JP2010183581A - Document feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document feeding device which prevents the need to stop feeding documents midway and to feed them from the beginning once again even if documents with different widths are fed when a mixed size document mode that can feed documents of different sizes is not selected. <P>SOLUTION: A document feeding device has a first document width sensor for sensing a maximum document width of a stack of documents placed on a document tray 11 at the place of a back side guide 61, a second document width sensor 66 for sensing a document width of a document separated one by one, and a control section 90 which restartably interrupts document feeding by a feeding section when the sensing signal of the first document width sensor and the sensing signal of the second document width sensor 66 are not the same. When an operator selects the mixed size document mode, feeding-stopped documents are restarted to be fed and images of the documents are started to be read, and when the operator select the regular mode, the feeding-stopped documents are ejected by the feeding section onto a discharge tray, hence the above problems are solved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document feeder.

  As the document feeder, there is known a document feeder having a document mixture mode that allows conveyance of documents of different sizes. As the document feeder having the document mixed loading mode, techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.

  In Patent Document 1, in a document feeding device that feeds a document on a document tray to a reading position on a document placing table, the maximum width of a bundle of documents set on the document tray and the document fed from the document tray are disclosed. A document feeder having document size detection means for detecting the width is disclosed.

  According to Patent Document 1, according to the above document feeder, the document size is detected by a set of document size detection means by performing document size detection before feeding a document and document size detection after separating and feeding a document. Is disclosed that the copy time can be shortened and the copy productivity can be improved even for a manuscript that is mixedly loaded.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a document tray on which documents of different sizes supplied toward the document reading position can be placed simultaneously, and the largest main document among the documents of different sizes placed on the document tray. A rear guide that is displaced and positioned to match one document side of the scanning direction size, and is displaced by a displacement amount substantially the same as the back side guide, and is also adjusted to the other document side of the maximum main scanning direction size. A document feeder having a front guide to be positioned and a detection sensor for detecting a document having a main scanning direction size other than the maximum main scanning direction size placed simultaneously with reference to the position of the positioned back guide. It is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that according to the above document feeder, document sizes of documents having different sizes supplied from a group of documents placed on the document feeder can be detected appropriately. Yes.

JP 2001-350225 A JP 2004-048282 A

  The present invention eliminates the need to stop the conveyance of the document halfway and restart the conveyance of the document from the beginning even when the document having a different document width is conveyed in a case where the document is not in the mixed document loading mode that allows conveyance of documents of different sizes. An object of the present invention is to provide a document feeder and an image forming apparatus.

  The document feeder according to claim 1 of the present invention separates a document placing table on which documents of different sizes can be placed and a bundle of documents placed on the document placing table one by one and conveys them to a discharge unit. A transport unit; first document width detecting means for detecting a maximum document width of a document bundle placed on the document placement table; and a document width of the document separated from the document placement table one by one by the transport unit. The second document width detecting unit detects the maximum document width detected by the first document width detecting unit and the second document width detecting unit when the second document width detecting unit is not in a mixed document mode that allows conveyance of documents of different sizes. And a controller that interrupts the conveyance of the document so that the document can be resumed when the document width differs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document feeding device according to the first aspect, wherein the first document length detecting unit detects the maximum document length of the document bundle placed on the document placing table, and the transport unit. A second document length detecting unit that detects a document length of a document separated from the document placing table one by one; and a first document length detecting unit that is not in a mixed document mode that allows conveyance of documents of different sizes. And the control unit that interrupts the conveyance of the document so that the document can be resumed when the maximum document length detected by the second document length is different from the document length detected by the second document length detection unit. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document feeding device according to the first or second aspect, wherein a reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed to the conveyance unit and an image of the document that has been conveyed are interrupted. The control unit for determining whether the reading unit is in a readable state capable of being read, or whether the image of the original whose conveyance has been interrupted is unreadable in the reading unit; The control unit determines that the document is ready for reading when it is detected that the document whose conveyance has been interrupted is stopped at a standby position that is in front of the reading position of the reading unit. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document feeder, a reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed to the conveyance unit, and a readable state in which the image of the document that has been interrupted can be read by the reading unit. And a control unit that determines whether the image of the document on which conveyance has been interrupted is in an unreadable state in which the image cannot be read by the reading unit. Even when it is detected that the interrupted document is stopped downstream of the standby position that is in front of the reading position of the reading unit, the document is returned to the upstream side of the reading position. If it is detected, the readable state is determined.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, even when a document having a different document width is transported when the document is not in the mixed document loading mode that allows transportation of documents of different sizes, the transportation of the document is stopped halfway. There is no need to transport the document again.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, even when a document having a different document length is transported in a document mixed mode that does not permit transport of documents of different sizes, the transport of the document is stopped halfway and started from the beginning. There is no need to transport the document again.

  According to the configurations of claims 3 and 4 of the present invention, it is possible to grasp whether the document whose conveyance has been interrupted is in a readable state or an unreadable state, and based on this state, the document is conveyed. Since the image can be read again after restarting, it is not necessary to transfer the document and read the document from the beginning.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the document tray and the second document width detection sensor according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the back side guide and the near side guide and the configuration of the first document width detection sensor according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment and the configurations of the first document length detection sensor and the second document length detection sensor. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the document widths of the document placed on the document tray according to the present embodiment and the document conveyed separately are the same.

  Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as an example of an image recording apparatus 110 that records an image on a recording medium P such as paper, and an original feeding apparatus that conveys an original, conveys an original and reads an image of the original. And an image reading device 10.

  The image reading apparatus 10 is disposed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100, and the image recording apparatus 110 is disposed on the lower part of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image reading device 10 reads an image of a document and converts the read image into an image signal. The image recording apparatus 110 records an image on the recording medium P based on the image signal converted by the image reading apparatus 10.

  Here, the configuration of the image recording apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of recording medium storage units 120 and 121 in which a recording medium P is stored.

  The recording medium storage units 120 and 121 store recording media P of different sizes. For example, the recording medium accommodating unit 120 accommodates a B5 size recording medium P, and the recording medium accommodating unit 121 accommodates a B4 size recording medium P.

  Immediately above the leading end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121, the recording medium P rotates in contact with the leading end side of the upper surface of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P is sent out from the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121. A delivery roll 126 is arranged.

  In the image recording apparatus 110, a conveyance path 122 is formed that extends from the leading ends of the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121, curves in an S shape, and extends toward the top of the image recording apparatus 110.

  A plurality (for example, six) of conveying roll pairs 164 for sandwiching and conveying the recording medium P and a resist roll 168 are arranged along the conveying path 122 in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

  An image recording unit 130 that records an image on the recording medium P is disposed above the recording medium accommodating unit 121.

  The recording medium P accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121 is sent out by the delivery roll 126, transported through the transport path 122 by the transport roll pair 164 and the registration roll 168, and sent to the image recording section 130.

  The image recording unit 130 forms a color image on the recording medium P using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color toners on the recording medium P sent from the recording medium accommodating units 120 and 121. .

  In the image recording unit 130, four photosensitive drums 112 are arranged in a rotatable manner. Each photoconductive drum 112 is rotated in the direction of arrow K by a driving unit (not shown).

  A charging roller 114 is disposed on the lower left diagonal portion of each photosensitive drum 112 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 112. The charging roller 114 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 to a predetermined potential.

  After charging, exposure is performed by light emitted from each exposure head 116 disposed below each photosensitive drum 112, and a latent image corresponding to the image signal converted by the image reading device 10 is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112. Formed.

  Each color toner charged to a predetermined polarity is held on the developing roller 119 of each color developer 118. The latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 112 is developed by applying a developing bias to the developing roller 119 and becomes a toner image of each color.

  Each color toner image formed on each of the four photosensitive drums 112 is transferred by the first transfer roller 115 onto the intermediate transfer belt 113 disposed above each of the photosensitive drums 112, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 113. To be a full-color toner image.

  The recording medium P sent out from the recording medium accommodating portions 120 and 121 and conveyed by the conveying roll pair 164 is sent to the nip portion between the second transfer roller 132 and the intermediate transfer roller 134 by the registration roller 168 at a predetermined timing. A full-color toner image is transferred to the recording medium P. The toner image is transferred to the surface of the recording medium P on the intermediate transfer roller 134 side.

  The recording medium P on which the full-color toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 136. The fixing device 136 fixes the toner image on the recording medium P with heat and pressure. The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 140 by the discharge roller 142.

  Note that the toner image is not completely transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 113 and the recording medium P, and a part of the toner image remains on the photosensitive drum 112 and the intermediate transfer belt 113 as residual toner. Residual toner on the photosensitive drum 112 is removed by a cleaning roll 144, and residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 113 is removed by a cleaning device 138.

(Configuration of image reading apparatus according to this embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a document tray 11 as an example of a document placing table on which documents of different sizes can be placed, and a tray lifter 12 that raises and lowers the document tray 11.

  On the document tray 11, documents of different sizes, that is, documents having at least one of a document length that is a distance along the document feeding direction A and a document width that is a distance along a direction orthogonal to the document feeding direction A are different. It can be placed.

  The image reading apparatus 10 also separates a bundle of documents placed on the document tray 11 one by one and conveys the bundle to the discharge tray 40, and a reading unit that reads an image of the document conveyed to the conveyance unit 37. 70 and a processing device 80 for processing the image signal read by the reading unit 70.

  The transport unit 37 is fed by the feed roll 13 that feeds the document from the document tray 11 raised by the tray lifter 12, the feed roll 14 that transports the document fed by the feed roll 13 to the further downstream side, and the feed roll 13. A separation roll 15 is provided for separating the originals one by one.

  Further, the transport unit 37 includes a first transport path 31 through which a document sent from the document tray 11 is transported first. In this first transport path 31, a takeaway roll 16 that transports the originals separated one by one to a downstream roll, a pre-registration roll 17 that transports the original to a further downstream roll and creates a loop, and After stopping, the rotation is restarted at the same timing, the registration roll 18 for supplying the original while performing registration adjustment to the reading unit 70, the platen roll 19 for assisting the conveyance of the original being read, and the read original An out-roll 20 is provided for transporting downstream.

  The first conveyance path 31 is provided with a baffle 41 that rotates around a fulcrum according to the loop state of the document being conveyed.

  A second transport path 32 and a third transport path 33 are provided on the downstream side of the out-roll 20. At the branch between the second conveyance path 32 and the third conveyance path 33, a conveyance path switching gate 42 for switching the second conveyance path 32 and the third conveyance path 33 is provided.

  On the downstream side of the second conveyance path 32, a discharge tray 40 is provided as an example of a discharge unit that discharges a document that has been read. A first discharge roll 21 that discharges the document to the discharge tray 40 is provided in the second conveyance path 32.

  Further, a fourth conveyance path 34 is formed on the downstream side of the third conveyance path 33 for switching back the document that has passed through the third conveyance path 33.

  The fourth transport path 34 is provided with an inverter roll 22 and an inverter pinch roll 23 for switching back the document.

  A fifth transport path 35 that guides the document switched back by the fourth transport path 34 to the first transport path 31 again passes through the fourth transport path 34 and the first transport path 31.

  A sixth transport path 36 for discharging the document switched back by the fourth transport path 34 to the discharge tray 40 communicates with the fourth transport path 34. The sixth transport path 36 is provided with an exit switching gate 43 that switches the transport path of the second discharge roll 24, the fifth transport path 35, and the sixth transport path 36 that transports the reversely discharged document to the first discharge roll 21. It has been.

  The delivery roll 13 is lifted up and held at the retracted position during standby, and descends to the nip position (original conveyance position) during conveyance of the document to convey the uppermost document on the document tray 11.

  The feed roll 13 and the feed roll 14 convey a document by connecting a feed clutch (not shown). The pre-registration roll 17 makes a loop by abutting the leading end of the document against the stopped registration roll 18. In the registration roll 18, when the loop is created, the leading edge of the document bitten by the registration roll 18 is returned to the nip position. When this loop is formed, the baffle 41 opens around the fulcrum and functions so as not to disturb the document loop.

  Further, the take away roll 16 and the pre-registration roll 17 hold a loop during reading. By this loop formation, the read timing can be adjusted, and the skew associated with the document conveyance at the time of reading can be suppressed, and the alignment adjustment function can be enhanced. In synchronization with the reading start timing, the stopped registration roll 18 starts rotating and is pressed against the second platen glass 72B by the platen roll 19 to read image data from the lower surface direction.

  The conveyance path switching gate 42 switches so that the document passing through the out-roll 20 is guided to the second conveyance path 32 and discharged to the discharge tray 40 at the end of reading one-sided document and at the same time when reading both-side documents simultaneously. It is done. On the other hand, the transport path switching gate 42 is switched so as to guide the document to the third transport path 33 in order to invert the document when the double-sided document is sequentially read. The inverter pinch roll 23 is retracted with the feed clutch (not shown) turned off when the double-sided original is sequentially read, and the nip is released, leading the original to the inverter path (fourth conveyance path 34). Thereafter, the inverter pinch roll 23 is nipped, the original to be inverted by the inverter roll 22 is guided to the pre-registration roll 17, and the original to be reversed is conveyed to the second discharge roll 24 in the sixth conveyance path 36.

  The reading unit 70 is provided in the lower part of the image reading device 10 and reads an image of the document conveyed by the conveying unit 37. The reading unit 70 forms a first platen glass 72A for placing a document to be read in a stationary state on an apparatus frame 71 that forms a housing, and an opening for light to read the document being conveyed. A second platen glass 72B is provided.

  Further, the reading unit 70 is stationary under the second platen glass 72B, and scans the entire first platen glass 72A to read an image, and the light obtained from the full rate carriage 73 is image-coupled. A half-rate carriage 75 is provided to provide a portion. The full-rate carriage 73 is provided with an illumination lamp 74 that irradiates light on the original and a first mirror 76A that receives reflected light obtained from the original. Further, the half-rate carriage 75 is provided with a second mirror 76B and a third mirror 76C that provide the light obtained from the first mirror 76A to the imaging unit.

  Further, the reading unit 70 optically reduces the optical image obtained from the third mirror 76 </ b> C, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that photoelectrically converts the optical image formed by the imaging lens 77. ) An image sensor 78 and a drive substrate 79 provided with the CCD image sensor 78 are provided, and an image signal obtained by the CCD image sensor 78 is sent to the processing device 80 via the drive substrate 79. The processing device 80 is adapted to send an image signal to the exposure head 116.

  Here, first, when reading an image of a document placed on the first platen glass 72A, the full rate carriage 73 and the half rate carriage 75 move in the scanning direction (arrow direction) at a ratio of 2: 1. . At this time, the light of the illumination lamp 74 of the full rate carriage 73 is irradiated on the surface to be read of the document, and the reflected light from the document is reflected in the order of the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C. Then, it is guided to the imaging lens 77. The light guided to the imaging lens 77 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 78. The CCD image sensor 78 is a one-dimensional sensor and processes one line at the same time. When reading of one line in this line direction (main scanning direction of scanning) is completed, the full-rate carriage 73 is moved in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction to read the next line of the document. By executing this over the entire document size, reading of one page of the document is completed.

  On the other hand, the second platen glass 72B is constituted by a transparent glass plate having a long plate-like structure, for example. The document conveyed by the conveyance unit 37 passes over the second platen glass 72B. At this time, the full-rate carriage 73 and the half-rate carriage 75 are stopped at the solid line positions shown in FIG. First, the reflected light of the first line of the document that has passed through the platen roll 19 of the transport unit 37 is imaged by the imaging lens 77 via the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C, and then the CCD. An image is read by the image sensor 78. That is, after one line in the main scanning direction is simultaneously processed by the CCD image sensor 78 that is a one-dimensional sensor, the next line in the main scanning direction of the original conveyed by the conveyance unit 37 is read. After the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position of the second platen glass 72B, the document passes through the reading position of the second platen glass 72B, whereby reading of one page is completed in the sub-scanning direction.

  In the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a document is transported based on a central position (a central position in the main scanning direction of the document) in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the document feeding direction A, and the transported document Center registration is used. When this center registration is realized, a back guide 61 and a near side guide 62 as an example of a document guide for distributing the document to the center and guiding the document are provided on the document placement surface of the document tray 11.

  The back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are configured to be movable in a direction (depth direction, document width direction) perpendicular to the document feed direction A by a slide groove 65 formed in the document tray 11.

  Further, the back guide 61 and the near side guide 62 position the document by placing the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 against the width direction end of the document and aligning the width direction end of the document.

  Further, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are respectively connected to a rack 63 provided on the back side of the document placement surface of the document tray 11 (inside the document tray), and the rack 63 extending from the back side guide 61 and the near side A rack 63 extending from the guide 62 is connected to a pinion 64. By the rack 63 and the pinion 64, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 slide in conjunction with the sliding operation of one of the guides, and the sliding amount of both is controlled equally. If the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are arranged at equal positions from the center (center position) in the depth direction (if the center is distributed), the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 are formed. The center (center position) of the length in the depth direction is maintained even after these guides slide.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading apparatus 10 includes a first document width detection sensor 50 as an example of a first document width detection unit that detects the maximum document width of a bundle of documents placed on the document tray 11. Yes. In FIG. 3, the document tray 11 is omitted.

  The first document width detection sensor 50 includes a moving body 52 that moves integrally with the back guide 61 as the back guide 61 slides.

  The moving body 52 is configured by a plate body bent in an L-shaped cross section, and is configured integrally with the rack 63 of the back side guide 61. A plurality of openings 53 are formed in the moving body 52 along the moving direction of the moving body.

  The first document width detection sensor 50 includes a plurality of optical sensors 54 arranged along the moving body 52. The movable body 52 having the opening 53 is moved between the light emitting portion 54A and the light receiving portion 54B of the optical sensor 54, and when the opening 53 is located between the light emitting portion 54A and the light receiving portion 54B. If the light receiving unit 54B receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 54A of the optical sensor 54 and the opening 53 is not positioned between the light emitting unit 54A and the light receiving unit 54B, the light is emitted from the light emitting unit 54A of the optical sensor 54. The light receiving unit 54B does not receive the received light.

  As described above, the position of the opening 53 of the moving body 52 that moves with the back guide 61 is used to detect the document width of the document stack placed on the document tray 11. The document width of the document bundle placed on the document tray 11 is detected based on the position.

  Here, when a document having a different document width is placed on the document tray 11, the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 hit the end of the document having the maximum width among the documents having different document widths. Therefore, the document width detected by the position of the back guide 61 is the maximum document width of the document bundle placed on the document tray 11.

  In the present embodiment, three optical sensors 54 are provided, and eight document widths can be detected.

  The first document width detecting means for detecting the maximum document width of the document stack placed on the document tray 11 recognizes the positions of the back guide 61 and the front guide 62 based on the rotation amount of the pinion 64. In addition, a document width detection sensor that detects the document width of the document positioned on the back guide 61 and the front guide 62 may be used.

  Further, the maximum document width of the document bundle placed on the document tray 11 is detected by directly detecting the document width of the document positioned on the back guide 61 and the front guide 62 by a reflective sensor or the like. It may be a configuration.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second width of the document is detected in the vicinity of the downstream side of the feed roll 14 in the first conveyance path 31. A second document width detection sensor 66 is provided as an example of document width detection means.

  For example, a reflection type sensor is used as the second document width detection sensor 66, and the document width (A / B series such as A4 portrait, A4 landscape, A5 landscape, B4 landscape, B5 portrait, etc.) that is expected to be placed. In addition, the arrangement interval is determined in consideration of detection of the size of the inch system or the like.

  For example, when one sensor is turned on, it is detected as B5 size. When two sensors are turned on, it is detected as A4 size. When three sensors are turned on, it is detected as B4 size. When four sensors are turned on, it may be configured to detect A3 size.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second document width detection sensor 66 is provided on the front guide 62 side on the premise that the document bundle is placed with the back side of the document and the front end side in the feed direction aligned. However, the second document width detection sensor 66 may be arranged so that it can be detected even when the document bundle is placed on the near side or the center in the width direction.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the document tray 11 includes a first document as an example of a first document length detection unit that detects the maximum document length of a document bundle placed on the document tray 11. A length detection sensor 56 is provided.

  For example, a reflection type sensor is used as the second document length detection sensor 56, and the document length (A / B series such as A4 portrait, A4 landscape, A5 landscape, B4 landscape, B5 portrait, etc.) expected to be placed. In addition, the arrangement interval is determined in consideration of detection of the size of the inch system or the like.

  For example, when one sensor is turned on, it is detected as B5 size. When two sensors are turned on, it is detected as A4 size. When three sensors are turned on, it is detected as B4 size. When four sensors are turned on, it may be configured to detect A3 size.

  The transport path 31 is provided with second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 as an example of second document length detection means for detecting the document length of the documents separated from the document tray 11 one by one by the transport unit 37. It has been.

  The second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 use, for example, a reflection type sensor, and are expected to be placed on the document length (A4 portrait, A4 landscape, A5 landscape, B4 landscape, B5 portrait, etc.) The arrangement interval is determined in consideration of the detection of the B series and the inch size.

  The second document length detection sensor 69 detects the leading edge of the document, and the document length of the document is detected depending on whether or not the second document length detection sensor 68 detects the document at that time.

  The second document length detection sensor 69 detects the leading edge of the document, the second document length detection sensor 68 detects the trailing edge of the document, and after the leading edge of the document is detected until the trailing edge of the document is detected. The length of the document may be detected based on the time, the distance between the second document length detection sensor 68 and the second document length detection sensor 69, and the conveyance speed.

  A control unit 90 is connected to the first document width detection sensor 50, the second document width detection sensor 66, the first document length detection sensor 56, and the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69, and the first document width detection is detected. Detection signals of the sensor 50, the second document width detection sensor 66, the first document length detection sensor 56, and the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69, that is, the document width information and the document length information of the document are sent to the control unit 90. It has become.

  The control unit 90 is configured to drive and control the transport unit 37, and controls various roll operations, gate switching operations, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an operation panel 58 as an example of an operation unit that can be operated by an operator is provided on the surface of the casing of the image reading apparatus 10. The operation panel 58 includes a display panel 59 as an example of a display unit on which information to be notified to the operator is displayed.

  Here, the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a mixed document mode that allows conveyance of documents of different sizes and a normal mode that does not allow conveyance of documents of different sizes. In the normal mode, conveyance of only documents of the same size is allowed.

  In the present embodiment, in the mixed original mode, originals of different sizes are simultaneously bundled and placed on the original tray 11, the originals of different sizes are sequentially conveyed from the original bundle, and the image of the original is read. Yes.

  The mixed document mode is set by the operator selecting through the operation panel 58. When the mixed original mode is selected, the control unit 90 performs the mixed original mode process.

  In the mixed document mode, the second document width detection sensor 66 and the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 detect the size of each conveyed document and read the image of the document.

  The document width information and document length information of this document are sent to the image recording apparatus 110 via the control unit 90. For example, an image of a B5 size document is copied to a B5 size recording medium P, and a B4 size document is recorded. Are copied to a B4-sized recording medium P.

  In the present embodiment, when placing a bundle of documents, the back side of the documents is placed so that the documents of different sizes are aligned on the back guide 61 and the leading end in the pull-in direction so that the documents are placed on the document tray 11. The operator is instructed to align and bundle the originals at the leading end in the feed direction.

  In the normal mode, on the assumption that all the originals have the same size, the first original width detection sensor 50 and the first original width detection sensor 50 detect the original size and read the original image.

  When the mixed document mode is not set (in the case of the normal mode in the present embodiment), the control unit 90 detects the maximum document width detected by the first document width detection sensor 50 and the document width detected by the second document width detection sensor 66. Are different from each other, the conveyance unit 37 is interrupted so that the conveyance of the document can be resumed.

  In addition, the control unit 90 sets the maximum document length detected by the first document length detection sensor 56 and the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 when the mixed document mode is not set (when the normal mode is used in the present embodiment). When the detected document length is different, the conveyance unit 37 is interrupted so that the conveyance of the document can be resumed.

  When an interruption command is sent to the conveyance unit 37 by the control unit 90, the conveyance unit 37 causes the document to wait at least at a standby position before the reading position of the reading unit 70.

  Further, the control unit 90 is in a readable state in which an image of a document whose conveyance has been interrupted can be read by the reading unit 70, or cannot be read by the reading unit 70 of an image of a document whose conveyance has been interrupted. It is determined whether or not reading is possible.

  If the original is stopped before the reading position of the reading unit 70, the image of the original can be read. For example, as the readable state, the original whose conveyance has been interrupted is the reading position of the reading unit 70. Alternatively, it may be configured to detect whether or not the document is stopped at a standby position that is closer to the front, and it may be determined that the document is readable when the document whose conveyance has been stopped is stopped at the standby position.

  Further, if the document is stopped downstream of the reading position of the reading unit 70, it is impossible to read the image of the document. Therefore, as the unreadable state, for example, a document whose conveyance is interrupted is read. It may be determined that the image cannot be read when it is stopped downstream of the standby position before the reading position of the unit 70.

  Further, as the unreadable state, when the image recording apparatus 110 has already transported the recording medium P and it becomes difficult to form an image on the recording medium P, etc., due to the convenience of the image recording apparatus 110 side, If copying is impossible, there is no point in reading the image of the document, and the control unit 90 may determine that the image cannot be read.

  Even when the document whose conveyance has been interrupted is stopped downstream from the standby position, the document is reversed and conveyed by using the third conveyance path 33 and the fourth conveyance path 34, so that the original is read from the reading position. Alternatively, the original may be read by returning the original to the upstream side. Alternatively, the original may be readable by being conveyed in reverse.

  Note that the readable state and the unreadable state can be arbitrarily set, and various configurations are possible.

  When the conveyance of the document is interrupted in the readable state, the control unit 90 displays on the display panel 59 of the operation panel 58 that the mixed document mode can be changed. The operator can change to the mixed document mode by operating the operation panel 58.

  When the operator changes to the mixed document mode, the display panel 59 automatically and sequentially displays the mixed document mode setting procedure.

  When the operator does not change to the mixed document mode, the display panel 59 displays the document guide so as to match the document width of the document.

  The display panel 59 displays a cause and confirmation button that the reading of the image by the reading unit 70 cannot be resumed when the conveyance of the document is interrupted in the unreadable state. When the confirmation button is pressed, the conveyance unit 37 discharges the document whose conveyance has been interrupted to the discharge tray 40.

(Operation of this embodiment)
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  An operator of the image forming apparatus 100 places the document bundle on the document tray 11. At this time, the operator sets the document bundle so that the documents of different sizes are aligned on the back guide 61 and the leading end side in the drawing direction, and sets the back guide 61 and the front guide 62 on the document bundle.

  Next, the first document width detection sensor 50 detects the maximum document width of the document bundle placed on the document tray 11 based on the position of the back guide 61. The detection signal detected by the first document width detection sensor 50, that is, the maximum document width information of the document bundle is sent to the control unit 90. When the normal mode is selected instead of the mixed original mode, all the originals coincide with this width.

  The first document length detection sensor 56 detects the maximum document length of the document bundle placed on the document tray 11. The detection signal detected by the first document length detection sensor 56, that is, the maximum document length information of the document bundle is sent to the control unit 90. When the normal mode is used instead of the mixed original mode, all the originals coincide with this length.

  Next, since the operator forgets to select the mixed document mode and presses the reading start button, reading of the document is started.

  Next, the second document width detection sensor 66 detects the document width of the documents that are separated and conveyed one by one. The detection signal detected by the second document width detection sensor 66, that is, the document width information of the document is sent to the control unit 90. Second original length detection sensors 68 and 69 detect the original length of the originals separated and conveyed one by one. Detection signals detected by the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69, that is, document length information of the document are sent to the control unit 90.

  Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the detection signal of the first document width detection sensor 50 is different from the detection signal of the second document width detection sensor 66, and the detection signal of the first document length detection sensor 56 and the first detection signal. 2. It is determined whether the detection signals of the two original length detection sensors 68 and 69 are different. The detection signal of the first document width detection sensor 50 is not different from the detection signal of the second document width detection sensor 66, and the detection signal of the first document length detection sensor 56 and the detection signals of the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 are different. If there is no difference, that is, if the detection signals match, the conveyance of the document by the conveyance unit 37 is continued, and the image of the conveyed document is read by the reading unit 70.

  When the detection signal of the first document width detection sensor 50 and the detection signal of the second document width detection sensor 66 are different, the detection signal of the first document length detection sensor 56 and the detection signals of the second document length detection sensors 68 and 69 are different. If they are different, the original is placed in a standby position, and the conveyance of the original by the conveyance unit 37 is interrupted so that it can be resumed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the maximum width of the original bundle G1 placed on the original tray 11 is different from the original width of the original G2 separated and conveyed one by one. That is, when an original having the same width as the original bundle G1 is separated and conveyed, the three sensors of the second original width detection sensor 66 are turned on, and the detection signal of the first original width detection sensor 50 and the second original width detection are detected. Although the detection signal of the sensor 66 is not provided, since the document width of the separated and conveyed document is narrower than the document guide width, only one sensor is turned on, and the detection signal of the first document width detection sensor 50 and the second document width detection are detected. The detection signal of the sensor 66 is different.

  Next, the control unit 90 causes the display panel 59 to display a button for selecting whether or not the mixed document mode is set.

  Next, in this example, since the originals of different sizes are mixed, the operator presses the mixed original button.

  Next, the control unit 90 shifts to the mixed document mode while sequentially displaying the mixed document mode setting procedure on the display panel 59. Since the operator can grasp the flow to the mixed loading mode while setting parameters, etc., the operator can learn the setting procedure from the next time.

  Next, when the transition to the mixed document mode is completed, the control unit 90 causes the conveyance unit 37 to resume conveyance and starts reading the document.

  If the document placed on the document tray 11 is not a mixed document, the normal mode button is pressed to select the normal mode.

  In this case, the control unit 90 causes the conveyance unit 37 to convey the document whose conveyance has been interrupted, and discharges it to the discharge tray 40.

  Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator does not set the back guide 61 and the near side guide 62 correctly in the document bundle, so that the detection signal of the first document width detection sensor 50 and the second signal are detected. Since the detection signals of the document width detection sensor 66 are different, a message for guiding the back side guide 61 and the front side guide 62 to be set correctly and a confirmation button are displayed on the display panel 59.

  Next, the operator presses a confirmation button. The operator resets the back side guide 61 and the near side guide 62 and performs reading again. At this time, since the document whose conveyance has been interrupted is discharged to the discharge tray 40, the document does not stop at the conveyance unit 37, and it is not necessary to clear the jam (document jam).

  The above describes the case where a size mismatch is detected before the start of reading the first sheet of the original bundle. However, if the second and subsequent sheets are also before the start of reading, the conveyance of the original is restarted, and the image of the original is recovered. Can be read.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

10 Image reading device (document feeder)
11 Document tray (document placement table)
37 Conveying section 40 Discharging tray (discharging section)
50 First document width detection sensor (first document width detection means)
56 First document length detection sensor (first document length detection sensor)
58 Operation panel (operation unit)
59 Display panel (display section)
61 Back guide (original guide)
62 Front Guide (Document Guide)
66 Second document width detection sensor (second document width detection means)
68 Second document length detection sensor (second document length detection sensor)
69 Second document length detection sensor (second document length detection sensor)
70 Reading unit 90 Control unit 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Image recording apparatus

Claims (4)

A document table on which documents of different sizes can be placed;
A transport unit that separates a bundle of documents placed on the document placing table one by one and transports them to a discharge unit;
First document width detecting means for detecting a maximum document width of a document bundle placed on the document placing table;
Second document width detecting means for detecting the document width of the documents separated from the document placing table one by one by the transport unit;
When the maximum original width detected by the first original width detection unit is different from the original width detected by the second original width detection unit when the mixed original mode that allows conveyance of different-size originals is not performed, A control unit that interrupts the conveyance of the document so that the conveyance unit can be resumed;
A document feeder characterized by comprising: First document length detection means for detecting a maximum document length of a document bundle placed on the document placement table;
Second document length detection means for detecting a document length of a document separated from the document table by the transport unit one by one;
When the maximum original length detected by the first original length detection unit is different from the original length detected by the second original length detection unit when the mixed original mode that allows conveyance of originals of different sizes is not performed, The control unit for resumably interrupting the conveyance of the document to the conveyance unit;
The document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed to the conveyance unit;
In a readable state in which the image of the document whose conveyance has been interrupted can be read by the reading unit, or in an unreadable state in which the image of the document whose conveyance has been interrupted cannot be read by the reading unit The control unit for determining whether there is,
With
The control unit determines that the document is ready for reading when it is detected that the document whose conveyance has been interrupted is stopped at a standby position that is in front of the reading position of the reading unit. The document feeder according to claim 1 or 2. A reading unit that reads an image of a document conveyed to the conveyance unit;
In a readable state in which the image of the document whose conveyance has been interrupted can be read by the reading unit, or in an unreadable state in which the image of the document whose conveyance has been interrupted cannot be read by the reading unit The control unit for determining whether there is,
With
The control unit may detect that the document whose reading has been interrupted is stopped at a position downstream of a standby position that is in front of the reading position of the reading unit. 3. The document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the document is determined to be in the readable state when returned to the upstream side.

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