JPH0797145A - Device and method for reading document - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To contrive simplification of a mechanism by reading image information in both surfaces of a document while moving in a loop shape the document inverted along a series of continued conveying paths, and eliminating necessity for a separate device for reversing and inverting the document. CONSTITUTION:The first conveying path 20a for fetching a document D on a tray 31 conveyed and the second/third conveying paths 20b, 20c successively connected to this conveying path 20a are provided, and a document read means 15 for reading the document D is provided in the third conveying path 20. The fourth conveying path 20d is provided in the end of the third conveying path 20c, and the fifth loop-shaped conveying paths 20e, 20f for receiving a document from the conveying path 20d inverted are provided. The document D, inverted in the fifth conveying path, is fed in an inverted condition to the conveying path 20c, and reading the other side of the document D after inverting is performed similarly by the document read means 15. Rollers 30 to 39 and switching gates 40 to 43, serving as conveying control means, are provided in each conveying path, and the document, after reading the both sides, is discharged from a document discharge path 20g.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading device and a document reading method for reading image information on both sides of a document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a document reading apparatus of this type is designed so that one document is read toward a reading position in which a scanner body for reading image information of a document is housed and a platen glass facing the scanner is arranged. And a document reading section provided with a document feeding device as a document feeding unit for feeding each by one.

The original document feeding device includes an original document feed path and a pair of separating rollers arranged along the original document feed path, aligning rollers, conveying rollers, and other various drive systems. A paper feed path is formed, and by driving and controlling the drive system, the documents set on the tray are directed one by one through the document feed path toward the read position where the platen glass is arranged. It can be automatically transported.

Conventionally, when reading the image information on both sides of a document conveyed by using such a conveying mechanism, once the image information on one side is read, the document is turned over again and the image information on the other side is read. Reading. Further, in order to reverse the original, another device is attached to read the image information on both sides.

[0005]

However, the work of turning over the original in order to read the image information on both sides is very troublesome. Further, in the case of attaching another device for reversing the original, there is a problem that the device becomes complicated and becomes large in size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact document reading device capable of reading both sides of a document simply and efficiently.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a document reading apparatus for reading image information on both sides of a document fed one by one into a sheet feeding path and is set at a sheet feeding port. A first transport path for picking up and transporting the produced originals one by one, a second transport path connected to the transport end of the first transport path, and a second transport path connected to the end of the second transport path, A third conveyance path for reading image information on one side of the fed document, a document reading unit provided on the third conveyance path for reading image information on one side of the fed document, and the third conveyance path. A fourth conveyance path connected to the end of the path, a loop-shaped fifth conveyance path that receives a document from the fourth conveyance path and reverses the document, and a document that is reversed by the fifth conveyance path And a sixth conveying path for feeding the sheet to the third conveying path in an inverted state. The paper feed path provided, and the first transport path, the second transport path, and the third transport path are fed from the third transport path to the fourth transport path, the fifth transport path, and the sixth transport path. The present invention is provided with a conveyance control means for controlling the conveyance in the order of the path and the third conveyance path, and a paper discharge means for discharging the document after reading both sides.

In this case, it is desirable that a part of the second conveying path is reversely conveyed so as to be included in a part of the fifth conveying path. Further, in this case, it is desirable that the fourth conveyance path is set to the reverse conveyance state to be the sixth conveyance path.

Further, in the above structure, the third conveyance path and the third conveyance path are connected to the end of the third conveyance path and the third conveyance path and the fourth conveyance path are connected to each other to perform the operation of reversing the original. It is advisable to provide gate means for selectively switching to a position where the document conveyed by is directly sent to the discharge port.

The present invention also provides a document reading method for reading image information on both sides of a document fed one by one into a paper feed path. This method includes a first transporting step of capturing and transporting the originals set in a paper feed port one by one, a second transporting step of transporting the originals transported by the first transporting step, and a second transporting step. The third conveyance step for receiving the original conveyed in the conveyance step and conveying the original to read the image information on one surface of the original by the original reading means, and the fourth conveyance step for conveying the original after the third conveying step. Conveyance process and this 4th
A fifth transporting step for receiving the document transported in the transporting process and transporting the document in a loop and inverting it; and a sixth transporting process for transporting the inverted document and reading it by the document reading means. After that, a paper discharge step of discharging the original document is included.

[0011]

With the above arrangement, the original is inverted while being moved in a loop along a continuous transport path, and the image information on both sides of the original is read.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a document reading apparatus 10 of this embodiment. As shown, the document reading device 10 includes a box-shaped device body 14. Device body 14
A first document reading unit 12 for reading the sheet-shaped document D and a second document reading unit 13 for reading a book-shaped document or a folded document (neither of which is shown) are provided on the upper surface of the. ing.

A scanner 15 as a document reading means is housed in the apparatus body 14. The scanner 15 is moved to a predetermined position by a moving mechanism (not shown) by switching a reading mode changeover switch (not shown) on the operation panel.

That is, when the reading mode changeover switch is switched to the sheet original reading mode, the scanner 15 causes the first original reading portion 12 to move as shown in FIG.
The sheet-shaped document D moving on the platen glass 17 is fixedly opposed to the lower surface of the platen glass 17 which is the document support table.

When the reading mode changeover switch is changed over to the book document reading mode, the scanner 15
Is moved to the position of (B) in the figure on the one end side of the platen glass 51 which is the document support table of the second document reading section 13, and then is moved to the other end side of the platen glass 51 (C) in the figure. A document (not shown) moved to the position shown and pressed by the platen cover 50 on the platen glass 51.
Is designed to read.

Further, the first document reading section 12 for reading the sheet-shaped document D is configured to copy the sheet-shaped document D into the platen glass 1.
A document feeding device 18 as a document transporting unit for feeding one by one toward the read position where 7 is arranged is attached.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, a document feeder 1
Reference numeral 8 has a paper feed path 20 that can automatically convey, for example, sheet-like originals D set on a tray 31 one by one. The paper feed path 20 takes in the document D set on the tray 31, and the separation roller pair 30 and the first conveyance roller pair 3
The second carrying roller 20a as a first carrying path for carrying the second carrying roller pair 32 to the second carrying roller pair 32 and the second carrying roller pair 32 and the aligning roller pair 33. A relay path 20b serving as a transport path for the sheet, an aligning roller pair 33 and a third transport roller pair 35 are provided, and the document D aligned by the aligning roller pair 33 is placed between the platen roller 34 and the platen glass 17. It has a reading passage 20c as a third conveying passage which is passed through. In the reading passage 20c, the document D
The image information on one side is read by the scanner 15 as a document reading unit facing the platen glass 17.

Further, the paper feed path 20 has a first paper discharge path 20h and a return path 20d as a fourth (sixth) transfer path, which are connected to the third transfer roller pair 35 side of the reading path 20c. And have. The first paper discharge path 20h is the third
Document D that has passed through the pair of transport rollers 35 of
It is possible to discharge the paper through the sheet 6. The return passage 20d can be returned to the paper feed path 20 again by the fourth conveyance roller pair 37 without discharging the document D that has passed through the third conveyance roller pair 35 (fourth conveyance passage). In addition, the fourth conveying roller pair 37 is rotated in the opposite direction to convey the document D again toward the reading passage 20c (sixth conveying passage). Also,
A second paper discharge path 20g that connects the return path 20d to the first paper discharge path 20h is connected to an intermediate portion of the return path 20d.

At the end of the return passage 20d on the side of the fourth conveying roller pair 37, the return passage 20d is provided with the relay passage 20d.
The first connection passage 20e connected to the intermediate portion of the sheet discharge side of b
And a second connection passage 20f that connects the return passage 20d to the sheet feeding side end of the relay passage 20b. A fifth conveying roller pair 39 and a sixth conveying roller pair 38 are provided in the first connecting passage 20e and the second connecting passage 20f, respectively, and the original D is conveyed by these conveying roller pairs 38 and 39. It is conveyed in the connection passages 20e and 20f. In addition, the first connecting passage 20e and the second connecting passage 20
f forms a loop-shaped fifth conveyance path together with a part of the relay path 20b, so that the document D sent from the return path 20d can be fed into the first connection path 20 as described later.
e, the relay path 20b, and the second connection path 20f can be turned over by guiding in this order.

By the way, a first switching gate 40 is provided at a connection portion between the first connection passage 20e and the relay passage 20b. The first switching gate 40 blocks the first connection passage 20e and disconnects the relay passage 20b from the read passage 20.
The first position for opening toward c and the reading passage 20c
To the relay path 20b
It is possible to switch to the second position for connecting the sheet feeding side of the sheet and the first connecting passage 20e.

The first side of the reading passage 20c is on the paper discharge side.
Paper discharge path 20h, second paper discharge path 20g, and return path 20d
A second switching gate 41 is provided for switching the connection state with the. The second switching gate 41 blocks the return passage 20d and the second paper discharge passage 20g so as to block the read passage 2d.
0c and the first discharge path 20h are connected, and the first discharge path 20h and the second discharge path 20g are cut off to connect the reading path 20c and the return path 20d. It may switch to a position where the third conveying roller pair 35 side of the return path 20d and the first paper discharge path 20h are blocked and the return side of the return path 20d and the second paper discharge path 20g are connected. it can.

Further, a third switching gate 42 is provided at a portion where the return passage 20d and the first and second connection passages 20e and 20f are connected. The third switching gate 42 shuts off the second connection passage 20f and connects the return passage 20d and the first connection passage 20e to the first position, and shuts off the first connection passage 20e to return the same. It is possible to switch to the second position that connects the passage 20d and the second connection passage 20f.

Further, a fourth switching gate 43 is provided at a portion where the carry-in passage 20a, the relay passage 20b and the second connecting passage 20f are connected. The fourth switching gate 43 blocks the second connection passage 20f and blocks the carry-in passage 20.
a and a first position connecting the relay path 20b and the carry-in path 2
0a can be cut off and switched to the second position where the relay path 20b and the second connection path 20f are connected.

The first to fourth switching gates 40
The switching control of .about.43 and the drive control of various rollers 31 to 39 are performed by a control unit (not shown) so that a double-sided reading operation described later can be performed.

Next, the operation of the document reading device 10 having the above configuration will be described. First, the documents D set on the tray 31 are sequentially taken into the carry-in path 20a in a state of being separated one by one by the pair of take-up and separation rollers 30. The document D taken into the carry-in path 20a is carried to the relay path 20b by the first carrying roller pair 31 and the second carrying roller pair 32. In this case, the fourth switching gate 43 shuts off the second connection passage 20f to close the carry-in passage 2
0a and the relay path 20b are set to the first position.

The original D sent to the relay path 20b is temporarily stopped by the aligning roller pair 9, and the leading end is aligned by the aligning roller pair 9, and then the platen glass 17 is kept in this aligned state. Then, the sheet is fed toward the reading position between the platen roller 34 and the platen roller 34 arranged opposite to the sheet. In this case, the first switching gate 40 shuts off the first connection passage 20e to close the relay passage 20e.
It is set to a first position where b is opened toward the reading passage 20c.

Document D passing on the platen glass 17
The image information on one side is read by the scanner 15 facing the platen glass 17. Then, in the case of ending the reading only on one side, the document D is set to the third
It is sent to the first sheet discharge path 20h by the pair of transport rollers 35 and is discharged by the pair of sheet discharge rollers 36. In this case, the second switching gate 41 is set at a position that blocks the return passage 20d and the second paper discharge path 20g and connects the reading passage 20c and the first paper discharge path 20h. Note that, in FIG. 3, the transport path of the document D when reading only one side of the document D is shown by a solid line.

On the other hand, when reading both sides of the document D,
The second switching gate 41 is switched to a position where the first discharge path 20h and the second discharge path 20g are blocked and the reading path 20c and the return path 20d are connected, and the document D is read through the reading path 20c. Is sent to the return passage 20d.

The document D sent to the return passage 20d is conveyed to the first connection passage 20e while being guided by the fourth conveying roller pair 37. In this case, the third switching gate 42 is set to the first position where it blocks the second connection passage 20f and connects the return passage 20d and the first connection passage 20e.

Further, the document D guided in the first connection passage 20e by the fifth conveyance roller pair 39 is switched by the first switching gate 40 so that the relay passage 2 is formed.
0b is conveyed toward the paper feed side. At a predetermined position in this carrying step, the rotation direction of the roller pair 32, 33, 34, 35, 37 is switched to the opposite direction to the initial rotation direction by a control unit (not shown), and the third and fourth switching gates 42 and 43 are each switched to the second position.

Therefore, the document D conveyed with the relay path 20b directed toward the paper feed side, the pair of rollers 32, 38, 37, 3 is used.
5, the second connection passage 20f and the return passage 20d are sequentially guided while being inverted, and are sent to the reading passage 20c again in this inverted state. After the image information on the back side of the document D is read at the reading position between the platen glass 17 and the platen roller 34 in the reading passage 20c, the relay passage 20b and the second connecting passage 20 are read.
f, the return path 20d, and the second discharge path 20g are discharged in this order. In this paper discharge step, a position where the third conveying roller pair 35 side of the return path 20d and the first paper discharge path 20h are blocked to connect the return side of the return path 20d and the second paper discharge path 20g. The second switching gate 41 is switched to.

In FIG. 4, the conveyance path of the document D when reading both sides of the document D is shown by a solid line. In this case, the reciprocating path in the relay path 20b and the return path 20d is shown by two solid lines, but this is to show the flow of the document conveyed in an easy-to-understand manner, and the document is actually the same. It is conveyed back and forth along a route.

As described above, the document reading apparatus 1 of this embodiment
0 is the original document D along a continuous series of loop paper feed paths 20.
Since the image information on both sides of the document D can be read by reversing the document while moving it, there is no need to attach another device to turn over the document or invert the document as in the conventional case, and simplify the double-sided reading mechanism. Can be realized.
Therefore, both sides of the original can be read easily and efficiently, and the size of the apparatus itself can be reduced.

Further, according to the loop paper feed path 20, the reading is standardized from the leading end direction of the original on both sides during the one-sided reading and conveying and the back-side reading and conveying, so that it is easy to handle the image data. Also has.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a loop-shaped fifth conveyance path for receiving the document D from the return path 20d and reversing the document D is added to the first and second connection paths 20e and 20f. The sixth conveyance is configured such that a part of the relay path 20b, which is the second conveyance path, is also used as the reverse conveyance state, and the document D reversed on the fifth conveyance path is fed to the reading path 20c in the reversed state. The path is configured such that the return path 20d, which is the fourth conveyance path, is also used as the reverse conveyance state, whereby the paper feed path 20 is simplified and the apparatus 10 is made compact. As described above, the relay path 20b and the return path 20d are not used in combination, and the reciprocating paths of 20b and 20d shown by the two solid lines in FIG. 20
May have a configuration shown by the solid line in FIG. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0036]

As described above, the document reading apparatus of the present invention can read the image information on both sides of a document by reversing the document while moving it in a loop along a continuous transport path. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to attach a separate device for turning over the document or inverting the document, and the double-sided reading work and the double-sided reading mechanism can be simplified. Therefore, both sides of the original can be read easily and efficiently, and the size of the apparatus itself can be reduced.

Further, according to this conveyance path, since reading is standardized from the leading end direction of the original on both sides during one-side reading conveyance and back-side reading conveyance, there is the advantage that image data can be handled easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a document feeding device attached to a document reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a path diagram showing a document transport path when reading only one side of a document.

FIG. 4 is a path diagram illustrating a document transport path when reading both sides of a document.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 10 ... Original reading device, 14 ... Device body, 15 ... Scanner (original reading means), 18 ... Original feeding device, 20 ... Paper feeding path, 20a ... Carry-in path (first conveying path), 20b ... Relay path ( Second transport path and fifth transport path), 20c ... Read path (third transport path), 20d ... Return path (fourth transport path and sixth transport path), 20e ... First connection path (Fifth transport path), 20f ... second connection path (fifth transport path), 20f ... second paper discharge path (paper discharge means), 20g ...
First paper discharge path (paper discharge means), 30 to 39 ... Rollers (transport control means), 40, 41, 42, 43 ... Switching gates (transport control means).

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/04 1/12

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a document reading device for reading image information on both sides of a document fed one by one into a paper feed path, a first feeding path for taking in and feeding one document set at a paper feed port A second transport path connected to the transport end of the first transport path, and a third transport path connected to the end of the second transport path for reading image information on one side of the fed document. A path, an original reading unit provided on the third conveyance path for reading image information on one side of the fed original, a fourth conveyance path connected to an end of the third conveyance path, and a fourth conveyance path. A loop-shaped fifth conveyance path for receiving an original from the fourth conveyance path and inverting the original, and a sixth conveyance path for feeding the original reversed in the fifth conveyance path in the inverted state to the third conveyance path. A paper feed path having a transport path, a first transport path,
The second transport path feeds the third transport path, and the third transport path transports the fourth transport path, the fifth transport path, the sixth transport path, and the third transport path in this order. An original reading device comprising: a conveyance control unit for controlling; and a paper ejection unit for ejecting an original after reading both sides thereof. 2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fifth conveyance path also serves as a part of the second conveyance path in a reverse conveyance state. 3. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sixth conveyance path also serves as the fourth conveyance path in a reverse conveyance state. 4. A position at which the operation of inverting the original is performed by connecting the third conveying path and the fourth conveying path to the end of the third conveying path and the original conveyed by the third conveying path. 2. The document reading device according to claim 1, further comprising gate means for selectively switching to a position where the sheet is directly sent to the sheet discharge port. 5. In a document reading method for reading image information on both sides of a document fed one by one into a paper feed path, a first feeding step of fetching and feeding one document set at a paper feed port one by one. And a second conveying step for conveying the original conveyed by the first conveying step, and receiving and conveying the original conveyed by the second conveying step, and transmitting the image information on one surface of the original to the original reading means. A third conveyance step of reading and a fourth conveyance step of the document after the third conveyance step.
Transporting step, a fifth transporting step for receiving the document transported in the fourth transporting step and transporting the document in a loop, and inverting the document, and transporting the inverted document for reading by the document reading means. A method of reading an original, comprising a sixth conveying step for allowing the sheet to be discharged and a sheet discharging step for discharging the original.