JP6828408B2 - Optical scanning device, transport device, feature detection device, medium discrimination device, sorting device, and media scanning method. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical scanning device, a transport device, a feature detection device, a medium discrimination device, a sorting device, and a method for scanning a medium.

In general, an inkjet printer (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "printer") incorporates a transport device for transporting printing paper. In order to control the transfer of the transfer medium, the transfer device has a function of optically scanning the transfer medium being conveyed by an optical scanning device and detecting parameters related to the transfer state of the transfer medium such as the transfer speed and the transfer amount. Some have. In addition, some transport devices have a function as a feature detection device that detects features such as uneven patterns on the surface of the transport medium by optically scanning the transport medium and identifies the type of the medium. An optical scanning device that performs such optical scanning usually receives reflected light of non-coherent light emitted from a light emitting element, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, by a light receiving element such as a photo sensor. Optical sensor technology is used.

JP-A-2007-303975

The spatial frequency sensitivity of an optical scanning device usually has a plurality of notches in which the sensitivity drops extremely at a specific frequency. The presence of such a notch means that at a particular frequency, some of the information obtained by the optical scanning device may be missing. However, until now, sufficient research has not been conducted on suppressing the occurrence of notches in the spatial frequency sensitivity of optical scanning devices. Such a problem is not limited to the optical scanning device used for the transport device of the printer, but is a common problem in the technical field of the optical sensor that performs optical scanning using a photo sensor. Further, at least, there are common problems in the feature detection device for detecting the characteristics of the medium, the discrimination device for discriminating the type of the medium, and the sorting device for sorting the media by type, which are detected by using such optical scanning. Is.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following forms.

[1] According to the first aspect of the present invention, an optical scanning device is provided. This form of optical scanning device may scan the medium in the scanning direction with non-coherent scanning light. The optical scanning device of this form may include a scanning light emitting unit, a reflected light passing unit, a received signal output unit, and a signal generating unit. The scanning light emitting unit may emit the scanning light. The reflected light passing portion may have a passing region through which a part of the reflected light reflected by the medium passes through the scanning light. The received light signal output unit may receive the reflected light that has passed through the passing region and output a signal representing a time change in the intensity of the reflected light at a predetermined cycle. The signal generation unit may generate and output a frequency signal for each period obtained by performing a high-speed Fourier transform on the signal output from the light-receiving signal output unit. The outer peripheral contour line of the passing region may include a contour curve. The contour curve may be composed of a set of points at which the coordinates in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction are uniquely determined with respect to the coordinates in the scanning direction, and a convex curve may be drawn toward the passing region. .. A plurality of quadrangular shapes having an area equal to each other in the passing region and extending from the contour curve to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction and continuously arranged in the orthogonal direction. When divided into the minute regions of, the width of the minute regions in the scanning direction may be different for each position in the orthogonal direction.
According to this form of the optical scanning device, it is possible to prevent a notch from appearing in the frequency signal generated by the signal generation unit. Therefore, the optical detection accuracy in the optical scanning device is improved.

[2] In the optical scanning device of the above embodiment, the curve drawn by the contour curve has coordinates in the scanning direction of L, coordinates in the orthogonal direction of x, A and B as arbitrary positive numbers, and C as arbitrary. When α is an arbitrary negative number, it may be expressed as L = A · (B · x) ^α + C.
According to this form of optical scanning device, the generation of notches in the frequency signal is further suppressed.

[3] In the optical scanning apparatus of the above embodiment, the curve drawn by the contour curve may be represented as L = (2.x) ^{-1 / a} , where a is an arbitrary positive real number.
According to this type of optical scanning device, the generation of notches in the frequency signal is further suppressed.

[4] In the optical scanning apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the a may be a real number of 1 or more and 3 or less.
According to this form of the optical scanning device, the generation of the notch is suppressed and the spatial frequency sensitivity is suppressed from dropping to zero.

[5] In the optical scanning apparatus of the above embodiment, the a may be 2.
According to this form of optical scanning device, it is possible to obtain a frequency signal having a shape similar to a quadratic curve.

[6] In the optical scanning device of the above-described embodiment, the contour curve is a first contour curve, and the outer peripheral contour line faces the first contour curve with the passing region interposed therebetween in the scanning direction. A second contour curve that is in a position to be formed and is mirror-symmetrical in the scanning direction with respect to the first contour curve may be included.
According to this form of the optical scanning device, the area of the passing region can be increased, and the amount of light received in the light receiving signal output unit can be increased.

[7] In the optical scanning device of the above embodiment, the outer peripheral contour line is further located at a position facing the first contour curve with the passing region in the orthogonal direction, with respect to the first contour curve. The third contour curve is mirror-symmetrical in the orthogonal direction, and the second contour curve is located at a position facing the second contour curve in the orthogonal direction with the passing region in between. A fourth contour curve that is mirror-symmetrical in the orthogonal direction may be included.
According to this form of optical scanning device, according to this form of optical scanning device, the area of the passing region can be further increased.

[8] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a transport device is provided. The transfer device of this form may include a transfer path, a first detection unit and a second detection unit, a calculation unit, and a transfer control unit. The transport path may transport the transport medium in the transport direction. The first detection unit and the second detection unit may be configured by any of the above-described optical scanning devices that scan the transport medium with the direction along the transport direction as the scanning direction. The calculation unit is a first frequency signal which is the frequency signal output from the signal generation unit of the first detection unit and the frequency signal output from the signal generation unit of the second detection unit. A two-frequency signal may be used to output parameters related to the transport state of the transport medium. The transport control unit may control the transport of the transport medium in the transport path by using the parameters. The first detection point where the first detection unit scans the transport medium and the second detection point where the second detection unit scans the transport medium are the transport in the transport path. They may be arranged with a predetermined separation distance in the direction. The calculation unit may calculate the parameter by using the periodic difference between the change of the first frequency signal, the change of the second frequency signal, and the separation distance.
According to this type of transfer device, the transfer state of the transfer medium can be detected more accurately, so that the transfer accuracy is improved.

[9] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a feature detection device is provided. This form of feature detector may detect feature data representing features on the surface of the medium. The feature extraction device of this form may include an optical scanning device and a feature data acquisition unit. The optical scanning device may be any optical scanning device of the above-described form that scans the medium. The feature data acquisition unit may acquire a group of the frequency signals generated for each cycle as the feature data.
According to the feature detection device of this form, the generation of the notch of the spatial frequency sensitivity in the optical scanning device is suppressed, so that more accurate feature data of the medium can be acquired.

[10] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a medium discriminating device for discriminating the type of medium is provided. The medium discriminating device of this form is a scanning unit that scans the medium, is composed of the optical scanning device according to the above embodiment, and scans the first surface and the second surface of the medium, respectively. A scanning unit including a unit and a second surface scanning unit; a group of the frequency signals generated by the first surface scanning unit for each cycle is acquired as first surface feature data, and the second surface scanning unit obtains the first surface feature data. A feature data acquisition unit that acquires a group of the frequency signals generated for each cycle as the second surface feature data; and a first surface collation data prepared in advance for each type of the medium and corresponding to the first surface feature data. , A master data storage unit that stores master data including the second surface collation data corresponding to the second surface feature data; the first surface that collates the first surface feature data with the first surface collation data. Along with the collation process, the second surface collation process for collating the second surface feature data with the second surface collation data may be performed to determine the type of the medium;
According to the medium discriminating device of this form, since the frequency signal acquired by using the optical scanning device of the above form is used, the discriminating accuracy of the type of the medium is improved. Further, since the two feature data acquired from each of the first surface and the second surface of the medium are used for discriminating the type of the medium, the accuracy of discriminating the type of the medium is further improved.

[11] In the medium discriminating device of the above embodiment, the first surface scanning unit scans the first surface of the medium in the first direction and the second direction intersecting the first direction; the feature data. The first surface feature data acquired by the acquisition unit includes the first feature data generated when the first surface scanning unit scans in the first direction and the first surface scanning unit in the second direction. The second feature data generated at the time of scanning is included; the first surface collation data stored by the master data storage unit includes the first collation data corresponding to the first feature data and the second feature. The second collation data corresponding to the data is included; the discrimination processing unit collates the first feature data with the first collation data in the first surface collation process, and also collates the first feature data with the second feature. The data may be collated with the second collation data.
According to the medium discriminating device of this form, the first surface is scanned in at least two directions to detect the characteristics of the medium, so that the accuracy of discriminating the type of the medium is further improved.

[12] In the medium discriminating device of the above embodiment, the second surface scanning unit scans the second surface of the medium in a third direction and a fourth direction intersecting the third direction; The second surface feature data acquired by the data acquisition unit includes the third feature data generated when the second surface scanning unit scans in the third direction and the second surface scanning unit in the fourth direction. The second surface collation data stored by the master data storage unit includes the third collation data corresponding to the third feature data and the fourth feature data. The fourth collation data corresponding to the feature data is included; the discrimination processing unit collates the third feature data with the third collation data in the second surface collation processing, and also collates the third collation data with the fourth collation data. The feature data and the fourth collation data may be collated.
According to the medium discriminating device of this form, the second surface is scanned in at least two directions to detect the characteristics of the medium, so that the accuracy of discriminating the type of the medium is further improved.

[13] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a medium discriminating device for discriminating the type of medium is provided. The medium discriminating device of this form is composed of the optical scanning device according to the above embodiment, and is a scanning unit that scans the medium, and includes a first-direction scanning unit that scans the medium in the first scanning direction; A scanning unit including a second-direction scanning unit that scans in a second scanning direction that intersects one scanning direction; a group of the frequency signals generated by the first-direction scanning unit for each cycle is grouped in the first-direction feature data. And the feature data acquisition unit that acquires the group of the frequency signals generated by the second direction scanning unit for each cycle as the second direction feature data; prepared in advance for each type of the medium, the first A master data storage unit that stores master data including a first-direction collation data corresponding to the one-way feature data and a second-direction collation data corresponding to the second-direction feature data; the first-direction feature data A discrimination processing unit that discriminates the type of the medium by collating the first-direction collation data and executing collation processing for collating the second-direction feature data with the second-direction collation data; You can.
According to the medium discriminating device of this form, since the frequency signal acquired by using the optical scanning device of the above-described form is used, the discriminating accuracy of the type of the medium is improved. Further, since the two feature data acquired by scanning the medium in at least two directions are used for discriminating the type of the medium, the accuracy of discriminating the type of the medium is further improved.

[14] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting device for sorting media by type. This sorting device has a plurality of storage units, each of which stores the medium for each type of the medium; a transport path for transporting the medium, and a connection destination of the transport path to any of the plurality of storage sections. A transfer unit having a switching unit for switching; a medium discrimination device according to any one of the above forms for discriminating the type of the medium transported by the transfer unit; the medium discrimination device. A transfer control unit that controls the switching unit according to the determination result of the device and switches the transfer destination of the medium;
According to this type of sorting device, the media are sorted by type using the medium discriminating device using the optical scanning device of the above type, so that the accuracy of the sorting is improved.

[15] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of scanning a medium. This method comprises a step of injecting non-coherent scanning light onto the medium in a predetermined scanning direction for scanning; the scanning light transfers a part of the reflected light reflected by the medium into a passing region. A step of passing the light; a step of receiving the reflected light that has passed through the passing region and outputting a signal indicating a time change of the intensity of the reflected light at a predetermined period; the high-speed Fourier conversion of the signal. A step of generating and outputting a frequency signal for each cycle; The outer peripheral contour line of the passing region includes a contour curve composed of a set of points at which the coordinates in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction are uniquely determined with respect to the coordinates in the scanning direction, and the contour curve includes the contour curve. A convex curve is drawn toward the passing region, and the region in contact with the contour curve in the passing region has an area equal to each other and extends from the contour curve to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction. When divided into a plurality of quadrangular minute regions arranged continuously in the orthogonal direction, the width of the minute regions in the scanning direction may be different for each position in the orthogonal direction.

The plurality of components of each form of the invention described above are not all essential, and may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or part or all of the effects described herein. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to change, delete, replace some of the plurality of components with new other components, and partially delete the limited contents, as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve a part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve a part or all of the effects described in the present specification, the technical features included in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention It is also possible to combine some or all with some or all of the technical features contained in the other embodiments of the invention described above to form an independent embodiment of the invention.

The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the optical scanning device, the transport device, and the feature detection device. For example, it can be realized as a device that detects the speed and features of a relative moving object using a photo sensor, or a control method for the above device, an optical scanning device, a transport device, a feature detection device, or the like. It can also be realized in the form of a computer program that realizes the control method, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like. In addition, it can be realized in the form of a mask member for defining the cross-sectional shape of the reflected light reflected from the medium or the shape of a passing region through which the reflected light passes.

The schematic which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the 1st detection part and the 2nd detection part. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the opening shape of a mask opening. The explanatory view which shows an example of the frequency signal acquired by a control unit. The explanatory view which shows an example of the frequency signal acquired in the optical scanning apparatus of 1st comparative example. The explanatory view for demonstrating the reason why the notch occurs in the frequency signal of the 1st comparative example. The explanatory view which shows an example of the frequency signal acquired in the optical scanning apparatus of the 2nd comparative example. Explanatory drawing for explaining the contour curve in a mask opening. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the principle that the occurrence of a notch is suppressed in a frequency signal. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a frequency signal when a contour curve is formed by various curves. The explanatory view which shows the flow of the transfer amount acquisition process of the printing paper in a printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the mask opening in 2nd Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows an example of the frequency signal in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the mask opening in 3rd Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows an example of the frequency signal in 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus in 4th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus in 5th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the arrangement structure of two scanning part of 5th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 5th Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the flow of the medium discrimination processing. The schematic perspective view which shows the region including the scanning part of the printing apparatus in 6th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 6th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 6th Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows an example of the speed control of a print head. The schematic perspective view which shows the region including the scanning part of the printing apparatus in 7th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 7th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 7th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 7th Embodiment. The schematic perspective view which shows the region including the scanning part of the printing apparatus in 8th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 8th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 8th Embodiment. The schematic perspective view which shows the region including the scanning part of the printing apparatus in 9th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 9th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 9th Embodiment. The schematic perspective view which shows the region including the scanning part of the printing apparatus in tenth embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 10th Embodiment. The schematic which shows the direction of the mask opening of 10th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the sorting apparatus in 11th Embodiment.

A. First Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a printing device 10 including an optical scanning device and a transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 10 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a printing paper PP, which is a printing medium, to form an image. The printing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a conveying device 12, a printing head unit 13, and an optical scanning device 20.

The control unit 11 is configured as a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU) and a main storage device (RAM), and exerts various functions by the CPU reading and executing various instructions and programs in the RAM. To do. The control unit 11 functions as a control unit of the printing device 10. The control unit 11 mainly responds to the print data input from the outside of the printing device 10 and the user's operation received via the operation unit (not shown) of the printing device 10, and the printing paper by the conveying device 12. It controls the transfer of PP and the ejection of ink in the print head unit 13. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 11 also serves as a calculation unit of the transport device 12 that analyzes the frequency signal output from the optical scanning device 20 of the present embodiment and outputs parameters related to the transport state of the printing paper PP. Works (see below). In this embodiment, the parameter relating to the transport state of the printing paper PP is the transport amount (moving distance) of the printing paper PP.

The transport device 12 is an embodiment of the transport device in the present invention. Under the control of the control unit 11, the transport device 12 transports the strip-shaped printing paper PP as a transport medium in the longitudinal direction thereof. The transport device 12 includes a feeding unit 14, a support base 15, a winding unit 16, a plurality of transport rollers 17, a transport control unit 18, and an optical scanning device 20. The feeding unit 14 unwinds and feeds the printing paper PP from the rolled state. The printing paper PP fed out from the feeding unit 14 is conveyed onto the base surface 15s of the support base 15 while being tensioned by the conveying roller 17.

The printing paper PP is conveyed along the base surface 15s in a state of facing the base surface 15s of the support base 15. In FIG. 1, the transport direction PD of the printing paper PP on the base surface 15s is illustrated by arrows. The base surface 15s corresponds to the subordinate concept of the transport path in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the surface of the printing paper PP facing upward on the side opposite to the base surface 15s side is the printing surface. The support base 15 may be provided with a transport roller (not shown) that assists in transporting the printing paper PP.

The take-up portion 16 is provided on the downstream side of the support base 15, and the printing paper PP conveyed from the base surface 15s is wound in a roll shape by the rotational driving force of the motor (not shown). The printing paper PP is tensioned by a transport roller 17 between the take-up portion 16 and the support base 15. The transfer control unit 18 controls the rotational drive of the motor of the take-up unit 16 by using the transfer amount of the printing paper PP acquired from the control unit 11, and controls the transfer of the printing paper PP on the base surface 15s.

The optical scanning device 20 is an embodiment of the optical scanning device according to the present invention. The optical scanning device 20 irradiates scanning light toward the surface (back surface) opposite to the printing surface of the printing paper PP conveyed on the base surface 15s, and receives the reflected light to receive the printing paper. Scan the PP. The optical scanning device 20 includes a first detection unit 21, a second detection unit 22, and a signal generation unit 25.

Both the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 have the same configuration, and each emits scanning light to scan the back surface of the printing paper PP. In the present embodiment, in the region on the upstream side of the base surface 15s, a first detection point DPa in which the first detection unit 21 scans the printing paper PP and a second detection point DPa in which the second detection unit 22 scans the printing paper PP. DPb and are provided. The first detection point DPa and the second detection point DPb are arranged in a row at a distance of a predetermined separation distance DD in the transport direction of the printing paper PP. Details of the configuration of the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 will be described later.

The signal generation unit 25 acquires a light receiving signal Sd representing each scanning result from the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22. The signal generation unit 25 generates a frequency signal FS by performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) on each received signal Sd, and outputs the frequency signal FS to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 uses the frequency signal FS to calculate the transport amount TA, which is a parameter representing the transport state of the printing paper PP. The processing of calculating the light receiving signal Sd, the frequency signal FS, and the transfer amount TA of the printing paper PP by the control unit 11 will be described later.

The print head portion 13 is provided at a position facing the printing surface of the printing paper PP to be conveyed on the base surface 15s of the support base 15. The print head unit 13 is located downstream of the first detection point DPa and the second detection point DPb. The print head unit 13 includes a plurality of nozzles 13n, and under the control of the control unit 11, prints by ejecting ink droplets from each nozzle 13n and recording ink dots on the printing surface of the printing paper PP. Form an image. A suction portion for sticking the printing paper PP to the base surface 15s by the suction force of the suction pump may be provided in the region of the support base 15 facing the print head portion 13.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configurations of the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22. As described above, the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 have the same configuration as each other except that the detection positions of the printing paper PP on the transport path are different. Unless otherwise specified, the following description of the configuration of the first detection unit 21 is also a description of the configuration of the second detection unit 22. The first detection unit 21 includes a light emitting element 31, a light guide unit 32, a reflection unit 33, a mask member 34, an optical fiber 35, a light receiving sensor unit 36, and a light receiving circuit 37.

The light emitting element 31 emits scanning light. The light emitting element 31 emits, for example, non-coherent light having a wavelength in the infrared region as scanning light. In this embodiment, the light emitting element 31 is composed of LEDs. The light emitting element 31 corresponds to a subordinate concept of the scanning light emitting unit in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 31 is fixed inside the support base 15. The light guide unit 32 is a passage that guides the scanning light emitted from the light emitting element 31 to the reflection unit 33. The scanning light repeatedly reflects off the inner wall surface of the light guide unit 32 and reaches the reflecting unit 33. In the present embodiment, the light guide unit 32 is provided inside the support base 15. The light guide unit 32 may be composed of an optical fiber.

The reflection unit 33 is a portion that reflects the scanning light emitted from the light guide unit 32 onto the back surface of the printing paper PP. The formation position of the reflection portion 33 of the first detection unit 21 is the position of the first detection point DPa described above. Similarly, the formation position of the reflection portion 33 of the second detection unit 22 is the position of the second detection point DPb. In the present embodiment, the reflecting portion 33 is formed as a recessed space of the support base 15 that opens upward on the base surface 15s. The printing paper PP is conveyed on the reflecting portion 33 in a state of closing the opening 41 of the reflecting portion 33. The light guide unit 32 is connected to the reflection unit 33 from diagonally below, and the scanning light guided by the light guide unit 32 is emitted toward the back surface of the printing paper PP being conveyed through the opening 41. Due to the displacement of the printing paper PP during transportation, the position where the printing paper PP is checked by the scanning light changes relatively. The back surface of the printing paper PP is scanned by the scanning light emitted from the light emitting element 31 at the reflecting unit 33 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction PD of the printing paper PP as the scanning direction.

An opening 43 is provided in the bottom wall surface 42 of the reflecting portion 33. One end of the optical fiber 35 is connected to the opening 43, and the other end is connected to the light receiving sensor unit 36. A part of the diffuse reflected light (hereinafter, simply referred to as “reflected light”) in which the scanning light is reflected by the printing paper PP passes through the opening region of the opening 43 and passes through the optical fiber 35 to the light receiving sensor unit. You will be led to 36. On the other hand, the remaining reflected light that does not pass through the opening region of the opening 43 is blocked from entering the optical fiber 35.

Here, the mask member 34 is attached to the opening 43. The mask member 34 is a plate-shaped member for defining the opening shape of the opening 43, and is attached so as to close a part of the opening region of the opening 43. The opening region in the mask opening 44 corresponds to the subordinate concept of the passing region in the present invention, and the opening 43 corresponds to the subordinate concept of the reflected light passing portion in the present invention. The opening shape of the mask opening 44 will be described later. The mask member 34 does not have to be composed of a plate-shaped member. The mask member 34 may be composed of another member capable of blocking a part of the opening region of the opening 43. For example, it may be composed of fibrous members. Further, the mask member 34 may be composed of a member whose shape of the opening region through which light passes is defined by a surface treatment such as painting.

The light receiving sensor unit 36 includes a connector unit 45, a lens 46, and a photo sensor 47. The connector portion 45 is a member made of resin, holds the other end of the optical fiber 35, and guides the reflected light emitted from the optical fiber 35 to the lens 46 without leakage. The lens 46 is fixedly attached to the connector portion 45, and collects the reflected light incident on itself on the light receiving portion of the photo sensor 47. The photosensor 47 is composed of, for example, a photodiode. The photo sensor 47 converts it into an analog electric signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “light receiving signal Sa”) indicating the intensity of the received light, and outputs it to the light receiving circuit 37.

The light receiving circuit 37 includes an amplifier 48 and an AD converter 49. The amplifier 48 amplifies the light receiving signal Sa output from the photo sensor 47 so as to match the input range of the AD converter 49. The AD converter 49 sequentially quantizes the light-receiving signal Sa, which is an analog signal, in order at a predetermined sampling cycle based on the sampling signal supplied from the signal generation unit 25, and the light-receiving signal, which is a digital signal for each sampling cycle. It is converted to Sd and output to the signal generation unit 25. This digital light receiving signal Sd can be interpreted as a signal representing a time change in the intensity of the emitted light output at a predetermined period. The first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 correspond to the subordinate concept of the light receiving signal output unit in the present invention, and the signal generation unit 25 corresponds to the subordinate concept of the signal generation unit in the present invention.

The photo sensor 47 of the first detection unit 21 outputs the first light receiving signal Sa1 as an analog light receiving signal Sa. Further, the light receiving circuit 37 of the first detection unit 21 outputs the first light receiving signal Sd1 as a digital light receiving signal Sd. On the other hand, the photo sensor 47 of the second detection unit 22 outputs the second light receiving signal Sa2 as an analog light receiving signal Sa. Further, the light receiving circuit 37 of the second detection unit 22 outputs the second light receiving signal Sd2 as the digital light receiving signal Sd.

The signal generation unit 25 performs an FFT on each of the received light signals Sd1 and Sd2 output in each sampling cycle as described above, and generates a frequency signal FS. Specifically, the signal generation unit 25 generates the first frequency signal FS1 from the first light receiving signal Sd1 and generates the second frequency signal FS2 from the second light receiving signal Sd2. The frequency signal FS obtained by the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described later.

When the control unit 11 corrects the first frequency signal FS1 and the second frequency signal FS2 output from the signal generation unit 25 for each sampling cycle by a predetermined quadratic function, and generates the correction data. It is stored in a storage device (not shown) in series. In the following, a group of time-series data generated and stored from the first frequency signal FS1 is referred to as a "first signal group SG1", and a group of time-series data generated and stored from the second frequency signal FS2. Is called "second signal group SG2".

FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the opening shape of the mask opening 44 through which the reflected light passes in the reflecting portion 33. FIG. 3 shows an opening 43 when viewed facing the bottom wall surface 42 of the reflecting portion 33. FIG. 3 shows an arrow indicating a scanning direction SD in which the printing paper PP is scanned by scanning light.

In the present embodiment, the opening 43 has a substantially quadrangular opening shape surrounded by four linear side portions 51 to 54. The first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 are orthogonal to the scanning direction SD, respectively, and are located at positions facing each other in the scanning direction SD. The first side portion 51 is located on the upstream side in the scanning direction, and the second side portion 52 is located on the downstream side in the scanning direction SD. The third side portion 53 and the fourth side portion 54 are parallel to the scanning direction SD and face each other with the first side portion 51 and the second side portion 52 interposed therebetween.

As described above, in the opening 43, a mask member 34 that closes a part of the opening region of the opening 43 and defines the opening shape is arranged. The mask member 34 includes a first end portion 61, a second end portion 62, and a third end portion 63 that form an outer peripheral contour line thereof. The first end portion 61 is a linear portion that is closely arranged with the second side portion 52 of the opening 43. The length of the first end portion 61 is slightly shorter than the length of the second side portion 52. The second end portion 62 is a linear portion that is closely arranged with the fourth side portion 54 of the opening 43. The length of the second end 62 is slightly shorter than the length of the fourth side 54. The corner portion where the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 intersect is arranged so as to fit into the corner portion between the second side portion 52 and the fourth side portion 54 of the opening 43. .. The gap formed between the first end portion 61 and the third side portion 53 is smaller than the gap formed between the second end portion 62 and the first side portion 51.

The third end portion 63 is a curved portion that intersects the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. The third end portion 63 extends from a position closer to the first side portion 51 on the fourth side portion 54 toward the third side portion 53 along the first side portion 51 while drawing a gentle curve. .. Then, the curvature becomes large at the position closer to the third side portion 53, the curvature increases in the direction toward the second side portion 52, and the second side portion 52 and the second side portion 52 draw a gentle curve along the third side portion 53. It reaches a position near the corner of the third side portion 53 and intersects the second end portion 62.

As described above, the mask member 34 is fitted into a part of the opening 43, so that the mask opening 44 is formed on the bottom wall surface 42. The outer peripheral contour line surrounding the mask opening 44 includes a contour curve OC formed by the third end 63 of the mask member 34. The contour curve OC draws a convex curve toward the opening region of the mask opening 44. The contour curve OC can be interpreted as a curve composed of a set of points at which the coordinates in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD are uniquely determined with respect to the coordinates in the scanning direction SD. The contour curve OC corresponds to the subordinate concept of the contour curve in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the contour curve OC is similar to the curve represented by the function formula, and the details thereof will be described later. According to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the frequency signal FS as described below can be obtained by receiving the reflected light through the mask opening 44 having the contour curve described above.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frequency signal FS acquired by the control unit 11 from the signal generation unit 25 of the optical scanning device 20. The frequency signal FS output by the signal generation unit 25 of the optical scanning device 20 is represented by a graph in which the vertical axis is the luminance and the horizontal axis is the spatial frequency.

The frequency signal FS is a signal that changes according to the appearance configuration in the region of the printing paper PP existing in the mask opening 44 when the scanning light is irradiated, the material and internal structure of the printing paper PP, and the like, and is a signal in the region. This is a signal representing a feature detected from the back surface side of the printing paper PP. The "appearance configuration" includes, for example, surface textures such as a fine uneven pattern existing on the surface of the printing paper PP and a color pattern. According to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the frequency signal FS is obtained as a signal that draws a curve graph that approximates a quadratic curve whose brightness decreases as the spatial frequency increases. As described above, in the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, it is suppressed that the notch described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 appears in the obtained frequency signal FS.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frequency signal FSa acquired in an optical scanning apparatus as a first comparative example of the present invention. The optical scanning apparatus of the first comparative example has substantially the same configuration as the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment except that the mask member 34 is omitted from the opening 43 of the reflecting portion 33. The example of FIG. 5 is obtained when the same medium as when the frequency signal FS described in FIG. 4 is obtained as a scanning target.

In the optical scanning apparatus of the first comparative example, the photo sensor receives the reflected light that has passed through the entire opening region having a substantially square shape of the opening 43. That is, in the field of view of the photo sensor, as shown in the blowout of FIG. 5, the opening width xv, which is the width of the opening region in the scanning direction SD, is substantially constant in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. In the frequency signal FSa acquired in such a configuration, a notch in which the brightness drops to 0 at a specific frequency is periodically and repeatedly generated.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reason why the notch occurs in the frequency signal FSa of the first comparative example. A graph showing an example of the light receiving signal Sc output from the photo sensor 47 in the optical scanning apparatus of the first comparative example is shown in the upper part of the paper in FIG. The horizontal axis of this graph is the position x being scanned by the photosensor, and the vertical axis is the intensity R of the reflected light.

As shown in the lower part of the paper in FIG. 6, the received light signal Sc includes frequency components F ₁ and F having a period T equal to the aperture width xv of the photosensor or a period positively multiple of the period T. _{2, F 3,} is included ... it is. In such frequency components F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , ..., The brightness obtained as a result of the spatial integration by the FFT becomes 0. This means that in the optical scanning apparatus of the first comparative example, the spatial frequency sensitivity (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “sensitivity”) for such frequency components F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , ... Is likely to be zero. It means that there is. The existence of such a specific frequency at which the sensitivity becomes 0 is considered to be the cause of the notch in the frequency signal as shown in FIG. Therefore, in a frequency signal having a notch, it can be said that information is insufficient or missing at the frequency at which the notch is generated.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frequency signal FSb acquired in an optical scanning apparatus as a second comparative example of the present invention. In the optical scanning device of the second comparative example, as shown in the balloon, the mask member 34x is attached to the opening 43 of the reflecting portion 33, so that the mask opening 44x having a quarter-circular opening shape is formed. It has almost the same configuration as the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment except that it is formed. The example of FIG. 7 is obtained when the same medium as when the frequency signal FS described in FIG. 4 is obtained as a scanning target.

In the frequency signal FSb acquired in the optical scanning apparatus of the second comparative example, although the brightness is suppressed from dropping to 0, the brightness fluctuates up and down in a wavy manner with respect to the spatial frequency. This result means that the occurrence of a notch in the obtained frequency signal cannot be sufficiently suppressed by simply changing the visual field width of the photosensor in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD. Even if the opening shape of the mask opening 44x is not a quarter circle but a perfect circle, almost the same result can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the frequency signal FS obtained in the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the generation of the notch described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 is suppressed. This is because, as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the field of view of the photo sensor 47 is defined by the mask opening 44 having the contour curve OC. Is.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contour curve OC in the mask opening 44. The contour curve OC of the mask opening 44 allows the mask opening 44 to be divided into a plurality of minute regions SQ ₁ , SQ ₂ , ..., SQ _n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) having a substantially square shape as shown below. It is a set curve. Each of the minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n has an area equal to each other, and are arranged consecutively adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction of the scanning direction SD. Each minute region SQ _{1 to} SQ _n extends from the contour curve OC to the first side portion 51 corresponding to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction SD. The opening widths L _{1 to} L _n , which are the widths of the respective minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _{n in} the scanning direction SD, are all different.

The contour curve OC that enables the mask opening 44 to be divided into such minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n is as follows, _where L is the coordinate in the scanning direction and x is the coordinate in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. It is approximately expressed by the equation (1).
L = A ・ (B ・ x) ^α + C… (1)
A, B: Arbitrary positive number C: Arbitrary real number α: Arbitrary negative number

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle that the occurrence of a notch in the frequency signal FS is suppressed by the mask opening 44 having the contour curve OC as described above. As described above, the opening area in the mask opening 44 is obtained by combining the micro area _SQ 1 _{~SQ n} is a field area having a different opening width _L 1 ~L _n. Since the aperture areas of the micro regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n are equal as described above, the amount of light energy obtained by the photo sensor 47 from the micro regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n is constant. Therefore, the frequency signal FS obtained from the reflected light passing through the mask opening 44 is equivalent to that obtained by combining the frequency signal _FS 1 _{~FS n} obtained in each minute area _SQ 1 _{~SQ n.}

Moreover, the fact that the opening width L ₁ ~L _n of each micro area SQ ₁ ~SQ _n are different either, frequency space integrating described in FIG. 6 becomes 0, i.e., the frequency at which sensitivity becomes 0 , Each minute region SQ _{1 to} SQ _n is different (upper part of FIG. 9). That is, the frequency _{f 1,} f 2, which notches are generated in each minute area _{SQ 1 ~SQ n, ..., f} n means different from each. Therefore, in the frequency signal FS is a synthesis of the frequency signal _FS 1 _{~FS n,} notches occurring at each signal _FS 1 _{~FS n} is canceled by the corresponding frequency components in the other frequency signals (in FIG. 9 Lower).

Thus, in the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, by the mask opening 44 has the contour curve OC, with different opening width L ₁ ~L _n the opening area in the scanning direction SD It can be divided into minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n . When the scanning target is scanned in the scanning direction SD in which the respective minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n extend through such a mask opening 44, the frequency signal components obtained in the respective minute regions SQ _{1 to} SQ _n cancel each other's notches. It will fit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a notch from being generated in the frequency signal FS output from the optical scanning device 20.

Here, consider a model in which the above-mentioned micro-region SQ _n is an array of n micro-regions SQ ₁ having an opening width of 1 / n. In this model, the above equation (1) can be simply expressed as the following equation (2). If the contour curve OC of the mask opening 44 is defined by using the following equation (2), the mask opening 44 can be constructed more easily, and the accuracy of defining the visual field region by the mask opening 44 can be improved. Therefore, the occurrence of a notch in the frequency signal FS can be suppressed more reliably.
L = ( ^2.x ) ^{-1 / 2} ... (2)

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frequency signal FS when the contour curve OC of the mask opening 44 is formed by various curves obtained by changing the value of the variable a in the following equation (3). Each example of FIG. 10 is obtained when the same medium as when the frequency signal FS described in FIG. 4 is obtained as a scanning target.
L = (2 ・ x) ^{-1 / a} ... (3)
a = {1.0, 1.5, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.5, 3.0, 5.0}

When the contour curve OC is configured by the curve in which the variable a is 5.0 in the above equation (3), the occurrence of a notch in which the brightness drops to 0 is suppressed. Further, as compared with the comparative examples described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, a more gentle frequency signal is obtained. When the variable a is set to 3.0, a more gentle frequency signal can be obtained than when the variable a is set to 5.0, and when the variable a is set to 2.5, the variable a is set. A more gentle frequency signal can be obtained than when the frequency is set to 3.0.

When the variable a is set to 2.1 or 1.9, a frequency signal approximated to a quadratic curve is obtained, and when the variable a is set to 2.0, a frequency signal approximated to a quadratic curve is further obtained. Is obtained. When the variable a is set to 1.9, a frequency signal having higher overall brightness can be obtained than when the variable a is set to 2.1 or 2.0. When the variable a is set to 1.5, the brightness in the frequency signal is further higher than when the variable a is set to 1.9. When the variable a is set to 1.0, the brightness in the frequency signal is higher than when the variable a is set to 1.5. However, the brightness is more blurred than when the variable a is 1.5.

In order to increase the sensitivity while suppressing the occurrence of notches, it is desirable that the variable a is a real number smaller than 5.0. Further, the variable a is more preferably 3.0 or less, and further preferably 2.5 or less. It is more desirable that the variable a is 2.1 or less. For the purpose of further improving the sensitivity, the variable a is preferably 2.0 or less, and more preferably 1.9 or less. Further, the variable a is preferably 1.5 or less, and more preferably 1.0 or less.

On the other hand, when the purpose is to obtain a frequency signal with less blurring while ensuring sensitivity, the variable a is preferably 1.0 or more, and more preferably 1.5 or more. Further, the variable a is preferably 1.9 or more, and even more preferably 2.0.

In order to obtain a frequency signal FS that approximates a quadratic curve and has less blurring, the variable a is preferably 1.0 or more and 3.0 or less, and 1.5 or more and 2.5 or less. Is next desirable. Further, the variable a is preferably 1.9 or more and 2.1 or less, and more preferably 2.0.

As described above, according to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the frequency signal FS (FIG. 4) in which the generation of the notch is suppressed. In the frequency signal FS, the suppression of the occurrence of the notch means that the decrease in sensitivity at a specific frequency component is suppressed. Therefore, according to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the appearance configuration appearing on the surface of the printing paper PP, the features based on the material and internal structure of the printing paper PP, and the like, the lack or lack of information is reduced. It is possible to grasp it more accurately.

Further, according to the optical scanning device 20 of the present embodiment, the frequency signal FS is obtained as a signal for drawing a curve graph in which the brightness decreases as the spatial frequency increases. By obtaining the frequency signal FS as such a simple signal, correction and analysis thereof can be facilitated, and the amount of data thereof can be reduced. In particular, a signal that draws a curve graph that approximates a quadratic curve can be easily converted into a flat graph Cs as shown in FIG. 4 by correction using a quadratic function. In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the frequency signal FS acquired by the optical scanning apparatus 20 is used to acquire the conveyed amount of the printing paper PP used for the conveying control in the conveying device 12 as follows.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a process of acquiring a conveyed amount of printing paper PP in the printing apparatus 10. This transfer amount acquisition step is executed in association with the transfer step of the printing paper PP in the printing process of the printing apparatus 10. Each step described below is repeated in the sampling cycle described above.

In step 1, the optical scanning device 20 acquires the first light receiving signal Sd1 and the second light receiving signal Sd2. Specifically, when the photo sensor 47 of the first detection unit 21 receives the reflected light, the first light reception signal Sd1 is generated and output to the signal generation unit 25. Similarly, when the photo sensor 47 of the second detection unit 22 receives the reflected light, the second light reception signal Sd2 is generated and output to the signal generation unit 25.

In step 2, the signal generation unit 25 generates the first frequency signal FS1 and the second frequency signal FS2 by the FFT for each of the first light receiving signal Sd1 and the second light receiving signal Sd2, and outputs them to the control unit 11. .. The control unit 11 corrects and stores the two acquired frequency signals FS1 and FS2.

In the present embodiment, as described above, since the frequency signal FS is acquired as a signal representing a curve similar to a quadratic curve, the control unit 11 is corrected using a predetermined quadratic function to obtain the spatial frequency. It is easily converted into a signal CS having a small change in brightness with respect to (FIG. 4). As described above, the correction data obtained by correcting the first frequency signal FS1 and the second frequency signal FS2 is the first signal group SG1 and the first signal group SG1 and the first signal group SG1 in a state where the order of the acquired time series is maintained in the control unit 11. It is stored as a two-signal group SG2.

In step 3, the control unit 11 analyzes the time change pattern of each of the first signal group SG1 and the second signal group SG2. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires a specific signal value or a cycle in which a change pattern of the specific signal value repeatedly appears for each signal group SG1 and SG2. Then, the period difference ΔT representing the deviation of the period between the first signal group SG1 and the second signal group SG2 is calculated.

In step 4, the control unit 11 derives the conveyed amount of the printing paper PP based on the period difference ΔT. Specifically, the control unit 11 uses the period difference calculated in step 3 and the separation distance DD (FIG. 1) between the first detection point DPa and the second detection point DPb on the printing paper. The transport speed PV of PP is calculated (the following formula (4)).
PV = DD / ΔT… (4)

In step 5, the control unit 11 calculates the transport amount of the printing paper PP by integrating the transport speed PV and outputs it to the transport control unit 18. As described above, the transport control unit 18 transports the printing paper PP by controlling the rotational drive of the motor of the take-up unit 16 based on the transport amount. As a result, the position accuracy of the printing paper PP at the time of recording the ink dots can be improved, and the image quality of the printed image can be improved.

As described above, according to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire the frequency signal FS in which the generation of the notch is suppressed. According to the transfer device 12 of the present embodiment, the transfer amount of the printing paper PP can be obtained easily and with high accuracy based on the frequency signal FS, and the transfer accuracy of the printing paper PP can be improved. According to the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the image quality of the printed image can be improved by improving the transport accuracy of the printing paper PP. In addition, the optical scanning device 20, the conveying device 12, and the printing device 10 of the present embodiment can exhibit various effects described in the embodiment.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a mask opening 44B included in the optical scanning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the first embodiment except that the opening shape of the mask opening 44B is different, and the printing apparatus described in the first embodiment. It can be incorporated into a printing device or a transfer device having the same configuration as the 10 or the transfer device 12.

In the optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment, the opening 43B provided in the reflecting portion 33 is substantially the same as the opening 43 of the first embodiment except that the width in the scanning direction SD is doubled. Is. The opening 43B has four sides 51 to 54 similar to the opening 43 of the first embodiment. A first mask member 34a and a second mask member 34b are arranged in the opening 43B.

The first mask member 34a has the same configuration as the mask member 34 of the first embodiment, and has a first end portion 61, a second end portion 62, and a third end portion 63. The second mask member 34b has a mirror-symmetrical shape. That is, the second mask member 34b has the same shape as the first mask member 34a turned upside down. The second mask member 34b has three ends 61 to 63 corresponding to the respective ends 61 to 63 of the first mask member 34a.

The first mask member 34a and the second mask member 34b are arranged in the scanning direction SD so that the third end portions 63 forming the contour curve OC face each other. The first mask member 34a is arranged so that its first end portion 61 is in close contact with the second side portion 52 of the opening 43B, and the second mask member 34b itself is placed on the first side portion 51 of the opening 43B. The first end 61 of the above is arranged so as to be in close contact with each other. As a result, the opening 43B is formed with a mask opening 44B having an opening shape symmetrical in the scanning direction. The mask opening 44B has two contour curves OC that are mirror-symmetric with respect to the center line CL of the opening 43B in the scanning direction SD. These two contour curves correspond to the subordinate concepts of the first contour curve and the second contour curve in the present invention, respectively. In the opening region in the mask opening 44B in the second embodiment, the two regions between each contour curve OC and the center line CL are the minute regions SQ ₁ and SQ ₂ as described in the first embodiment, respectively. , ..., SQ _n can be divided.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the frequency signal FS obtained by the optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment. Even in the optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment, in the frequency signal FS, the occurrence of a notch in which the sensitivity of a specific frequency suddenly drops to 0 is suppressed. Therefore, similarly to the optical scanning apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, the detection accuracy of features appearing in the appearance of the scanning object and the like is improved. In addition, according to the optical scanning device of the second embodiment, the transport device provided with the optical scanning device, and the printing device, various effects similar to those described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

C. Third Embodiment:
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a mask opening 44C included in the optical scanning apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a center line CLa in the scanning direction SD of the opening 43B and a center line CLb in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD of the opening 43B. The optical scanning apparatus of the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment except that the opening shape of the mask opening 44C is different, and the printing apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment. It can be incorporated into a printing device or a transport device having the same configuration as the transport device 12.

The opening 43C of the reflecting portion 33 in the optical scanning device of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the opening 43B of the second embodiment except that the opening width in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD is doubled. It has a configuration and has four side portions 51 to 54 similar to the opening 43B. In addition to the first mask member 34a and the second mask member 34b, the third mask member 34c and the fourth mask member 34d are arranged in the opening 43C. The third mask member 34c is mirror-symmetric with respect to the first mask member 34a in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD. The fourth mask member 34d is mirror-symmetric with respect to the second mask member 34b in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction SD.

The mask opening 44C of the third embodiment has two contour curves OC of each of the first mask member 34a and the second mask member 34b, as well as 2 of each of the third mask member 34c and the fourth mask member 34d. It has two contour curves OC. These two contour curve OCs correspond to the subordinate concepts of the third contour curve and the fourth contour curve in the present invention, respectively. The mask opening 44C of the third embodiment has a substantially cross-shaped opening shape that is symmetrical in each of the scanning direction SD and the orthogonal direction thereof. In the opening region within the mask opening 44C in the third embodiment, each of the four regions surrounded by the contour curve OC, the center line CLa, and the center line CLb is a minute region SQ as described in the first embodiment. _It can be divided into ₁ , SQ ₂ , ..., SQ _n .

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the frequency signal FS obtained by the optical scanning apparatus of the third embodiment. According to the optical scanning apparatus of the third embodiment, the generation of a notch in which the sensitivity of a specific frequency suddenly drops to 0 is suppressed in the frequency signal FS as in the optical scanning apparatus of the second embodiment. In addition, according to the optical scanning device of the second embodiment, the transport device provided with the optical scanning device, and the printing device, various effects similar to those described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained. ..

D. Fourth Embodiment:
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a printing apparatus 10D including an optical scanning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the printing device 10D of the fourth embodiment is the printing device of the first embodiment except that the transport device 12 includes the optical scanning device 20D of the fourth embodiment and the master data storage unit 27. It is almost the same as 10. The printing device 10D of the fourth embodiment has a function as a feature detection device for detecting features representing the features of the printing paper PP, and is based on the features detected from the surface side of the detected printing paper PP. , Executes a paper type determination process for determining the type of printing paper PP being conveyed.

The optical scanning apparatus 20D of the fourth embodiment irradiates scanning light toward the back surface of the printing paper PP at the detection point DPa of the base surface 15s constituting the transport path of the printing paper PP, and irradiates the back surface of the printing paper PP with scanning light. A frequency signal FS representing a feature detected from the side is generated and output to the control unit 11. The optical scanning device 20D has a single detection unit 23 having the same configuration as the first detection unit 21 or the second detection unit 22 described in the first embodiment.

The detection unit 23 has a mask opening 44 through which the reflected light described in the first embodiment passes (FIG. 3). The detection unit 23 scans the printing paper PP at a predetermined sampling cycle and outputs a light receiving signal Sd. The signal generation unit 25 of the optical scanning device 20D performs an FFT on the light receiving signal Sd output from the detection unit 23, and controls the control unit 11 with the same frequency signal FS (FIG. 4) as described in the first embodiment. Output to.

The control unit 11 stores the frequency signal FS output from the optical scanning device 20D at a predetermined sampling cycle in a storage device (not shown) in chronological order as a feature data CD detected from the printing paper PP. .. The feature data CD, which is a data group of the frequency signal FS stored in this time series, corresponds to the subordinate concept of the feature data in the present invention. Further, the control unit 11 in the fourth embodiment corresponds to a subordinate concept of the feature data acquisition unit in the present invention.

In the master data storage unit 27, a master data database that collects characteristic data for each type of printing paper PP is constructed. In the paper type determination process, the control unit 11 reads the master data from the master data storage unit 27, collates it with the feature data CD, and specifies the type of printing paper PP.

In the frequency signal FS obtained by the optical scanning apparatus 20D of the fourth embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the generation of notches is suppressed, and the lack or lack of information is suppressed. Therefore, in the paper type discrimination process, the discrimination accuracy is improved by using the frequency signal FS. In addition, according to the optical scanning device 20D of the fourth embodiment, the conveying device 12 provided with the optical scanning device 20D, and the printing device 10D, various effects similar to those described in the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

E. Fifth embodiment:
FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a printing device 10E including a feature detection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the printing apparatus 10E of the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10D (FIG. 16) of the fourth embodiment except for the points described below. The printing apparatus 10E has a scanning unit 20E that scans the printing paper PP on the transport path of the printing paper PP. In the printing device 10E, the scanning unit 20E, the control unit 11, and the master data storage unit 27 cooperate with each other to function as a medium discriminating device for discriminating the type of printing paper PP as a medium.

The scanning unit 20E includes a first surface scanning unit 20Ea and a second surface scanning unit 20Eb. The first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb each have the same configuration as the optical scanning apparatus 20D (FIG. 16) of the fourth embodiment, and include the detection unit 23, the signal generation unit 25, and the signal generation unit 25. have. In FIG. 17, the illustration of the detection unit 23 and the signal generation unit 25 is omitted for convenience. The first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb may be configured as, for example, a multi-micro sensor.

The first surface scanning unit 20Ea scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP with non-coherent scanning light. The second surface scanning unit 20Eb scans the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP with non-coherent scanning light. In the fifth embodiment, the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP is the printing surface facing the print head portion 13E, and the second surface PPs are the back surfaces on the opposite side. In the fifth embodiment, the first surface scanning unit 20Ea is attached to the print head unit 13E, and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb is embedded in the support base 15 that functions as a platen.

The configurations of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B. FIG. 18A is a schematic view showing more specifically the arrangement configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb. FIG. 18A shows an extracted region in the vicinity of the print head portion 13E in the printing apparatus 10E. FIG. 18B illustrates the mask openings 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb.

The printing apparatus 10E is a line printer, and the printing head portion 13E is installed above the transport path of the printing paper PP in a direction intersecting the transport direction PD of the printing paper PP (FIG. 18A). More specifically, the print head portion 13E is arranged along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction PD.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the first surface scanning unit 20Ea is attached to the print head unit 13E. The first surface scanning unit 20Ea emits scanning light from above the printed printing paper PP being conveyed toward the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP. The scanning direction SDf of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea is in the direction opposite to the transport direction PD.

The first surface scanning unit 20Ea is provided with a mask opening 44 for taking in the reflected light reflected by the scanning light on the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP (FIGS. 18A and 18B). The mask opening 44 is provided on the surface of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea facing the printing paper PP. The opening direction of the mask opening 44 is perpendicular to the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP to be scanned. The mask opening 44 is provided so that the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the scanning direction SDf is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

As described above, the second surface scanning unit 20Eb is embedded in the support base 15 (FIG. 18A). The second surface scanning unit 20Eb is provided on the upstream side of the transport direction PD with respect to the print head unit 13E. The second surface scanning unit 20Eb emits scanning light toward the second surface PPs from below the printing paper PP that is being conveyed. The scanning direction SDs of the second surface scanning unit 20Eb are in the direction opposite to the transport direction PD, similarly to the first surface scanning unit 20Ea.

The second surface scanning unit 20Eb includes a mask opening 44 for taking in the reflected light reflected by the scanning light on the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP (FIGS. 18A and 18B). The opening direction of the mask opening 44 of the second surface scanning unit 20Eb is perpendicular to the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP to be scanned. Further, the mask opening 44 of the second surface scanning unit 20Eb is provided so that the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the scanning direction SDs is the same as that described in the first embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the mask openings 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb are arranged in the same direction with respect to the transport direction PD.

It is desirable that the scanning portions 20Ea and 20Eb are provided on the upstream side of the transport direction PD with respect to the print head portion 13E. As a result, the area before the ink adheres can be scanned, so that the scanning results of the scanning portions 20Ea and Eb are suppressed from being affected by the bending and fouling of the printing paper PP due to the adhesion of the ink. it can. Further, it is desirable that the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb are provided at positions separated from each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the scanning light and the reflected light from interfering with each other.

The first surface scanning unit 20Ea outputs the frequency signal FSf generated as a result of scanning to the control unit 11 at a predetermined cycle (FIG. 17). Similarly, the second surface scanning unit 20Eb outputs the frequency signals FSs obtained as a result of scanning to the control unit 11 at a predetermined cycle. The control unit 11 stores the frequency signals FSf and FSs in a time series in its own storage unit (not shown) as a group.

The group of the frequency signal FSf acquired by the control unit 11 from the first surface scanning unit 20Ea represents a feature detected from the first surface PPf side of the printing paper PP. Hereinafter, this group of frequency signals FSf is also referred to as "first surface feature data CDf". The group of frequency signals FSs acquired by the control unit 11 from the second surface scanning unit 20Eb represents a feature detected from the second surface PPs side of the printing paper PP. Hereinafter, this group of frequency signals FSs is also referred to as "second surface feature data CDs". As described above, the control unit 11 has a function as a feature data acquisition unit.

The database of the master data storage unit 27 stores master data prepared in advance for each type of printing paper PP. The master data includes first surface collation data VDf which is master data corresponding to the first surface feature data CDf and second surface collation data VDs which is master data corresponding to the second surface feature data CDs. .. The first surface collation data VDf and the second surface collation data VDs are stored in a set linked by the type of printing paper PP.

The control unit 11 functions as a discrimination processing unit for discriminating the type of the medium. The control unit 11 executes a first surface collation process for collating the first surface feature data CDf and the first surface collation data VDf. In addition, a second surface collation process for collating the second surface feature data CDs and the second surface collation data VDs is executed. The control unit 11 specifies the type of printing paper PP based on the collation results of both the first surface collation process and the second surface collation process.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a medium discrimination process executed by the control unit 11 in the printing apparatus 10E. The medium discrimination process is a process of discriminating the type of the printing paper PP based on the characteristics detected from the surface side of the printing paper PP detected by the scanning unit 20E. The control unit 11 may automatically execute the medium discrimination process prior to the execution of the print process. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may start the execution of the medium discrimination process by a command from the user.

In step S10, the control unit 11 scans the first surface PPf and the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP by the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb, respectively. First, the control unit 11 causes the transport device 12 to transport the printing paper PP in the transport direction PD by a predetermined distance. The control unit 11 moves the printing paper PP by, for example, about several mm to several tens of mm. In this transfer step, it is desirable that the printing paper PP is conveyed so that there is a time zone in which the printing paper PP moves at a substantially constant speed.

The control unit 11 causes the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb to scan the first surface PPf and the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP, respectively, while the printing paper PP is being conveyed. It is desirable that the scanning by the first surface scanning unit 20Ea and the second surface scanning unit 20Eb is performed while the printing paper PP is moving at a constant speed.

In step S20, the control unit 11 acquires a group of frequency signals FSf output by the first surface scanning unit 20Ea as the first surface feature data CDf. Further, the control unit 11 acquires a group of frequency signals FSs output by the second surface scanning unit 20Eb as second surface feature data CDs.

In step S30, the control unit 11 refers to the database of the master data storage unit 27 to determine the type of printing paper PP. The control unit 11 executes a first surface collation process for collating the first surface feature data CDf with the first surface collation data VDf of each type of printing paper PP. In addition, a second surface collation process for collating the second surface feature data CDs with the second surface collation data VDs of each type of printing paper PP is executed. The control unit 11 transfers the type to which the set of collation data VDf and VDs for which a collation rate equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is obtained in both the first surface collation process and the second surface collation process belongs to the printing paper being conveyed. Specify as the type of PP.

In step S40, the control unit 11 collates the determination result in step S30 with the type of printing paper PP included in the printing conditions stored in advance in the storage unit of the control unit 11. The printing conditions are data in which various conditions applied to the printing process of the printing apparatus 10E are set, and are preset by the user. If the two do not match, the control unit 11 notifies the user to that effect. The control unit 11 may display a message on a display unit (not shown) of the printing device 10E, or may issue a warning by voice. The control unit 11 may automatically change the printing conditions according to the determination result in step S40. In step S30, if the control unit 11 cannot find a set that can be determined to match the set of the feature data CDf and CDs among the sets of the collation data VDf and VDs of the master data storage unit 27, the control unit 11 is newly added. The user may be prompted to register the type of printing paper PP.

In the frequency signals FSf and FSs output by the scanning unit 20E of the fifth embodiment, the generation of notches is suppressed by the opening shape of the mask opening 44, respectively, as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the feature data CDf and CDs obtained from the frequency signals FSf and FSs, the lack or lack of information due to the occurrence of the notch is suppressed. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 10E of the fifth embodiment, the accuracy of discriminating the type of printing paper PP is improved. Further, in the printing apparatus 10E, since the printing paper PP is discriminated based on the characteristics detected from each of the first surface PPf and the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP, higher discrimination accuracy can be obtained. According to this configuration, a particularly high effect is exhibited when a medium having different characteristics detected on the printing surface and the back surface thereof is used as the printing paper PP. In addition, according to the printing device 10E of the fifth embodiment, the scanning unit 20E (first surface scanning unit 20Ea, second surface scanning unit 20Eb), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device realized in the printing device 10E. , Various effects described in each of the above embodiments can be achieved.

F. Sixth Embodiment:
The schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10F as the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20C. FIG. 20A is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a region including the print head portion 13F and the scanning portion 20F in the printing apparatus 10F of the sixth embodiment. 20B and 20C are schematic views showing the directions of the mask openings 44 of the two scanning units 20Fa and 20Fb of the scanning unit 20F, respectively. The printing apparatus 10F of the sixth embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10E (FIG. 17) of the fifth embodiment except for the points described below.

The printing apparatus 10F (FIG. 20A) of the sixth embodiment is a so-called serial printer, and the printing head unit 13F reciprocates in a direction intersecting the conveying direction PD of the printing paper PP under the control of the control unit 11. , Ink droplets are ejected onto the printing paper PP. In the printing apparatus 10F, the main scanning direction MD, which is the moving direction of the print head unit 13F, is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction PD, which is the sub-scanning direction. The printing apparatus 10F includes a rail 13r erected along the main scanning direction MD above the transport path of the printing paper PP. The print head portion 13F is guided by the rail 13r and moves in the main scanning direction MD by the rotational driving force of the motor (not shown).

The scanning unit 20F of the sixth embodiment includes a first surface scanning unit 20Fa that scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP, and a second surface scanning unit 20Fb that scans the second surface PPs. The configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Fb is substantially the same as the configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Eb of the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 20A and 20C). The configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20Fa is substantially the same as that of the first surface scanning unit 20Ea of the fifth embodiment except for the points described below.

The first surface scanning unit 20F of the sixth embodiment is attached to the print head unit 13F and moves in the main scanning direction MD together with the print head unit 13F (FIG. 20A). The first surface scanning unit 20F scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP while the print head unit 13F is moving. Therefore, the scanning direction SDf of the first surface scanning unit 20F is the direction along the main scanning direction MD. However, the scanning direction SDf may be any direction along the main scanning direction MD. Further, in the first surface scanning unit 20F, the mask opening 44 is provided with the contour curve OC in the same direction as described in the first embodiment with respect to the scanning direction SDf along the main scanning direction MD. (Fig. 20B). That is, in the sixth embodiment, the mask opening 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20Fa is parallel to the surface of the printing paper PP which is the scanning target surface with respect to the mask opening 44 (FIG. 20C) of the second surface scanning unit 20Fb. It is arranged at an angle rotated by 90 ° in a plane.

The printing apparatus 10F executes the medium discrimination process in the same flow as described in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19). However, the processing contents of step S10 are different as follows. In step S10, the control unit 11 causes the first surface scanning unit 20Fa and the second surface scanning unit 20Fb to separately scan the printing paper PP. The control unit 11 moves the print head unit 13F in any direction of the main scanning direction MD in a state where the printing paper PP is stationary, and causes the first surface scanning unit 20F to move the printing head unit 13F to the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP. Is scanned. Further, while the control unit 11 is moving the printing paper PP in the transport direction PD as described in the fifth embodiment, the second surface scanning unit 20Fb is used to move the printing paper PP to the second surface of the printing paper PP. The PPs are scanned. Through these two scanning processes, the control unit 11 acquires the first surface feature data CDf and the second surface feature data CDs (step S20).

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of speed control of the print head unit 13F when scanning by the first surface scanning unit 20Fa is executed. FIG. 21 shows a graph showing the relationship between the position of the first surface scanning unit 20F in the scanning direction SDf and the speed of the first surface scanning unit 20F. In the process of step S10 described above, it is desirable that the control unit 11 moves the print head unit 13F as follows to cause the first surface scanning unit 20F to scan the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP.

The control unit 11 accelerates the print head unit 13F from the stopped state to a predetermined speed Vs (positions Pa to Pb). Then, after moving the print head unit 13F in a predetermined section (positions Pb to Pc) at a substantially constant speed Vs, the print head unit 13F is stopped again (position Pd). The control unit 11 scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP by the first surface scanning unit 20F while the print head unit 13 is moving at a constant speed. Thereby, more accurate first surface feature data CDf can be acquired. The moving distance of the print head portion 13F between the positions Pb to Pc may be, for example, in the range of several mm to several tens of mm.

As described above, also in the medium discrimination apparatus realized in the printing apparatus 10F of the sixth embodiment, the first surface feature data CDf and the second surface feature data CDs are obtained in the same manner as described in the fifth embodiment. It can be obtained, and the accuracy of discriminating the type of printing paper PP can be improved. In addition, according to the printing device 10F of the sixth embodiment, the scanning unit 20F (first surface scanning unit 20F, second surface scanning unit 20Fb), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device realized in the printing device 10F. , Various effects described in each of the above embodiments can be achieved.

G. Seventh Embodiment:
A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10G as the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22D. FIG. 22A is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a region including the print head portion 13F and the scanning portion 20G in the printing apparatus 10G of the seventh embodiment. 22B to 22D are schematic views showing the directions of the mask openings 44 of the two scanning units 20Ga and 20Gb of the scanning unit 20G, respectively. The printing apparatus 10G of the seventh embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10F of the sixth embodiment except for the points described below.

The scanning unit 20G of the seventh embodiment includes a first surface scanning unit 20Ga that scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP, and a second surface scanning unit 20Gb that scans the second surface PPs (FIG. 22A). .. The configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Gb of the seventh embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Fb of the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 20A and 20C) (FIGS. 22A and 22D). The configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20Ga of the seventh embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20F of the sixth embodiment except for the points described below.

The first surface scanning unit 20Ga of the seventh embodiment includes a rotation driving unit 26. Under the control of the control unit 11, the rotation drive unit 26 rotates the direction of the mask opening 44 in a plane parallel to the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP to be scanned, as indicated by the arrow R. Let me. The rotation drive unit 26 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor, a solenoid, or the like. The first surface scanning unit 20Ga changes the direction of the mask opening 44 to perform bidirectional scanning of the first direction SDfa and the second direction SDfb described below.

The control unit 11 causes the first side scanning unit 20Ga to scan the first direction SDfa while the print head unit 13F is being moved in the main scanning direction MD while the printing paper PP is stationary. Therefore, the first direction SDfa is a direction along the main scanning direction MD. However, the first direction SDfa may be any direction along the main scanning direction MD. Further, before the first surface scanning unit 20Ga starts scanning to the first direction SDfa, the control unit 11 uses the rotation driving unit 26 to set the direction of the mask opening 44 and the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the first direction SDfa. Is set to the orientation described in the first embodiment (FIG. 22B). The orientation of the mask opening 44 at this time is the same as that of the mask opening 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20F of the sixth embodiment (FIG. 20B).

The control unit 11 scans the second-direction SDfb on the first-side scanning unit 20Ga while transporting the printing paper PP in the transport-direction PD with the print head unit 13F stationary at a predetermined position. To execute. The second direction SDfb is a direction along the transport direction PD which is a sub-scanning direction, and is a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction MD and the first direction SDfa. Before the control unit 11 starts scanning to the second direction SDfb by the first surface scanning unit 20Ga, the rotation driving unit 26 sets the direction of the mask opening 44 and the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the second direction SDfb. The orientation is set as described in 1 Embodiment (FIG. 22C). The control unit 11 rotates the mask opening 44 by 90 ° from the state at the time of scanning to the first direction SDfa described above. The orientation of the mask opening 44 when scanning to the second direction SDfb is the same as the orientation of the mask opening 44 of the first surface scanning portion 20Ea of the fifth embodiment (FIG. 18B).

The printing apparatus 10G executes the medium discrimination process in the same flow as described in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19). In step S10, the control unit 11 causes the first surface scanning unit 20Ga to perform the above-mentioned scanning to the first direction SDfa and scanning to the second direction SDfb. Further, the control unit 11 causes the second surface scanning unit 20Gb to scan the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP in the scanning direction SDs. It is efficient that the scanning to the second direction SDfb by the first surface scanning unit 20Ga is executed in parallel with the scanning by the second surface scanning unit 20Gb.

In step S20, the control unit 11 acquires a total of three types of feature data, that is, two types of first surface feature data CDf and one type of second surface feature data CDs. The control unit 11 acquires the first feature data and the second feature data as the first surface feature data CDf from the first surface scanning unit 20Ga. The first feature data is feature data obtained from the frequency signal FSf obtained by scanning the first surface scanning unit 20Ga in the first direction SDfa. The second feature data is feature data obtained by scanning the first surface scanning unit 20Ga in the second direction SDfb. Then, the control unit 11 acquires the second surface feature data CDs from the second surface scanning unit 20Gb.

In step S30, the control unit 11 executes a collation process for each of the above-mentioned three types of feature data. Here, in the master data storage unit 27 of the printing device 10G, the first collation data corresponding to the first feature data and the second collation data corresponding to the second feature data are stored as the first surface collation data VDf. (The illustration is omitted). In the first surface collation process of step S30, the control unit 11 collates the first feature data with the first collation data, and collates the second feature data with the second collation data. In step S40, processing according to the result of the collation processing for each of the three types of feature data is executed in the same manner as described in the fifth embodiment.

As described above, in the medium discrimination apparatus realized in the printing apparatus 10G of the seventh embodiment, three types of feature data are detected by the scanning unit 20G, and the types of printing paper PP are discriminated using them. ing. Therefore, the discrimination accuracy of the printing paper PP is further improved as compared with the other embodiments described above. In addition, according to the printing device 10G, the scanning unit 20G (first surface scanning unit 20Ga, second surface scanning unit 20Gb), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device according to the seventh embodiment, each of the above embodiments will be described. It is possible to exert various effects.

H. Eighth embodiment:
A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10H as the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23A to 23C. FIG. 23A is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a region including the print head portion 13F and the scanning portion 20H in the printing apparatus 10H of the eighth embodiment. 23B and 23C are schematic views showing the directions of the mask openings 44 of the two scanning units 20Ha and 20Hb included in the scanning unit 20H. The printing apparatus 10H of the eighth embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10G of the seventh embodiment except for the points described below.

The scanning unit 20H of the eighth embodiment includes a first surface scanning unit 20Ha that scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP, and a second surface scanning unit 20Hb that scans the second surface PPs. The configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha of the eighth embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the first surface scanning unit 20Ga (FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C) of the seventh embodiment (FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C). The configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb of the eighth embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Gb of the seventh embodiment except for the points described below.

The second surface scanning unit 20Hb moves in a direction intersecting the transport direction PD in the groove 15 g (shown by the broken line) provided in the support base 15 (FIG. 23A). A rail 20r erected along the main scanning direction MD is provided in the groove 15g of the support base 15. The second surface scanning unit 20Hb is guided by the rail 20r and moves along the main scanning direction MD by the driving force of a motor (not shown). The moving range of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb may be, for example, within a range of several mm to several tens of mm.

The second surface scanning unit 20Hb includes a rotation driving unit 26, similarly to the first surface scanning unit 20Ha. Under the control of the control unit 11, the rotation drive unit 26 rotates the direction of the mask opening 44 of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb in a plane parallel to the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP to be scanned. The rotary drive unit 26 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor or a solenoid. The second surface scanning unit 20Hb changes the direction of the mask opening 44 to perform bidirectional scanning of the third direction SDsa and the fourth direction SDsb described below.

The control unit 11 moves the second surface scanning unit 20Hb along the main scanning direction MD while the printing paper PP is stationary. Then, during the movement, the second surface scanning unit 20Hb is made to scan the third direction SDsa. The third direction SDsa is a direction along the main scanning direction MD, and is the same direction as the first direction SDfa, which is one of the scanning directions of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha. Alternatively, since any direction may be used as long as it is in the direction along the main scanning direction MD, the scanning of the third direction SDsa may be in a direction different from that of the first direction SDfa. Before the second surface scanning unit 20Hb starts scanning to the third direction SDsa, the control unit 11 uses the rotation driving unit 26 to set the direction of the mask opening 44 and the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the third direction SDsa. The orientation is set as described in 1 Embodiment (FIG. 23B). The orientation of the mask opening 44 of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb when scanning in the third direction SDsa is the same as the orientation of the mask opening 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha when scanning in the first direction SDfa.

The control unit 11 transports the printing paper PP in the transport direction PD in a state where the second surface scanning unit 20Hb is stationary at a predetermined position. Then, while the printing paper PP is being conveyed, the second surface scanning unit 20Hb is made to scan the SDsb in the fourth direction. The fourth direction SDsb is the same direction as the second direction SDfb, which is one of the scanning directions of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha, and is a direction along the transport direction PD, which is a sub-scanning direction. It is also a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction MD and the third direction SDsa. Before the second surface scanning unit 20Hb starts scanning to the fourth direction SDsb, the control unit 11 uses the rotation driving unit 26 to set the direction of the mask opening 44 and the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the fourth direction SDsb. The orientation is set as described in 1 Embodiment (FIG. 23C). The control unit 11 rotates the mask opening 44 by 90 ° from the state at the time of scanning to the third direction SDsa described above. The orientation of the mask opening 44 of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb when scanning in the fourth direction SDsb is the same as the orientation of the mask opening 44 of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha when scanning in the second direction SDfb.

The printing apparatus 10H executes the medium discrimination process in the same flow as described in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19). In step S10, the control unit 11 causes the first surface scanning unit 20Ha to perform scanning to the first direction SDfa and scanning to the second direction SDfb. Further, the control unit 11 causes the second surface scanning unit 20Hb to perform the above-mentioned scanning in the third direction SDsa and scanning in the fourth direction SDsb. It is efficient that the scanning of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha into the first direction SDfa and the scanning by the second surface scanning unit 20Hb into the third direction SDsa are performed in parallel. Similarly, the scanning of the first surface scanning unit 20Ha into the second direction SDfb and the scanning by the second surface scanning unit 20Hb into the fourth direction SDsb are efficient when executed in parallel.

In step S20, the control unit 11 acquires two types of first surface feature data CDf and two types of second surface feature data CDs, for a total of four types of feature data. In the control unit 11, in addition to the first feature data and the second feature data obtained from the first surface scanning unit 20Ha, the control unit 11 receives the third feature data and the third feature data as the second surface feature data CDs from the second surface scanning unit 20Hb. 4 Feature data and are acquired. The third feature data is feature data obtained from the frequency signal FSf obtained by scanning the second surface scanning unit 20Hb in the third direction SDsa. The fourth feature data is feature data obtained by scanning the second surface scanning unit 20Hb in the fourth direction SDsb.

In step S30, the control unit 11 executes a collation process for each of the four types of feature data described above. Here, in the master data storage unit 27 of the printing device 10H, in addition to the first collation data and the second collation data which are the first surface collation data VDf, the second surface collation data VDs correspond to the third feature data. The third collation data and the fourth collation data corresponding to the fourth feature data are stored (not shown). In the first surface collation process of step S30, the control unit 11 collates the first feature data with the first collation data, and collates the second feature data with the second collation data. Further, in the second surface collation process of step S30, the control unit 11 collates the third feature data with the third collation data, and collates the fourth feature data with the fourth collation data. In step S40, processing according to the result of the collation processing for each of the four types of feature data is executed in the same manner as described in the fifth embodiment.

As described above, in the medium discrimination apparatus realized in the printing apparatus 10H of the eighth embodiment, four types of feature data are detected by the scanning unit 20H, and the types of printing paper PP are discriminated using them. ing. Therefore, the discrimination accuracy of the printing paper PP is further improved as compared with the other embodiments described above. In addition, according to the printing device 10H, the scanning unit 20H (first surface scanning unit 20Ha, second surface scanning unit 20Hb), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device according to the eighth embodiment, the above embodiments will be described. It is possible to exert various effects.

I. Ninth embodiment:
A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10I as the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 24A to 24C. FIG. 24A is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a region including the print head portion 13F and the scanning portion 20I in the printing apparatus 10I of the ninth embodiment. 24B and 24C are schematic views showing the directions of the mask openings 44 of the two scanning units 20Ia and 20Ib included in the scanning unit 20I. The printing apparatus 10I of the ninth embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10F of the sixth embodiment except for the points described below.

The scanning unit 20I of the ninth embodiment includes a first-direction scanning unit 20Ia and a second-direction scanning unit 20Ib. The printing apparatus 10I scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP in two directions, the first scanning direction SDa and the second scanning direction SDb, by the first direction scanning unit 20Ia and the second direction scanning unit 20Ib.

The first-direction scanning unit 20Ia has substantially the same configuration as the first surface scanning unit 20Fa (FIGS. 20A and 20B) of the sixth embodiment, and is attached to the print head portion 13F (FIGS. 24A, FIG. 24B). When the printing paper PP is stationary, the first-direction scanning unit 20Ia scans the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP in the first scanning direction SDa along the main scanning direction MD. The first-direction scanning unit SDa may be in any direction along the main scanning direction MD.

The second-side scanning unit 20Fb of the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 20A, FIG. 20A, is shown) except that the second-direction scanning unit 20Ib is installed above the transport path of the printing paper PP, not inside the support base 15. It has almost the same configuration as 20C) (FIGS. 24A and 24B). When the printing paper PP is conveyed in the conveying direction PD, the second-direction scanning unit 20Ib transfers the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP to the second scanning direction SDb along the conveying direction PD which is the sub-scanning direction. Scan.

The printing apparatus 10I executes the medium discrimination process in the same flow as described in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19). In step S10, the control unit 11 causes the first-direction scanning unit 20Ia to perform scanning in the first scanning direction SDa described above. Further, the control unit 11 causes the second-direction scanning unit 20Ib to perform scanning in the second scanning direction SDb described above.

In step S20, the control unit 11 acquires a group of frequency signals output by the first-direction scanning unit 20Ia at a predetermined cycle as first-direction feature data. Similarly, the control unit 11 acquires a group of frequency signals output by the second-direction scanning unit 20Ib at a predetermined cycle as second-direction feature data.

In step S30, the control unit 11 executes collation processing for each of the first direction feature data and the second direction feature data. The master data storage unit 27 of the printing device 10I stores, as master data for collation, first-direction collation data corresponding to the first-direction feature data and second-direction collation data corresponding to the second-direction feature data. (The illustration is omitted). In step S30, the control unit 11 collates the first-direction feature data with the first-direction collation data, and collates the second-direction feature data with the second-direction collation data. In step S40, processing according to the result of the collation processing for each of the first-direction feature data and the second-direction feature data is executed in the same manner as described in the fifth embodiment.

The frequency signals output by the first-direction scanning unit 20Ia and the second-direction scanning unit 20Ib of the ninth embodiment are suppressed from being generated by the shape of the mask opening 44, respectively, as described in the first embodiment. Has been done. Therefore, in the first-direction feature data and the second-direction feature data obtained from them, the lack or lack of information due to the occurrence of the notch is suppressed. As a result, in the printing apparatus 10I, the accuracy of discriminating the type of printing paper PP is improved. Further, in the printing apparatus 10I, the printing paper PP can be discriminated based on the characteristics detected by scanning the first surface PPf of the printing paper PP in two directions, so that higher discriminating accuracy can be obtained. .. According to this configuration, a particularly high effect is exhibited when a medium characterized by information detected from the printing surface side is used as the printing paper PP. In addition, according to the printing device 10I of the ninth embodiment, the scanning unit 20I (first-direction scanning unit 20Ia, second-direction scanning unit 20Ib), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device realized in the printing device 10I. , Various effects described in each of the above embodiments can be achieved.

J. Tenth embodiment:
A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10J as the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25C. FIG. 25A is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a region including the print head portion 13F and the scanning portion 20J in the printing apparatus 10J of the tenth embodiment. 25B and 25C are schematic views showing the directions of the mask openings 44 of the first-direction scanning unit 20Ja and the second-direction scanning unit 20Jb of the scanning unit 20J, respectively. The printing apparatus 10J of the tenth embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus 10I of the ninth embodiment except for the points described below. The printing device 10J may be configured as a line printer including the printing head unit 13E (FIG. 18A) described in the fifth embodiment instead of the printing head unit 13F.

The scanning unit 20J of the tenth embodiment has a first-direction scanning unit 20Ja and a second-direction scanning unit 20Jb (FIG. 25A). The first-direction scanning unit 20Ja and the second-direction scanning unit 20Jb each scan the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP in two directions, the first scanning direction SDa and the second scanning direction SDb.

The first-direction scanning unit 20Ja moves along the main scanning direction MD by a moving mechanism having substantially the same configuration as the moving mechanism (FIG. 23A) of the second surface scanning unit 20Hb of the eighth embodiment. When the printing paper PP is stationary, the first-direction scanning unit 20J scans the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP in the first scanning direction SDa along the main scanning direction MD (FIG. 25A). However, the first scanning direction SDa may be any direction along the main scanning direction MD. The mask opening 44 of the first-direction scanning unit 20Ja is provided so that the direction of the contour curve OC with respect to the first scanning direction SDa is the same as that described in the first embodiment (FIG. 25B).

The configuration of the second-direction scanning unit 20Jb is almost the same as the configuration of the second surface scanning unit 20Eb (FIGS. 18A and 18B) of the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 25A and 25C). When the printing paper PP is transported in the transport direction PD, the second-direction scanning unit 20Jb scans the second surface PPs of the printing paper PP in the second scanning direction SDb along the transport direction PD.

The control unit 11 of the printing apparatus 10J is a first-direction feature representing a feature detected from the second surface PPs side of the printing paper PP from the frequency signals output from the first-direction scanning unit 20Ja and the second-direction scanning unit 20Jb. The data and the second direction feature data are acquired. Then, the type of printing paper PP is determined using these two characteristic data.

According to the printing apparatus 10J of the tenth embodiment, the accuracy of discriminating the type of the printing paper PP as the medium is improved as in the printing apparatus 10I of the ninth embodiment. In addition, according to the printing device 10J of the tenth embodiment, the scanning unit 20J (first-direction scanning unit 20Ja, second-direction scanning unit 20Jb), the conveying device 12, and the medium discrimination device realized in the printing device 10J. , Various effects described in each of the above embodiments can be achieved.

K. Eleventh embodiment:
FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the sorting device 100 as the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The sorting device 100 determines the type of the medium MM, and sorts and stores the medium MM for each type. The sorting device 100 includes a storage unit 105, a storage unit 110, a transport unit 120, a medium discrimination device 130, and a transport control unit 140.

The storage unit 105 stores a plurality of types of media MM before being sorted. The medium MM may be a single sheet obtained by cutting the printing paper PP described in each of the above embodiments, or may be other paper sheets, sheet-shaped members, cards, plate-shaped members, or the like. .. The medium MM may be any medium that can detect feature data for each type by optical scanning in the medium discrimination device 130. The storage unit 105 includes a feeding roller 106 that feeds the media MM one by one into the transport path 121 of the transport unit 120.

The storage unit 110 includes a plurality of hangars 111. At least the number of hangars 111 corresponding to the number of types of media MM to be processed is prepared. Each type of medium MM transported by the transport unit 120 is stored in each of the hangars 111.

The transport unit 120 includes a transport path 121 that connects the storage unit 105 and the storage unit 110. The transport path 121 is composed of a plurality of transport rollers 122 that transport the medium MM. In FIG. 26, the transport path 121 is illustrated by an alternate long and short dash line.

The transport path 121 is provided with a switching portion 123. The transport path 121 is branched into a plurality of parts at the switching unit 123 and is connected to each hangar 111 of the storage unit 110. The switching unit 123 has rollers and levers for switching the transfer destination of the transfer path 121. The switching unit 123 drives them under the control of the transport control unit 140, and switches the transport destination of the medium MM to one of the plurality of hangars 111 in response to a command from the transport control unit 140.

A medium discriminating device 130 is provided upstream of the switching unit 123 of the transport path 121. The medium discriminating device 130 has the same configuration as any of the media discriminating devices configured in the printing devices 10D to 10J of the fourth to tenth embodiments described above. The medium discriminating device 130 irradiates light toward the surface of the medium MM conveyed in the transport path 121, and based on the reflected light received through the mask opening 44 (FIG. 3), the surface side of the medium MM. The feature data representing the feature detected from is acquired, and the type of the medium MM is determined.

The transfer control unit 140 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a RAM, and the CPU exerts various functions by reading and executing various instructions and programs in the RAM. The transfer control unit 140 controls the drive of the transfer roller 122 to control the transfer of the medium MM in the sorting device 100. The transfer control unit 140 controls the transfer of the medium MM in the medium discrimination device 130 so as to be synchronized with the scanning of the medium MM in the medium discrimination device 130.

The transport control unit 140 receives the discrimination result in the medium discrimination device 130. The transfer control unit 140 controls the switching unit 123 according to the determination result, and switches the transfer destination of the medium MM to the hangar 111 corresponding to the determined type.

It is desirable that the arrangement conversion unit 125 for changing the direction of the medium MM is provided on the downstream side of the medium discrimination device 130 in the transport path 121. The arrangement conversion unit 125 may include a turntable for rotating the direction of the medium MM in the horizontal direction and a bent transfer path, or the medium MM is folded back and conveyed so that the upper surface and the lower surface of the medium MM are exchanged. It may be provided with a transport path.

When the medium discriminating device 130 has a configuration in which the medium MM is scanned in a plurality of directions to detect feature data, the direction in which the medium MM is conveyed is specified based on the feature data in each scanning direction. can do. Further, when the medium discriminating device 130 has a configuration for scanning the first surface PPf and the second surface PPs of the medium MM to detect the feature data, it is based on the feature data detected from each surface side. It is possible to identify which side of the medium MM is being conveyed up or down. The transport control unit 140 receives such a detection result from the medium discriminating device 130, and based on the detection result, the arrangement conversion unit 125 determines the direction of the medium MM to be stored in the storage unit 110. Change the orientation. As a result, the storage state of the medium MM in the storage unit 110 can be adjusted.

According to the sorting device 100 of the eleventh embodiment, as described in each of the above-described embodiments, the accuracy of discriminating the type of the medium MM in the medium discriminating device 130 is improved, so that the media MM is sorted by type. The accuracy of is improved. In addition, according to the sorting device 100 and the medium discriminating device 130 of the eleventh embodiment, various effects similar to those described in the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

L. Modification example:
L1. Modification 1:
The opening shape of the opening through which the reflected light passes in the optical scanning device is not limited to the shape of the mask openings 44, 44B, 44D described in the above embodiment. Shape of the passage area through which the reflected light in the optical scanning apparatus, a region contour curve OC contacts are in the microscopic region SQ ₁ ~SQ _n having different widths L ₁ ~L _n to each other as described in the first embodiment Any shape may be used as long as it can be divided. It is desirable that the passing region through which the reflected light guided to the photo sensor 47 passes is a single region that is not separated into a plurality in the scanning direction SD. If there are two or more passing regions in the scanning direction SD, the reflected light reflected in two or more different regions may be received at one time, and the accuracy of the obtained frequency signal may decrease. Because there is sex.

L2. Modification 2:
The optical scanning devices 20 and 20D of each of the above embodiments scan the printing paper PP being transported at the detection points DPa, DPb, and DP whose positions are fixed on the transport path as the scanning target. On the other hand, the optical scanning devices 20 and 20D may be configured to scan the stationary printing paper PP by moving the position of the light source of the scanning light and the emission angle of the scanning light. The optical scanning devices 20 and 20D of each of the above embodiments can exert a high effect on scanning a medium that moves relatively in a specific scanning direction SD according to the opening shapes of the mask openings 44, 44B and 44C. it can.

L3. Modification 3:
In each of the above embodiments, the mask members 34, 34a to 34d are used to define the opening shapes of the openings 43, 43B, 43C in the reflecting portion 33, but the mask members 34, 34a to 34d may be omitted. Good. Instead of attaching the mask members 34, 34a to 34d to the openings 43, 43B, 43C, the shape of the opening cross section of the openings 43, 43B, 43C is configured like the opening shape of the mask openings 44, 44B, 44C. May be good. In this case, it can be interpreted that the entire reflected light passing portion constitutes the passing region.

L4. Modification 4:
The photosensor 47 of each of the above embodiments is not limited to the photodiode, and may be composed of other light receiving elements. The photo sensor 47 may be composed of, for example, a phototransistor.

L5. Modification 5:
In each of the above embodiments, the passing region through which the reflected light guided to the photo sensor 47 passes is composed of the opening regions of the openings 43, 43B, 43C formed on the bottom wall surface 42 of the reflecting portion 33. On the other hand, the passing region through which the reflected light passes does not have to be composed of the opening region of the opening 43. For example, it may be composed of a region capable of reflecting light in the mirror device that further guides the reflected light reflected by the medium to the photo sensor 47 by reflection.

L6. Modification 6:
The printing paper PP, which is a transport medium, is included in the transport device 12 of the first embodiment and the transport device incorporating the optical scanning devices having the mask openings 44B and 44C described in the second and third embodiments. In addition to the configuration for acquiring the parameters related to the transport state of the above, even if a configuration for determining the type of the printing paper PP which is the transport medium described in the printing apparatus of the fourth to tenth embodiments is added. Good. Further, in the printing devices 10D to 10J of the fourth to tenth embodiments, the mask opening 44B of the second embodiment and the mask opening 44C of the third embodiment are applied to the mask opening of the optical scanning device and the scanning unit. You may.

L7. Modification 7:
In each of the above embodiments, the optical scanning devices 20 and 20D are incorporated in the printing devices 10 and 10D to scan the printing paper PP as a medium to be scanned. On the other hand, the optical scanning devices 20 and 20D may be incorporated in a device other than the printing devices 10 and 10D and scan a medium other than the printing paper PP as a scanning target. The optical scanning devices 20 and 20D may be incorporated in, for example, a banknote transport path to scan banknotes as a medium to be scanned. In this case, based on the frequency signal FS output by the optical scanning devices 20 and 20D, the amount and speed of the banknotes transported may be measured, the type of banknotes, and the authenticity of the banknotes may be determined.

L8. Modification 8:
In each embodiment other than the eleventh embodiment, the strip-shaped printing paper PP is scanned as the medium to be scanned. On the other hand, the medium to be scanned is not limited to the strip-shaped printing paper PP. The medium may be a single sheet cut from the printing paper PP, or may be other paper sheets, a sheet-shaped member, a card, a plate-shaped member, or the like. The medium may be any medium whose feature data can be detected by scanning by irradiation with light. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the print head unit 13 may have the same configuration for a line printer as described in the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment. It may have the same configuration for a serial printer as described in.
Further, the print head portion may be movable in two directions parallel to the surface of the printing paper PP. When the print head unit can be moved in two directions, as in the seventh or eighth embodiment described above, one scanning unit provided with a rotation drive unit may be attached to the print head unit. The print head unit may be equipped with two scanning units that are oriented in each of the two movable directions.
The configuration described in the present specification is limited as long as the scanning unit and the printing paper PP are relatively movable and the relative moving direction and the orientation of the scanning unit can be matched. Not done.

L9. Modification 9:
Each of the scanning units 20E to 20J of the printing devices 10E to 10J of the fifth to tenth embodiments described above includes the mask opening 44 described in the first embodiment. On the other hand, each of the scanning portions 20E to 20J is described in the mask openings 44B and 44C (FIGS. 12 and 13) described in the second embodiment and the third embodiment and in the first modification. It may have such a mask opening. Further, each of the scanning portions 20E to 20J of each embodiment does not have to have the same type of mask openings in common, and may have different types of mask openings. ..

L10. Modification 10:
In the fifth to ninth embodiments described above, the scanning portions attached to the print head portions 13E and 13F may be provided at positions different from those of the print head portions 13E and 13F. In this case, the scanning unit described to move together with the print head unit 13F may be moved by the moving mechanism of the scanning unit as described in the eighth embodiment and the tenth embodiment.

L11. Modification 11:
In the fourth to tenth embodiments described above, the scanning directions of the scanning units 20E to 20J are along the main scanning direction MD and the sub-scanning direction PD. On the other hand, the scanning directions of the scanning units 20E to 20J may be different from those of the main scanning direction MD and the sub-scanning direction PD. For example, in the printing apparatus 10H of the eighth embodiment, the second surface scanning unit 20Hb may move in a direction diagonally intersecting the transport direction PD. Similarly, in the printing apparatus 10J of the tenth embodiment, the first-direction scanning unit 20Ja may move in a direction diagonally intersecting the transport direction PD.

L12. Modification 12:
In the configuration of the ninth embodiment or the tenth embodiment, the printing paper PP or the like cut into a single sheet is conveyed, and the printing paper PP is repeatedly conveyed with the front and back reversed, and the scanning units 20I, 20J In addition, both sides of the printing paper PP may be scanned. That is, after the scanning units 20I and 20J are made to scan the first surface side of the printing paper PP, the front and back sides of the printing paper PP are inverted so that the scanning units 20I and 20J are subjected to the second surface side on the opposite side. It may be scanned. In this case, a configuration may be added to the transport path of the transport device 12 to automatically reverse the front and back of the printing paper PP, or the user may flip the printing paper PP. According to this configuration, scanning is performed in two directions on both sides of the printing paper PP, and four feature data are detected. Therefore, the accuracy of discriminating the type of printing paper PP is improved. Further, as compared with the seventh embodiment or the eighth embodiment, a complicated scanning unit configuration is not required.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems. , It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate in order to achieve a part or all of the above-mentioned effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

10, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I ... Printing device, 11 ... Control unit, 12 ... Conveying device, 13, 13E, 13F ... Printing head section, 13n ... Nozzle, 13r ... Rail, 14 ... Feeding section, 15 ... Support base, 15s ... Base surface, 15 g ... Groove, 16 ... Winding part, 17 ... Transfer roller, 18 ... Transfer control unit, 20, 20D ... Optical scanning device, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H, 20I ... Scanning unit, 20Ea, 20Fa, 20Ga, 20Ha ... 1st surface scanning unit, 20Eb, 20Fb, 20Gb, 20Hb ... 2nd surface scanning unit, 20Ia, 20Ja ... 1st direction scanning unit, 20Ib, 20Jb ... 2nd direction scanning unit , 21 ... 1st detection unit, 22 ... 2nd detection unit, 23 ... detection unit, 25 ... signal generation unit, 26 ... rotation drive unit, 27 ... master data storage unit, 31 ... light emitting element, 32 ... light guide unit, 33 ... Reflector, 34, 34a to 34d, 34x ... Mask member, 35 ... Optical fiber, 36 ... Light receiving sensor, 37 ... Light receiving circuit, 41 ... Opening, 42 ... Bottom wall surface, 43, 43B, 43C ... Opening, 44 , 44B, 44C, 44x ... Mask opening, 45 ... Connector part, 46 ... Lens, 47 ... Photo sensor, 48 ... Amplifier, 49 ... AD converter, 51-54 ... Side part, 61-63 ... End part, 100 ... Sorting Equipment, 105 ... storage unit, 106 ... feeding roller, 110 ... storage unit, 111 ... storage, 120 ... transport unit, 121 ... transport path, 123 ... switching unit, 125 ... arrangement conversion unit, 130 ... medium discrimination device, 140 ... Transport control unit, CD ... feature data, CDf ... first surface feature data, CDs ... second surface feature data, DD ... separation distance, DP, DPa, DPb ... detection point, FS, FS1, FS2, FSa, FSb ... frequency Signal, L _{1 to} L _n ... Opening width, MD ... Main scanning direction, MM ... Medium, OC ... Contour curve, PD ... Conveying direction / Sub scanning direction, PP ... Printing paper / medium, PPf ... First surface, PPs ... Second surface, SD, SDf, SDs ... scanning direction, SDa ... first scanning direction, SDb ... second scanning direction, SDfa ... first direction, SDfb ... second direction, SDsa ... third direction, SDsb ... fourth direction , SG1, SG2 ... signal group, SQ _{1 to} SQ _n ... minute region, Sa, Sa1, Sa2, Sc, Sd, Sd1, Sd2 ... received signal, VDf ... first surface collation data, VDs ... second surface collation data, xv ... Opening width

Claims (15)

An optical scanning device that scans a medium in the scanning direction with non-coherent scanning light.
A scanning light emitting unit that emits the scanning light,
A reflected light passing portion having a passing region through which a part of the reflected light reflected by the medium passes the scanning light.
A light receiving signal output unit that receives the reflected light that has passed through the passing region and outputs a signal indicating a time change in the intensity of the reflected light at a predetermined cycle.
A signal generation unit that generates and outputs a frequency signal for each period obtained by performing a high-speed Fourier transform on the signal output from the light-receiving signal output unit.
With
The outer peripheral contour line of the passing region includes a contour curve composed of a set of points at which the coordinates in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction are uniquely determined with respect to the coordinates in the scanning direction.
The contour curve draws a curve that is convex toward the passing region.
A plurality of quadrangular shapes having an area equal to each other in the passing region and extending from the contour curve to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction and continuously arranged in the orthogonal direction. An optical scanning device in which the width of the minute region in the scanning direction differs depending on the position in the orthogonal direction when the minute region is divided into the minute regions. The optical scanning apparatus according to claim 1.
In the curve drawn by the contour curve, the coordinates in the scanning direction are L, the coordinates in the orthogonal direction are x, A and B are arbitrary positive numbers, C is an arbitrary real number, and α is an arbitrary negative number. An optical scanning device, sometimes represented as L = A · (B · x) ^α + C. The optical scanning apparatus according to claim 2.
The curve drawn by the contour curve is an optical scanning device represented by L = (2 · x) ^{-1 / a} , where a is an arbitrary positive real number. The optical scanning apparatus according to claim 3.
The a is an optical scanning device which is a real number of 1 or more and 3 or less. The optical scanning apparatus according to claim 4.
The a is an optical scanning apparatus according to 2. The optical scanning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The contour curve is a first contour curve, and is
Further, the outer peripheral contour line is located at a position facing the first contour curve with the passing region interposed therebetween in the scanning direction, and is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the first contour curve in the scanning direction. An optical scanning device that includes two contour curves. The optical scanning apparatus according to claim 6.
The outer contour line further
In the orthogonal direction, a third contour curve which is located at a position facing the first contour curve with the passing region in between and has mirror plane symmetry in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first contour curve.
In the orthogonal direction, a fourth contour curve which is located at a position facing the second contour curve with the passing region in between and is mirror-symmetrical in the orthogonal direction with respect to the second contour curve.
Including an optical scanning device. It ’s a transport device,
A transport path for transporting the transport medium in the transport direction and
The first detection unit and the second detection unit configured by the optical scanning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transport medium is scanned with the direction along the transport direction as the scanning direction. ,
The first frequency signal, which is the frequency signal output from the signal generation unit of the first detection unit, and the second frequency signal, which is the frequency signal output from the signal generation unit of the second detection unit, And a calculation unit that outputs the transport amount or transport speed of the transport medium using
A transport control unit that controls the transport of the transport medium in the transport path using the transport amount or the transport speed .
With
The first detection point where the first detection unit scans the transport medium and the second detection point where the second detection unit scans the transport medium are the transport in the transport path. They are arranged with a predetermined separation distance in the direction.
The calculation unit is a transport device that calculates the transport amount or the transport speed by using the periodic difference between the change of the first frequency signal, the change of the second frequency signal, and the separation distance. A feature detection device that detects the features of a medium.
The optical scanning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which scans the medium.
A feature data acquisition unit that acquires a group of the frequency signals generated for each cycle as feature data representing the feature, and a feature data acquisition unit.
A feature detection device. A medium discrimination device that discriminates the type of medium.
A scanning unit that scans the medium, the first surface scanning unit and the second surface scanning unit that are configured by the optical scanning apparatus according to claim 1 and scan the first surface and the second surface of the medium, respectively. Scanning unit including
The group of the frequency signals generated by the first surface scanning unit for each period is acquired as the first surface feature data, and the group of the frequency signals generated by the second surface scanning unit for each period is second. Feature data acquisition unit to be acquired as surface feature data,
A master that is prepared in advance for each type of medium and stores master data including the first surface collation data corresponding to the first surface feature data and the second surface collation data corresponding to the second surface feature data. Data storage and
Along with the first surface collation process for collating the first surface feature data with the first surface collation data, a second surface collation process for collating the second surface feature data with the second surface collation data is executed. , A discrimination processing unit for discriminating the type of the medium, and
A medium discriminating device. The medium discriminating device according to claim 10.
The first surface scanning unit scans the first surface of the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the first direction.
The first surface feature data acquired by the feature data acquisition unit includes the first feature data generated when the first surface scanning unit scans in the first direction and the first surface scanning unit using the first surface scanning unit. Includes second feature data generated when scanning in two directions,
The first surface collation data stored in the master data storage unit includes first collation data corresponding to the first feature data and second collation data corresponding to the second feature data.
In the first surface collation process, the discrimination processing unit collates the first feature data with the first collation data, and collates the second feature data with the second collation data. , Medium discriminator. The medium discriminating device according to claim 11.
The second surface scanning unit scans the second surface of the medium in a third direction and a fourth direction intersecting the third direction.
The second surface feature data acquired by the feature data acquisition unit includes the third feature data generated when the second surface scanning unit scans in the third direction and the second surface scanning unit using the second surface scanning unit. Includes fourth feature data generated when scanning in four directions,
The second surface collation data stored in the master data storage unit includes a third collation data corresponding to the third feature data and a fourth collation data corresponding to the fourth feature data.
In the second surface collation process, the discrimination processing unit collates the third feature data with the third collation data, and collates the fourth feature data with the fourth collation data. , Medium discriminator. A medium discrimination device that discriminates the type of medium.
A scanning unit that is configured by the optical scanning apparatus according to claim 1 and scans the medium, and intersects a first-direction scanning unit that scans the medium in the first scanning direction and the first scanning direction. A scanning unit including a second-direction scanning unit that scans in two scanning directions, and a scanning unit.
The group of the frequency signals generated by the first-direction scanning unit for each period is acquired as the first-direction feature data, and the group of the frequency signals generated by the second-direction scanning unit for each period is second. The feature data acquisition unit to be acquired as directional feature data,
A master that is prepared in advance for each type of medium and stores master data including first-direction collation data corresponding to the first-direction feature data and second-direction collation data corresponding to the second-direction feature data. Data storage and
The type of the medium is determined by collating the first-direction feature data with the first-direction collation data and executing a collation process for collating the second-direction feature data with the second-direction collation data. Discrimination processing unit and
A medium discriminating device. A sorting device that sorts media by type.
A plurality of storage units, each of which stores the medium for each type of the medium,
A transport unit having a transport path for transporting the medium and a switching section for switching the connection destination of the transport path to any of the plurality of storage sections.
The medium discriminating device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the medium discriminating device discriminates the type of the medium transported by the transporting unit.
A transport control unit that controls the switching unit according to the discrimination result of the medium discrimination device and switches the transport destination of the medium.
A sorting device equipped with. A method of scanning a medium
A step of injecting non-coherent scanning light into the medium in the scanning direction to scan the medium.
A step of passing a part of the reflected light reflected by the medium through the passing region,
A step of receiving the reflected light that has passed through the passing region and outputting a signal indicating a time change of the intensity of the reflected light at a predetermined cycle.
A process of generating and outputting a frequency signal for each period obtained by performing a high-speed Fourier transform of the signal, and
With
The outer peripheral contour line of the passing region includes a contour curve composed of a set of points at which the coordinates in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction are uniquely determined with respect to the coordinates in the scanning direction.
The contour curve draws a curve that is convex toward the passing region.
A plurality of quadrangular shapes having an area equal to each other in the passing region and extending from the contour curve to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction and continuously arranged in the orthogonal direction. The width of the minute region in the scanning direction is different for each position in the orthogonal direction when divided into the minute regions of the method.

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