JP2008131077A - Image reader, and facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the paper jam of a read original whose skew cannot be corrected completely even by a resist mechanism, and the damage of an original in an image reader. <P>SOLUTION: A copy facsimile composite machine 101 has an automatic document feeder 107 for conveying the read original in an original tray 11 to original read positions P1, P2 along an original conveyance path 13 and then ejecting the read original whose contents have been read to a paper output tray 12. The original conveyance path 13 has: a resist roller 51 correcting the skew of the read original conveyed in the original conveyance path 13; a skew sensor 55 detecting the amount of skew in the read original passing through the resist roller 51; a second original conveyance path 59 for conveying the read original whose amount of skew detected by the skew sensor 55 is not less than a prescribed value; and a chute section 75 for ejecting the read original passing through the second original conveyance path 59. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to configurations of an image reading apparatus and a facsimile apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a configuration for preventing skew of a read original and simplifying rereading in an image reading apparatus including an automatic document feeder.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561 discloses an automatic document feeder and an image forming apparatus in which a skew sensor is provided in a document conveyance path and a detection result by the skew sensor is displayed on a message panel. According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, with this configuration, an operator can immediately recognize a skew of a document, and an improper copy creation can be prevented in advance by stopping a subsequent copy operation, thereby improving image quality and saving paper. To do.
JP-A-5-216308

  However, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 1, while the operator is copying, the message panel is always checked by waiting in front of the apparatus, and when the skew detection message is displayed on the panel, the copying operation is quickly performed. It was necessary to be able to cancel. Further, if the cancel operation is not in time, the read document passes through the conveyance path in a skewed state, which may cause document jamming or document damage. In addition, when copying cannot be stopped in time, it is complicated to distinguish between a document that has been normally read and a skewed document that needs to be re-read, and the re-reading operation has taken a lot of time.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a skew-conveyed read original from causing a paper jam or damage to the original and requiring re-reading. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus including an automatic document feeder that can quickly grasp the above.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an image reading apparatus having the following configuration is provided. In other words, an automatic document feeder is provided that transports a read document of the document supply unit to a document reading position along a document transport path, and discharges the read document whose contents are read to a document discharge unit. The document transport path includes a registration mechanism that corrects skew of a read document transported along the document transport path, a skew sensor that detects a skew amount of the read document that has passed through the registration mechanism, and a skew sensor that detects the skew. A second original conveying path for conveying a read original having a skew amount larger than a predetermined value; and a second discharge unit for discharging the read original that has passed through the second original conveying path.

  With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the skew (skew) of the read document to accurately read the document content, and to prevent the document jam or damage to the read document. In addition, since a read document (skew document) having a skew amount larger than a certain value is discharged to a second discharge unit different from the document discharge unit, the user can reliably check the skew document simply by checking the second discharge unit. It can be grasped and re-reading of only skew originals can be performed very easily.

  In the image reading apparatus, it is preferable that the second document transport path is configured to branch from the document transport path at a position upstream of the document reading position in the document transport direction.

  With this configuration, the skew document can be discharged to the second discharge unit without passing through the document reading position (where document jam is likely to occur). Therefore, it is possible to prevent document jamming and reading document damage better.

  In the image reading apparatus, the second discharge unit is configured to have an open top, and a read document having a skew amount larger than a predetermined value is input to the second discharge unit from the upper side and stored vertically. It is preferred that

  With this configuration, a simple and compact configuration of the second discharge unit can be realized.

  In the image reading apparatus, it is preferable that the second discharge unit is disposed below the leading position of the read document set in the document supply unit.

  With this configuration, a compact configuration of the image reading apparatus including the second discharge unit can be realized.

  The image reading apparatus is preferably configured as follows. That is, when the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is larger than a predetermined value, the read original is conveyed backward to a position upstream from the registration mechanism, and then the read original is conveyed in the forward direction and read by the registration mechanism. Re-correct the document skew. The skew sensor detects the skew amount of the read document after re-correcting the skew, and when the detected skew amount is larger than a predetermined value, the read document is moved along the second document transport path to the second document. Discharge to the discharge section.

  With this configuration, the read document can be reversely conveyed as necessary, and a plurality of registration operations can be performed. Therefore, since the skew correction range can be expanded, the trouble of re-reading the original can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  In the image reading apparatus, when the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is greater than zero and equal to or less than a predetermined value, the read document is read by the image reading unit, and image processing for rotating the read image is performed. It is preferable.

  With this configuration, both skew correction by the registration operation and skew correction by software processing are performed, so that the document content can be read more accurately.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus as the image reading apparatus is provided.

  Next, embodiments of the invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the configuration of an image reading portion of a copy facsimile multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a copy facsimile multifunction machine 101 serving as an image reading apparatus and a facsimile apparatus includes a document table 102 on which a platen glass on which a read document is placed is disposed, and presses the read document onto the platen glass. A document table cover 103 to be fixed in this way, and an operation panel (not shown) for instructing reading start of the document and the like.

  An apparatus main body (not shown) is disposed below the document table 102. The apparatus main body is not shown through an image recording unit (not shown) for recording an image on a sheet as a recording medium, or via a communication line. A transmission / reception unit (not shown) for transmitting image data is incorporated.

  The document table cover 103 is provided with an auto document feeder (automatic document feeder) 107. The auto document feeder 107 includes a document tray (document supply unit) 11 provided on the upper part of the document table cover 103 and a sheet discharge tray (document output unit) 12 provided below the document tray.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a curved document transport path 13 that connects the document tray 11 and the discharge tray 12 is formed inside the document table cover 103. Document reading positions P1, P2 are set in the middle of the document transport path 13. With this configuration, the read originals set on the original tray 11 are separated one by one and conveyed along the curved original conveyance path 13, and after passing through the original reading positions P1 and P2, the paper is discharged. It is discharged to the tray 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner unit (original reading unit) 21 is provided inside the original table 102. The scanner unit 21 includes a light source 22 that emits light to the document reading position P1, reflection mirrors 23, 24, and 25 that reflect reflected light from the read document, and a condensing lens 26 that converges the reflected light. And a charge coupled device (CCD) 27 for converting the converged light into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal.

  With this configuration, the read original conveyed on the original conveyance path 13 is scanned at the original reading position P1, and the reflected light from the read original is guided to the CCD 27 to form an image. As a result, the CCD 27 can output an electrical signal corresponding to the read content. This signal and a signal of the contact image sensor 67 described later are sent to the image recording unit after appropriate conversion processing and printed, or transmitted to another facsimile apparatus via a communication line by the transmission / reception unit.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the document transport path 13 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a separation roller 31 and a pickup roller 32 are provided at a location where the document is supplied from the document tray 11 to the document transport path 13. A swing arm 33 is attached so as to be swingable about the axis of the separation roller 31, and a pickup roller 32 is supported on the tip side of the swing arm 33.

  A separation pad 34 is installed at a position facing the separation roller 31, and the separation pad 34 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the separation roller 31 by a spring. As a result, the read original can be separated one by one by driving the separation roller 31 in a state where the read original is nipped between the separation roller 31 and the separation pad 34.

  A registration roller 51 constituting a registration mechanism is provided downstream of the separation roller 31. The registration roller 51 is controlled to stop the rotation for a predetermined time and drive the registration roller 51 with the leading side of the read original conveyed by the separation roller 31 in contact with the peripheral surface of the registration roller 51. The With this series of operations, even if the read original is skewed somewhat and supplied to the original transport path 13, the skew is corrected (aligned) and sent to the original reading positions P1 and P2.

  A skew sensor 55 that detects the degree of skew (skew) of the read document is installed immediately downstream of the registration roller 51. The skew sensor 55 is composed of two sensors arranged at a predetermined interval in the document width direction, and the registration roller 51 is based on a time difference between timings at which the two sensors detect the top of the read document. It is possible to detect the amount of skew that could not be corrected by.

  A conveyance roller 61 is provided on the downstream side of the skew sensor 55, and a branching portion 57 is formed in the document conveyance path 13 immediately downstream thereof. The branching portion 57 is disposed on the downstream side of the skew sensor 55 and on the upstream side of the document reading positions P1 and P2, and is formed in the vicinity of a portion where the document conveyance path 13 starts to bend downward. . A second document conveyance path 59 is connected to the branch portion 57, and the second document conveyance path 59 extends so as to bend downward from the branch portion 57, and a skew document discharge port 60 is provided at the end thereof. Forming.

  A chute part (second discharge part) 75 is installed on the side of the document table 102. The chute 75 is formed in a box shape with the upper part opened, and the open part faces the skew document discharge port 60. Accordingly, the read document discharged from the skew document discharge port 60 is input to the chute unit 75 from above. Further, since the chute portion 75 is formed in a box shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, the input read original is stored in the chute portion 75 in the vertical direction. Further, the chute 75 is installed on the side of the document table 102, and the installation height is arranged to be lower than the leading position of the read document placed on the document tray 11.

  A route guide 58 is swingably supported at the position of the branch portion 57, and a solenoid (not shown) is connected to the route guide 58 so that the posture of the route guide 58 can be changed. ing. With this configuration, switching is performed between whether the read document conveyed by the conveyance roller 61 or the like is conveyed toward the document reading positions P1 and P2 or discharged to the chute unit 75 via the second document conveyance path 59. Can do.

  In the document conveyance path 13, conveyance rollers 62 and 63 are provided on the downstream side of the branch portion 57. Accordingly, the read document conveyed downstream by the driving of the conveyance roller 61 is nipped by the conveyance roller 62 and further conveyed, and passes the document reading position P1. At this time, the information of the read original is read by the scanner unit 21.

  The read original is further conveyed by driving of the conveyance roller 63 and passes through the original reading position P2. A contact image sensor 67 is provided at the document reading position P2, and the contents on the back side of the read document can be scanned while the read document is nipped between the contact image sensor 67 and the platen roller 64. It is like that. The read originals whose front and back contents are read at the two original reading positions P1 and P2 are conveyed by the paper discharge roller 70 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12.

  Next, an electrical configuration for controlling the auto document feeder 107 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the auto document feeder 107 includes a control unit 68 for controlling each unit. The control unit 68 is configured as a known microcomputer and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). The scanner unit 21 and the contact-type image sensor 67 are connected to a control unit 68, thereby controlling reading of a document.

  The skew sensor 55 is connected to the control unit 68 so that a detected value of the skew amount of the read document can be transmitted to the control unit 68. The control unit 68 is connected to a drive motor 71 that drives the separation roller 31, the registration roller 51, the transport rollers 61, 62, 63, and the like, and is configured to control the driving / stopping of each roller. . Further, a solenoid 72 for switching the route guidance tool 58 is connected to the control unit 68 so that energization / releasing of the solenoid 72 can be controlled.

  Next, reading control of the auto document feeder 107 will be described with reference to FIG. The control shown in FIG. 3 is started when a read document is set on the document tray 11 of the auto document feeder 107 and a facsimile operation or a copy operation is performed. When the reading control starts, first, the drive motor 71 is controlled, the read originals on the original tray 11 are fed by the pickup roller 32, separated one by one by the separation roller 31, and supplied to the original conveyance path 13 (S101). . Next, a registration operation by the registration roller 51 is performed to correct the skew of the read document (S102).

  Next, the skew amount is detected by the skew sensor 55 (S103). Then, the skew amount is compared with a predetermined value (S104), and if it exceeds the predetermined value, the solenoid 72 is controlled in S105, the path guide 58 is switched, and along the second document conveying path 59. The read original is conveyed and discharged to the chute unit 75. As a result, the read original whose skew has not been corrected by the registration roller 51 can be discharged (before passing through the original reading positions P1 and P2), so that the paper can be prevented from being jammed or damaged.

  On the other hand, when the skew amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the read original is conveyed along the original conveyance path 13 and passed through the original reading positions P1 and P2, and the original content is read by the scanner unit 21 and the contact image sensor 67 ( S106). When the skew amount is not zero, the skew is corrected by appropriately rotating the image as the reading result (S107, S108). Finally, the read original is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 (S107), and the reading of the original is finished.

  With the above control, a good image with no inclination can be obtained by performing mechanical correction (S102) by the registration roller 51 and software correction (S108) by image rotation processing with respect to the skew of the read document. it can. Also, a read original (skew original) whose skew has not been completely corrected by the registration operation of the registration roller 51 and an original read at the original reading positions P1 and P2 are automatically sorted, and the skew original is discharged. The paper is discharged to a chute 75 separate from the tray 12. Accordingly, since only the document that needs to be re-read due to skew is discharged to the chute unit 75, the subsequent re-reading operation places the read document of the chute unit 75 on the document tray 11 again and operates the operation panel. Just do it.

  As described above, the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 101 according to the present embodiment conveys the read document on the document tray 11 along the document transport path 13 to the document reading positions P1 and P2, and reads the read document. Is provided with an auto document feeder 107 for discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 12. The document transport path 13 includes a registration roller 51 that corrects the skew of the read document transported in the document transport path 13 and a skew sensor 55 that detects the skew amount of the read document that has passed through the registration roller 51. A second document transport path 59 that transports a read document whose skew amount detected by the skew sensor 55 is greater than a predetermined value; a chute unit 75 that discharges the read document that has passed through the second document transport path 59; Is provided.

  With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the skew of the read document, accurately read the document content, and prevent document jamming and damage to the read document. In addition, since a read original (skew original) having a skew amount larger than a certain value is discharged to a chute 75 different from the paper discharge tray 12, the user can surely grasp the skew original simply by checking the chute 75. Therefore, it is possible to re-read only the skew original very easily.

  In the present embodiment, the second document transport path 59 is configured to branch from the document transport path 13 at a position upstream of the document reading positions P1 and P2 in the document transport direction.

  With this configuration, the skewed document can be discharged to the chute unit 75 without passing through the document reading positions P1 and P2 (where document jamming is likely to occur). Accordingly, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent document jamming and damage to the read document.

  In the present embodiment, the chute 75 is configured to have an open top, and a read document having a skew amount equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input to the chute 75 from above and stored vertically. .

  With this configuration, a simple and compact configuration of the chute portion 75 can be realized.

  The chute 75 is disposed below the leading position of the read document set on the document tray 11.

  With this configuration, since the chute portion 75 is not protruded upward, a compact layout can be realized.

  If the skew amount detected by the skew sensor 55 is greater than zero and less than or equal to a predetermined value, the read document is read by the scanner unit 21 and the contact image sensor 67 (S106), and the read image is rotated. Image processing is performed (S108).

  With this configuration, both skew correction by the registration operation and skew correction by software processing are performed, so that the document content can be read more accurately.

  In addition, in the structure of FIG. 1, it can also control like the flowchart of FIG. 4, for example. In the control example of FIG. 4, first, similar to the processing of S101 to S104 of FIG. 3, the read original is fed, the registration operation, the skew amount is detected by the skew sensor 55, and the skew amount is compared with a predetermined value (S201). ~ S204). If it is determined in S204 that the skew amount exceeds a predetermined value, the number of registration operations by the registration roller 51 is checked (S205). If the registration operation is performed for the first time, the registration roller 51 and the separation roller 31 are driven to rotate reversely, and the read original is conveyed backward to a position upstream of the registration roller 51 (S206). Thereafter, returning to the processing of S203, a series of operations from the resist operation is performed again.

  If it is determined in S205 that the registration operation has been performed for the second time or more, the route guide 58 is switched via the solenoid 72, and the read document is discharged to the chute 75 (S207). In addition, since the process of S208-S211 is the same as that of S106-S109 of FIG. 3, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the control of FIG. 4, after the first registration operation (S202), the read document whose skew amount is determined to be larger than a predetermined value is conveyed backward (S206), and the top of the read document is the registration roller 51. When the position returns to the upstream position, the registration roller 51 and the separation roller 31 are driven in the normal direction to convey the read original again in the forward direction, and the registration roller 51 performs the second registration operation to read. The skew of the original is corrected again (S202). Further, the skew amount of the read original after the recorrection is detected by the skew sensor 55 (S203), and when the skew amount is not more than a predetermined value (S204), it means that the recorrection of the skew is successful. Therefore, normal reading is performed (S208 to S211). On the other hand, if the skew amount is larger than the predetermined value in S204, it means that the skew could not be corrected even in the two registration operations, and therefore the read original is discharged to the chute 75 along the second original conveyance path 59. (S205, S207).

  As described above, in the control example of FIG. 4, when the skew amount detected by the skew sensor 55 is larger than a predetermined value, the read original is reversely conveyed to a position upstream from the registration roller 51, and then the read original is The paper is conveyed in the forward direction, and the skew of the read original is recorrected by the registration roller 51. Then, the skew sensor 55 detects the skew amount of the read document after re-correcting the skew. When the detected skew amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the read document is moved along the second document transport path 59. To the chute 75.

  With this configuration, if the skew cannot be corrected by the first registration operation, the second registration operation can be performed. Accordingly, since the skew correction range can be expanded, the trouble of rereading the original can be reduced, and convenience can be improved.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be changed as follows, for example.

  The second document transport path 59 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the second document transport path is reversed while curving upward from the branching portion 57, and is configured to bypass the registration roller 51, separation roller 31, and pickup roller 32 and connect to the document tray 11 side. Can do. In this case, the chute portion 75 can be omitted, and the rereading operation is further facilitated by automatically returning the skew original to the original tray 11.

  In the control of FIG. 4, the read original that has not been corrected by the two registration operations is discharged to the chute unit 75. For example, the configuration may be such that the registration operation is performed three times or more for one read original. good.

  Further, instead of providing the skew sensor 55 downstream of the registration roller 51, as shown in FIG. 5, the skew sensor is positioned upstream of the registration roller 51 and downstream of the pickup unit (separation roller 31 and pickup roller 32). 56 can be provided. Further, as shown in the configuration of FIG. 5, the second document transport path 59 and the route guide 58 in the configuration of FIG. 1 can be omitted.

  In the configuration of FIG. 5, for example, the control of FIG. 6 may be performed. That is, after feeding the read original (S301), the skew amount is detected by the skew sensor 56 (S302), and the skew amount is compared with a predetermined value (S303). Then, only when the skew amount exceeds a predetermined value, the registration operation by the registration roller 51 is performed (S304). Then, after reading the original content at the original reading positions P1 and P2 (S305), a process of rotating the image according to the skew amount is appropriately performed (S306), and the read original is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 (S307).

  In the above configuration, since the registration roller 51 can be operated only when necessary, the operation noise of the registration operation can be reduced and the quietness can be improved. Further, since the operation of stopping the top of the read original by the registration roller 51 can be reduced, the read original can be quickly conveyed to improve the reading efficiency.

Note that at least the following technical idea can be understood from the above-described configuration described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. That is,
An image reading apparatus including an automatic document feeder that conveys a read document of a document supply unit to a document reading position along a document conveyance path, and discharges the read document whose contents are read to a document discharge unit.
The document transport path includes
A registration mechanism for correcting skew of a read document conveyed along the document conveyance path;
A skew sensor that detects the skew amount of the read document before passing through the registration mechanism;
With
When the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is larger than a predetermined value, the skew of the read document is corrected by the registration mechanism,
When the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the read document is read by an image reading unit without operating the registration mechanism, and image processing for rotating the read image is performed. An image reading apparatus.

  According to the above, since the registration operation is not performed on a document with a small skew amount, the registration operation can be reduced. Therefore, silence can be improved and a configuration suitable for high-speed reading can be obtained.

  1 and 5 is configured to be able to read both the front and back sides of a document, for example, the contact image sensor 67 can be omitted and changed to a single-sided reading type image reading apparatus. Further, the invention is not limited to the registration mechanism using the registration roller 51, and can be changed to one using a locking tool, for example.

  The configuration of the above embodiment can be applied not only to the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 101 but also to, for example, a copy machine, an image scanner, and the like.

1 is a front sectional view showing an image reading unit of a copy facsimile multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image reading unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of skew correction control for a read document. The flowchart figure which shows the other control example of skew correction control. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a modification of the image reading unit of the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of skew correction control for a read document in the configuration of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

11 Document tray (document supply section)
12 Paper output tray (original output)
13 Document transport path 51 Registration roller (part of registration mechanism)
55 Skew sensor 59 Second document transport path 75 Chute part (second discharge part)
101 Copy facsimile multifunction peripheral (image reading device)
107 Auto Document Feeder (Automatic Document Feeder)
P1, P2 Document reading position

Claims (7)

An image reading apparatus including an automatic document feeder that conveys a read document of a document supply unit to a document reading position along a document conveyance path, and discharges the read document whose contents are read to a document discharge unit.
The document transport path includes
A registration mechanism for correcting skew of a read document conveyed along the document conveyance path;
A skew sensor that detects a skew amount of the read document that has passed through the registration mechanism;
A second original conveying path for conveying a read original whose skew amount detected by the skew sensor is larger than a predetermined value;
A second discharge unit for discharging the read document that has passed through the second document transport path;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the second document transport path is configured to branch from the document transport path at a position upstream of the document reading position in the document transport direction. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the second discharge unit is configured to have an open top, and a read document having a skew amount larger than a predetermined value is input to the second discharge unit from the upper side and stored vertically. Reader. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge unit is disposed below a leading position of a read document set in the document supply unit. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is larger than a predetermined value, the read document is transported backward to a position upstream from the registration mechanism, and then the read document is transported in the forward direction and the registration mechanism scans the scanned document. Re-correct the skew,
The skew sensor detects the skew amount of the read document after re-correcting the skew, and when the detected skew amount is larger than a predetermined value, the read document is moved along the second document transport path to the second document. An image reading apparatus which discharges to a discharge unit. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the skew amount detected by the skew sensor is greater than zero and equal to or less than a predetermined value, the read document is read by an image reading unit, and image processing is performed to rotate the read image. .   A facsimile apparatus as an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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