JPH03249058A - Document reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent jam and receive documents in order after completion of scan for reading by providing a guide member capable of making free displacement in a branch point located between a first document transport passage and a second document transport passage, and providing a switching means to change the document guide direction of this guide member to one of the first document transport passage and the second document transport passage. CONSTITUTION:A straight document transport passage 17 from an information reading device 5 to a document discharge part 13 is formed separately from a curved document transport passage 7 by a guide plate 15 provided with respective guide ribs 14 a freely rotatable guide member 16. The guide member 16 has an operation lever 19 installed on its rotary shaft 18 and a push-press spring 20 connected to its one end, so that it may be displaced toward one of the two document transport passages 7, 17 selectively. According to the above, it can be freely selected whether document 10 which can be freely curved is stored in a document housing part 6 or a thick document 21 which is hard to be curved is discharged from the document discharge port 13 without curving it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading device such as a facsimile machine that reads image information of a document conveyed inside the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional original document reading devices such as personal facsimile devices include devices that insert a document through the document insertion slot on the top of the device, scan the document inside the device, and eject it from the front of the device. .

However, this is inconvenient as it requires space on the front of the device for documents, and office work on the desk may be obstructed by the documents being sequentially ejected. Therefore, a proposal to solve such problems was filed by the present applicant as I-No. 151663 of 1983.

The device disclosed in the above application will be described as a prior art document reading device based on FIG. 5. In the facsimile machine 1, which is this document reading device, an information reading device 5 has an image sensor 3 and a sensor roller 4 disposed facing each other in the main body 2 of the device.
A document insertion section (not shown) equipped with a paper separation device and the like is provided in the upper part of the main body 2 of the apparatus, and a document storage section 6 including a drawer-like tray is provided in the lower part. It is being In this facsimile device 1,
A document conveyance path 7 from the document insertion section to the document storage section 6 via the information reading device 5 is formed in a knee-turn shape.

Note that this document conveyance path 7 is formed by guide plates 8 arranged opposite to each other, and guide rollers 9 are provided at each portion.

In addition to the above-described mechanism, the facsimile device 1 is also provided with an image information communication section, a printing section (both not shown), and the like.

In the facsimile machine 1, the originals 10 set in the original insertion section are separated and fed one by one into the original transport path 7, and image information is read by the image sensor 3 of the information reading device 5. The documents are then conveyed through the document conveyance path 7 and sequentially stored in the document storage section 6.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the facsimile machine 1 as described above, the original 10 whose image information has been read and scanned by the original reading device 5 is stored in the original storage section 6 at the lower part of the apparatus, so that the original is not displayed on the front side of the apparatus. There is no need to set up a space for 10, and office work can be prevented from being obstructed.

Second, in the facsimile machine 1 described above, the document transport path 7 is curved in order to store the document 10 in the document storage section 6.
However, in actual work, it is necessary to read thick paper manuscripts that are difficult to bend.

In this case, thick paper originals are not preferable because they tend to jam at curved portions of the original transport path 7.

Furthermore, in the facsimile machine 1 described above, the scanned original 10 is stored in a drawer (not shown) in the original storage section 6 before being taken out. There are cases where it is desirable to receive 10 consecutively.

Means for Solving the Problems The invention as set forth in claim 1 provides a document reading device in which an information reading device for reading image information of a document is disposed on a document conveying path equipped with an automatic paper feeding mechanism. A document storage section is provided, and a document discharge port is formed on the outer surface of the apparatus main body, and a first document transport path that communicates linearly from the document discharge section of the information reading device to the document discharge port is curved and communicates with the document storage section. A movable kite member is provided at a branch point between the first document conveyance path and the second document conveyance path, and the document guiding direction of this guide member is set to the first document conveyance path. A switching means is provided for switching between the original transport path and the second original transport path.

The invention as set forth in claim 2 provides a document transport path that extends from a document insertion port provided in the apparatus main body, passes through the information reading device, and reaches a branch point between the first document transport path and the second document transport path. A transmitted light sensor in which a light source and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other is provided, and the document guiding direction of the guide member is set between the first document transport path and the second document according to the magnitude of the light shielding rate of the document detected by the transmitted light sensor. An automatic switching means for switching between the transport path and the transport path is provided.

In the invention as claimed in claim 1, a document storage section is provided in the lower part of the inside of the apparatus main body, and a document discharge port is formed on the outer surface of the device main body, and the document discharge port of the information reading device is communicated with the document discharge port in a straight line. A guide that forms a first document conveyance path and a second document conveyance path that curves and communicates with the document storage section, and is freely displaceable at a branch point between the first document conveyance path and the second document conveyance path. By providing a member and a switching means for switching the document guiding direction of the guide member to either the first document conveyance path or the second document conveyance path, for example, a flexible document can be read and scanned and then stored. If a document that is difficult to bend is transported through a curved document transport path by storing the document inside the scanner so that no space is required for the document on the front of the device, or by ejecting the document from the document ejection port without curving the document. It is possible to prevent jams that are likely to occur during printing, and to receive and take out documents that have been scanned one by one.

The invention as set forth in claim 2 provides a document transport path that extends from a document insertion port provided in the apparatus main body, passes through the information reading device, and reaches a branch point between the first document transport path and the second document transport path. A transmitted light sensor in which a light source and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other is provided, and the document guiding direction of the guide member is set between the first document transport path and the second document according to the magnitude of the light shielding rate of the document detected by the transmitted light sensor. By providing an automatic switching means for switching and driving the conveyance path, originals whose paper is thin and can be easily bent, and documents whose paper is thick and are difficult to bend are distinguished based on the light shielding rate.
The documents are conveyed through an automatically curved document conveyance path and a straight document conveyance path, respectively.

Embodiment An embodiment of the invention set forth in claim 1 will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the same parts as those of the facsimile apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 5 will be given the same names and symbols, and the explanation will be omitted. First, in the facsimile device 11 which is the document reading device of this embodiment, a document ejection port 13 is formed on the front surface of the device main body 12 . The document conveyance path 7 is a straight document conveyance path 17 from the information reading device 5 to the document discharge port 13 that is curved by a guide plate 15 each having a guide rib 14 and a rotatable guide member 16. It is formed separately. Here, the guide member 16 has an operating lever 19 attached to its rotation shaft 18 and a pressing spring 2° connected to one end, and selectively moves one side of the two document conveyance paths 7, 170. It is designed to be displaced.

In such a configuration, when reading image information of a normal document 10 that is freely curveable, the facsimile device 11 moves the guide member 16 counterclockwise in the figure from the information reading device 5 to the document storage section 6. A curved document conveyance path 7 is formed, which is different from the conventional facsimile machine l.
The original 10 conveyed in the same manner as above is stored in the original storage section 6.

When reading the image information of a thick paper document 21 such as a photograph that is difficult to bend, or when it is desired to sequentially receive the document IO for which reading and scanning have been completed, the guide member 16 is moved as shown in the figure by operating the operating lever I9 as desired. Rotate clockwise. Then, the guide member 16 forms a linear document conveyance path 17 from the information reading device 5 to the document discharge port 13, so that the thick paper document 21 is discharged to the front of the apparatus main body 12 without being curved.

In other words, this facsimile device 11 can store a bendable original 10 in the original storage unit 6, or eject a thick paper original 21 that is difficult to bend from the original output port 13 without bending, according to the user's wishes. Since it can be selected freely, it is extremely easy to operate and highly practical.

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
This will be explained based on the diagram. In the facsimile machine 22 which is this document reading device, the information reading device 5 is connected to the document conveyance path 7.
, 17, a transmitted light sensor 25 consisting of a light source 23 and a light receiving element 24 is disposed on the document transport path 7 leading to the branch point of . A solenoid 26, which is an automatic switching means, to which the transmitted light sensor 25 is connected via a drive circuit (not shown) is connected to one end of the guide member 16, which is rotatably supported. There is.

In this configuration, in this facsimile machine 22, the transmittance of the document 10.21 traveling from the information reading device 5 to the branch point of the document conveyance path 7°17 is detected by the transmitted light sensor 25, and the detected light blocking rate is detected by the transmitted light sensor 25. The solenoid 26 is driven according to the magnitude of the .

In other words, when the light shielding rate detected by the transmitted light sensor 25 is small, the solenoid 26 presses the end of the guide member 16 upward, forming a curved document transport path 7 from the information reading device 5 to the document storage section 6. When the light shielding rate detected by the transmitted light sensor 25 is large, the solenoid 26 pulls the end of the guide member 16 downward, and the information reading device 5
A linear document conveyance path 17 is formed from the document exit port 13 to the document discharge port 13 . Therefore, in this facsimile machine 22, the bendable thin document 10 and the hard-to-curve thick paper document 21 are identified based on the light shielding rate, and the document transport paths 7 and 1 are adapted to suit each document.
7 is automatically selected.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the invention according to claim 1 provides a document reading device in which an information reading device for reading image information of a document is disposed on a document conveyance path equipped with an automatic paper feeding mechanism. A document storage section is provided, and a document discharge port is formed on the outer surface of the apparatus main body, and a first document transport path that communicates linearly from the document discharge section of the information reading device to the document discharge port is curved and communicates with the document storage section. A movable guide member is provided at a branch point between the first document conveyance path and the second document conveyance path, and the document guiding direction of this guide member is set to the first document conveyance path. By providing a switching means for switching between the original transport path and the second original transport path, for example, a flexible original can be stored in the original storage unit after being read and scanned, thereby eliminating the need for space for the original on the front of the device. The document can be ejected from the document ejection port without being curved to prevent jams that tend to occur when a document that is difficult to bend is conveyed through a curved document conveyance path, or the document can be ejected from the document ejection port without being curved. Since it is possible to receive and take documents sequentially, and these switching can be freely selected according to the user's wishes, it is possible to obtain a document reading device with extremely good operability and high practicality.
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 2 provides that the document is placed in the document transport path from the document insertion opening provided in the apparatus main body through the information reading device to the branch point between the first document transport path and the second document transport path. A transmitted light sensor is provided in which a light source and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other through a conveyance path, and the document guiding direction of the guide member is set to the first document conveyance path and the second document conveyance path according to the magnitude of the light blocking rate of the document detected by the transmitted light sensor. By providing an automatic switching means for switching and driving the document conveyance path, documents with thin paper that can be easily curved and documents with thick paper that are difficult to curve are distinguished based on the light shielding rate, and each document is automatically curved. Since the document is conveyed through a straight document conveyance path and a straight document conveyance path, it is possible to automatically store bendable documents inside the device and prevent documents that are difficult to bend from jamming, resulting in a simple structure. This has the advantage that a highly practical document reading device can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim qL1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim 2, and FIG. is a perspective view of the main parts,
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a facsimile device disclosed in Utility Application No. 151663/1983 by the present applicant. 5... Information reading device, 7.17... Document transport path, 1
0.21...Original, 11.22...Facsimile device, 1 2...Device main body, 3...Document ejection port, 6...Guy upper member, 23...Light source, 24...・Light receiving element, 25...Transmission light sensor, 26...Automatic switching means Applicant Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd."Figure 1 5" υ

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a document reading device equipped with an automatic paper feeding mechanism and in which an information reading device for reading image information of a document is disposed on a document conveyance path, a document storage section is provided in the lower part of the inside of the device body, and the device A document ejection port is formed on the outer surface of the main body, and a first document conveyance path linearly communicates with the document ejection port from the document ejection portion of the information reading device, and a second document conveyance path that communicates with the document storage portion in a curved manner. A movable guide member is provided at a branch point between the first document conveyance path and the second document conveyance path, and the document guiding direction of this guide member is set to the first document conveyance path. A document reading device characterized in that a switching device is provided for switching to one side of the second document conveyance path. 2. A light source is connected to the document transport path from the document insertion slot provided in the main body of the apparatus through the information reading device to the branch point of the first document transport path and the second document transport path through the document transport path. A transmitted light sensor in which a light receiving element is disposed facing each other is provided, and the document guiding direction of the guide member is switched between a first document conveyance path and a second document conveyance path according to the magnitude of the light blocking rate of the document detected by the transmitted light sensor. 2. The document reading device according to claim 1, further comprising automatic switching means for driving.