JP2003289420A - Original imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original imaging apparatus with excellent subscanning (original carrying) performance and high reliability while saving the space of itself and reducing the cost or the like of itself. <P>SOLUTION: The original imaging apparatus is provided with: a read means having an image sensor 2 and reading image information of an original; a subscanning means 22 for varying a relative position between the image sensor and the original image in a direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction of the image sensor at a prescribed speed; and a separation feed means 20 for separating one original from an original bundle and feeding the original up to the subscanning means 22. A connection roller 26 is loosely fit between the subscanning means 20 and the separation feed means 20 and a function of assisting drive of the original in the subscanning state is provided in the separation feed means 20 even in driving the original by the subscanning means 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document image pickup apparatus, and more specifically, it reads an image of a document while automatically conveying the document and generates a video signal from the image information after the reading, and a projector, a CRT, a liquid crystal display. The present invention relates to a device for outputting to an external device such as a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, at presentations at academic conferences and various events, a presenter or the like has made a presentation using slides or an overhead projector (OHP).

On the other hand, in recent years, with the rapid spread of personal computers, presentations using a combination of a personal computer and a liquid crystal projector have been given. Even in this case, there is a strong demand to make a presentation using a printed material such as auxiliary material or handwritten material, and a document imaging device used in combination with a liquid crystal projector is required.

In order to meet such requirements, CC
An original image pickup device which reads image information of an original on a platen using a video camera using an area image sensor such as D and outputs image data as a video signal,
There is a so-called document camera, one example of which is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 33, numeral 133 is a video camera using an area image sensor, numeral 134 is a document table equipped with a back illuminating device for transparent originals such as OHP, and numeral 135 is an illuminating device for illuminating the original document on the document table 134. is there. FIG. 33
Such an original image pickup device shown in FIG. 2 is commercialized as a device for making a presentation by connecting to a liquid crystal projector as a display device, or a device for making an image input by connecting to a video conference device.

However, the original image pickup device using the area image sensor is a device using a video camera originally developed for shooting moving images. For this reason, when used as a device for giving a presentation by connecting to a liquid crystal projector, it is generally characterized in that an original of one screen can be taken in instantly, but it has the following drawbacks. (1) Generally, the area image sensor has a relatively low resolution, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient resolution for reading and outputting characters such as a document original. (2) Since NTSC signals and S signals used in general color televisions and the like are used as output video signals, the characteristics cannot be utilized when a high-quality display device such as a liquid crystal projector is used as a transmission path. . (3) Since the optical path is a surface, it is difficult to reduce the size of the device by refracting the optical path by reflection from a mirror or the like over multiple stages, and thus the size of the device increases both during operation and during storage.

For this reason, an original image pickup device has been proposed which uses a linear image sensor, which is expected to have a higher resolution than the area image sensor, instead of the area image sensor. FIG. 34 shows a block configuration of an example thereof. FIG. 34 shows a block circuit diagram of a conventional original image pickup device 237 using a linear image sensor, in which 202 is a linear image sensor and 205 is an A / D converter for converting image information from the linear image sensor 202 into digital data. Two
Reference numeral 08 is a display memory for storing data from the A / D converter 205, 209 is a video signal generator, 211 is a CPU for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, 212 is a ROM for storing a control program of the CPU 211, and 214 is an operation method designation. Switch 215, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, 216 an original read by this device, 238 a sub-scanning position detector, and 239 a sub-scanning drive mechanism.

[0008]

However, as shown in FIG.
In the conventional document image pickup device 237 using the linear image sensor shown in, since the data of the read document is directly written in the display memory 208, the document cannot be read during display. Therefore, after the explanation of the screen being displayed is completed and a screen switching request is issued, the next document reading operation is performed, and the time from reading to displaying becomes a waiting time.

Further, in order to shorten the display time, the display memory 2
When 08 is mounted for a plurality of screens, it is possible to capture a plurality of documents in advance. However, in this case,
It takes a long time to read an original as a preparation, and in order to use many originals, the capacity of the display memory is required according to the number of originals, and it is necessary to mount a large capacity memory.

Further, although the linear image sensor 202 has a relatively high resolution, the display device 215 has a low resolution, so the data read from the original 216 is displayed in the display memory 20.
It is thinned out at the stage of being transferred to 8. Therefore, when it is necessary to rotate the screen after the display, the conversion is performed from the thinned data instead of the read original data, and the image deteriorates each time the conversion is performed.

Further, since the display memory 208 has a data structure determined by its circuit configuration, it cannot handle an image or the like that has been arbitrarily compressed, resulting in poor storage efficiency. Further, in the method of reading a fixed original by driving an optical system including the linear image sensor 208, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large in size, easiness of transportation and movement and freedom of selection of an installation place are not provided.

Further, in an original image pickup apparatus which needs to be connected to a personal computer, the operability from the image pickup to the display is poor, the power source is often turned on in the installed state, and the power consumption is large. turn into. In addition, a portable device has a high probability of an accident due to a shock or the like, and the failure rate is inevitably high.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
Space saving in the optical system that illuminates and captures the original,
An object of the present invention is to provide a document image pickup device with high dimming accuracy and beautiful captured images while achieving cost reduction and the like.

[0014]

A first structure of a document image pickup apparatus according to the present invention has an image sensor, a reading unit for reading image information of a document, and a direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction of the image sensor. And a sub-scanning unit that changes the relative position of the image sensor and the document image at a predetermined speed, and a separation feeding unit that separates and feeds one document from the document stack to the sub-scanning unit. The feeding means has a roller for driving the document, and the roller applies a driving force for driving the document to the document both in the separate feeding and the sub-scanning.

In the first configuration, the separating / feeding means has a roller for driving the original, and the roller applies a driving force for driving the original to the original both during the separate feeding and the sub-scanning. Since it is provided, the transport roller for separating and feeding the original document can be configured as a transport roller for sub-scanning. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a document image pickup apparatus having a simple configuration, a high document conveyance capability, a small number of document conveyance failures, and a beautiful captured image without disturbance.

A second structure of the original image pickup device according to the present invention is the first structure according to the first structure, wherein the rollers of the separating and feeding means have different peripheral speeds during the separating and feeding and during the sub scanning. It is characterized by

In the second structure, the peripheral speeds of the rollers of the separating / feeding means are different when separating and feeding the rollers and during sub-scanning, so that one roller serves two functions of separating and feeding and sub-scanning. Therefore, it is possible to improve the document transport performance and reduce the size.

A third structure of the original image pickup device according to the present invention is the first or second structure, wherein the sub-scanning means and the separation feeding means are connected by a connecting roller, and the connecting roller is the above-mentioned. It is characterized in that it is arranged in the middle of the sub-scanning means and the separating and feeding means, and evenly biases the sub-scanning means and the separating and feeding means.

In the third structure, the sub-scanning means and the separating / feeding means are connected by a connecting roller, and the connecting roller is arranged between the sub-scanning means and the separating / feeding means. Since the sub-scanning means and the separating / feeding means are uniformly biased, the separating / feeding means can be used as the sub-scanning means.

According to a fourth structure of the original image pickup device of the present invention, in the third structure, since the connecting roller is a cylindrical or spherical member, it is easy to produce and saves space.
It is possible to reduce the size and cost.

A fifth structure of the original image pickup device according to the present invention is the third or fourth structure, wherein the connecting roller is
It is characterized in that it has a space that can be separated from the sub-scanning means or the separation feeding means in a direction opposite to the urging direction.

In the fifth structure, the roller has a space in which it can be removed in the direction opposite to the urging direction. This makes it possible to easily provide a clutch mechanism, provide a space-saving, compact, and low-cost imaging device that is easy to manufacture.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 and FIG.
With reference to, the outline of the document imaging apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of an image display system configured by using the original image pickup device 1.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a state when the document imaging apparatus is in use, and is an external perspective view showing a case where a wireless signal of the remote controller is emitted toward the operation button.

The original image pickup device 1 to which the present invention is applied reads an image of an original while automatically conveying the originals one by one, and the image information after the read is read by a projector, a CRT, or the like.
This is a device for outputting to an external device such as a liquid crystal display, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a display device 15 which is a projector and an AC / power supply device.
It is used by connecting to the DC converter 201.

Specifically, the manuscript image pickup apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body C.
The display communication cable 2 is connected to the display device connecting connector 32, which is the image signal output means of the present embodiment, which is disposed in the display device.
By connecting 00, it is connected to the display device 15,
Various signals are transmitted to and received from the display device 15.

Further, in the original image pickup device 1, the AC / DC converter 2 is connected to the power connector 34 arranged in the main body C of the device.
AC / D by inserting the plug from 01
DC power is input from the C converter 201. An image signal for inputting an image signal sent from an image signal generator 30 other than the personal computer capable of transmitting image data or the image pickup apparatus body C, along with the display device connection connector 32 of the apparatus body C. An input connector 35 is provided, and the image data communication cable 202 is connected to the image signal generator 30 so that the image signal sent from the image signal generator 30 can be input. The display device connecting connector 32 and the image signal input connector 35 are set to have the same mechanical shape and signal standard.

Further, at the position of the arrangement, USB, RS232 conforming to the communication standard of the communication device 36 such as a personal computer other than the device main body C, a projector, a mouse, etc.
C, IEEE1394, PS / 2, etc. communication connector 3
3 is provided so that it can be connected to a personal computer or a projector. It can be operated by communication with a personal computer, a projector, or the like. For example, if a USB connector or the like is used, the digital image signal of the personal computer is processed at any time, and the image signal is sent to the display device 15 via the display device connecting connector 32. It is also possible to send out and display an image on the display device 15. Also, PS / 2,
A USB connector or the like may be provided so that the mouse can be used for operation, or the main body C of the device can be operated from the projector.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the original image pickup apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a small size and a portable size and outer shape which are convenient to carry. It should be noted that in FIG.
Is shown in a state before use, and in this state, document trays 18 and 118, which will be described in detail later, are housed in the apparatus main body C and function as an exterior cover.

In using the original image pickup device 1, FIG.
The document trays 18 and 118 are opened, as shown in, and the document is set on the document trays 18 and 118 with the image surface of the document facing upward. Here, when using the document imaging device 1,
By pushing in the operation button 75 arranged on the upper surface of the apparatus main body C, the document trays 18 and 118 are opened as shown in FIG.
5 projects upward from the upper surface of the apparatus main body C. The detailed configuration and operation of the document trays 18, 118 and the like will be described later.

The manuscript image pickup device 1 can be operated remotely using a remote controller (remote controller 79). As shown in FIG. 2, a radio signal output from the remote controller 79 is transmitted to the device main body. By irradiating the operation button 75 protruding from the upper surface of C, each unit of the document imaging apparatus 1 described later in detail operates. While the documents set on the document trays 18 and 118 are fed into the apparatus main body C, the image of the document is read, and the image information after the reading is supplied to the display device 15. Then, by displaying the image of the document on the display device 15, a presentation at various events or the like will be performed. It should be noted that not only an opaque sheet such as paper but also a transparent sheet or a semitransparent sheet used for OHP or the like can be used as an original that can be used in the original image pickup apparatus 1. The details will be described later. To do.

Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 3, the circuit configuration of the original image pickup apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the document imaging apparatus 1 includes a linear image sensor 2 as a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a document position detector 3 for detecting the position of the document, document feeding, sub-scanning drive, and ejection. A / D for converting the output signal of the linear image sensor 2 from the document driving mechanism 4 for performing each operation of
The converter 5, the first buffer memory 6 that temporarily stores the output signal of the A / D converter 5, and the first buffer memory 6 are provided in the subsequent stage, and store or compress the data during and after the display. Second to store afterwards
Buffer memory 7 and the display memory 8 arranged in the subsequent stage of the first buffer memory 6 and the second buffer memory 7.
A video signal generator 9 for generating a video signal to be output to the display device 15 from the output signal of the display memory 8, and a display device information reader 10 for reading information output from the display device 15. CP which is also the image signal processing means of the present embodiment for controlling the entire original image pickup apparatus 1
U11, ROM 12 for storing control programs and control data used by CPU 11, display performance designating switch 13, operation method designating switch 14, image signal switching means 29, and communication system of communication device 36. Communication means 28 for

The linear image sensor 2 is a so-called line type reading sensor including a CCD and a contact sensor. The document position detector 3 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of a document passing therethrough for switching the operation of the document driving mechanism 4, and supplies a detection signal to the CPU 11. The document driving mechanism 4 includes a document feeding mechanism, a sub-scanning driving mechanism, and a document discharging mechanism. Document trays 18 and 118 whose details will be described later
A large number of document bundles 17 held on the sheet are separated by a document separating / feeding mechanism and fed out, and the document 16 separated into one sheet is relatively moved with respect to the linear image sensor 2 by a sub-scanning drive mechanism. Can be moved. Original 1 at this time
The image 6 is read by the linear image sensor 2, and then the document 16 is discharged to the outside of the machine by the document discharge mechanism. The specific configuration and operation of each mechanism of the document driving mechanism 4 will be described later.

In the original image pickup device 1, the image information of the original 16 read by the linear image sensor 2 is supplied to the A / D converter 5 as an analog signal and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 5. First, it is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 6. Here, the digital data stored in the first buffer memory 6 is supplied to the video signal generator 9 via the CPU 11 and the display memory 8, and the CPU 11 also performs compression processing and the like if necessary. It is stored in the second buffer memory 7 in the form of processed data. Then, the digital data from the display memory 8 supplied to the video signal generator 9 is sequentially converted into a video signal by the video signal generator 9 and output to the display device 15.

On the other hand, the data stored in the second buffer memory 7 is processed by the CPU 11 (decompression processing in the case of compressed data) and the display memory 8 as required by the user or the like, and then the video signal generator. 9 and is output to the display device 15 after being converted into a video signal.

That is, in the original image pickup apparatus 1, the CPU
11 does not perform processing such as compression / expansion on the data stored in the first buffer memory 6, but performs processing such as compression / expansion on only the data stored in the second buffer memory 7. . First buffer memory 6 and second
The semiconductor memory is used as the buffer memory 7 in this embodiment, but a non-volatile memory device such as a hard disk may be used together. The capacity of the first buffer memory 6 may be larger or smaller than the capacity of one original.

Here, the original document 1 is stored in the first buffer memory 6.
When more than one sheet of data is accumulated, the display screen can be switched without actually performing the reading operation, so that the same switching time as that of the conventional device using the area image sensor can be realized. Further, even when the amount of data stored in the first buffer memory 6 is less than that of one original document, the time until display can be shortened according to the storage amount. However, in this embodiment, the capacity of one original document is reduced. It has a larger capacity.

On the other hand, the capacity of the second buffer memory 7 is
It is sufficient that the capacity is larger than the capacity of one original, but in the original imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a capacity larger than the capacity of two originals is mounted. When the free space is determined by the CPU 11 which will be described later in step S61 of FIG. 30, when the free space is less than the capacity of one document to be transferred, there is no free space (the second buffer memory 7 is full).
The decision is made.

The CPU 11 controls the respective parts of the original image pickup apparatus 1, and also transfers the data from the A / D converter 5 to the first buffer memory 6 by the first transfer means and the first buffer. Second transfer means for transferring data from the memory 6 to the second buffer memory 7, the first buffer memory 6 or the second buffer memory 7 to the display memory 8
It also has a function as a third transfer means for converting data into a predetermined display format and transferring the data.

The operation method designating switch 14 is specifically composed of a document set detector 19 which will be described later, and a remote controller 79 for performing remote control by infrared rays. Remote control 7
The reference numeral 9 designates the operation of each part of the original image pickup apparatus 1 by outputting an operation signal by infrared rays to the original image pickup apparatus 1 when the user presses various buttons.

Further, the remote controller 79 is operated by pressing a predetermined button, and the image signal switching means 29, FIG. 29 and FIG.
, A new original display described later, a rotation display described later in FIG. 31,
It is possible to give an operation instruction such as re-display described later with reference to FIG. The image signal switching means 29 receives an image signal from the video signal generator 9 or an image signal generating device 30 which is a device other than the device main body C from the image signal generating device 30 according to a command to press a button of the remote controller 79 operated by the user. Either the image signal is selected and the image signal is sent to the display device 15. The communication device 36 is a scanner,
A device mainly handling an image signal, such as a video camera, a digital camera or a device to which these are applied, is considered.

Next, the mechanical structure of the original image pickup device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanical structure of the document imaging device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the document driving mechanism 4 from the opposite side of FIG. 6 and 7 are plan views showing the document driving mechanism 4 from the upper side. FIG. 6 shows the mechanism on the document front side, and FIG. 7 shows the mechanism on the document back side separately.
8 and 9 are views for explaining the document separating / feeding operation of the document driving mechanism 4. Further, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a main part of the document separating and feeding operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the sub-scanning operation and the discharging operation of the document driving mechanism 4. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a case where there is no document in the original image pickup device by extracting a part of the optical system through which the document passes, and FIG. 12 shows a part of the optical system through which the document passes in the document image pickup device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a case where a document is present. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a main part of a document driving mechanism in the document imaging device, which is shown from below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus main body C of the original image pickup apparatus 1 is an upper case 9 which is a member forming the upper surface side of the housing.
7, an upper body A having a middle case 98, a lower case 99 that is a member forming the lower surface side of the housing, an auxiliary roller base 3
And a lower main body B having 9. In the document imaging apparatus 1, an operation button 75 described later is attached to the upper case 97 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction, and the document trays 18, 118 are located between the auxiliary roller base 39 and the lower case 99. It can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a main control board 31 is arranged above the inside of the apparatus main body C. The main control board 31 includes the A / D converter 5, the first buffer memory 6, the second buffer memory 7, the display memory 8, the video signal generator 9, the display device information reader 10, and the CPU 11 described in FIG. , A main control circuit such as the ROM 12 and a light receiving element 77, which will be described later, facing a reflecting surface of a reflecting mirror 76, which will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main control board 3
On the upper surface side of 1, the above-mentioned display device connecting connector 3
2, a communication connector 33, a power supply connector 34, and an image signal input connector 35 are connected, and these respective connectors are attached through respective openings formed in the side surface of the apparatus main body C (more specifically, the upper main body A). Further, the linear image sensor 2 is arranged on the lower surface side of the main substrate 31.

The apparatus body C (more specifically, the upper body A)
A separation roller 21, a feeding roller 20, a main roller 22, and a discharge roller 23 are arranged in this order from the upstream side as a constituent member of the document driving mechanism 4 described in FIG. A connecting roller 26, which is a cylindrical or spherical member that transmits a driving force only from the main roller 22 to the feeding roller 20, is loosely fitted in a space formed by the feeding roller 20, the main roller 22, and the main control board 31. ing.

The document driving mechanism 4 has a driving motor 100 as a driving source and a driving motor 1 as constituent members for driving these rollers, as shown in FIGS.
Motor gear 101 integrally formed with the output shaft of 00
Gears 102, 103, 108, 111, 113, 114 to which the driving force is sequentially transmitted from the motor gear 101 are arranged. In this embodiment, the drive motor 100
A stepping motor is used as.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the motor gear 10
Two transmission gears 103 and 113 having a common shape mesh with the transmission gear 102 that meshes with the first gear 1, and a discharge drive gear 114 that is coaxial with the discharge roller 23 meshes with the transmission gear 113. On the other hand, the transmission gear 10
3, the main drive gear 108 coaxial with the main roller 22 meshes with the main drive gear 108.
The feed drive gear 1 which is coaxial with the feed roller 20 with respect to
11 are in mesh. Each of these gears has a gear base plate 11
9 is rotatably mounted and each axis is shown in FIG.
It is rotatably supported by bearings 68 and 69 shown in FIG. Here, the bearings 68 and 69 are the feeding roller shaft 47,
It is a bearing for each axis of the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23.

As shown in FIG. 13, the main drive gear 108, the feed drive gear 111 and the discharge drive gear 114 among the gears are regulated in the thrust direction by the gear base plate 119. The gear base plate 119 allows the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 2 to be pressed by pressing the respective gears described above.
It has a function of moving the rotational sliding backlash and the axial thrust backlash of No. 3. Specifically, the gear base plate 119 is a plate-shaped member having a spring property, and the gears 108, 111, 11
Hold down so that 4 does not fall out. Also, the gear base plate 1
19 is a feeding roller shaft 47 via a feeding drive gear 111.
The spring of the main roller 22 is pressed by the main drive gear 108, and the shaft of the discharge roller 23 is pressed by the discharge drive gear 114 in the axial thrust direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the gear base plate 119 has an urging portion 119a for urging the shaft portion of the main roller 22 to which the gear 108 is attached in the radial direction. The spring pressure is set so as to be applied in the radial direction as well, so that the bearing 69, which supports the shaft portion of the main roller 22, is loosened with respect to the fitting backlash with a sliding fitting hole (not shown).

In this embodiment, by providing the gear base plate 119 as such a rattling member, the rattling corresponding to the driving force of the drive motor 100 is performed, and the meshing portions of the gears and the bearings 69 of the gears. The rattling vibration generated in the fitting sliding portion of the shaft hole or the like is suppressed, and the quiet operation of the document driving mechanism 4 is realized. In particular, when the drive motor 100 is a drive source accompanied by vibration like a stepping motor as in the present embodiment, the drive source itself vibrates due to the vibration of the stepping motor and is transmitted from the drive source to the apparatus main body C or the like. Since the vibration is reduced, the generation of noise is prevented, and the quiet document driving is secured, the effect is great.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 13, in the present embodiment, the document driving mechanism 4 such as a gear for transmitting and driving the driving force of the driving motor 100 and the presence or absence of a document and the position thereof are detected. All the detection means (the original document position detector 3 and the original document set detector 19) are concentrated on one side (upper main body A) with the original document 16 as a boundary, and are used for separating the original document and driving the sub-scanning. The auxiliary members and mechanisms are concentrated on the opposite side (lower body B). By configuring the document driving mechanism 4 and the like in this manner, it is possible to easily separate and remove the document driving mechanism 4, and it is possible to easily clean and maintain the document passage and the like of the document driving mechanism 4. Details of other components of the document driving mechanism 4 and operations will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, a primary separation pad 61 and a primary separation pad 61 are disposed below the inside of the apparatus main body C (more specifically, the lower main body B) in the vicinity of the leading end set position of the original stack 17 and downstream thereof. A secondary separation pad 62 located downstream of the feeding roller 20 and facing the main roller 22 and a main auxiliary roller 65 that drives the original 16 in pairs with the main roller 22 and a discharging roller 23. Then, the discharge auxiliary roller 66 that discharges the original 16 in pairs with the discharge roller 23, the main auxiliary roller 65, and the discharge auxiliary roller 6
6 is an auxiliary roller spring 37 for urging each of them upward, and a member such as a white plate 25 which is a constituent member of an optical system and which also functions as a back illuminating means for the document and a light adjusting means of the linear image sensor 2. It

4 and 5 show the state in which the original 16 is being read while being conveyed. As can be seen from these drawings, in the document imaging apparatus 1, the control board 3
1, a linear image sensor 2, a document position detector 3, a document driving mechanism 4, a display device connection connector 32 which is an image signal output means of the present embodiment, a communication connector 33, a power connector 34, an image signal of the present embodiment. The image data input connector 35 that is an input unit, the shaft of the drive motor 100, the operation button 75, and the like are arranged on one side (upper side) with the document 16 being read as a boundary.

Next, details of the optical system in the original image pickup device 1 will be described. The image sensor 2 shown in FIG.
The light source unit 2c illuminates a document that has passed between the white plate 25 and the glass unit 2b, and the sensor unit 2a receives the reflected light of the document due to this illumination. At this time, the white plate 25 gives reflected light obtained by reflecting the light from the light source unit 2c to the sensor unit 2a. Therefore, when there is no document, the reflected light is received by the sensor unit 2a. Then, at this time, the sensitivity of the linear image sensor 2 is adjusted by the CPU 11 based on the reflected light of the white plate 25, so that the white plate 25 and the CPU 11 constitute the light control means of the present embodiment. Further, when the transparent original such as the OHP sheet is read, the light emitted from the light source unit 2c passes through the transparent original, is reflected by the white plate 25, passes through the transparent original again, and is received by the sensor unit 2a. The white plate 25 serves as a back lighting unit. In this embodiment, the light source unit 2c has three colors L.
ED is used.

The glass portion 2b is for contacting and sliding the original 16 in the optical path of the sensor portion 2a. The glass portion 2b may be a transparent member that transmits light uniformly,
Further, since the original 16 slides, if the abrasion resistance, the slidability, and the strength are necessary and sufficient, the original 16 may be made of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or a surface of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate even if it is not glass. It may be replaced by treatment such as abrasion resistance, sliding, and reinforced coating.

Next, details of the operation of the document driving mechanism 4 in the document imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the document driving mechanism 4 of the document imaging apparatus 1 has a separating roller 21 and a feeding roller 20 as constituent members of the document separating and feeding mechanism.
The main roller 22 is provided on the downstream side of 0 as a constituent member of the sub-scanning drive mechanism, and the discharge roller 23 is provided on the downstream side of the main roller 22 as a constituent member of the sub-scanning drive mechanism and the document discharge mechanism. The discharge roller 23 is a member that serves as both the sub-scanning drive mechanism and the document discharge mechanism of the document drive mechanism 4. Further, a connecting roller 26 is arranged by being loosely fitted between the main roller 22 which is a part of the sub-scanning means and the feeding roller 20 which is a part of the separation feeding means, and the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20 are arranged. Since the connecting roller 26 is uniformly supported by the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20 by its own weight, the connecting roller 26 urges the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20 evenly in the gravity direction. ing.

In the present embodiment, it is premised that the apparatus main body C is used with the downward direction in FIG. 9 vertically downward, but when the upward direction in FIG. 9 is used vertically downward, an elastic member such as a spring is used. The connecting roller 26 may be evenly biased against the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20.

In FIG. 8, the feeding roller 20 and the separation roller 21 separate one original 16 'from the other in the original bundle 17 stored in the original tray 18 (118) and separate it from the original tray 18 (118). ) To a document reading portion, the drive roller functions as a separating and feeding unit. On the other hand, the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23 are drive rollers for performing sub-scanning for moving the document 16 relative to the linear image sensor 2. Each of these rollers 20,
The 21, 22, 23 and the connecting roller 26 are adapted to rotate when the driving force of the driving motor 100 shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted.

Here, in the document driving mechanism 4, the document separating and feeding mechanism and the sub-scanning driving mechanism need to be driven independently. In the embodiment of the present invention, by switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 100, which is a power source, and combining the one-way clutch such as a spring clutch, the friction clutch mechanism, and the connecting roller 26, these two power sources can be used. The two mechanisms can be driven independently. When operating the document driving mechanism 4,
The CPU 11 controls the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the drive motor 100 based on the output signals of the document set detector 19 and the document position detector 3 shown in FIGS. Each operation is performed.

Here, the document set detector 19 is arranged near the separation roller 21 and detects when a document is set on the document trays 18, 118. On the other hand, the document position detector 3 detects the positions of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document at the time of conveyance, and is located between the feeding roller 20 and the main roller 22 at the time of conveyance of the document or on the main roller 22. When the leading edge or the trailing edge of the document passes a predetermined position near the downstream side, the output signal changes.

Next, the mounting portions of the rollers 20 to 23 and the connecting roller 26 will be described. Separation roller 21 which is a part of separation feeding means on the upstream side of the document driving mechanism 4.
Is a roller for separating the uppermost one original and abutting it against the feeding roller 20 when a plurality of originals (original bundle 17) are placed at fixed positions on the original trays 18 and 118. And is attached to the separation roller shaft 48.
As shown in FIG. 6, the separating roller shaft 48 has a positioning lever 45 for positioning a document and a positioning lever pressing spring 58 for pressing the positioning lever 45 to the left or right.
And a positioning lever friction plate 59 which is in sliding contact with the positioning lever 45.

The positioning lever 45 is used for the original stack 17 on the original trays 18 and 118 when the original drive mechanism 4 operates.
Is a lever for holding the document at a predetermined position,
At the start of separation of 7 and feeding, the original 16 is passed by rotating and retracting upward, and at the time of the next sub-scanning operation, it is rotated in the opposite direction so that the original in the sub-scanning operation is removed. It properly presses and prevents the document bundle 17 from being pulled in. This operation will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the separation roller shaft 48
Is rotated by a transmission belt 53, which is a toothed timing belt, in synchronization with a feeding roller shaft 47 described later. A separation pulley 52 for mounting the transmission belt 53 is attached.

Downstream of the separating roller 21 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in, the primary separation pad 61 and the secondary separation pad 62 are arranged. The primary separation pads 61 are arranged at two positions at equal intervals on the left and right in the document width direction with the separation roller 21 as the center. The secondary separation pad 62 is the primary separation pad 61.
It is arranged at one place from the downstream side to the lower side of the feeding roller 20 and is held by the secondary separation lever 63 as shown in FIG. Further, when the secondary separating lever 63 is biased upward by the separating lever spring 64, it is pressed against the feeding roller 20 and biases the feeding roller 20 toward the feeding roller shaft 47. There is.

The feeding roller 20 feeds the document to the main roller 2
2, which is a roller for feeding and abutting the sheet to the sheet 2, and is attached to the feeding roller shaft 47 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The transmission belt 5 is attached to the feeding roller shaft 47.
3, a feeding pulley 51 for passing around 3, and a feeding roller 20.
Two one-way clutch mechanisms 54 for rotationally driving only one direction, two stop levers 46, and a stop lever pressing spring 55 for pressing each stop lever 46 in the right or left direction in FIG. A stop lever friction plate 56 that is in sliding contact with each stop lever 46 is attached. The stop lever 46 is a lever for holding the positioning lever 45 attached to the separation roller shaft 48 at a specific position, and the holding operation will be described later.

A feed drive gear 111 is attached to one end of the feed roller shaft 47 via a torque limiter 112. The torque limiter 112 absorbs the load between the feeding drive gear 111 and the feeding roller shaft 47 by starting to slip when a torque load of a certain torque or more is applied. For example, when it is necessary to set the time for hitting the document on the main roller 22 as described later for a long time, the friction force and the hitting force between the document and the feeding roller 20 or the separation roller 21 are more than the constant torque. If it is large, the torque limiter 112 works to stop the rotation of each roller, and the original is not damaged. Main roller 22
It is possible to omit the torque limiter 112 when the time for hitting can be set short.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, one main roller 22 is attached to its shaft portion.
A main drive gear 108 integrated with a one-way clutch 108a is attached to one end of the shaft portion. The one-way clutch 108a allows the main roller 22 to transmit only the rotational driving force in the clockwise direction in FIG.

Similarly, one discharge roller 23 is attached to the shaft portion, and the discharge drive gear 114 integrated with the one-way clutch 114a is attached to one end side of the shaft portion. There is. The one-way clutch 114a allows the discharge roller 23 to also transmit only the rotational driving force in the clockwise direction in FIG. The main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23 are made of the same member and rotate in synchronization with each other.

Next, the document separating / feeding operation, the sub-scanning driving operation, and the discharging operation of the document driving mechanism 4 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 8 and 10 are views for explaining the document feeding operation.
FIG. 8A shows a state in which the document is placed at the specified position.
FIG. 10B shows a state in which the document hits the main roller 22, and FIG. 10A shows a state in which the sub-scanning drive is in progress.
The discharge operation states are shown in (b).

Before the document is inserted, in the document driving mechanism 4, the separation roller shaft 48 supporting the separation roller 21 and the positioning lever 45 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 8A. In this state, the positioning lever 45 prevents the separation roller shaft 48 from descending and secures a space between the auxiliary roller base 39 and the separation roller 21 in which a document can be inserted. Before the document is inserted, the document set detector 19 is in the state shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.

Here, when the original stack 17 is inserted from the right side, as shown in FIG.
The abutting portion of is abutted against the front end of the document stack 17 and prevents the front end of the document from being inserted more than the specified amount. At this time,
As shown in (a), the stop lever 46 is set to block the right rotation of the positioning lever 45 at the specified position, and blocks the rotation of the positioning lever 45. Therefore, even if a strong sheet such as an OHP sheet is vigorously inserted and is abutted against the positioning lever 45 with a strong force,
The positioning lever 45 does not rotate around the separation roller shaft 48 and escape, and the original insertion position is always kept constant.

When the original is inserted at a fixed position, the arm of the original set detector 19 is rotated clockwise from the position shown by the broken line in FIG. The set detector 19 operates to detect that the document is set at a fixed position.

In FIGS. 5 and 8, the drive motor 100 applies rotational force in the document feeding operation direction (clockwise rotation in FIG. 5 or clockwise direction) to gear 101 (clockwise rotation in FIG. 5) and gear 10.
2 (same left rotation), gear 103 (right rotation), gear 108
When it is transmitted to the feeding drive gear 111 (right rotation) via (left rotation), the driving force is less than the specified torque of the torque limiter 112 and is transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47. Furthermore, the stop lever 46 described above is also released from contact with the positioning lever 45 by being rotated clockwise by the friction clutch mechanism including the stop lever pressing spring 55, the friction plate 56, the feeding pulley 51, and the like. It As a result, the positioning lever 45 can be rotated.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, during the feeding operation, the gear 103 rotates in the clockwise direction (clockwise rotation), and the main drive gear 108 and the discharge drive gear 114 via the transmission gear 113 respectively reverse. Rotate clockwise (counterclockwise). At this time, the one-way clutch mechanism 108a integrally formed with the main drive gear 108 and the one-way clutch mechanism 114a integrally formed with the discharge drive gear 114 are operated. Therefore, the main drive gear 108 is connected via the one-way clutch mechanism 108a.
The main roller 22 that is connected to the discharge roller 23 and the discharge roller 23 that is connected to the discharge drive gear 114 through the one-way clutch mechanism 114a do not rotate together.

Further, the driving force transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 causes the feeding roller shaft 47 to rotate in the clockwise direction, so that the feeding pulley 51, the transmission belt 53, and the separation pulley 52.
8 and the driving force transmitted to the separation pulley 52 is transmitted to the separation roller 21 configured to rotate integrally with the separation pulley 52.
Rotate clockwise in (b). Further, the driving force of the separation roller 21 is such that the positioning lever 45 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 8B by a friction clutch mechanism including a positioning lever pressing spring 58, a friction plate 59, a separation pulley 52, and the like. The restraint of the leading edge of the document and the restraint of the lowering of the shaft 48 are released, and the shaft 48 configured to be rotatable around the shaft 47 rotates clockwise, and the separation roller 2 supported by the shaft 48 is rotated.
1 also rotates in the clockwise direction, and the separation roller 21 moves the original bundle 1
7 is contacted, and the feeding of the original is started. When the feeding of the original is started, the original 1 which is in contact with the separation roller 21
6'moves leftward in FIG.

Here, the frictional force acting between the separating roller 21 and the original 16 'is larger than the frictional force between the original bundle 17 and the original 16', and the original bundle 17 and the original bundle 17 contact each other. The separation roller 21 properly separates the original 16 'from the original bundle 17 provided that the frictional force between the original and the original bundle 17 and the original 16' is larger than the frictional force between the original 16 and the original. The document 16 ′ separated by the separation roller 21 comes into contact with the primary separation pad 61 while dragging the document bundle 17, and advances along the inclination of the primary separation pad 61,
The tip is sent first.

The leading end of the original 16 'comes into contact with the feeding roller 20, is sandwiched between the original 16' and the secondary separation pad 62, and is further fed to the left in FIG. At this time, the peripheral speed of the document grip surface of the feeding roller 20 is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the document grip surface of the separation roller 21. In the setting method, the diameter of the feeding roller 20 is made larger than the diameter of the separation roller 21 in this embodiment. Same diameter or feeding roller 2
Even when the diameter of 0 must be set smaller than the diameter of the separation roller 21, the feeding pulley 51 and the separation pulley 5
It is easy to adjust the diameter of No. 2 or adjust the gear ratio by connecting gears or the like to obtain the peripheral speed relationship.

Further, the feeding roller 20 and the separating roller 21
The secondary separation pad 62 is arranged in the document path between the two as described above, and as shown in FIG. 9, the secondary separation pad 62 is secondary to the tangent line connecting the periphery of the document grip surfaces of the feeding roller 20 and the separation roller 21. The protrusion 62a of the separation pad 62 is set to protrude by h in the roller axial direction. This h is 0 or more and is appropriately determined in consideration of the peripheral speed difference, the frictional force of the secondary separation pad 62, the spring force of the separation lever spring 64, the type of the document, and the like.

By setting the peripheral speed difference between the feeding roller 20 and the separating roller 21, tension is generated in the original document between the feeding roller 20 and the separating roller 21, and the original document follows the tangent line shown in FIG. As a result, the projecting portion 62a is pushed, and the document is always in contact with the projecting portion 62a of the secondary separation pad 62, and, for example, the second and subsequent document bundles that are passed over the primary separation pad 61 and dragged by the document 16 '. Even if there is, it can be prevented by the protruding portion 62a of the secondary separation pad 62.

Then, the leading end of the document 16 'abuts on the arm of the document position detector 3, and as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the arm rotates clockwise to move the document position. Operate the detector 3. Accordingly, the document position detector 3 detects the leading edge of the document. In this embodiment, when the document position detector 3 detects the document leading edge, the feeding operation is maintained for a certain period of time. The leading edge of the original 16 'comes into contact with the stationary main roller 22 and is sandwiched between the main roller 22 and the main auxiliary roller 65.
Feeding to the left is suppressed (see FIG. 8B).

The rotation direction is switched by the CPU 11 so that the drive motor 100 rotates in the opposite direction after a lapse of a set time sufficient to cause the leading end of the original 16 'to evenly abut against the main roller. Subsequently, as the rotation direction of the drive motor 100 is switched as described above, the drive motor 100 rotates in the direction opposite to the document feeding operation direction (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 5).
Then, the rotational force of the drive motor 100 becomes the gears 101, 10
When transmitted to the feeding drive gear 111 via 2, 103, 108, the driving force is transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 with a force equal to or less than the specified torque of the torque limiter 112.

At this time, the gear 103 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 (counterclockwise rotation), and the main drive gear 10
8 through the transmission gear 113, the discharge drive gear 11
Each of the 4 rotates clockwise (clockwise). Then, here, the one-way clutch mechanism 108 a integrally formed with the main drive gear 108 and the one-way clutch mechanism 1 integrally formed with the discharge drive gear 114.
14a do not operate, the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23 both rotate in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 5 and 10 (a), and the main auxiliary roller 65 and the discharge auxiliary roller 66 move counterclockwise accordingly. Followed rotation.

The counterclockwise driving force transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 is applied by the clutch mechanism 45 to the feeding roller 20.
Is not transmitted to. At this time, when the main roller 22 rotates in the clockwise direction, the connecting roller 26 that is in contact with the main roller 22 is moved in the rotation direction of the main roller 22 on the circumference of the main roller 22 about the axis of the main roller 22. It contacts the feeding roller 20. When entering the wedge-shaped portion between the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20, the connecting roller 26 starts to rotate counterclockwise around its own axis, and the feeding roller 20 contacting the connecting roller 26 starts rotating to the right.

Normally, the leading edge of the original 16 'is caught by the rotational driving force of the main roller 22 and the pressing force of the main auxiliary roller 65 against the main roller 22, and the front end of the original 16' is caught in FIG.
Although the sheet is fed to the left in (a), the driving force is transmitted to the document by rotating the feeding roller 20 to the right even if the winding force is weak, and the document is reliably fed to the left. Then, in the document driving mechanism 4, based on the control of the CPU 11, the front end of the document 16 'is swung by the main roller 22 and the main auxiliary roller 65, and then quickly in the left direction of FIG. After feeding the leading edge of the document, the sub-scanning operation for reading the document is started at a required speed. Of course,
Even during the sub-scanning operation, the driving force is continuously transmitted to the document that is in contact with the feeding roller 20.

In this embodiment, the connecting roller 26 is a cylindrical or spherical member, but the contacting surface of the connecting roller 26 with the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20 is provided with an uneven surface, It is possible to easily set the frictional member such as rubber to transmit the driving force of the main roller 22 to the feeding roller 20 at a high rate. For example, regarding the relationship between the gear that operates integrally with the main roller 22, the loosely fitted connecting gear, and the gear that operates integrally with the feeding roller 20, the document grip surfaces of the main roller 22 and the feeding roller 20 may be changed. The gear ratio may be set so that the peripheral speeds are the same.

The connecting roller 26 is characterized in that the driving force of the main roller 22 is transmitted to the feeding roller 20, but the driving force of the feeding roller 20 is not transmitted to the main roller 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the feeding roller 20 rotates clockwise, the feeding roller 20 is the connecting roller 2
6 is rotated clockwise around the circumference of the feeding roller 20,
The connecting roller 26 rotates counterclockwise around its own axis. Since the connecting roller 26 that is loosely fitted as described above has a space that can be separated from the main roller 22, the connecting roller 26 is moved by the force that the connecting roller 26 escapes from the main roller 22. Drive force is not transmitted to the main roller 22. If the peripheral speed of the feeding roller 20 exceeds the peripheral speed of the main roller 22, the transmission of the driving force from the main roller 22 to the feeding roller 20 is canceled.

The rotation speed of the drive motor 100 during the separation feeding operation is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the CPU 11
The drive motor 100 is controlled so as to have different proper rotation speeds in the processes of separating, feeding, reversing, feeding, sub-scanning, and discharging the document. The document feeding speed for sub-scanning (peripheral speed of the main roller 22) is adapted to the capability of the image sensor 2, and the document feeding speed for separating, feeding, and discharging (peripheral speed of the feeding roller 20) is sub-scanning. Is set higher than the document conveyance speed, and naturally the peripheral speed of the feeding roller 20 is different between the separation feeding and the sub-scanning.

Next, the original image pickup device 1 shifts to the sub-scanning operation of the original document. However, in order to make it easy to understand the following, for the original document 16 ', the original document 1 is moved from the time of shifting to the sub-scanning operation.
6 will be described. Motor gear 101, transmission gear 10
The driving force of the drive motor 100 transmitted to the discharge driving gear 114 via the discharge rollers 2 and 113 is connected to the discharge driving gear 114 by the one-way clutch mechanism 114 a integrally configured with the discharge driving gear 114. 23
Is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 10 (a),
At the same time, the discharge assist roller 66 is driven to rotate counterclockwise.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the transmission path from the transmission gear 102 to the main drive gear 108 and the transmission path from the transmission gear 102 to the discharge drive gear 114 are set in the same rotation direction. Further, the main drive gear 108 and the discharge drive gear 114, the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 2
Since 3 is composed of common parts, the main roller 22
And the discharge roller 23 rotate synchronously in the same direction.

In the document drive mechanism 4, the main drive gear 10
The driving force of the drive motor 100 is transmitted from 8 to the feeding drive gear 111. The driving force transmitted to the feeding drive gear 111 is further transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 via the above-mentioned torque limiter 112 and a knock pin (not shown). Further, in the present embodiment, the feeding roller shaft 4
It is set so that the feed roller shaft 47 always starts rotating after the main roller 22 due to backlash of the knock pin interposed in the transmission path to the roller 7. Therefore, in FIGS. 8B and 10A, the feeding roller shaft 47 starts to rotate after the leading edge of the original 16 'is sufficiently wound between the main roller 22 and the main auxiliary roller 65. ing.

Then, the driving force transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 causes the feeding roller shaft 47 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 10A. On the other hand, the feeding roller 20
Is in a state in which the driving force is cut off via the one-way clutch mechanism 54, and the connection with the roller 26 and the original 1
6 receives the frictional force moving to the left and is driven to rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the stop lever 46 attached to the feeding roller shaft 47 has a friction clutch mechanism including a stop lever pressing spring 55, a friction plate 56, a transmission cylinder 57, and the like, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the counterclockwise rotation is started, and the original 1
When it comes into contact with 6 ', this counterclockwise rotation is suppressed.

When the feeding roller shaft 47 rotates counterclockwise, the driving force is transmitted to the feeding pulley 51, the transmission belt 53, and the separation pulley 52. Here, the driving force transmitted to the separation pulley 52 is transmitted to the separation roller 21 configured to rotate integrally with the separation pulley 52, and the separation roller 21 is counterclockwise as shown in FIG. Rotate around. Further, the driving force of the separation roller 21 is transmitted to the positioning lever 45 via the friction clutch mechanism composed of the positioning lever pressing spring 58, the friction plate 59, etc., so that as shown in FIG.
The positioning lever 45 starts rotating counterclockwise.

When the positioning lever 45 comes into contact with the original 16 during the sub-scanning operation, the friction clutch mechanism prevents the counterclockwise rotation of the original 16 and the original 16 is moved downward with an appropriate force. Press down. Here, since the document 16 is appropriately pressed by the positioning lever 45 at the intermediate portion with the primary separation pad 61 and the secondary separation pad 62 as the fulcrum, the document bundle 17 is also conveyed during the sub-scanning operation.
Will not be pulled downstream.

Further, the driving force transmitted to the feeding roller shaft 47 causes the separating roller shaft 48, which is configured to be rotatable around the feeding roller shaft 47, to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and the separating roller 21. Is released from contact with the original 16. Even if the separation roller 21 rotates counterclockwise as described above, it does not serve as a force for pulling back the document 16 from the feeding direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the trailing edge of the original 16 passes through the contact portion with the positioning lever 45 and the contact portion with the stop lever 46, the original 16
The positioning lever 45 and the stop lever 46, which are prevented from rotating counterclockwise by the above, sequentially start rotating counterclockwise. Here, the positioning lever 45
Returns the leading end of the document stack 17 that has risen in the middle of the inclination of the primary separation pad 61 to the specified position. On the other hand, the stop lever 46 returns to the position that inhibits the clockwise rotation of the positioning lever 45. Then, the driving motor 100 is stopped after the document 16 is discharged, so that the positioning lever 45 and the stop lever 46 return to the state of FIG.

Details of the document reading unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. 11 is an enlarged view of the document reading unit of FIG. 4, which is a view seen from the back side of FIG.
This shows a state where there is no document. FIG. 12 shows a state in which there is a document as compared with FIG.

In FIG. 11, the white plate 25, which is a member of the lower main body B, is composed of a sheet-like member having elasticity, and one end side thereof is a slope portion 39 of the auxiliary roller base 39.
It is fixed to a with an adhesive tape or the like. Also, the glass part 2
An elastic plate that is a member of the upper main body A and is integrally attached to the middle case 98, which is a housing of the upper main body A, immediately before the right side (upstream) of the sensor unit 2a between the b and the original 16. A spacer 24, which is a member having a rectangular shape, is installed to secure a gap between the original 16 and the glass portion 2b in the optical path of the sensor portion 2a. The end 24d of the spacer 24 is the closest position that does not hinder the reading range of the sensor unit 2a,
It is set at the upstream position of document transportation.

Here, the lower surface (contact surface with the document) of the glass portion 2b and the slope portion 39a are not parallel to each other, but the slope portion 39a.
Is a slope of about 15 °. The white plate 25 is
It is set in a state in which the cross section has a substantially mountain shape, and the free end contacts the end 2d of the image sensor 2 and the end 2 of the spacer 24.
Since it is in contact with the spacer 24 at the 4d portion, the white plate 25
The angle between the upper surface (contact surface with the original) of the glass and the lower surface of the glass portion 2b (contact surface with the original) is set to β ° which does not become 0 °.

Further, the glass portion 2b of the image sensor 2
A part of the spacer 24 is fixed to the upper case A by means of a double-sided tape or the like, and one end of the spacer 24 is removably attached to the middle case 98. The spacer 24 serves as a support member for the upper main body A of the image sensor 2. Has become. With such a structure, even if the image sensor 2 is broken due to an unexpected accident, the image sensor 2 and the spacer 2 which is a supporting member can be formed according to the easy separation structure of the upper body A and the lower body B described later.
If 4 is configured as one unit, it can be easily replaced.

Further, the end portion 24d of the spacer 24 has a thickness in the range of about 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.
It is appropriately set according to the thickness, rigidity and the like. As described above, the image sensor 2 includes the spacer 2 with respect to the upper body A.
Since it is held by the elasticity of No. 4, the elastic force of the spacer 24, the inertial force of the image sensor 2, and the elastic force of the white plate 25 interact to move to the equilibrium state. Since a space is provided around the image sensor 2 so that it can be moved only in a necessary movement range, unnecessary movement is restricted, and in the original readable range of the sensor, the original plate thickness direction (the direction perpendicular to the original surface) is obtained. It is movable. Further, the range of the fixed portion between the glass portion 2b and the spacer 24 is approximately 5 from the end portion 24d.
There is a margin of about mm, and the glass 2 is particularly close to the end 24d.
Even if the spacer 2 is not in close contact with b, but floats with an inclination from the vicinity of the fixed range boundary part, the end portion 24d is brought into contact with the glass 2b by the biasing force due to the above-mentioned interaction.
The thickness and rigidity of 4 may be set.

With such a structure, the white plate 25 and the glass portion 2b are prevented from interfering with each other, and a document having such a thinness and rigidity that it is deformed by the interaction force is placed on the white plate 25. The sub-scanning operation is performed along the line. As a result, the reflection angle (β °) of the light reflected by the white plate 25 and the reflection angle of the light reflected by the manuscript 16 become equal, and the compatibility with the adjusted sensitivity of the adjusted image sensor 2 is enhanced and stable. The captured image data can be obtained.

Further, in the case of an original having a thickness and rigidity so as not to be deformed by the acting force due to the above-mentioned interaction, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image sensor 2 is moved upward in the drawing, and the white plate 25 is also sub-scanned along the original 16. As a result, the reflection angle (β °) of the light reflected by the white plate 25 and the reflection angle of the light reflected by the original 16 are kept equal, and the compatibility with the adjusted sensitivity of the adjusted image sensor 2 is improved, It is possible to obtain stable imaging data. As described above, the image sensor 2 that is an integrated optical system in which the reading unit, the illumination unit, and the light transmitting member are integrated, and the spacer 24 that is a supporting member of the image sensor 2.
And the white plate 25, which is a plate-shaped elastic member as well as the back illuminating means, while maintaining a constant optical relationship with the image pickup document,
Stable image data is provided by providing an original equalize means that is movable with respect to the casing of the upper main body A according to various behaviors of the original document and is moved according to the original document. Can be obtained.

Further, since a wedge-shaped gap is formed between the glass portion 2b and the white plate 25, the original 16 is printed as shown in FIG.
When it is conveyed from the right side (upstream) to the left side (downstream), it passes through this wedge-shaped gap. Further, since the spacer 24 is arranged on the upstream side of the sub scanning,
When the original 16 is conveyed, the spacer 24
At the center of the optical path indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.
Since 4 is in sliding contact with the original, contact, sliding, and friction between the original 16 and the glass portion 2b are prevented. Further, since a light transmitting member such as glass places importance on optical performance, it is often difficult to improve friction and slidability. By covering the contact surface of the light transmitting member such as glass which is in sliding contact with the document with the spacer 24, the contact area between the light transmitting member such as glass and the document is reduced, and the spacer 24
Can be made of a member having a low friction coefficient, which is superior in slidability to a light-transmitting member such as glass, and the load of document conveyance can be reduced.

As described above, in the original image pickup apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for each of the rollers 20 to 23 for feeding and driving an original, one drive motor 100 is used as a drive source, and the forward / reverse rotation and the rotation speed of the drive motor 100. Is controlled to perform a series of document driving such as separation and feeding of documents, sub-scanning, and discharge, so that energy saving and downsizing of the apparatus can be achieved.

Further, in the original image pickup device 1, since the rotation speed of the drive motor 100 is controlled to be different for each operation of separating and feeding the original, sub-scanning, and discharging, for example, it is more than that during sub-scanning of the original. By setting the rotation speed of the drive motor 100 at the time of discharging the original to be high, it becomes possible to quickly discharge the original after performing the sub-scan at the required feeding speed.

Further, in the original image pickup device 1, the drive motor 100 is operated during the operation of separating and feeding the original document and during the sub-scanning of the original document.
Since the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the document are different, the sub-scanning can be performed at the required feeding speed after the document is rapidly separated and fed by one driving source.

Further, in the original image pickup apparatus 1, when the original separating / feeding operation is changed to the sub-scanning operation as described above, the driving force after the rotation direction of the drive motor 100 is reversed is set to the sub-scanning driving means. Main roller 22 and discharge roller 2
3, the driving force of the main roller 22 is transmitted to the feeding roller 20 via the connecting roller 26, and the original bites into the wedge-shaped space between the main roller 22 and the auxiliary roller 65. In addition, the peripheral speed of the main roller 22 and the peripheral speed of the feeding roller 20 are synchronized with each other during the sub-scanning by the main roller 22, the document grip surface can be increased, and the sub-scanning operation can be reliably performed. After the rotation of the main roller 22 is started, the main roller 22 is transmitted to the separating roller 21 and the feeding roller 20 which are the separating and feeding means. The drive timing of each of the rollers 20 to 23 can be controlled only by one drive motor 100 and the drive force transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force of the drive motor 100, and the document transport operation is smoothly performed with a simple mechanism.

Further, in the original image pickup device 1, as described above, the driving force of the drive motor 100 causes each of the rollers 20 to 23 to move from the output shaft to the gear train 101, 102, 113, 1.
14 and gear trains 101, 102, 103, 108, 11
Since it is transmitted by 1, 113, 114 and the transmission belt 53 which is a toothed timing belt, the driving force of the drive motor 100 can be reliably transmitted by a simple mechanism. Further, at the time of conversion of the drive motor 100 between the forward and reverse directions, the separation roller 21 and the feeding roller 20 which are the separation feeding means, and the main roller 22 and the discharge roller 2 which are the sub scanning driving means.
It is possible to shift the drive timing with respect to No. 3.

Next, the structure of the document trays 18 and 118 will be described. 14 and 15 are plan views for explaining the opening / closing operation of the document trays 18 and 118 which are the document guide means incorporated in the lower main body B of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 14A is a top view, FIG.
15B and FIG. 15B are bottom views. And in FIG.
Shows the storage state of the document trays 18 and 118, and FIG. 15 shows the state when the document trays 18 and 118 of this embodiment are in use. As shown in these drawings, the document trays 18, 118
Have a substantially fan-shaped outer shape in plan view.
The auxiliary roller base 39 and the lower case 99 are rotatable about b and 118b.

The manuscript tray 18 has a substantially columnar support shaft portion 18.
b and a hole portion 18a coaxial with the support shaft portion 18b are provided as rotation centers. Lower hole 18a is lower case 9
9 is rotatably fitted into a dowel (not shown) provided on the shaft 9, and the support shaft portion 18b is rotatably fitted into a hole provided in the auxiliary roller base 39.
The lower main body B is rotatably supported.

Similarly, the tray 118 has a substantially cylindrical support shaft portion 118b and a hole portion 11 coaxial with the support shaft portion 118b.
And 8a as the center of rotation. Lower hole 118
a is rotatably fitted in a dowel (not shown) provided in the lower case 99, and the support shaft portion 118b is rotatably fitted in a hole provided in the auxiliary roller base 39. Thus, the lower main body B is rotatably supported.

As shown in FIGS. 14 (b) and 15 (b), the arc-shaped side surfaces of the document trays 18 and 118 are rack portions 18r and 11 having gear teeth, respectively.
It is 8r. Then, these two document trays 1
Reference numerals 8 and 118 denote the lower main body B via two meshing gears 60 and 60 'which mesh with the gear teeth of the rack portions 18r and 118r.
It is designed to rotate in conjunction with each other. The meshing gears 60 and 60 'are meshed with each other, and can be rotated by the shaft attached to the lower case 99 and the hole of the tray, and the shaft attached to the tray and the hole attached to the auxiliary roller base 39. Supported by.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view for explaining the tray shift mechanism of the tray 18. The storage state (first position) of the tray 18 in FIG. 14 is virtually represented by a two-dot chain line in the side view of FIG. In the state in which the tray 18 is indicated by the chain double-dashed line, the right slope of the protruding portion 18e of the tray 18 is in a state of hanging on the left end of the top of the protruding portion of the lower case 99, and the force to push the tray 18 to the left acts. There is. That is, in FIG. 14, an urging force for rotating the tray 18 to the right around the shaft 18b acts, and the tray is urged in the direction opposite to the rotation in the direction of the state for setting the document. . This prevents the tray 18 in the stored state from being opened accidentally when the apparatus body is transported.

In the operation of the tray 18 in which the tray 18 of FIG. 16 shifts from the state shown by the chain double-dashed line to the state shown by the solid line, the protruding portion 18d of the tray 18 rides on the protruding portion 99d of the lower case 99. , The protruding portion 18c at the same time
Moves while expanding the end portion 39c of the auxiliary roller base, and the tray 18 shifts to the solid line state, as shown in FIG.
In the state of (b), the return of the tray 18 in the closing (storing) direction is regulated, and at the same time, the apex of the projecting portion 18c projects beyond the edge portion of the end surface of the end portion 39c. At this time, the edge portion of the end surface of the end portion 39c is in a state of climbing up near the foot of the slope on the left side of the apex portion of the protrusion 18c,
The edge portion of the end surface of the end portion 39c acts to push the tray 18 to the right. That is, in FIG. 15, an urging force for turning the tray 18 to the left around the shaft 18b is exerted, and the tray 18 is urged in the direction opposite to the rotation in the tray storing direction. This prevents the tray from being closed carelessly and, at the same time, forms the protrusion 18c into a rail shape for guiding the document, so that when the leading edge of the document is inserted from the left to the right on the rail, the rail is interrupted. Since it is possible to smoothly shift from the open position to the slope provided on the end 39c of the auxiliary roller base 39, it is possible to prevent the leading edge of the original when the original is set. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the tray 1 is set symmetrically with the tray 18.
18 is set in the same manner as the tray 18.

When the original trays 18 and 118 are accommodated in the lower main body B, as shown in FIG. 1, the original trays 18 and 118 become a part of the apparatus main body C and function as an exterior cover. become. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust that impedes driving and transportation of the document from entering the document transport path and to prevent damage to each mechanism inside the apparatus main body C. In addition, each document tray 1
By storing 8, 118 in the apparatus main body C, the occupied area and volume of the entire apparatus can be reduced when the original image pickup apparatus 1 is not used, and it becomes easy to carry.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the operation button 75 is made of a member capable of transmitting an operation signal by infrared rays of the remote control switch 79. A substantially conical reflecting mirror 76 capable of reflecting light and infrared rays is attached to the inner upper surface of the operation button 75. Further, at a position on the main control board 31 facing the reflecting mirror 76, a light receiving element 77 that receives an operation signal by infrared rays of the remote control switch 79 and photoelectrically converts it is provided on the main control board 3.
It is mounted on 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 to 25, the structure of the upper body A and the lower body B constituting the apparatus main body C and the opening and detaching thereof will be described. 17 is an external perspective view of a lower main body B in which a drive assist mechanism and an original tray are incorporated, FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of an original drive unit U1 that constitutes the upper main body A, and FIG. 19 is an upper main body A.
20 is an external perspective view of the control board unit U2 that configures FIG.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an operation button unit U3 that constitutes the upper main body A.

FIG. 21 is a left side view showing the open state of the document passage due to the connection between the upper body A and the lower body B. FIG. 22 shows the open state of the document passage due to the connection between the upper body A and the lower body B. It is a right view shown. 23, 24, 25
[FIG. 9] is (a) three-sided view and (b) perspective view of the second, third, and fourth embodiments showing the method of fitting the hinge shaft 119a, respectively.

In FIG. 17, auxiliary drive mechanisms such as a main auxiliary roller 65, a discharge auxiliary roller 66, an auxiliary roller spring 37, a primary separation pad 61, a secondary separation pad 62, a secondary separation lever 63 and a separation lever spring 64, and a white color. Plate 25,
The auxiliary roller base 39 incorporating these is the lower case 99.
Document trays 18, 118 and document tray 1 incorporated in
The gears 60, 60 ′ for interlocking with 8, 118 are integrally attached to the lower case 99 by fastening means such as screws so as to confine the gears 60, 60 ′ to form the lower body B.

The feeding roller 20, the separating roller 21, the main roller 22, the discharging roller 23 and the motor 10 shown in FIG.
0, a document driving mechanism such as a gear base plate 119, a reading unit such as the image sensor 2, and a document driving unit U1 in which the decorative plate 120 and the like are integrally configured by fastening means such as screws,
The control board unit U2 shown in FIG. 19 and the operation button unit U3 shown in FIG.

The control board unit U2 is fixed to the document driving unit U1 by fastening means such as a screw, and the operation button unit U3 is an elastic member integrally provided on the upper cover 97 as shown in FIG. The constituted hook claws 97a, b, c, d are locked by being engaged with key-like meshing parts 98a, b, c, d integrally provided on the inner cover 98, respectively, and hook claws 97a, b,
It is separated by bending c and d to release the meshing with the meshing portion.

In FIG. 21, a hinge shaft 119a, in which a shaft such as a dowel or the like is provided by an integrated means such as caulking, on a gear base plate 119 which is a constituent member of the upper main body A, is a lower case 99 which constitutes the lower main body B in FIG. Is inserted into the U-shaped groove 99a provided in the U-shaped groove 99u from the opening direction of the U-shaped groove 99u,
Is rotatably connected by attaching.
Similarly, the decorative plate 120, which is a constituent member of the upper main body A shown in FIG. 22, is provided with a hinge shaft 120a having a shaft such as a dowel provided by an integrated means such as caulking, and an auxiliary member that constitutes the lower main body B. It is inserted into a U-shaped groove 39u provided on the roller base 39 from the opening direction of the U-shaped groove 39u, and is pivotally connected by attaching a shaft slip-off preventing member 82 '. Further, the opening direction (longitudinal direction) of the U-shaped grooves 99a and 39a is set to be the vertical direction with respect to the document surface.

The hinge shafts 119a and 120a are set substantially coaxially, and the upper body A and the lower body B are rotated around the shafts 119a and 120a by the above fitting relationship so that their relative positions can be changed. ing. Also, the upper body A
The gear base plate 119 and the decorative plate 120 are integrally assembled, and the hinge shaft 11 provided integrally with the upper main body A is
Although 9a and 120a are set substantially coaxially, they may be made non-coaxial as a method of applying a load to the rotation.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the upper body A has hooks 80 and 8 which are hook-shaped elastic members.
0'is integrally provided, and the lower body B has a hook 8
Key-fitting portions 39f and 39f 'that mesh with 0 and 80' are integrally provided, and the amount by which the relative position changes by meshing the hooks 80 and 80 'with the key-like fitting portions 39f and 39f'. Is regulated.

The upper body A or the lower body B has a long hole,
A hinge bearing portion such as a U-shaped groove or a V-shaped groove, or a combination of a hinge shaft fitted with the hinge bearing and a retaining means for preventing the hinge shaft from coming off after the hinge shaft is inserted into the hinge bearing is rotatable. Provide a connecting part. Further, a key-like fitting portion such as a hook is provided, the key-like fitting portion such as the hook has elasticity, and the action direction of the elastic force is set to be a radial direction centered on the hinge axis. If the upper body A and the lower body B are connected, a bearing portion may be set on the upper body A side and a shaft portion may be set on the lower body B side.

With the above-mentioned structure, the upper main body A is shown in FIG.
In the posture as shown in Fig.
The hook 80 inserted into the groove and rotated around the hinge shaft in the arrow direction (right turn) to be integrally attached to the upper body A.
Is assembled by engaging with the key-like fitting portion 39f of the pair of hooks 80 integrally attached to the lower main body B.
The shaft slip-off preventing member 82 may be assembled immediately after the insertion of the hinge shaft or after the hook engagement.

The upper body A is inserted into the U groove of the lower body B from above in the hinge shaft in a posture as shown in FIG.
The hook 80 'integrally attached to the upper body A is rotated in the arrow direction (counterclockwise) around the hinge shaft, and the hook 80' integrally fitted to the lower body B is key-fitted. It is assembled by engaging with the portion 39f '. Assembling of the shaft slip-off preventing member 82 'can be performed immediately after inserting the hinge shaft.
Either after hook engagement or after hook engagement.

In the case of the U-shaped groove bearing structure, as a method for preventing the shaft from coming off, the members 82 and 82 'as shown in FIG. 21 are used.
2 is attached with a fastening member such as a screw to seal the opening of the U-shaped groove, and as a second embodiment of the hinge bearing, as shown in FIG.
3 (a) and 3 (b), a shaft slip-off preventing hook 83 in which an elastic hook engaging portion is attached to the sealing member, and a key-like fitting portion for engaging the hook with the sealing member and the U-shaped groove attaching member It is also possible to attach the sealing member without using another fastening member.

Further, even if a sealing member is not separately provided, a hinge bearing according to a third embodiment shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the shaft 119a may be sealed by forming the bearing portion into an elongated hole and pushing it between two plate-shaped components.

Further, since it takes time to attach and detach the shaft in the above shaft supporting method, as a fourth embodiment of the hinge bearing,
As shown in FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b), after the hinge shaft is inserted, the hinge shaft may be rotated (turned right) about the hinge shaft to prevent the hinge shaft from coming off in the insertion direction. In this case, the device main body A and the device main body C can be easily separated by removing the above-mentioned hook 80 and turning it to the left. In any case,
It depends on the design space factor and should be selected appropriately.

In the state of use, the space in the document thickness direction of the document passage formed between the upper main body A and the lower main body B should be the minimum space between the upper main body A and the lower main body B (or each of them). It is secured by a mating surface of a member integrally attached to). On the other hand, the maximum space is U-shaped groove 99
It is regulated by the fitting play between the longitudinal direction of u and the hinge shaft 119a and the mesh play between the hook 80 and the key-like meshing portion 39f for the hook 80. For example, in the hinge shaft portion, a spacer is engaged between the shaft slip-off prevention member 82 and the lower main body B at the fastening portion of the shaft slip-off prevention member 82, and a play with the hinge shaft 119a is set in the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped groove. To do.
Further, in the hook 80 portion, a spacer is engaged between the hook 80 and the upper main body A at the fastening portion of the hook 80 to set the engagement backlash of the hook. The direction of play in the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped groove or slot and the direction of play of hook engagement are set to be substantially perpendicular to the document surface, and the amount of play in the sub-scanning direction of document reading is minimized. To be set. Original thickness is 0.05 to 0.25
It is possible to use a fixed space between housings within a range of about mm, but it is also possible to handle high-rigidity photographic manuscripts having a thickness greater than the above and manuscripts of about 0.5 mm such as cardboard. The space between the upper body A and the lower body B in the document thickness direction is adjustable.

Further, as described above, the upper main body A and the lower main body B are easily bisected at the original passage, and the upper main body A and the lower main body B are bisected. The connecting portion is prevented from being separated by the shaft fitting portion and the hook engaging portion, the upper body A and the lower body B can be easily attached and detached, and maintenance such as cleaning of the document passage dirt and replacement of the sensor is facilitated. Become.

Further, at the time of inserting and conveying a document having an unspecified thickness, the space between the upper body A and the lower body B in the document thickness direction can be adjusted in accordance with the thickness, so that the space between the upper body A and the lower body B can be adjusted. Since the relative position of the lower main body B changes, a document having a thickness outside the set range can be inserted and conveyed, and the operator of the apparatus main body can tolerate mishandling.

On the other hand, as in the fourth embodiment of the hinge bearing described above, the connecting portion which is prevented from being separated and released by the shaft fitting portion and the hook meshing portion can be separated by releasing the hook meshing portion. Easy to disassemble and replace the sensor,
Easy maintenance.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure after the document image pickup apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is started. First, the CPU 11 initializes internal variables and each mechanism described above (steps S1 to S6), and then waits for an instruction of the operation method designating switch 14 including the remote controller 79 and the document set detector 19. A loop process is entered (steps S7 to S12).

That is, when the original image pickup apparatus 1 is started, C
The PU 11 initializes the first buffer memory 6 and the second buffer memory 7 (steps S1 and S
2) Reset the redisplay counter and redisplay pointer inside the CPU 11 to 0 (step S3, step S
4), after initialization of the display memory 8 (step S5), a document discharge process (step S5) described later with reference to FIG.
After 6), the loop processing of steps S7 to S12 is started.

The redisplay counter in step S3 is
This is a variable indicating the number of document information stored in the second buffer memory 7. Further, the redisplay pointer in step S4 is a variable indicating which document information among the document information stored in the second buffer memory 7 is transferred to the display memory 8, and the redisplay pointer is 0. Sometimes it indicates that it is the last read manuscript information,
Each increment of 1 indicates that the information is older document information. In the initialization of the display memory 8 in step S5, the CPU 11 can confirm the connection between the document imaging device 1 and the display device 15 and the operation of the document imaging device 1 instead of the data of all black or all white. , ROM12 data that can be adjusted such as screen size and image quality
Initialization is performed by reading from the CPU or using data calculated by the CPU 11 itself.

Next, the CPU 11 monitors the output signals of the remote controller 79 and the document set detector 19. And CP
U11 has no instruction for operation such as new document display, rotation display, redisplay from the remote controller 79 (step S7, step S8, step S9), and the document is set on the document trays 18, 118 by the determination of step S10. When it is determined that the document setting detector 19 detects that the document is being set, the capacity of the first buffer memory 6 is confirmed (step S11), and the first buffer memory 6 becomes full, or Documents are continuously read (step S12) until the document stack 17 stored in the document tray 18 is exhausted.

On the other hand, during this loop processing, the remote controller 79
Button is pressed to display a new document (step S7),
When an operation instruction such as rotation display (step S8) or redisplay (step S9) is issued, the CPU displays a new original document (step S7) described later with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30 according to the content of the instruction. ′), Rotation display described later with reference to FIG. 31 (step S8 ′), re-display described later with reference to FIG. 32 (step S9 ′), etc. are controlled.

The new original display means the original tray 18
This is a process for newly reading the upper document and displaying it on the display device 15. The rotation display is a process for rotating and displaying the document image being displayed on the display device 15 at a predetermined angle. The display is a process for displaying the document image which has been displayed before on the display device 15 again.

In the present embodiment, the document set detector 19 detects the document stack 17 stored on the document tray 18 (step S10), and it is determined in step S11 that the first buffer memory 6 has an empty space. In this case, the process moves to step S12 and the reading of the document stack 17 is immediately started. The present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, an instruction to display a new document is given from the remote controller 79 (step S
7), the continuous reading of the bundle of documents 17 stored on the document tray 18 may be started without performing the determination in step S11.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of document feeding and image reading, which is a subroutine of step S12 of FIG. Here, the CPU 11
First, turn on the light source lamp 24 (step S21),
Control is performed to rotate the drive motor 100 so as to drive the separation roller 21 and the separation roller 21 (step S22). As a result, one original 16 'of the original bundle 17 stored in the original tray 18 is separated and fed. Next, the CPU 11 monitors the output of the document position detector 3 (step S23), and drives the document 16 'until it reaches the main roller 22 with reference to the timing when the document 16' reaches the document position detector 3. The rotation of the motor 100 is continued (step S24).

Then, when the original 16 'reaches the main roller 22, the CPU 11 controls the rotation of the drive motor 100 to be switched in the sub-scanning direction (reverse rotation direction) (step S25). As a result, the driving of the feeding roller 20 and the separation roller 21 is stopped, and the driving of the sub-scanning main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23 is started.

Next, the CPU 11 causes the original 16 '(16)
When reaches the position where the document can be read on the white plate 25 (step S26), the CPU 11 starts data transfer from the A / D converter 5 to the first buffer memory 6 (step S27), and the subsequent step S28. If it is determined that the data for one original has been transferred, the data transfer to the first buffer memory 6 is terminated (step S2
9), the light source unit 2c is turned off (step S30), and FIG.
Each control of the document discharge process (step S31) described later will be performed.

Here, the operation of reading the original image will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Manuscript 16 '(1
When 6) reaches the readable position on the white plate 25, the light emitted from the light source unit 2c is, in the case of a non-transparent document such as paper, on the surface of the document 16 according to the image information of the document 16.
In the case of a transparent original such as an OHP sheet, it is reflected by the surface of the original 16 and the plate surface of the white plate 25, and is read by the sensor unit 2a of the linear image sensor 2 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the CPU 11 detects the timing when the document 16 deviates from the readable position on the white plate 25 by converting it from the timing when the trailing edge of the document 16 passes the document position detector 3, and the document 16 of the document 16 is detected. Acknowledge that reading has been completed. The image information of the original 16 read by the linear image sensor 2 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 5, and the CPU 11 performs image processing such as gradation conversion and edge enhancement as necessary, and the first buffer It is stored in the memory 6.

FIG. 28 shows steps S6 and 2 of FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of step S31 of FIG. 7, that is, a document ejection processing procedure of the document imaging apparatus 1. In the document discharge process, the CPU 11 first controls the drive motor 100 to rotate in the sub-scanning direction so as to drive the sub-scanning main roller 22 and the discharge roller 23 (step S51), and the document position detector 3 operates. The output is monitored (step S52). While the document position detector 3 is detecting the document 16, it is assumed that the rear end of the document 16 has not passed the position of the document position detector 3 and the rear end of the document 16 is the document position detector. Wait until you pass 3. Then, the CPU 11 drives the drive motor until the timing at which the document 16 is reliably disengaged from the discharge roller 23 with reference to the timing when the trailing edge of the document 16 passes the document position detector 3 due to the change in the output of the document position detector 3. The drive control of the drive motor 100 is performed (step S53), and the drive motor 100 is stopped when the drive motor 100 is removed from the discharge roller 23 (step S54).

When the document position detector 3 cannot detect the document 16 in the determination of step S52 (step S52), the CPU 11 determines that the trailing edge of the document 16 has just passed the document position detector 3. Assuming that the document 16 is converted from this timing and the document 16 is reliably removed from the discharge roller 23, the drive motor 100 is driven (step S5).
3) Then, control is performed so that the drive motor 100 is stopped when it comes off (step S54).

29 and 30 show step S in FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of 7 ', that is, a processing procedure of new display of a document of the document imaging apparatus 1. In this process, the CPU 11 first confirms whether or not data is stored in the first buffer memory 6 (step S41), and if there is data, reads the data in the first buffer memory 6 , Data processing second
Data is transferred to the buffer memory 7 (step S4)
4). On the other hand, when there is no data in the first buffer memory 6, the CPU 11 confirms whether or not there is a document stored in the document tray 18 based on the output signal of the document set detector 19 (step S42), if any, the document reading operation described in steps S21 to S31 of FIG. 26 is performed (step S43), and the second data is newly stored using the data stored in the first buffer memory 6. Data is set in the buffer memory 7 (step S44). On the other hand, when the CPU determines in step S42 that there is no document bundle 17 stored in the document tray 18, the CPU ignores the new document display instruction without performing the process of step S44.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 30, the data transfer to the second buffer memory 7 as the subroutine of step S44 of FIG. 29 and the display memory 8 are performed.
The processing procedure for data transfer to and from will be described. CPU11
It is confirmed whether or not the second buffer memory 7 has a free space for data transfer (step S61). If there is no free space, the second buffer memory 7 is checked.
The oldest data among them is deleted from the second buffer memory 7 (step S68), the above-mentioned redisplay counter is decremented (step S69), and it is again confirmed whether or not there is free space in the second buffer memory 7. Step S
Returning to the processing of 61. This is because the data in the second buffer memory 7 has been subjected to data processing such as compression, so that even if the data processed such as compression of one sheet is deleted, another one sheet of data is stored. This is because it is unclear if it can be done.

The CPU 11 executes the second loop through the loop processing of steps S61 to S68 to S69.
When the free space is secured in the buffer memory 7 of the CPU, the redisplay pointer and the rotation counter in the CPU 11 are set to 0.
Is reset to (step S62, step S63).
Here, in the rotation counter, the image in the display memory 8 is the second
Is a variable indicating the number of rotations with respect to the original data in the buffer memory 7, and when the value of the rotation counter is n, it indicates 90 ° × n rotations, and n is 0 to 3
Takes an integer value of. Therefore, steps S62 and S
The image data to be transferred into the display memory 8 by performing each process of 63 is the newest data in the second buffer memory 7, has not been rotated, and has the same direction as the original data. It is shown that.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 performs image processing such as resolution conversion, gradation conversion, edge enhancement, etc. on the oldest data stored in the first buffer memory 6 as necessary, and then the display memory. 8 (step S64). Next, the CPU 11 subjects the oldest data in the first buffer memory 6 to data processing such as compression and then transfers the data to an empty area of the second buffer memory 7 (step S65), and the above-mentioned redisplay is performed. The counter is incremented (step S66), and the oldest data in the first buffer memory 6 is deleted from the first buffer memory 6 (step S67). Note that step S64
Therefore, the reason why the data in the first buffer memory 6 is transferred to the display memory 8 instead of the second buffer memory 7 is that when the data is transferred from the second buffer memory 7 to the display memory 8, compression etc. This is because it is necessary to perform data processing such as decompression on the data that has been subjected to the data processing, so that data processing such as extra data decompression is not performed.

The data transferred to the display memory 8 is converted into a video signal by the video signal generator 9 and is sequentially supplied to the display device 15 via the display device connecting connector 32. By the operation, the image of the document is displayed on the panel or the like. The video signal generated by the video signal generator 9 is an analog RGB signal used in a personal computer in the present embodiment, but it can be directly connected to the display device 15 to display a change in the data in the display memory 8. If the device 15 can be notified in real time and reflected in the display content of the display device 15, for example, a DFP (Digital Flat Panel S
Tandard) or a method of transmitting with a digital signal as defined by IEEE1394.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the subroutine of step S8 'in FIG. 26, that is, the processing procedure for rotating and displaying the original screen being displayed by the original imaging apparatus 1. In this process, the CPU 11 first confirms whether or not the value of the redisplay counter is 0 (step S7).
1). When the value of the redisplay counter is 0, it means that there is no data in the second buffer memory 7 and the original read data is not displayed yet. In this case, therefore, the CPU 11 causes the step S71. ~ Step S8
The rotation display instruction is ignored without performing the processing of 0.

When the value of the redisplay counter is other than 0, there is data in the second buffer memory 7, so CP
U11 increments the rotation counter and then calculates modulo 4 (MOD4) (step S72),
Find the value of the rotation counter for the angle to rotate this time. By performing this modulo operation, the instruction of 360 ° becomes 0 °
You can return to the instructions.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 reads the data indicated by the redisplay pointer from the data in the second buffer memory 7 (step S73), and performs data processing such as decompression on the read data (step S73). S7
4) Check the value of the rotation counter (step S75,
In step S76), rotation conversion is performed according to the value of the rotation counter (step S77, step S78, step S79), and after image processing such as resolution conversion, gradation conversion, and edge enhancement is performed as necessary, display is performed. The data is transferred to the memory 8 (step S80). As a result, the image of the document displayed by the display device 15 is rotated and displayed on the panel or the like.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the subroutine of step S8 'of FIG. 26, that is, the processing procedure for redisplaying the displayed document. In this process, the CPU
11 first confirms whether the value of the redisplay counter is 1 or less (step S81). If the value of the redisplay counter is 1 or less, there is no data in the second buffer memory 7 (in the case of 0), or there is only one sheet (in the case of 1), and the original reading data is not displayed yet. In this case, it means that the data is not being executed or only the data which is currently transferred to the display memory 8 and is being displayed is stored in the second buffer memory 7.
In No. 1, the processing of steps S82 to S86 described below is not performed, and the redisplay instruction by the remote control switch 79 is ignored.

When the value of the redisplay counter is 2 or more, the CPU 11 increments the redisplay pointer, and then modulos the value of the redisplay counter (step S82) to display the second value to be displayed this time. Buffer memory 7
The value of the rotation counter of the data in is calculated. By performing this modulo operation, it is possible to set the redisplay order of the oldest data next to the newest data.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 resets the value of the rotation counter to 0 (step S83), reads the data in the second buffer memory 7 (step S84),
Of these data, data processing such as expansion of data indicated by the redisplay pointer is performed (step S85), and image processing such as resolution conversion, gradation conversion and edge enhancement is performed as necessary, and the result is transferred to the display memory 8 ( Step S86).

In this way, the original image pickup device 1 of the embodiment
Then, the linear image sensor 2 is used as the image reading means, the image of the original is read by the linear image sensor 2, and the read data is read by the first buffer memory 6
The processing up to the transfer to the display memory 8 and the processing for outputting the data in the display memory 8 from the video signal generator 9 are performed independently. As a result, when the display device 15 has a high image quality, the display device 15 has a sufficient resolution for reading and outputting characters such as a document original while making good use of its characteristics, and in the explanation of the display screen displayed by the display device 15, the next document is displayed. It is possible to realize a small-sized and inexpensive original image pickup apparatus capable of reading a plurality of originals, shortening the display switching time, and requiring no preparation for display, and capable of handling many originals at once.

In the above-described embodiment, the original image pickup device 1 is configured as an independent device which is used by connecting to the display device 15 as shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the document imaging device 1 may be configured as an integrated document imaging display device with the document imaging device 1 incorporated as a sub-unit in the housing of the display device 15.

Note that the program code itself for operating various devices and means for supplying the program code to the CPU 11 so as to realize the function of the original image pickup apparatus 1 described in each of the embodiments, for example, The storage medium storing the program code is stored in the CPU
The external storage means 11 may be provided.

In order to realize the original image pickup method described in each embodiment, for example, step S in FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S12, step S2 of FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S31, step S5 of FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S54, step S4 of FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S44, step S6 of FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S69, step S7 of FIG.
Each processing of 1 to step S80, step S8 of FIG.
A program code itself for causing the CPU 11 to execute the processes of 1 to step S86 and a means for supplying the program code to the CPU 11, for example, a storage medium storing the program code is separately provided as an external storage means of the CPU 11. It may be configured.

When the external storage means of the CPU 11 is provided as described above, the program code stored in the storage medium is read out by using a predetermined storage / reproduction device, and the CP
The CPU 11 operates by being supplied to U11. Examples of storage media for storing such program codes include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs,
A magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM or the like can be used.

In addition, the supplied program code is CP
By executing the U11, not only each function of the embodiment is realized, but also its program code is executed by the CPU1.
Each function of the embodiment may be realized in cooperation with the OS (operating system) operating in No. 1 or another program. Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the image pickup apparatus or the function expansion unit connected to the image pickup apparatus, the CPU 11 executes one of the actual processes based on the instruction of the program code. The configuration may be such that all or a part of the functions are performed and the functions of the embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, the linear output device has an output means for outputting image information, and the relative position of the linear output device and the output medium (copy paper or the like) in the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the linear output device. Scanning means for changing the speed at a predetermined speed, a medium guide means for setting the output medium at a predetermined position, a locking means for holding the medium guide means in a stored state, and a medium guide means for moving the medium guide means to a predetermined position. It is easy to apply to an output device such as an image scanner having a moving holding means for holding the locking means, a releasing means for releasing the locking means, and a receiving means for receiving the infrared remote control signal.

Further, the linear output device has an output means for outputting image information, and the relative position of the linear output device and the output medium at a predetermined speed in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the linear output device. Sub-scanning means for changing, two medium guiding means for setting the output medium at a predetermined position, interlocking means for interlocking the two medium guiding means, and locking means for holding the medium guiding means in a stored state. An output of a printer or the like having a moving holding means for moving and holding the medium guiding means to a prescribed position, a releasing means for releasing the locking means, and a receiving means for receiving an infrared remote control signal It is easy to apply to the device.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the image information of the original is displayed on the display device 15 and the image information of the next original can be stored in the buffer memory while the original is being described, the linear image sensor can be used at high speed. It is possible to provide a document imaging device capable of switching screens. Further, even when the image information of the displayed document is displayed again on the display device 15,
A high-quality original image pickup device that can switch screens at high speed without reloading and that does not increase image deterioration due to repetition even when the same image such as rotation is repeatedly converted can do.

Further, it is possible to provide an original image pick-up device capable of setting a large number of originals at one time and reading and displaying them continuously even with a small buffer memory capacity. Further, it is possible to provide a high-speed original image pickup apparatus which can store information of a large number of originals even with a small buffer memory capacity and has a low probability of having to read it again.

Further, according to the original image pickup apparatus 1 of the embodiment, there is no need for a person other than the instructor to replace the original document exclusively, and the instructor of the presentation does not have to have any timing. Since display screens can be easily switched and converted, a smooth and more effective presentation can be performed without disturbing the flow of explanation. Further, according to the original image pickup apparatus 1, since separate mechanisms are driven by one power source, it is possible to provide a small-sized, lightweight and inexpensive original image pickup apparatus.

[0170]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the original can be reliably separated and fed, the sub-scanning can be stably performed, and the space saving and the reduction of the space in the optical system for illuminating the original can be achieved. It is possible to provide a manuscript image pickup device which has high dimming accuracy and a beautiful picked-up image while achieving cost reduction and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of an image display system configured by using a document imaging device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state when the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, and is an external perspective view illustrating a case where a wireless signal of a remote control switch is emitted toward an operation button.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram for explaining a circuit configuration of a document imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanical structure of a document imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanical structure of a document imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a document driving unit of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a mechanism on the document front side.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a document driving unit of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a diagram showing a mechanism on the document back side.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining a document separating / feeding operation in the document driving unit, in which FIG. 8A shows a state in which a document bundle is set, and FIG. 8B shows a state at the start of the separating / feeding operation. , Respectively.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a main part of a document separating / feeding operation of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sub-scanning operation in the document driving mechanism after the drive motor of the document imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention is switched in the reverse direction.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a case where there is no document by extracting a portion of an optical system through which a document of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention passes.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a case where a document is present by extracting a portion of an optical system through which a document of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention passes.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of a document driving mechanism in the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is extracted from the bottom and shown from below.

14A and 14B are partial plan views showing a stored state of a document tray of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 14A is a view from above and FIG. 14B is a view from below.

FIG. 15 is a partial plan view showing a use state of the document tray of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
(A) is a figure shown from an upper part, (b) is a figure shown from a lower part.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view illustrating an axial shifting operation of the document guide of the document imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of the lower main body B of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of the drive mechanism unit U1 of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of the control board unit U2 of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of the operation button unit U3 of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view including the first embodiment of the hinge shaft portion, which shows the connection relationship between the upper body A and the lower body B of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side sectional view including the first embodiment of the hinge shaft portion, which shows the connection relationship between the upper body A and the lower body B of the document imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a trihedral view and a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hinge shaft portion.

FIG. 24 is a trihedral view and a perspective view of a third embodiment of a hinge shaft portion.

FIG. 25 is a trihedral view and a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a hinge shaft portion.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure after starting the document imaging apparatus.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a document feeding and reading process procedure of the document imaging device.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a document ejection processing procedure of the document imaging apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for newly displaying an original by the original imaging device.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a procedure of newly displaying a document of the document imaging apparatus, and is a diagram showing a procedure of data transfer to the second buffer memory and data transfer to the display memory.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of rotation display of the document imaging apparatus.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of redisplaying a displayed document of the document imaging apparatus.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a structure of a document imaging device using a conventional area image sensor.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a document imaging apparatus using a conventional linear image sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 document image pickup device, 2 linear image sensor (reading unit), 2a sensor unit, 2b glass unit, 2c light source unit, 3 document position detector, 4 document driving mechanism (separation feeding unit, sub-scanning unit, discharge unit), 5 A / D converter, 6 1st buffer memory, 7 2nd buffer memory, 8 display memory, 9 video signal generator, 10
Display device information reader, 11 CPU (image signal processing means, light control means), 12 ROM, 13 display performance designation switch, 14 operation method designation switch, 15
Display device, 16, 16 'document, 17 document stack, 18,
118 manuscript tray, 18a, 118a supporting hole portion,
18b, 118b Support shaft part, 18c, 118c Gear tooth end part, 18d, 118d Dowel, 18r, 118r Rack part, 19 Document set detector, 20 Feed roller (separation feeding means), 21 Separation roller (separation feeding) Means), 22 main roller (sub-scanning means), 23 discharge roller, 24 spacer, 25 white plate (back illuminating means), 26 connecting roller, 28 communication means, 29 image signal switching means, 30 personal computer (image signal generator) ), 31 main control board, 32 display device connection connector (image signal output means), 33 communication connector, 34 power supply connector, 35 image signal input connector (image signal input means), 36 communication device, 37
Auxiliary roller spring, 39 Auxiliary roller base, 39f, 3
9f 'Key-shaped fitting portion, 45 Positioning lever, 46 Stop lever 47 Feed roller shaft, 48 Separation roller shaft, 49, 50 Tray spring, 51 Feed pulley, 52
Separation pulley, 53 Transmission belt, 54 One-way clutch mechanism, 55 Stop lever pressing spring, 56 Stop lever friction plate, 58 Positioning lever pressing spring, 5
9 Positioning lever friction plate, 60, 60 'meshing gear,
61 primary separation pad, 62 secondary separation pad, 63
Secondary separation lever, 64 separation lever spring, 65 main auxiliary roller, 66 discharge auxiliary roller, 68, 69 bearing, 75 operation button, 76 reflector, 77 light receiving element, 79 remote controller, 80, 80 'hook, 81 fastening member, 82, 82 'Shaft removal prevention member, 83 Shaft removal prevention hook, 97 Upper case, 98 Middle case, 99
Lower case, 99a U-shaped groove, 100 drive motor, 10
1 motor gear, 102, 103, 113 transmission gear, 1
08 main drive gear, 111 feed drive gear, 112
Torque limiter, 114 discharge drive gear, 119 gear base plate, 119a hinge shaft, 120 decorative plate, 120a
Hinge axis, 200 display communication cable, 201A
C / DC converter, 202 image data communication cable, A
Upper body, B lower body, C device body, U1 document drive unit, U2 control board unit, U3 operation button unit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 27/50 G03B 27/50 B 5C072 H04N 1/04 H04N 5/225 Z 5/225 B65H 3/06 350A // B65H 3/06 350 H04N 1/12 ZF term (reference) 2H108 AA14 AA17 CB01 FB41 FB61 JA00 3F049 CA01 CA31 DA12 EA12 LA16 LB02 3F343 FA03 FB01 GA01 GB01 JA19 LA04 LA15 LB08 LC12 LC23 LC27 5C022 AC65 AC07 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 AC74 5 AA05 AB02 AB31 AB32 AC02 AC05 AC11 BD07 5C072 AA01 EA04 NA01 NA05 UA11 UA13

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit having an image sensor for reading image information of an original document, and a sub unit for changing a relative position between the image sensor and the original document image at a predetermined speed in a direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction of the image sensor. A separation means for separating and feeding one original from the original bundle to the sub-scanning means; the separation feeding means has a roller for driving the original, and the roller is for separating An original image pickup device characterized in that a driving force for driving an original is applied to the original during both feeding and sub-scanning. 2. The document image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rollers of the separating / feeding unit have different peripheral speeds during the separating and feeding and during the sub-scanning. 3. The sub-scanning unit and the separating / feeding unit are connected by a connecting roller, and the connecting roller is arranged between the sub-scanning unit and the separating / feeding unit, and the sub-scanning unit and the separating unit. 3. The original image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the original image pickup device uniformly biases the feeding unit. 4. The document imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connecting roller is a cylindrical or spherical member. 5. The connection roller has a space that can be separated from the sub-scanning unit or the separation feeding unit in a direction opposite to the urging direction. The document imaging apparatus described.