Image reading device

Abstract

The present application relates to an image reading device. Since a sheet-fed scanner and a flatbed scanner are structured to be docked side by side in a horizontal direction, the device is enlarged. The upper unit has: a feed tray that supports the manuscript before feeding in an inclined posture; a conveying path that flips the manuscript sent from the feed tray in a direction including a vertically downward component toward a direction including a vertically upward component; a first reading unit that is disposed in the middle of the conveying path; and a discharge tray that supports the discharged manuscript in an inclined posture. The lower unit has: a manuscript table on which the manuscript is placed; and a second reading unit that is located vertically below the manuscript table and reads the manuscript placed on the manuscript table. Moreover, the first reading unit and the manuscript table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image of an original document. Background Art

[0002] Image reading devices represented by scanners include sheet-fed image reading devices that read the image of a document while feeding it, and flatbed image reading devices that read the image of a document placed on a document table glass by a line sensor that moves relative to the document table glass. Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is also an image reading device that is a combination of a sheet-fed scanner and a flatbed scanner.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-333278

[0004] In the case of the scanner described in Patent Document 1, the sheet-feed scanner and the flatbed scanner are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and docked together, which causes a problem of increasing the size of the device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The image reading device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problems is characterized in that it comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, wherein the lower unit is located vertically below the upper unit at a distance, and the upper unit comprises: a feed tray for supporting the original document before feeding so that the original document is inclined at a degree of more than 45° relative to the horizontal direction; a feed unit for delivering the original document supported on the feed tray in a direction including a component vertically below; a conveying path for conveying the original document delivered by the feed unit, wherein the conveying path causes the original document to be turned in a direction including a component vertically above; and a first reading unit, A device provided in the middle of the conveying path for reading the original; a discharge unit located downstream of the first reading unit in the conveying path for discharging the original in a direction including a component vertically upward; and a discharge tray for supporting the original so that the original discharged by the discharge unit is inclined at a posture of more than 45° relative to the horizontal direction, wherein the lower unit comprises: an original table for placing the original; and a second reading unit located vertically below the original table for reading the original placed on the original table, wherein the first reading unit and the original table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 It is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the scanner according to the first embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the scanner according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3It is a plan view of the lower unit included in the scanner according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the appearance of the scanner according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 It is a plan view of a lower unit included in the scanner according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a plan view of a lower unit included in the scanner according to the third embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a schematic side sectional view of a scanner according to a fourth embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 It is a schematic side sectional view of a scanner according to a fourth embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 9 It is a schematic side sectional view of a scanner according to a fifth embodiment.

[0015] Fig.10 It is a schematic side sectional view of a scanner according to a fifth embodiment.

[0016] Fig.11 It is a schematic side sectional view of a scanner according to the sixth embodiment.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 1 scanner; 2a front opening; 2b right opening; 2c left opening; 3 upper unit; 3a side; 4 lower unit; 5 support; 6 feed tray; 7 feed roller; 8 separation roller; 9 conveying path; 10 first conveying roller pair; 10a driving roller; 10b driven roller; 11 second conveying roller pair; 11a driving roller; 11b driven roller; 12 discharge roller pair; 12a driving roller; 12b driven roller; 13 discharge tray; 15 reading unit; 15A upper sensor unit; 15B lower sensor unit; 16 first motor; 20 placement detection unit; 21 second 1. Original document detection unit; 22. Overlapping detection unit; 22a. Ultrasonic transmitting unit; 22b. Ultrasonic receiving unit; 23. Second original document detection unit; 25. Control unit; 26. Cable; 27. Wireless communication unit; 29. ​​IC tag; 31. Original document table glass; 32. Reading sensor; 33. Driving belt; 34. Driving pulley; 35. Driven pulley; 36. Second motor; 37. Loading detection unit; 38. White reference unit; 40. Original document pressing unit; 40a. Rotating shaft; 45. Operation unit; 46. Display unit; 50. Unit main unit; 51. Sliding unit; Pa, Pb original document; Q. Booklet; Qa. Front cover; Qb. Back cover DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be briefly described.

[0020] The image reading device according to the first aspect is characterized in that it comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, wherein the lower unit is located vertically below the upper unit at a distance, and the upper unit comprises: a feed tray for supporting the original document before feeding so that the original document is inclined at a degree of more than 45 degrees relative to the horizontal direction; a feed unit for delivering the original document supported by the feed tray in a direction including a component vertically below; a conveying path for conveying the original document delivered by the feed unit, wherein the conveying path causes the original document to be reversed in a direction including a component vertically above; and a first reading unit provided at the The lower unit comprises: a document table on which the document is placed; and a second reading unit located vertically below the document table, which reads the document placed on the document table, wherein the first reading unit and the document table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above.

[0021] According to this aspect, the image reading device is configured to include an upper unit and a lower unit, the upper unit is configured as a paper-fed type, and the lower unit is configured as a flatbed type. Since the first reading unit provided by the upper unit and the document table provided by the lower unit have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above, the overall horizontal miniaturization of the device can be achieved compared to a structure in which the upper unit and the lower unit are connected side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0022] In addition, since the feed tray and the discharge tray of the upper unit support the original in a manner that allows the original to be inclined at more than 45 degrees relative to the horizontal direction, the space occupied by the feed tray and the discharge tray in the horizontal direction is reduced, which can prevent the upper unit and the image reading device as a whole from being enlarged in the horizontal direction.

[0023] According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the feed tray and the discharge tray are arranged at a distance from each other in the depth direction of the device, and the first reading unit falls within a region of the document table in the depth direction of the device.

[0024] According to this aspect, since the feed tray and the discharge tray are arranged at intervals in the device depth direction and the first reading unit falls within the region of the document table in the device depth direction, the device can be miniaturized in the device depth direction.

[0025] It should be pointed out that in this specification, "device depth direction" is a general term for the direction from the front of the device to the back of the device and the opposite direction from the back of the device to the front of the device. Here, the front of the image reading device is the side that faces the user of the device among the side surfaces that constitute the periphery of the device. Which side surface among the side surfaces that constitute the periphery of the device is the side surface that faces the user is determined, for example, based on the configuration of the power button provided on the device, the operation buttons for making various operation settings, the orientation of the character display indicating the function of the operation button, the configuration of the display unit in the case of a display unit that displays various information, the orientation of the character graphics displayed on the display unit, etc.

[0026] A third aspect, in the first or second aspect, is characterized in that, when viewed from vertically above, at least one of the feed tray and the discharge tray falls within the region of the upper unit.

[0027] According to this aspect, since at least one of the feed tray and the discharge tray falls within the area of ​​the upper unit when viewed from vertically above, at least one of the feed tray and the discharge tray does not protrude from the upper unit in the horizontal direction, thereby suppressing the horizontal enlargement of the upper unit and thus the image reading device as a whole.

[0028] A fourth aspect is characterized in that in any one of the first to third aspects, the document table falls within the area of ​​the first reading unit in the extending direction of the first reading unit.

[0029] According to this aspect, since the document table falls within the area of ​​the first reading unit in the extending direction of the first reading unit, the document table does not protrude from the first reading unit in the extending direction, thereby suppressing an increase in size of the document table, ie, the lower unit.

[0030] The fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that a support portion of the lower unit supporting the upper unit is provided at the rear in the device depth direction, and an opening is provided between the upper unit and the lower unit at the front in the device depth direction, the second reading unit reads the original while moving in the device depth direction, and a white reference portion that can be read by the second reading unit is provided at the rear relative to the original table in the device depth direction.

[0031] The white reference portion is used for so-called shading correction. According to this aspect, since a white reference portion that can be read by the second reading unit is provided at the rear of the document table in the device depth direction, that is, at the side opposite to the front of the opening in the device depth direction, when the white reference portion is read by the second reading unit, the influence of external light can be suppressed and an appropriate white reference value can be obtained.

[0032] The sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, characterized in that the upper unit has a first motor as a driving source for providing a conveying force to the original document at one end portion in a direction intersecting the depth direction of the device, i.e., the width direction of the device, the second reading unit is configured to read the original document while moving in the width direction of the device, and the lower unit has a second motor as a driving source for moving the second reading unit in the width direction of the device at the other end portion in the width direction of the device opposite to the one end portion where the first motor is provided.

[0033] According to this aspect, since the first motor is arranged at one end portion in the width direction of the device and the second motor is arranged at the other end portion in the width direction of the device, the weight balance in the width direction of the device is good and the device is easy to carry compared to a structure in which the first motor and the second motor, which are heavy objects, are arranged biased to one side in the width direction of the device.

[0034] A seventh aspect is characterized in that in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the lower unit includes a sliding portion that is slidable in a horizontal direction relative to a unit main body, and the document table and the second reading unit are provided on the sliding portion.

[0035] According to this aspect, since the lower unit includes a sliding portion that can slide horizontally relative to the unit main body, and the document table and the second reading unit are provided on the sliding portion, the upper unit is unlikely to become an obstacle when placing a document on the document table, thereby improving operability.

[0036] According to an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the upper unit is configured to be displaceable in a vertical direction relative to the lower unit.

[0037] According to this aspect, since the upper unit is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction relative to the lower unit, the space occupied by the device in the vertical direction can be reduced by reducing the interval between the upper unit and the lower unit when the device is not in use.

[0038] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of aspects 1 to 8, it is provided with a placement detection unit for detecting an original placed on the original table, and when a control unit that controls the second reading unit detects that an original is placed on the original table based on a detection signal of the placement detection unit, the control unit reads the original placed on the original table through the second reading unit.

[0039] According to this aspect, when the control unit detects that a document is placed on the document table based on the detection signal of the placement detection unit, the second reading unit reads the document placed on the document table. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation for reading, and the usability of the device is improved.

[0040] According to a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, a control unit for controlling the upper unit and the lower unit is provided, wherein the control unit can execute a document reading operation in the upper unit and a document reading operation in the lower unit in parallel.

[0041] According to this aspect, since the control section can execute the document reading operation in the upper unit and the document reading operation in the lower unit in parallel, the usability of the apparatus is improved.

[0042] According to an eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, a wireless communication unit is provided for reading information from an IC tag provided on a document placed on the document table by wireless communication.

[0043] According to this aspect, since the wireless communication unit is provided to read information from the IC tag provided on the document placed on the document table by wireless communication, the utilization form of the device is broadened and the convenience for the user is improved.

[0044] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a document pressing section is provided for pressing a document placed on the document table toward the document table.

[0045] According to this aspect, since the document pressing portion is provided to press the document placed on the document table toward the document table, it is possible to suppress the document from floating from the document table and obtain a good reading result.

[0046] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0047] Hereinafter, as an example of the image reading device, a scanner in which a sheet-feed scanner and a flatbed scanner are integrated will be described. Figure 1 to Figure 3 The illustrated scanner 1A integrally includes an upper unit 3 configured as a sheet-feed scanner and a lower unit 4 configured as a flatbed scanner.

[0048] It should be noted that the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction. In addition, the X-axis direction is the width direction of the device, and the Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device. In all embodiments described below, the +Y direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back of the device. That is, the front of the device is the side of the +Y direction.

[0049] In all embodiments described below, the X-axis direction is a direction intersecting the document conveying direction in the upper unit 3, that is, the document width direction, and is also an extending direction of the reading unit 15 described below. In addition, the +X direction is the left direction when the user of the device faces the device directly, and the -X direction is the right direction.

[0050] Note that the direction in which the document is conveyed in the upper unit 3 is sometimes referred to as “downstream”, and the opposite direction is sometimes referred to as “upstream”.

[0051] exist Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the embodiment, the lower unit 4 is located vertically below the upper unit 3 at a distance. The upper unit 3 is supported by a support portion 5. The support portion 5 is provided at the rear of the device, so that at the front of the device, a front opening 2a is formed between the upper unit 3 and the lower unit 4, which is open in the +Y direction (see Figure 4 ) state, and is configured so that a document can be placed on the lower unit 4 through the front opening 2a. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the figure, reference symbol Q denotes a booklet, which is an example of a document placed in the lower unit 4 .

[0052] It should be pointed out that Figure 4 As shown, the lower unit 4 and the upper unit 3 are also open in the +X direction and the -X direction. Figure 4 In the figure, reference numeral 2c denotes a left opening, and reference numeral 2b denotes a right opening. Thus, a document can be placed on the lower unit 4 from the left opening 2c or the right opening 2b.

[0053] However, the +X direction and the -X direction may be closed between the lower unit 4 and the upper unit 3, that is, the left opening 2c and the right opening 2b may not be provided.

[0054] Next, the structure of the upper unit 3 will be described first. The upper unit 3 includes a feed tray 6 for supporting a document before feeding. The feed tray 6 is configured to support the document Pa before feeding in a manner that makes the document Pa tilted at 45° or more relative to the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the document Pa before feeding is supported in a manner that makes the document Pa tilted at 60°.

[0055] A feed roller 7 and a separation roller 8 are provided at the lower part of the feed tray 6. The feed roller 7 is driven by a motor (not shown), and the separation roller 8 is given a rotation resistance and sandwiches the original document between the feed roller 7 and the feed roller 7 to separate the original document. The feed roller 7 is an example of a feeding unit that feeds the original document Pa supported on the feed tray 6 in a direction including a vertically downward component. In the present embodiment, the feed roller 7 feeds the original document Pa toward a substantially vertically downward direction.

[0056] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the feed roller 7 contacts the lowest document among the documents Pa supported on the feed tray 6 and sends it downstream. However, the feed roller 7 may contact the highest document among the documents Pa supported on the feed tray 6 and send it downstream.

[0057] A conveying path 9 is provided downstream of the feed roller 7. The conveying path 9 conveys the document fed by the feed roller 7 and reverses the document in a direction including a vertically upward component. Therefore, the feed roller 7 is arranged at the starting position of the conveying path 9, and the discharge roller pair 12 described later is arranged at the end position of the conveying path 9.

[0058] A first transport roller pair 10 , a reading unit 15 , and a second transport roller pair 11 are provided in the middle of the transport path 9 .

[0059] The first transport roller pair 10 includes a driving roller 10 a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 10 b that rotates with the driving roller 10 a sandwiching the document. The first transport roller pair 10 transports the document toward the reading unit 15 .

[0060] The reading unit 15 is an example of a first reading unit, and includes a lower sensor unit 15B located below the conveying path 9 and an upper sensor unit 15A located above the conveying path 9. The lower sensor unit 15B and the upper sensor unit 15A are contact image sensor modules in this embodiment. The upper sensor unit 15A and the lower sensor unit 15B are extended in the X-axis direction, and are configured such that the length in the X-axis direction covers the entire width direction of the original. It should be noted that, as an example, the maximum regular size of the original width that can be read by the reading unit 15 is the short side of the A4 size divided by ISO216, which is an international standard.

[0061] The second conveying roller pair 11 disposed downstream of the reading unit 15 includes a driving roller 11a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 11b rotating with the driving roller 11a sandwiching the document. The second conveying roller pair 11 conveys the document toward the discharge roller pair 12 .

[0062] The discharge roller pair 12 is configured to include a driving roller 12a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 12b that rotates with the driving roller 12a while sandwiching the document. The discharge roller pair 12 is an example of a discharge unit that discharges the document in a direction including a vertically upward component. Figure 1 The document is discharged in the upper right direction, that is, in the oblique upward direction including the +Z direction component and the -Y direction component.

[0063] The document discharged from the conveying path 9 by the discharge roller pair 12 is supported by the discharge tray 13. The discharge tray 13 is configured to support the document Pb so that the discharged document Pb is inclined at 45° or more relative to the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the document Pb is supported so that the document Pb is inclined at 60°.

[0064] Next, the upper unit 3 is provided with a control unit 25. The control unit 25 controls the feeding, conveying, reading, and discharge of the original in the upper unit 3. In addition, the control unit 25 is connected to the control object of the lower unit 4 through a cable 26 to control the reading of the original in the lower unit 4. It should be noted that Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the cable 26 passes through the interior of the support 5, but it can also be arranged behind the device outside the support 5.

[0065] It should be pointed out that Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , an operation unit 45 for performing various operations of the scanner 1A and a display unit 46 for displaying various information are provided on the side surface 3a in the +Y direction of the upper unit 3. The operation unit 45 is configured to include a power button and various setting buttons, and sends operation information to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 causes the display unit 46 to display various information. Therefore, the side surface 3a is the surface facing the user, that is, the front of the scanner 1A.

[0066] Back to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , a plurality of detection units are provided in the upper unit 3. A placement detection unit 20 is provided at a position opposite to the lower end of the feed tray 6, and the control unit 25 can detect whether there is a document on the feed tray 6 by receiving a detection signal from the placement detection unit 20. The placement detection unit 20 is composed of a non-contact optical sensor in the present embodiment, but may also be composed of a contact sensor.

[0067] A multifeed detector 22 is provided downstream of the feed roller 7. The multifeed detector 22 is composed of an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter 22a and an ultrasonic receiver 22b disposed across the conveyance path 9. The control unit 25 can detect multifeed of documents by receiving a detection signal from the multifeed detector 22.

[0068] The first document detector 21 is provided between the first conveying roller pair 10 and the reading unit 15 . The control unit 25 can detect the passage of the leading end or trailing end of the document at the position of the first document detector 21 by receiving a detection signal from the first document detector 21 .

[0069] The second document detector 23 is located upstream of the discharge roller pair 12 . The control unit 25 can detect the passage of the leading end or trailing end of a document at the position of the second document detector 23 by receiving a detection signal from the second document detector 23 .

[0070] In the present embodiment, the first document detection section 21 and the second document detection section 23 are constituted by non-contact optical sensors, but may be constituted by contact sensors.

[0071] Next, the lower unit 4 is described. The lower unit 4 includes a manuscript table glass 31 on which the manuscript is placed and a reading sensor 32 as a second reading unit. The reading sensor 32 is located vertically below the manuscript table glass 31 and reads the manuscript placed on the manuscript table glass 31. The reading sensor 32 is a contact image sensor (Contact Image Sensor) module in this embodiment, which is extended in the Y-axis direction and is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction. However, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor can also be used instead of the contact image sensor module. In addition, it can also be configured to use a fixed area sensor instead of a moving line sensor for reading.

[0072] As an example, the maximum regular size of a document that can be placed on the document table glass 31 and read is the B7 size classified by the international standard ISO 216. Therefore, the lower unit 4 is suitably configured to read a passport.

[0073] exist Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the example, reference numeral Q is a booklet as an example of a manuscript, and further, as an example, booklet Q is a passport. In addition, reference numeral Qa represents a front cover, and reference numeral Qb represents a back cover. In the case of reading a page of booklet Q, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, open the booklet Q, as Figure 1 As shown, the page on the back cover Qb side is read in, and the booklet Q is rotated in the horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the page on the cover Qa side is read.

[0074] like Figure 3As shown, inside the lower unit 4, a second motor 36 is arranged near the end in the -X direction, and a driving pulley 34 is provided on the driving shaft of the second motor 36. In addition, a driven pulley 35 is arranged at the end in the +X direction, and the driving belt 33 is wound around the driving pulley 34 and the driven pulley 35. The reading sensor 32 is fixed to the driving belt 33, and thus, the reading sensor 32 moves in the X-axis direction with the power of the second motor 36.

[0075] It should be noted that the dotted line and the reference numeral 32 indicate a reading sensor located at an initial position, and the two-dot chain line and the reference numeral 32 - 1 indicate a reading sensor located at an end portion in a direction opposite to the initial position.

[0076] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a document pressing portion 40 is provided on the lower surface of the upper unit 3, that is, on the surface of the upper unit 3 facing the lower unit 4, for pressing the document placed on the document table glass 31 toward the document table glass 31. The document pressing portion 40 is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis 40a as the center, and is pressed toward the document table glass 31 by a spring (not shown). The document pressing portion 40 can suppress the document from floating up from the document table glass 31, thereby obtaining a good reading result.

[0077] It is also suitable that the position of the document pressing portion 40 that contacts the document is formed by a roller that rotates idly. According to such a configuration, the load when inserting the document between the document pressing portion 40 and the document table glass 31 can be suppressed.

[0078] The overall structure of the scanner 1A is as described above. Next, other characteristic structures of the scanner 1A will be described.

[0079] First, in Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the reading section 15 of the upper unit 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in the figure, the reading section 15 of the upper unit 3 and the original platen glass 31 of the lower unit 4 overlap when viewed from vertically above. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , a portion where the reading section 15 and the document table glass 31 overlap is indicated by hatching.

[0080] Thus, compared with a structure in which the upper unit 3 and the lower unit 4 are connected side by side in the horizontal direction, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the entire device in the horizontal direction.

[0081] In addition, since the feed tray 6 and the discharge tray 13 of the upper unit 3 support the original document in a manner that allows the original document to be inclined at more than 45 degrees relative to the horizontal direction, the space occupied by the feed tray 6 and the discharge tray 13 in the horizontal direction is reduced, which can prevent the upper unit 3 and the image reading device as a whole from being enlarged in the horizontal direction.

[0082] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the outer contour of the upper unit 3 is consistent with the outer contour of the lower unit 4 when viewed from vertically above. Figure 3 In the figure, the outline of the upper unit 3 is depicted as slightly larger than the outline of the lower unit 4, but in fact they are the same. Figure 5 Similarly, in the subsequent drawings, regarding the portion where the outer contour of the upper unit 3 coincides with the outer contour of the lower unit 4 , the outer contour of the upper unit 3 is depicted slightly offset to the outside.

[0083] Next, the feed tray 6 and the discharge tray 13 are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction, and the reading unit 15 is located within the region of the document table glass 31 in the Y-axis direction. This can achieve miniaturization of the device in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the device depth direction.

[0084] In addition, Figure 3 In the figure, the occupied area of ​​the feed tray 6 provided in the upper unit 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in the figure, the feed tray 6 falls within the area of ​​the upper unit 3 when viewed from vertically above. As a result, the feed tray 6 does not protrude from the upper unit 3 in the horizontal direction, and the upper unit 3 and the entire scanner 1A can be prevented from being enlarged in the horizontal direction.

[0085] It should be noted that, contrary to the above embodiment, the document conveying direction in the conveying path 9 may be set to be from the back of the device to the front of the device. In this case, the above-mentioned discharge tray 13 becomes the feed tray, and the feed tray 6 becomes the discharge tray. In this case, the discharge tray falls within the area of ​​the upper unit 3 when viewed from vertically above.

[0086] Alternatively, both the feed tray 6 and the discharge tray 13 may be configured to fall within the region of the upper unit 3 when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0087] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, in the X-axis direction, that is, the extending direction of the reading unit 15, the document table glass 31 falls within the area of ​​the reading unit 15. Thus, in the X-axis direction, the document table glass 31 does not protrude from the reading unit 15, and the size of the document table glass 31, that is, the lower unit 4 can be suppressed.

[0088] In addition, Figure 3 , a two-dot chain line indicated by reference numeral 16 denotes a first motor which is a driving source for imparting a document conveying force in the upper unit 3. The first motor 16 is a driving source for the feed roller 7, the first conveying roller pair 10, the second conveying roller pair 11, and the discharge roller pair 12.

[0089] The first motor 16 is provided at the end in the +X direction, i.e., one end in the width direction of the device, in the upper unit 3, and the second motor 36 provided in the lower unit 4 is provided at the end in the -X direction, i.e., the other end opposite to the one end provided with the first motor 16. Thus, compared with a structure in which the first motor 16 and the second motor 36, which are heavy objects, are arranged biased to one side in the width direction of the device, the weight balance in the width direction of the device is good, and the device is easy to carry.

[0090] In addition, Figure 3 In the figure, reference numeral 37 denotes a placement detection unit for detecting that a document is placed on the document table glass 31. As an example, the placement detection unit 37 is composed of an optical sensor. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, when the booklet Q is placed on the document table glass 31, the placement detection unit 37 is covered by the booklet Q. The control unit 25 can detect whether a document is placed on the document table glass 31 based on the detection signal of the placement detection unit 37. Then, when the control unit 25 controls the reading sensor 32 and detects that the document is placed on the document table glass 31 based on the detection signal of the placement detection unit 37, the reading sensor 32 reads the document placed on the document table glass 31. As a result, the user does not need to perform an operation for performing reading every time the booklet Q is placed on the document table glass 31, and the convenience of use of the device is improved.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 25 can execute the document reading operation in the upper unit 3 and the document reading operation in the lower unit 4 in parallel. This improves the usability of the device.

[0092] In addition, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the figure, reference numeral 27 is a wireless communication unit provided on the bottom surface of the upper unit 3, that is, the surface of the upper unit 3 facing the lower unit 4. The wireless communication unit 27 is a wireless communication unit for reading information from an IC tag 29 provided on a document placed on a document table glass 31 by wireless communication. By providing such a wireless communication unit 27, the utilization form of the device is broadened and the convenience of the user is improved.

[0093] It should be noted that the wireless communication unit 27 may also be provided in the lower unit 4 , or may also be provided in the support unit 5 .

[0094] Below, refer to Figure 5 In the following figures, a modification of the scanner 1A is described. In the embodiments described below, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below.

[0095] Figure 5The scanner 1B shown includes an upper unit 3 and a lower unit 4B. The width of the lower unit 4B in the X-axis direction is configured to be shorter than the width of the upper unit 3. With such a configuration, the width of the lower unit 4B in the X-axis direction is suppressed to a necessary minimum, thereby achieving a lightweight device.

[0096] also, Figure 6 The scanner 1C shown in the figure includes an upper unit 3 and a lower unit 4C. The width of the lower unit 4C in the X-axis direction is configured to be shorter than the width of the upper unit 3. According to such a configuration, since the width of the lower unit 4C in the X-axis direction is suppressed to a necessary minimum, the weight of the device can be reduced. However, the width of the lower unit 4C in the X-axis direction may be configured to be the same as the width of the upper unit 3.

[0097] In the lower unit 4C according to the present embodiment, the reading sensor 32 is provided so as to read the document while moving in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the depth direction of the device.

[0098] A white reference portion 38 that can be read by the reading sensor 32 is provided at the rear in the -Y direction, that is, in the device depth direction, with respect to the document table glass 31. The white reference portion 38 is used for so-called shading correction and is read by the reading sensor 32 as needed. Since the white reference portion 38 is provided at the rear in the device depth direction with respect to the document table glass 31, that is, on the side opposite to the front in the device depth direction of the opening, when the white reference portion 38 is read by the reading sensor 32, the influence of external light can be suppressed and an appropriate white reference value can be obtained.

[0099] Next, Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The scanner 1E shown includes an upper unit 3 and a lower unit 4E. The lower unit 4E includes a slide portion 51 that is slidable in the Y-axis direction with respect to a unit main body 50, and the document table glass 31 and the reading sensor 32 are provided on the slide portion 51.

[0100] In such a structure, by Figure 7 to Figure 8 As shown in the change of , the slide portion 51 is pulled out in the +Y direction, and the top of the document table glass 31 can be opened more widely. When the document is placed on the document table glass 31, the upper unit 3 is less likely to become an obstacle, and the operability is improved.

[0101] Next, Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 The scanner 1F shown includes an upper unit 3F and a lower unit 4. The upper unit 3F is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction relative to the lower unit 4. Fig. 9 Indicates the state where the upper unit 3F is most lowered. Fig.10Indicates the state where the upper unit 3F is most elevated. When the upper unit 3F is most lowered, the support portion 5 enters the upper unit 3F. Fig.10 The state is configured to be able to be maintained by a holding mechanism not shown.

[0102] According to this structure, Fig. 9 As shown, when the device is not in use, the space occupied by the device in the vertical direction can be reduced by reducing the distance between the upper unit 3F and the lower unit 4.

[0103] It should be noted that it is also appropriate to provide a rack portion on the support portion 5 and a pinion on the upper unit 3F to form a rack-and-pinion mechanism, and to configure the rotation of the pinion to generate a damping force. This can suppress the speed of the upper unit 3F when it descends, and can prevent the upper unit 3F from colliding with the lower unit 4.

[0104] Next, Fig.11 The scanner 1G shown in the figure includes an upper unit 3G and a lower unit 4. In the upper unit 3G, the feed tray 6, feed roller 7, separation roller 8, placement detection unit 20, and overlapped feed detection unit 22 are eliminated, and an opening 3b is provided on the front side 3a of the device, and the document P is horizontally inserted from the opening 3b toward the first conveying roller pair 10. With such a structure, the overall horizontal miniaturization of the device can also be achieved. It should be noted that the feed roller 7, separation roller 8, placement detection unit 20, overlapped feed detection unit 22, etc., may be provided on the path from the opening 3b to the first conveying roller pair 10.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image reading device, characterized in that: The device comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, wherein the lower unit is located vertically below the upper unit at a distance therefrom. The upper unit has: The feed tray supports the original document in such a manner that the original document before feeding is inclined at a degree of more than 45 degrees relative to the horizontal direction; A feeding unit that feeds the document supported on the feeding tray in a direction including a vertically downward component; a conveying path for conveying the original document fed by the feeding unit, wherein the conveying path turns the original document in a direction including a vertically upward component; A first reading unit is disposed in the middle of the conveying path and reads the original document; a discharge unit located downstream of the first reading unit in the conveying path and configured to discharge the document in a direction including a vertically upward component; and The discharge tray supports the document discharged by the discharge unit in a manner such that the document is inclined at a degree of 45 or more relative to the horizontal direction. The lower unit comprises: A manuscript table for placing the manuscript; and The second reading unit is located vertically below the document table and reads the document placed on the document table. The first reading unit and the manuscript table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above. The image reading device is provided with a support portion of the lower unit supporting the upper unit at the rear in the device depth direction, and an opening is provided between the upper unit and the lower unit at the front in the device depth direction. The first reading unit includes a lower sensor unit and an upper sensor unit, the lower sensor unit is located below the conveying path, and the upper sensor unit is located above the conveying path. The upper sensor unit and the document table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above. The lower sensor unit and the document table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above. The upper unit is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction relative to the lower unit, and when the upper unit descends relative to the lower unit, the support portion enters the upper unit. A document pressing portion for pressing a document placed on the document table toward the document table is provided on a surface of the upper unit facing the lower unit. The document pressing portion is rotatable about a rotation axis and is pressed toward the document table by a spring.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed tray and the discharge tray are arranged at intervals along the depth direction of the device. The first reading unit is located within the region of the document table in the depth direction of the device.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When viewed from vertically above, at least one of the feed tray and the discharge tray falls within the area of ​​the upper unit.

4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: In the extending direction of the first reading unit, the document table falls within the area of ​​the first reading unit.

5. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second reading unit reads the original document while moving in the depth direction of the device. The image reading device is provided with a white reference portion readable by the second reading unit at the rear of the document table in the depth direction of the device.

6. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper unit includes a first motor at one end portion in the width direction of the device, the width direction of the device being a direction intersecting the depth direction of the device, and the first motor is a driving source for imparting a force to convey the document. The second reading unit is configured to read the original document while moving in the width direction of the device. The lower unit includes a second motor at the other end portion in the device width direction opposite to the one end portion where the first motor is provided, and the second motor is a driving source for moving the second reading unit in the device width direction.

7. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower unit includes a sliding portion that can slide in a horizontal direction relative to the unit main body. The document table and the second reading unit are disposed on the sliding portion.

8. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image reading device includes a placement detection unit configured to detect placement of a document on the document table. The control unit that controls the second reading unit reads the document placed on the document table by the second reading unit when detecting that the document is placed on the document table based on the detection signal of the placement detection unit.

9. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image reading device includes a control unit that controls the upper unit and the lower unit. The control section can execute a document reading operation in the upper unit and a document reading operation in the lower unit in parallel.

10. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that The image reading device includes a wireless communication unit that reads information from an IC tag provided on a document placed on the document table through wireless communication.

11. The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper sensor unit, the lower sensor unit, and the document table have overlapping portions when viewed from vertically above.

Images