JPH043731A - Document cassette feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quickly feed a cassette to a reader by concurrently inserting cassettes from two insertion ports into a movable cassette holding means with multiple step sections, and providing one insertion port at the position corresponding to the communication port of the reader. CONSTITUTION:A holding means 16 with multiple step sections can be vertically moved, and cassettes 14 can be concurrently fed to multiple step sections from two insertion ports 56, 66. The upper insertion port 66 is located at the position corresponding to the communication port 34 of an image reader 20. The cassette 14 inserted from the upper insertion port 66 is inserted into the communication port 34 via a feeding means 22 and fed to the reader 20 without vertically moving the holding means 16. The cassette 14 can be fed to the reader 20 in a short time for interrupt processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a document cassette supply device that supplies a document cassette holding a document to be read to an image reading device.

[Prior Art] In the fields of printing and plate making, image scanning reading and reproducing systems that electrically process image information recorded on manuscripts to create film master plates have been developed for the purpose of streamlining work processes and improving image quality. It is used.

In this case, the image reading device that constitutes the system
Two-dimensional reading of image information is performed by main-scanning a read document positioned and stored in a document cassette while conveying it to a reading section.

Incidentally, since such an image reading apparatus handles a large number of documents to be read, it is desirable to connect an automatic feeding device capable of automatically feeding a plurality of document cassettes. Here, when the automatic feeding device is connected to an image reading device, the document cassettes are normally fed to the image reading device in the order in which they are fed to the automatic feeding device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when the document cassette is supplied to the image reading device in this manner, there is a disadvantage that it is not possible to speed up the processing of documents that need to be read urgently.

The present invention has been made in view of these inconveniences, and provides a document cassette feeding device that enables interrupt work when feeding a document cassette to an image reading device and can supply scanned documents in a short time. The purpose is to provide.

Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a document cassette supply device of the present invention is a document cassette supply device that supplies a document cassette holding a read document to an image reading device. , a cassette holding means having a plurality of stepped portions for storing the document cassettes and movable in the stacking direction of the stepped portions; and a position corresponding to a communication port communicating the image reading device and the document cassette feeding device. a cassette insertion port for supplying the document cassette to the stepped portion; and a cassette supplying device for supplying the document cassette stored in the cassette holding device to the image reading device through the communication port. It is characterized by comprising the following.

[Function] As described above, in the document cassette feeding device of the present invention, the document cassette holding the read document is stored in the stepped portion of the cassette holding means through the cassette insertion opening. Next, the document cassette is supplied by the cassette supplying means from the stepped portion to the image reading device through a communication port provided at a position corresponding to the stepped portion.

[Example] A document cassette supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail below by giving an example and referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a document cassette supply device 10 of this embodiment. The document cassette supply device 10 is surrounded by a casing 12, and includes a cassette holding means 16 for storing a document cassette 14, which will be described later, and two cassette insertion ports 56 and 66 for supplying the document cassette 14 to the cassette holding means 16. Then, the document cassette 14 stored in the cassette holding means 16 is transferred to the document cassette supplying device 10.
and a cassette supply means 22 for supplying the image reading device 20 to the image reading device 20 to which the image reading device 20 is connected.

Here, the document cassette 14 supplied to the document cassette supply device 10 and the image reading device 20 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the document cassette 14 holds a transmissive readable document 28 between two support glass plates 26 surrounded by a frame 24 having a substantially rectangular shape, and has a transmissive document 28 on both sides in the conveyance direction (arrow X direction). 7-shaped grooves 30a and 30b extending along the conveyance direction are formed. Furthermore, a cassette identification section 29 for identifying the document cassette 14 and the read document 28 held in the document cassette 14 is provided on the top surface of the leading end of the frame 24 in the conveyance direction. The cassette identification section 29 is configured by combining a plurality of light-transmitting sections 31a and light-shielding sections 31b according to the document cassette 14 and the read document 28 held in the document cassette 14.

In FIG. 3, the image reading device 20 includes a casing 32
an insertion detection means 36 such as a photo interrupter disposed near the communication port 34 formed in the cassette identification means 38;
, a conveying means 40 for conveying the document cassette 14 within the image reading apparatus 20, and an image reading section 42.

The insertion detection means 36 detects that the document cassette 14 is detected by the image reading device 2.
Detects that it is inserted into 0. Further, the cassette identifying means 38 identifies the original cassette 14 and the read original 28 held in the original cassette 14, and is configured, for example, by a plurality of pairs of light emitting elements and light receiving elements. The conveyance means 40 conveys the document cassette 14 from the communication port 34 to the image reading section 42, and includes a guide roller 44 that engages with grooves 30a and 30b on the sides of the document cassette 14.
has. The image reading section 42 includes a light source 46 and a light receiving element 48 such as a CCD, and reads an image by receiving the light from the light source 46 that has passed through the document cassette 14 conveyed to the image reading section 42. I do.

Next, the configuration of the document cassette supply device 10 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the casing 12 has a first lid part 50 and a second lid part 52 whose front and upper parts can be opened and closed. A cassette insertion stand 54 and a cassette insertion opening 56 are provided at predetermined positions outside the first M section 50 . Inside the first lid part 50, at a portion corresponding to the cassette insertion opening 56, an insertion detection means 58 such as a photo interrupter for detecting insertion of the original cassette 14 and a pair of carry-in rollers 60 are provided. . The carry-in roller 60 is rotationally driven by a motor 62, so that the document cassette 14 is
is carried into the document cassette supply device 10. Further, a cassette insertion port 66 that is normally closed by a door 64 is provided above the cassette insertion port 56, and inside the first lid portion 50 corresponding to this cassette insertion port 66,
As in the case described above, an insertion detection means 68 for detecting insertion of the document cassette 14 and a carry-in roller 72 driven by a motor 70 are provided.

In this case, not only can the document cassettes 14 be supplied one by one to the document cassette supply device 10 through the cassette insertion opening 56 or 66, but also a plurality of document cassettes 14 can be fed simultaneously by using the first lid section 50. can be supplied.

This makes it possible to shorten the time required to supply the document cassette 14.

The cassette holding means 16 includes a cage 76 supported by four guide bars 74 a to 74 d erected within the casing 12 . The cage 76, as shown in FIG.
Worm gear 82 connected to drive shaft 80 of motor 78
It is movable in the vertical direction (two directions) by a chain 84 via. Note that the drive shaft 80 is provided with a handle member 85 that allows the worm gear 82 to be manually moved.

The cage 76 has a plurality of stepped portions 86 into which the original cassettes 14 are loaded, and between each stepped portion 86, the original cassettes 1 are loaded.
A plurality of guide rollers 88 that engage with grooves 30a and 30b provided on the sides of the rollers 4 are disposed with a predetermined gap between them.

A cassette transport mechanism 90A is provided in the side portion of the cage 76 at a portion corresponding to the carry-in roller 60 provided at the lower part of the first lid portion 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the cassette transport mechanism 90A includes a motor 9 fixed to a support plate 92A.
4A, a solenoid 96A, and a drive plate 98A rotatably supported by the support plate 92A. Drive plate 9
8A has an abbreviated shape, a bent portion thereof is pivotally supported by a support plate 92A, and is connected to a solenoid 96A via a connecting portion 100A standing upright at one end. Further, the other end of the drive plate 98A has a comb-like shape, and a guide roller 102A is provided at the tip of each comb-like shape. In this case, each guide roller 102A is rotatable by a motor 94A via a wire 104A, and also a solenoid 9
6A, it is configured to be able to enter between the guide rollers 88 between the stepped portions 86 in the cage 76.

On the other hand, a pair of nip rollers 106 and a cassette identifying means 18 are provided at a portion of the first lid portion 50 facing the cassette insertion opening 56 with the cage 76 in between. In this case, the cassette identifying means 18 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 108.
and a plurality of light receiving elements 110 are arranged facing each other, and reads data set in the cassette Hulk separate section 29 of the document cassette 14.

A cassette transport mechanism 90B is provided in the side portion of the cage 76 at a portion corresponding to the carry-in roller 72 provided at the top of the first lid portion 50. In this case, the cassette transport mechanism 9
Since 0B has the same configuration as the cassette conveyance mechanism 90A, the same reference numerals are given B and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, two sets of nip rollers 112 and 114 are provided at a portion of the first lid portion 50 facing the cassette insertion opening 66, with the cage 76 in between. In this case, the nip rollers 112 and 114 are
It is driven by a motor 118 fixed to 6.

The document cassette supply device 10 of this embodiment and the image reading device 20 to which this document cassette supply device 10 is connected are as follows:
Basically, it is configured as above, and then,
The operation will be explained.

First, a case will be described in which the original cassette 14 holding the original 28 to be read as shown in FIG.
(see figure).

The document cassette supply device 10 detects that the document cassette 14 has been inserted by the insertion detection means 58, rotates the carry-in roller 60 under the driving action of the motor 62, and moves the document cassette 14 into the cage 76 in the cassette holding means 16.
is loaded into a predetermined stepped portion 86 of. It is assumed that the cage 76 has the step portion 86 in an empty state arranged near the carry-in roller 60. In the document cassette 14, the guide roller 88 is connected to the groove portions 30a, 3 at the stepped portion 86.
It is held by engaging with 0b.

When the document cassette 14 is carried to a predetermined position on the stepped portion 86, the cassette transport mechanism 90A is driven (see FIGS. 5 and 6). That is, when the solenoid 96A is energized, the drive plate 98A rotates in the direction of the arrow via the connecting portion 100A, and the guide roller 102A provided at the tip of the drive plate 98A comes to face between the stepped portions 86. the document cassette 14, and engages with the grooves 30a and 30b of the document cassette 14.

Next, the motor 94A is driven, and the guide roller 102A is rotated via the wire 104A, whereby the leading end of the document cassette 14 is transferred via the nip roller 106 to the light emitting element 108 and light receiving element 110 that constitute the cassette identifying means 18. (See Figure 1).

In this case, the front end of the document cassette 14 is provided with a plurality of light transmitting portions 31a and a plurality of light shielding portions 31b to indicate the type of the document cassette 14 and the read document 28 held in the document cassette 14.
A cassette identification section 29 is provided with an identification symbol set therein. Therefore, the document cassette supplying device 10 receives the light output from the light emitting element 108 via the cassette identification section 29 and the light receiving element 110, so that the stepped portion 8
Information on the document cassette 14 loaded in the document cassette 6 can be read and recorded.

When the information from the document cassette 14 is read, the document cassette 14 is returned to a predetermined position on the stepped portion 86 under the driving action of the cassette transport mechanism 90A, and then the solenoid 9
6A, the drive plate 98A rotates in the direction of arrow B and retreats from the cage 76.

Next, the cage 76 is moved in the direction of arrow Z via the worm gear 82 and the chain 84 under the driving action of the motor 78, and the original cassette 14 is moved in the direction of the cassette transport mechanism 90B.
It stops when it moves to the position corresponding to . Therefore,
The cassette transport mechanism 90B is driven in the same manner as the cassette transport mechanism 90A, and the document cassette 14 is transported toward the cassette supply means 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The cassette supply means 22 drives the motor 118 to rotate the nip rollers 112 and 114, and supplies the document cassette 14 to the image reading device 20 through the communication port 34.

The image reading device 20 drives the conveyance means 40 by detecting the document cassette 14 by the insertion detection means 36, and conveys the document cassette 14 to the image reading section 42. In this case, the cassette identifying means 38 reads information on the document cassette 14. In the image reading unit 42, the light output from the light source 46 is applied to the read original 2 held in the original cassette 14.
The light is received by the light receiving element 48 via the light receiving element 8, and the image is read.

By the way, in the above description, the document cassette 14 is supplied from the cassette insertion opening 56. In this case, the document cassette 14 is supplied to the image reading device 20 after the cassette holding means 16 moves a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow Z. Therefore, in order for a desired document cassette 14 to be supplied to the image reading device 20, the document cassette 14 is
A predetermined time is required from when the image is identified until it is supplied to the image reading device 20.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the document cassette supply device 1
By supplying the document cassette 14 through the cassette insertion port 66 formed in the casing 12 of 0, the desired document cassette 14 can be supplied to the image reading device 20 in a short time.

That is, for example, when performing an interrupt operation when the document cassette 14 is held in the cassette holding means 16, the door 64 is opened to create the state shown in FIG. in this case,
A portion of the stepped portion 86 of the cassette holding means 16 that corresponds to the cassette insertion port 66 is left empty. The document cassette 14 inserted from the cassette insertion opening 66 is detected by the insertion detection means 68, which drives the carry-in roller 72 and supplies it to the cassette holding means 16. When the document cassette 14 is supplied to the cassette holding means 16, the drive plate 98B constituting the cassette transport mechanism 90B rotates in the direction of arrow A under the driving action of the solenoid 96B.

Next, as the motor 94B rotates, the guide roller 10 comes into contact with the grooves 30a and 30b of the document cassette 14.
The document cassette 14 is connected to the cassette supply means 22 via 2B.
is supplied to

The cassette supply means 22 is connected to the communication port 34 by nip rollers 112 and 114 which are rotationally driven by a motor 118.
is supplied to the image reading device 20 via. The document cassette 14 supplied to the image reading device 20 is conveyed to the image reading section 42, and the image information is read, as in the case described above.

In this way, since the cassette insertion port 66 is provided at a location corresponding to the communication port 34 of the image reading device 20, even if an interruption occurs, the desired document cassette 1 can be inserted.
4 can be supplied to the image reading device 20 in a short time.

In addition, the document cassette 1 to be handled is
Even when the number of cassette insertion slots 6 is small,
By using the document cassette 6, the document cassette 14 can be quickly supplied.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the document cassette feeding device according to the present invention provides the following effects.

That is, in the document cassette supply device of the present invention, the document cassette holding the document to be read is stored in the stepped portion of the cassette holding means through the cassette insertion opening, and then the document cassette is removed from the stepped portion by the cassette supplying device. It can be supplied to the image reading device through a communication port provided at a position corresponding to the stepped portion. In this case, there is no need to move the cassette supply means to supply the desired document cassette to the cassette supply means, so for example, when performing interrupt processing, the document cassette can be supplied to the image reading device in a short time. I can do it. Further, even when the number of document cassettes to be handled is small, the document cassettes can be quickly supplied.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a document cassette supply device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a document cassette loaded in the document cassette supply device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure of the document cassette supply device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the document cassette supply device shown in FIG. FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the internal configuration of the document cassette supply device shown in FIG. 76...Cage 86-...Stepped part

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A document cassette supply device that supplies a document cassette holding a document to be read to an image reading device, the device having a plurality of stepped portions for storing the document cassettes, and movable in the stacking direction of the stepped portions. a cassette holding means; a cassette insertion port provided at a position corresponding to a communication port that communicates the image reading device and the document cassette supply device for supplying the document cassette to the stepped portion; A document cassette supply device comprising: cassette supply means for supplying a document cassette housed in a cassette holding means to the image reading device through the communication port.