JPH03173269A - Input scanning paper handling device having curved path cvt - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To dispense with the difficult mechanical operation of an original and a copy for functions such as both-side copying, image rotation, editing by combining electronically inputting capacity of information and a usable output device. CONSTITUTION: A document D is driven along an inputting sheet route 24 into a scanning part 30, which is composed of upper and lower scanning elements 32 and 34. The upper scanning element 32 is fixed to a fixed position with respect to the sheet route 24 and consists of an upper scanning element frame 36 as a whole. The frame 36 is extended in right/left directions across and over a route where the document is moved and supports a scanning array for scanning the document passing under it. A member 40 acrosses a sheet-moving route and scans the document as a result of this. The member 40 is a comparatively rigid member fixed to the frame 36 with a fastener or adhesive and supports the array 38 at a position crossing the route for moving the document without suspending or distortion which makes the formation of an image imperfect.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Obtaining information applicable to electronic processing applications directly from printed original documents has become highly desirable in connection with electronic document creation. An important reason why it is preferred is the ability to later manipulate electronically stored information by compiling, collecting, and using information in a different format than was originally available. It's for a reason. Such operations are
Of course, it is also possible for the image information created initially, and it is also possible in electronic format, but
It is desirable to have similar capabilities for similar image information for which this is not possible. Therefore, the ability to input image information for such information is desirable. In addition to creating new documents from electronically stored information, if the image information is available electronically, light lens copying directly from the original document can be used.
It can be seen that certain copying functions possible with a copier of the 1ens) type are more easily accomplished. Thus, by combining the capability of electronic input of information with the available output devices, functions such as duplex copying, image rotation, cropping, and editing can eliminate the need for difficult mechanical manipulation of originals and copies. It is possible without.

Electronic image information W! A particular issue that is particularly relevant is the speed at which input is possible. So far, the scan array,
That is, linear or two-dimensional arrays of semiconductor devices suitable for detecting light from illuminated images are limited in size due to the impossibility of fabricating them in large dimensions, and therefore optical The magnifying device and focusing element were required to retrieve an image from the document suitable for sensing by the sensor of the scanning array, resulting in a reduction in the sensitivity of the sensor array. It has often been necessary to overlap the lengths of small sensor arrays to obtain a suitable length for document scanning.

Although these scanning arrays have had some success, they require extensive software manipulation to obtain the correct output image, resulting in slow data rates and slow image acquisition rates. Because of the slow data acquisition rate, such an arrangement required relatively little work in fast document processing systems. however,
More recently, scanning arrangements have become possible that include linear arrays of sensors that span the entire width of the document. These arrays can be used to scan documents in a single scan, including image magnification and optical manipulation to accommodate the size of the scanning array.
Alternatively, software manipulation of images from overlapping arrays may be avoided. These arrays are also improving image acquisition speeds, allowing each sensor to extract sufficient optical information for a given image region and to transfer the information to electronic data processing equipment. It takes less time. Such an arrangement and its advantages over previous types of sensor arrangements are:
No. 4,604,161.

In view of the above factors, it has become desirable to provide a device that allows for rapid document handling, particularly a document handling device that is adapted to these applications of Lascou manual scanning devices. A scanning device is provided for scanning double-sided documents, i.e. documents with image information on both sides of the original document, single-sided documents with image information on only one side, and materials not adapted to be passed through a page handling device. Particularly desirable. In the past, this has been approached in raster manual scanning devices in a variety of ways.

Lockwood US Patent 4,74
No. 3.974 proposes a scanning device comprising a pair of scanning elements arranged opposite each other so as to substantially simultaneously scan both sides of a document being moved through the scanning section, and in which one of the two scanning elements is It is proposed to equip one of the movements as a platen scanning device. The document passes through the scanning section formed by the scanning element on four rolls CV
T (constant speed transport), the scanning platen is guided along a path that is generally coplanar with the scanning platen, that is, a flat path. However, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,974 to Lockwood, the lower scanning element is required to move past the CVT arrangement. One skilled in the art would provide a scanning motion for lower element scanning that would allow the scanning element to pass through the CVT arrangement in a non-linear path, or provide an arrangement for pivoting the CVT roll when scanning motion is desired. However, problems arise with such solutions when it is desired to reregister the scanning element or C,VT roll to the position of the scanning station.

According to one aspect of the invention, the scanning section has two scanning sections each supporting an array of photosensitive sensors, the scanning section having a document input section and a sheet feed path for conveying the document to a scanning section and an output section. elements arranged closely adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the paper feed path defined by the planar scanning platen arrangement, and which detect information on each opposite side of the document passing therethrough. An input scanning device is equipped with a four-roll CVT arrangement for directing documents past the scanning station and for substantially simultaneous reading of the documents. The four roll CVT includes:
Upstream and downstream sets of drive rolls and idler rolls direct documents as they enter and exit the scanning station. The downstream set of rolls are out of the plane of the platen so that the sheet follows a curved path as it leaves the platen.

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a non-linear scanning motion of the lower element past the CVT arrangement or to pivot the set of CVT rolls out of position when scanning motion is desired. The lower-travel scanning element can be arranged and supported for a scanning movement of the lower-travel scanning element relative to the scanning section from the element position without having to position the scanning element or the CVT roll. The problems that arise when it is desired to reregister the position in the scanning section are avoided. The seat path according to the invention provides a highly reliable arrangement. This is because the problems of moving parts associated with pivoting members are avoided and the cost is relatively low by solving them. A further feature is that no operator intervention is required to switch the operation of the device from a document scanning mode to a platen scanning mode.

Other objects and features will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the drawings.

Although the drawings are shown for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the embodiment, FIG. , which generates an electronic representation of an image on a document.

A "document" as used below refers to an original document bearing images that one desires to copy. The document may be any image-bearing material, such as a cut sheet, a transparent strip or other section of film-like material, an uncut computer form forming a continuous length of material, or any other image-bearing substrate from which copies are desired. It consists of things like. When necessary, the type of document for which the description is intended is very specific. As used herein, "image" refers to information on a document that is desired to be scanned, copied by some method to another substrate, or copied to an electronic storage medium. As used below, "scanning" refers to the relative movement of a light-sensitive sensor with respect to a document for the purpose of obtaining an electronic representation of an image or information about the image.

The Lascoux human-powered device 10 can be constructed from upper and lower frame members 12 and 14. Upper and lower frame members 12 and 14 may be generally rectangular box-shaped members connected by hinge members (not shown) along the lower and upper back edges of frame members 12 and 14, respectively. be done.

The upper and lower frame members 12 and 14 can be clamshelled apart at the hinge members to allow inspection of the interior areas as described below.

The upper frame member 12 is equipped with a document tray 20 in which a stack of documents, such as cut sheets of paper, from which data is desired to be acquired is placed face up. and hold it. The manual document tray 20 is equipped with a document feeder 22, which takes out documents from the manual document tray 20 and sends them out. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, document feeder 22 is a top-feed vacuum wave feeder, such as the well-known top-feed vacuum corrugated feeder found in light-lens copier document feeders that feed documents in an order of 1 to N. It can be done. The document tray 20 can also be tilted upward;
Alternatively, a tray elevator (not shown) can be provided to transport documents to a feeding position.

Sentence 1iD is directed by document feeder 22 to input sheet path 24 into a scanning position. The document is driven along sheet path 24 by nip rolls 26 . Nip rolls 26 consist of a pair of rubber rolls that drive the document forwardly along sheet path 24. The second nip roll 28, advantageously a cross-roll anti-skinny nip, directs the document to the desired registration position prior to entering the scanning section. Drive motor (
(not shown) to drive the document feeder, nip drive rollers, and other drive elements of the input scanning device 10.

The document is driven along the manual seat path 24 and enters the scanning station 30 . Scanning 130 includes upper and lower scanning elements 3
Consists of 2 and 34. Upper scanning element 32 is fixed in position relative to sheet path 24 and consists of an upper scanning element frame, generally designated 36. Frame 36 extends upwardly and laterally across the path of travel of the document to support a scanning array for scanning the document passing beneath it. In the upper portion of the frame 36, a scanning array 38 is supported on a scanning array support member 40. This scanning array support member 4
0 traverses the sheet travel path, thereby scanning the document. The scanning array support member 40 is a relatively rigid member that is secured to the frame 36 by fasteners or adhesives so that it does not sag or twist resulting in incomplete imaging.
A scanning array 38 is supported at a location intersecting the path of document movement. Scanning array 38 can be an array of light sensitive sensors, such as CCDs or photodiodes, which are controlled to sense the light reflected from the document during the integration period. The light sensitive sensor generates a charge indicative of the amount of light detected, which is transmitted to an image processing device for assimilation and use of an electronically stored representation of the image on the document. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the array may be several compact arrays, each end abutted;
Araghi U.S. Patent No. 4.604,16
Although it is possible to have an arrangement without discontinuity as described in the specification of No. 1, other arrangements of the sensor arrangement are also possible.

1 and 2, a document directed past the scanning element 32 is supported by a frame 36 and consists of a lamp cover 44 having a lamp 42 and an opening 45 and a power source (see FIG. (not shown) and directs light toward the document to be scanned. Light from the illuminated document is reflected onto lens 46.

Lens 46 is manufactured by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
An image transmitting fiber lens manufactured under the CJ trademark is provided to direct light reflected from the document onto the scanning array 38. Adjacent to the portion of lens 46 closest to the document is a reflector 48 extending generally in the direction of the document. Providing this with a light reflecting concave surface 50 is advantageous in that the light from the lamp 42 is further directed to illuminate the document. Of course, it will be appreciated that other optical and illumination systems may be used to illuminate the document and direct light to scanning array 38. The lower scanning element 34 is equipped as a mirror image of the scanning element 32 and includes a frame 60, a scanning array support member 62,
A lamp assembly including a scanning array 64, a lamp cover 68 with a lamp 66 and an aperture 69, and a lens 70. Includes a reflective device 72 with a reflective surface 74. The main differences between the two scanning elements are as follows. That is,
The lower scanning element 34 is positioned opposite the upper scanning element 32 in order to scan the image on the side of the document opposite to the side of the document being scanned by the upper scanning element 34. It is. Accordingly, the image of the upper surface of the document passing through the scanning station 30 is illuminated and scanned by the upper scanning element 32, while the image of the lower surface of the document is illuminated and scanned by the lower scanning element 34. In practice, the elements are offset somewhat relative to each other so that illumination for scanning one side of the document does not see through the document any shadows that are sensitive to the sensors of the scanning array. In some embodiments, the upper scanning element 32 may be pivoted for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of sheet movement and parallel to the path of sheet movement, thereby causing the optical element to rotate. , can be brought to the location of the calibration target gX and service reservoir.

Referring to FIG. 2, sheets conveyed through scanning section 32 are directed between platen glass members 90 and 92 supported by upper and lower frame members 12 and 14, respectively. This serves to maintain the flatness of the document as it is advanced for scanning. The platen glass members 90 and 92 are each approximately 4 mm thick and support the document as it passes through the scanning station. The platen glass members 90 and 92 are supported with a spacing of approximately 0.6 mm between each other.

The thickness of the glass and the gap are selected to be as small as possible. This is because the 5EL FOC lens has an extremely small depth of focus. In another embodiment,
The document is tilted by the baffle against a single platen glass member. This achieves the required flatness while the document passes through the scanning station.

Documents entering the scanning section are transported using four rolls at constant speed (CVT).
It is driven by device 80 into and through the scanning section. The constant speed conveyor 80 consists of upstream and downstream roll sets 82 and 84 located at the entrance and exit, respectively, of the scanning section. Each pair of nip rolls includes upper idler rolls 82a and 84a1 and lower drive rolls 82b and 84a.
Consists of b. Drive rolls 82a and 84a are driven by a motor (not shown) via a timing belt arrangement that maintains the speed of the rolls so that the speed of the document being moved by the rolls is carefully controlled at a constant speed. Ru.

As the document passes through scanning section 30, scanning arrays 38 and 64
A photosensitive sensor is exposed to light reflecting from the document and retrieves and transmits an electronic representation of the image to an image processing or storage device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
For double-sided documents, image information from each side of the document is alternately retrieved from each array and transmitted. Thus, for example, while array 38 is retrieving image information, array 64 can transfer previously retrieved image information from the array. Of course, in addition to full-width arrays, it is also possible to use more conventional mirror and lens arrangements.

Referring again to FIG. 1, upon exiting the scanning station 32, the document is driven by the CVT through a sheet path 95 along which it passes through nip roll pairs 96, 98 and 99.
and enters the output drain 102. The path of the document along the aforementioned sheet path is folded once and has an overall U-shape, which feeds the document in the input tray 20 from the top of the input stack and naturally flips the document once. , which places the documents face down in the output tray 102 in the same order in which they were originally prepared. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output tray may be a simple low energy elevating cooking tray without the need for mechanical document handling.

These devices do not require expensive and complex mechanical document handling, although it is certainly possible to provide a document handling device that recirculates documents to the input tray. This is because there is no need to repeatedly present documents for copying as with light lens copiers. Both sides of a document can be read simultaneously and the image information can be stored in an electronic storage medium for copying on demand.

In accordance with the present invention, downstream CVT roll set 84 is positioned outside of document imaging plane P defined by platen glass members 90 and 92. The sheet advancing past CVT 80 is directed along path 100 between CVT roll sets 82 and 84.

The path includes a generally planar path portion 101 and a curved path portion 102 defined by baffles 104 through which the sheet travels after exiting the platen glass member. In the working embodiment, the planar path section 101
extends approximately 59 mm from the upstream roll set 82, and the curved path portion 102 forms an arc of approximately 31°, and the length of this arc is approximately 55 mm from the end of the flat portion to the downstream nip set.
It is. The downstream roll set 84 includes the platen glass member 9
The nip is located outside the document imaging plane P defined by the paper path between 0 and 92, so that the nip is approximately 14.6 mm above the imaging plane. When the center-to-center alignment of the downstream roll axes is oriented in a plane rotated approximately 31° to the vertical, the downstream drive roll is misaligned by 16 mm relative to the upstream roll, and this causes the downstream roll to The center of is approximately 5.2 mm above the imaging plane. The arc of the curved section is chosen as a compromise between the importance of clearance and avoiding bending and jamming of heavy sheets traveling in a curved path.

Thus, a gap is provided to allow the lower scanning element to move along a straight path for platen scanning purposes. In an operative embodiment, roll 82 is configured to allow document handling of documents with relatively short directions of document movement.
and 84 have a center-to-center spacing of about 115 mm. Idler rolls 82a and 84a (in the upper position of each roll pair)
is approximately 19 mm in diameter and approximately 107 mm between centers.
- the blade drive rolls (in the lower position of each roll pair) have a diameter of 22 mm and a spacing of about 118 mm. Although a closer spacing would be desirable to improve sheet handling and thereby improve image quality, the upstream and downstream roll spacing would be desirable to handle shorter sheets. selected for. This is to accommodate the importance of gaps and to allow gradual arching for handling heavy sheets. The shaft of the drive roll is a hollow shaft member with an outer diameter of 16 mm.
The m m s inner diameter is g mm, and the weight is 0.55 kg, and the weight to structure stiffness ratio is maximized to maintain the quality of image movement, resulting in a natural vibration frequency of the drive shaft of approximately 266 Hz, greater than the system frequency. The upper and lower positions of the idler roll and the drive roll should be such that, if it is desired to mount the idler on a member capable of pivoting movement, the respective positions are such that the drive roll is always in a fixed position with respect to the paper path. decide.

The location of drive rolls 82a and 84a is preferably in the lower portion of the scanning device so that the location of the drive rolls is maintained when the upper frame member 12 of the scanning device is opened. In such an arrangement, the clamshell combination of upper and lower frame members 12 and 14 is connected to idler rolls 82b and 84.
b rises together with the upper frame member 12, and the long drive roll 82
a and 84 remain stationary on the lower frame member 14,
Paper paths 100, 101 and 102 and platen 1
It can be opened along 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the upper frame member 12 is raised out of position relative to the lower frame member 14, and the lower scanning element 34 is normally closely adjacent to the scanning element 32. 11, which is also described below, is supported for reciprocating scanning motion on support rails 110. The support rail 110 is attached to the lower frame member 14 by the scanning section 3.
provided parallel to the document movement direction of sheet movement through 0;
and in a preferred embodiment -m> located on both sides of the path of sheet movement. Although only one support rail 110 is shown in FIG. 1, at least two are normally provided. Scanning element 34 includes a bearing or bushing to reduce sliding friction between scanning element 34 and rail 110. The rail 110 is
The scanning element 34 is supported for movement across the length of the lower frame portion 14 slightly below the scanning platen 112. The scanning platen 112 is a generally rectangular member on which a document is placed for scanning by the scanning element 34 as the scanning element 34 moves across the length of the lower frame member 14. It is large enough to carry it. The scanning platen l12 has its end connected to the lower frame member 14.
supported above. The scanning platen 112 scans book pages, single sheets of bound documents, documents that are too thick,
Documents that are not easily fed from the document stack 20, such as documents that are too thick or damaged to be fed along the paper paths 24 and 100, or objects that have surfaces or contours that are desired to be copied, may be removed from the document stack 20. To support. When a platen copy operation is selected, i.e., a copy of an image from a document placed on the scanning platen 112, the lower scanning element 34 is fixed relative to the upper scanning element 32, and the scanning platen 112 While scanning the platen 112 in the direction of the arrow 114 across the length of the lower frame 14 from an initial position 1° adjacent to the first end of the scan platen, the scan start position S0 at the opposite end of the scanning platen is scanned.
move towards. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning element 3
4 towards position S0, the scanning array is generally not active for image data acquisition, but may scan the document for image information or alternatively perform pre-scanning operations. to enable fast overall scanning operations to obtain appropriate contrast levels and threshold information for use by image processing equipment.
All are within the intended scope of the present invention. Image scanning is
This is preferably achieved by movement of the lower scanning element from position S0 to position 10 and back in the direction indicated by arrow 116.

The scanning element 34 may be, for example, a pulley and cable system;
Alternatively, the movement is driven by some suitable drive arrangement (not shown) that provides extremely smooth, vibration-free movement across the lower frame, such as a lead screw drive system.

Various types of vibration damping arrangements can be provided to dampen undesired movements, such as isolation mounting or energy absorbing materials. In operation, the scanning element is in position S. It is driven toward the position 1° from the position. As the scanning element moves across the platen, the sensors of the sensor array scan incremental slices of the document.
al 5lice) to produce charge information indicative of the image of the document used to assimilate the electronically stored image of the document. The desired high speed motion of the scanning element requires frame member 60 to be relatively rigid to avoid bending under the stresses of the motion.

In addition, it is desirable that the frame be made extremely lightweight so that acceleration is good.

As best illustrated in Figure 1, a document,
Alternatively, it is equipped with a semi-automatic document feeding mode (SADH) which is convenient for sending non-separable computer folded documents through the Laskku manual scanning device. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a pair of inlet nip rolls 150 are provided adjacent a document feed section or input section 152 between the upper and lower frames 12 and 14 of the raster manual scanning device 10, and The document is placed in the sheet path 24 and transferred to the CVT 8 for feeding the document through the scanning section 30 as described above.
Arrange it so that it points toward 0. A tray 154 is provided to direct the feed to provide image information upwardly so that computer folded documents (usually single-sided documents) can be scanned by the fixed scanning element 30. S.A.
Documents entering the DH input section 152 are directed to an exit sheet path 95 towards the output tray 102.

Control of the device described above can be achieved in a variety of ways, depending on the intended use of the device. The control of the sheet being oriented during the sheet-passing motion during the described mode of operation, including document feeding and movement of the scanning element 34 during the scanning motion of the scanning element 34 across the platen, is controlled by the light lens copier. It can be controlled by an on-board microprocessor of the type commonly used in conventional scanning devices, or can be tailored to the applications required by conventional scanning devices and the present device. Control of the imaging assembly is also possible by an on-board microprocessor device, which is connected to the sensor array 38.
and 64 repeatedly to derive charge information indicative of the image of the scanned document, assign address information to the retrieved data, and provide addressed information as output. Control of the device is responsive to operator information input. Alternatively, the described device may be partially or fully controlled by another device, such as a computer, a local or remote workstation, or a compatible printer.

Although the present invention has been described with the upstream CVT roll in the scanning plane P and the downstream CVT roll rotating outside the scanning plane P, the arrangement is reversed and the interlocking of the scanning Yonago is directed in the direction of the upstream roll. It can also be understood without a doubt that it can be requested. In addition, although the described arrangement shows use in a dual-sided scanning arrangement, single-sided scanning is also advantageous with the described CVT arrangement.

The invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments. Modifications and changes may occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and changes insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a somewhat diagrammatic drawing of an input scanning device according to the invention, showing the paper feeding mode of operation, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the scanning section and exit paper path of the device of FIG. be. 12.14: Upper and lower frame members 20: Document manual tray 22: Document feeder 24 manual sheet paths 26.28: Nip roll 30: Scanning section 32.34: Upper scanning element and lower scanning element 36: Upper scanning element frame 38 : Scan array 40: Scan array support member 42: Lamp 44: Lamp force bar 45 double-opening bottom part 46: Lens 48: Reflector 50: Concave surface for light reflection 60: Frame 62: Scan array support member 64: Scan array 66 : Lamp 68: Lamp power bar 69 Double opening part 70: Lens 72: Reflection device 74: Reflection surface 80: Constant velocity conveyance (CVT) device 82.84: Upstream roll set and downstream roll set 82a, 8
4a: Upper idler rolls 82b, 84b: Lower drive rolls 90, 92, nib platen glass member 95: Sheet paths 96, 98, 99: Nip roll pair 100: Path 101: Planar path portion 102:
Curved path portion 104: Baffle 10: Support rail
112: Scanning platen 14. 116: Arrow 50: Artificial nip roll pair 52: Input section

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image scanning device for scanning single-sided or double-sided documents, the device comprising: an image scanning device for scanning documents in single-sided or double-sided format; a scanning portion including a pair of scanning elements for retrieving image information and disposed in generally opposing relationship on opposite sides of a scanning plane through which an image-bearing document is oriented; and a supply of a document to be scanned. a document input portion adapted to persist; and a document feeder for moving documents from the document input portion to an input paper path, the input paper path configured to scan documents fed thereto by the document feeder. a constant speed transport device for moving the document through the scanning section along a scanning section transport path, the constant speed transport device including upstream and downstream nip rolls; The side nip rolls include at least two rolls, each roll disposed on opposite sides of the scanning plane to form an upstream nip therein, and the downstream nip rolls scanning such that the nip is offset relative to the scanning plane. comprising at least two rolls arranged relative to a plane; and an output paper path for conveying the paper ejected from the scanning section to the output section.