scanning.

Further, when the controller 5 determines in step S104 that the touch operation for the time addition button D4c is detected, the controller 5 extends the standby time. That is, the controller 5 extends the waiting time when the extension instruction is acquired before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. As a result, the timing at which the transfer of the document B is started can be delayed. As a result, for example, when the elapsed time after the instruction approaches the waiting time and the user has not been able to manually feed the document B, it is possible to gain time for manually feeding the document B.

Further, when the controller 5 determines in step S106 that a touch operation on the standby stop button D4d is detected, the controller 5 skips step S107 and determines whether or not the elapsed time after the instruction has reached the standby time. Instead, in step S110, the reading mechanism 3 is made to start the scanning operation. As a result, the scanning operation is started before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time.

That is, when the standby stop instruction is acquired before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time, the controller 5 scans the reading mechanism 3 without waiting for the elapsed time after the instruction to reach the waiting time. To start. As a result, the timing at which the transfer of the document B is started can be accelerated. As a result, for example, if the user can manually feed the document B at a time when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time, the waiting time until the transfer of the document B is started is shortened. be able to.

Further, when the controller 5 determines in step S108 that the document B has not been manually inserted, the controller 5 displays a message prompting the manual insertion of the document B on the touch panel 21 without starting the scanning operation.

That is, the controller 5 causes the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation when the document B is manually fed when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time, and reads the document B when the document B is not manually fed. The mechanism 3 is not allowed to start the scanning operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reading mechanism 3 from being unnecessarily operated when the document B is not manually inserted when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time.

As described above, the multifunction device A of the present embodiment includes a transport unit 32, a timer 9, and a controller 5. The transport unit 32 transports the manually fed document B. The timer 9 measures the elapsed time after the instruction, that is, the time elapsed since the transfer start instruction was acquired. The controller 5 causes the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation and the conveying unit 32 to start the conveying of the document B after the timed time of the timed demonstrative reaches the waiting time.

Further, the scan operation control program causes the CPU 51 to execute the following steps.
A step of causing the timer 9 to measure the elapsed time after the instruction.
A step of causing the reading mechanism 3 to start a scanning operation and starting the conveying of the document B manually fed to the conveying unit 32 after the elapsed time after the timed instruction reaches the waiting time.

According to these configurations, the transport of the document B is started after the elapsed time after the instruction that has passed since the transport start instruction is acquired reaches the waiting time. As a result, the user can manually feed the document B after performing the operation for instructing the transfer start, that is, the touch operation on the scan start button D1d, until the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. It becomes. Therefore, the transfer of the document B is started while the document B is held by the user. In other words, since the user has completed the panel operation such as the touch operation of the scan start button D1d in advance, the user can prepare for the start of transporting the document B while holding the document B by hand. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the document B from being obliquely conveyed and to appropriately convey the document B.
In particular, when the original size is large, the original B may not be properly supported by the platen 31 alone, so that the present invention is particularly effective. The user may manually feed the document B and then perform an operation for instructing the transfer start. In this case as well, the document B is held again by the user until the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. Will be done.

Further, the image data production method by the multifunction device A executes the following steps.
A step in which the timer 9 measures the elapsed time after the instruction.
A step in which the scanning mechanism 3 starts a scanning operation after the elapsed time after the timed instruction reaches the waiting time, and starts transporting the manually fed document B.
A step in which the reading unit 33 reads image data from the conveyed document B.

According to this configuration, since the document B is appropriately conveyed, the image data can be appropriately read from the document B.

The controller 5 is an example of a “control unit”. The timer 9 is an example of a “timekeeping unit”. The CPU 51 is an example of a "processor". The RAM 53 is an example of a “storage unit”. The scan operation control program is an example of a “transport program”. The scan start instruction is an example of the “transportation start instruction”.
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Each of the above-mentioned components may be realized by a plurality of devices in cooperation with each other, or a plurality of components may serve as one circuit. For example, this embodiment can be changed to the following embodiment.

The controller 5 is not limited to the configuration in which the detection signal of the touch operation for the scan start button D1d displayed on the touch panel 21 is acquired as the scan start instruction. For example, the controller 5 may be configured to acquire a scan start command transmitted from the computer PC to the multifunction device A as a scan start instruction based on the user's operation on the computer PC. The same applies to the extension instruction and the standby stop instruction.

The controller 5 is not limited to a configuration in which the standby time is set based on the detection of a touch operation on the predetermined time setting button D2a displayed on the touch panel 21, and the standby time information corresponding to this is stored. For example, the controller 5 may receive the waiting time information corresponding to the waiting time set by the computer PC from the computer PC and store it. The same applies to the size information of the manuscript B.

Instead of storing the standby time information in the RAM 53 or the like so as to be rewritable, the controller 5 may store the standby time information in the ROM 52 or the like in advance so as not to be rewritable. That is, the controller 5 may always use the same standby time.

When the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time, the controller 5 does not cause the reading mechanism 3 to start the scanning operation, that is, does not cause the conveying unit 32 to start conveying the document B if the document B is not manually inserted. It is not limited to the configuration. Regardless of whether or not the document B is manually fed, the controller 5 may cause the transport unit 32 to start transporting the document B when the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time.

When the controller 5 determines that the document size is smaller than the reference size, has the elapsed time after the instruction reached the waiting time as a method of starting the transport of the document B before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time? The scanning operation is started without determining whether or not, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the controller 5 may be configured to start the scanning operation after the elapsed time after the instruction reaches a short-term waiting time shorter than the waiting time when it is determined that the document size is smaller than the reference size. Further, the controller 5 may set the waiting time in three or more stages according to the document size.

The controller 5 determines whether or not the document size is smaller than the reference size, using the length of the document B in the transport direction as the document size and the reference length as the reference size, but the controller 5 is not limited to this. .. For example, the controller 5 determines whether or not the document size is smaller than the reference size, with the length of the document B (width of the document B) in the width direction intersecting the transport direction as the document size and the reference width as the reference size. May be done. Further, the controller 5 may determine whether or not the document size is smaller than the reference size, using the area of the document B as the document size and the reference area as the reference size.

On the other hand, the controller 5 may be configured to start the scanning operation after the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time regardless of the document size.

The remaining time display D4a displayed on the scan waiting screen D4 is not limited to a number that decreases with the passage of time, and may be, for example, a bar that shortens with the passage of time, and is erased one by one with the passage of time. It may be a plurality of figures to be formed, and these may be used in combination.

On the scan waiting screen D4, the elapsed time display indicating the elapsed time after the instruction may be displayed in place of the remaining time display D4a or together with the remaining time display D4a. Like the remaining time display D4a, the elapsed time display may be a number that increases with the passage of time, a bar that becomes longer with the passage of time, or a plurality of figures that appear one by one with the passage of time. It may be used together.

The controller 5 notifies the remaining time by displaying the remaining time display D4a on the touch panel 21, but the controller 5 is not limited to this. For example, the controller 5 may display the remaining time display D4a on a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) other than the touch panel 21 provided on the multifunction device A or a display unit of a computer PC.

Further, the controller 5 may notify the remaining time by causing the voice output unit (for example, a speaker) to output the remaining time by voice. Further, the controller 5 may notify the remaining time by turning off a plurality of lighting units (for example, LED lamps) one by one with the passage of time. The same applies to the notification of the elapsed time after the instruction. The notification unit that notifies the remaining time or the elapsed time after the instruction may be externally attached to the multifunction device A, including the touch panel 21 described above.

The controller 5 may be provided with a button that can set the standby time to "0" (0 seconds) as one of the predetermined time setting buttons D2a. When "0" is set as the standby time, the controller 5 may start from, for example, manual feed detection (S108) of the document B in the scan operation control process, and the start of the scan operation (S110) and the scan. You may start from the display (step S111) of the operation screen D5.

When the controller 5 determines in step S103 that the document size is smaller than the reference size, the controller 5 proceeds to step S108, and when it detects that the document B has been manually inserted, the controller 5 may start the scanning operation. In this case, the user may manually feed the document B after performing a touch operation on the scan start button D1d, as in the case where the document size is large.

The method in which the transfer unit 32 conveys the document B is not limited to the roller transfer method, and may be, for example, a belt transfer method.

The multifunction device A of the present embodiment corresponds to a large-format document B, but the size of the document B that can be supported is not particularly limited, and is, for example, A4 that is generally used in homes and offices. The present invention may be applied to a multifunction device having an upper limit of a size, an A3 size, or a document B having a size smaller than that.

The present invention may be applied to the printing mechanism 4 when the printing mechanism 4 can print on a manually fed print medium (cut paper). Further, the present invention is not limited to the multifunction device A, and can be applied to any transport device as long as it transports a manually fed object to be transported. For example, only a device capable of executing only a scanning operation or printing can be used. Applicable to feasible devices. As the object to be transported, various objects such as a document B and a printing medium can be used depending on the transport device to be manually fed, and the size and material thereof are not particularly limited.

The scan operation control program may be provided by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.).

2 ... Operation panel, 3 ... Reading mechanism, 5 ... Controller, 6 ... Storage, 7 ... Media interface, 8 ... Communication interface, 9 ... Timer, 21 ... Touch panel, 22 ... Operation buttons, 34 ... Document detector, 51 ... CPU , 52 ... ROM, 53 ... RAM, 323 ... Conveyor motor, 331 ... Light source, 332 ... Image sensor, A ... Multifunction device, M ... Storage medium, PC ... Computer

Claims (11)

A transport unit that transports manually fed objects and
A timekeeping unit that measures the elapsed time after the instruction has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired.
A control unit that causes the transport unit to start transporting the transport target set after the timed elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time and after the transport start instruction is acquired .
A transport device characterized by being equipped with. The transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that rewritably stores standby time information corresponding to the standby time. When the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time, the control unit causes the transport unit to start transporting the transport target when the transport target is manually fed, and the transport target starts the transport of the transport target. The transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport unit does not start transporting the object to be transported when is not manually fed. A transport unit that transports manually fed objects and
A timekeeping unit that measures the elapsed time after the instruction has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired.
A control unit that causes the transport unit to start transporting the object to be transported after the timed elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time.
With
The control unit acquires size information capable of specifying the size of the object to be transported, and determines whether or not the size of the object to be transported is smaller than a predetermined size based on the acquired size information. When it is determined that the size of the object to be transported is smaller than the predetermined size, the transport unit is set so that the transport of the object to be transported is started before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time. When it is controlled and it is determined that the size of the transport object is larger than the predetermined size, the transport target is set after the transport start instruction is acquired after the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. conveyance device according to claim Rukoto to start conveyance of objects on the conveyor section. The control unit sets the length of the transport object in the transport direction as the size of the transport object, sets the reference length as the predetermined size, and determines whether the size of the transport object is smaller than the predetermined size. The transport device according to claim 4, wherein the determination is made. Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit notifies at least one of the remaining time until the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time and the elapsed time after the instruction. The transport device according to. Any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit extends the waiting time when an extension instruction is obtained before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time. The transport device according to the section. A transport unit that transports manually fed objects and
A timekeeping unit that measures the elapsed time after the instruction has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired.
A control unit that causes the transport unit to start transporting the object to be transported after the timed elapsed time after the instruction reaches the standby time.
With
When the standby stop instruction is acquired before the elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time, the control unit does not wait for the elapsed time after the instruction to reach the waiting time, and carries the transport. conveyance and wherein said to initiate the conveyance of the object to be transported part. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a reading unit for reading image data from the transported object. For the processor of the transport device
A step to make the timekeeping section time the elapsed time after the instruction that has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired.
A step of starting the transportation of the transportation object manually fed to the transportation unit after the timed elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time and after the transportation start instruction is acquired .
A transport program characterized by executing. A step in which the timekeeping section measures the elapsed time after the instruction has passed since the transfer start instruction was acquired.
A step in which the transport unit starts transporting the manually fed transport object after the timed elapsed time after the instruction reaches the waiting time and after the transport start instruction is obtained .
A step in which the reading unit reads the transported object to produce image data,
An image data production method characterized by performing.

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