Medium ejection device, medium ejection method and control program

Abstract

To provide a medium ejection device, a medium ejection method and a control program capable of appropriately reducing the ejection speed of a medium.SOLUTION: A medium ejection device has a conveyance roller that conveys a medium, a detection unit that detects the inclination of the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller, an ejection roller that ejects the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller, and a control unit that reduces the ejection speed of a first medium by the ejection roller when the ejection roller ejects the first medium. The control unit changes the criteria for determining whether or not to reduce the ejection speed, the timing for reducing the ejection speed, the conveying speed of the second medium by the conveyance roller, or the time period for stopping the conveyance of the second medium by the conveyance roller, based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium following the first medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium ejection device, a medium ejection method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In a medium ejection device such as a scanner that sequentially transports and images a plurality of media and ejects them onto a discharge tray, there is a demand for faster transport speeds in order to reduce the time required for transport. However, when a medium ejection device ejects media at high speed, the ejected media may scatter on the discharge tray or fly out of the discharge tray, which may require a great deal of effort on the part of the user to sort the ejected media.

[0003] An image reading device capable of continuously reading images of media with different lengths in the transport direction has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). This image reading device determines the length of the media in the transport direction, and if the length of the preceding medium is determined to be equal to or greater than a threshold, and then the length of the succeeding medium is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold, performs weak deceleration control to decelerate the ejection speed at which the media is ejected from a first speed to a second speed that is less than the first speed. On the other hand, if the length of the preceding medium is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold, and then the length of the succeeding medium is determined to be less than the threshold, the image reading device performs strong deceleration control to decelerate the ejection speed from the first speed to a third speed that is slower than the second speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-331908 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable for the media ejection device to appropriately reduce the ejection speed of the media.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a medium ejection device, a medium ejection method, and a control program that are capable of appropriately reducing the medium ejection speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A medium discharge device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport roller for transporting a medium, a detection unit for detecting the inclination of the medium transported by the transport roller, a discharge roller for discharging the medium transported by the transport roller, and a control unit for reducing the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, and the control unit changes the criteria for determining whether to reduce the discharge speed, the timing for reducing the discharge speed, the transport speed of the second medium by the transport roller, or the time for which transport of the second medium by the transport roller is stopped based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of a second medium following the first medium.

[0008] A medium ejection method according to one aspect of the present invention includes transporting a medium by a transport roller, detecting a tilt of the medium transported by the transport roller, ejecting the medium transported by the transport roller by an ejection roller, and reducing the ejection speed of the first medium by the ejection roller when the ejection roller ejects the first medium, and changing the criteria for determining whether to reduce the ejection speed, the timing for reducing the ejection speed, the transport speed of the second medium by the transport roller, or the time for which transport of the second medium by the transport roller is stopped based on the tilt of the first medium or the tilt of the second medium following the first medium.

[0009] A control program according to one aspect of the present invention is a control program for a media discharge device having a transport roller that transports a medium and an discharge roller that discharges the medium transported by the transport roller, and causes the media discharge device to detect the inclination of the medium transported by the transport roller, and reduce the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, and changes the criteria for determining whether to reduce the discharge speed, the timing for reducing the discharge speed, the transport speed of the second medium by the transport roller, or the time for which transport of the second medium by the transport roller is stopped based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium following the first medium. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the medium ejection device, the medium ejection method, and the control program are capable of appropriately reducing the medium ejection speed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a medium ejection device 100. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium ejection device 100. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining each sensor. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium ejection device 100. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the overall processing. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a medium processing operation. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a medium processing operation. [Figure 9] 1A to 1D are schematic diagrams for explaining the relationship between the inclination of the medium and the inter-medium distance. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of another media processing operation. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of yet another media processing operation. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of yet another media processing operation. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 250 according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a medium ejection device, a medium ejection method, and a control program according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0013] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium ejection device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium ejection device 100 transports a medium, which is an original document, and captures an image of the medium. The medium is paper, cardboard, card, or the like. The medium ejection device 100 may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), or the like. Note that the medium being transported may not be an original document, but may be a printed object, or the like, and the medium ejection device 100 may be a printer, or the like.

[0014] 1, arrow A1 indicates the substantially vertical direction (height direction), arrow A2 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A3 indicates the medium discharge direction, and arrow A4 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction A2 or the medium discharge direction A3. In the following, upstream refers to the upstream of the medium transport direction A2 or the medium discharge direction A3, and downstream refers to the downstream of the medium transport direction A2 or the medium discharge direction A3.

[0015] The medium ejection device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a placement stand 103, an ejection stand 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, and the like.

[0016] Second housing 102 is disposed inside first housing 101 and rotatably engaged with first housing 101 by a hinge so as to be openable and closable when loading media or when cleaning the inside of medium ejection device 100, for example.

[0017] The placement table 103 engages with the first housing 101 so that the medium to be transported can be placed thereon. The placement table 103 is provided on the side surface of the first housing 101 on the medium supply side so as to be movable in the height direction A1. The placement table 103 is disposed at the bottom end position so that the medium can be easily placed thereon when the medium is not being transported, and when the medium is being transported, the uppermost medium placed on the placement table 103 rises to a position where it comes into contact with a pick roller, which will be described later.

[0018] The discharge stage 104 is formed on the second housing 102. The discharge stage 104 places the media discharged from the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 thereon.

[0019] The operation device 105 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit for acquiring a signal from the input device, accepts an input operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal according to the user's input operation. The display device 106 has a display including a liquid crystal, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or the like, and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display. The display device 106 may be a liquid crystal display with a touch panel function. In that case, the operation device 105 has an interface circuit for acquiring an input signal from the touch panel.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium ejection device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The transport path inside the medium ejection device 100 includes a loading platform sensor 111, a pick roller 112, a feed roller 113, a separation roller 114, a separation sensor 115, a pick sensor 116, a first skew sensor 117, a second skew sensor 118, first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, first to sixth driven rollers 120a-f, a feed sensor 121, an imaging device 122, an ejection sensor 123, and an ejection roller 124.

[0022] The pick roller 112 and / or the feed roller 113 are an example of a transport roller that transports a medium. The number of each of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, the first to sixth driven rollers 120a-f, and / or the discharge roller 124 is not limited to one, and may be more than one. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 113, the separation roller 114, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, the first to sixth driven rollers 120a-f, and / or the discharge roller 124 are arranged at intervals in the width direction A4 perpendicular to the medium transport direction.

[0023] The second housing 102 is disposed opposite the first housing 101 across the medium transport path. The surface of the first housing 101 facing the second housing 102 forms a first guide 101a of the medium transport path, and the surface of the second housing 102 facing the first housing 101 forms a second guide 102a of the medium transport path. The first guide 101a and the second guide 102a have a so-called U-turn path.

[0024] The placement table sensor 111 is disposed on the placement table 103, that is, upstream of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114, and detects the placement state of the medium on the placement table 103. The placement table sensor 111 determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103 by using a contact detection sensor that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact with the placement table 103 or not. The placement table sensor 111 generates and outputs a placement table signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not the medium is placed on the placement table 103. Note that the placement table sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the placement table sensor 111.

[0025] Pick roller 112 is disposed in second housing 102, upstream of feed roller 113 and separation roller 114 in medium transport direction A2. Pick roller 112 comes into contact with the uppermost medium among the media placed on mounting table 103, which has been raised to approximately the same height as the medium transport path, and feeds (transports) the medium downstream.

[0026] The feed roller 113 is provided in the second housing 102 downstream of the pick roller 112, and feeds (transports) the medium placed on the placement table 103 and fed (transported) by the pick roller 112 further downstream. The separation roller 114 is provided in the first housing 101 facing the feed roller 113. The separation roller 114 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is provided so as to be rotatable or stoppable in the opposite direction to the medium feeding direction. The feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 function as a separation unit that separates the media, and separates the media and feeds them one by one. The feed roller 113 is provided above the separation roller 114, and the medium discharge device 100 feeds the media by a so-called top-take method.

[0027] The first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e are disposed facing each other in the medium transport direction A2 downstream of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, and the separation roller 114. The first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e transport the medium fed by the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 downstream.

[0028] The imaging device 122 is disposed downstream of the first and second transport rollers 119a-b in the medium transport direction A2, and captures images of the medium transported by the first and second transport rollers 119a-b and the first and second driven rollers 120a-b. The imaging device 122 includes a first imaging device 122a and a second imaging device 122b disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path. The first imaging device 122a is provided in the second housing 102, and the second imaging device 122b is provided in the first housing 101.

[0029] The first imaging device 122a has a line sensor using a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a life-size optical system type having imaging elements using CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 122a also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements, and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging elements. The first imaging device 122a captures an image of the surface of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0030] Similarly, the second imaging device 122b has a line sensor using a CIS of a life-size optical system type having CMOS imaging elements arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 122b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element, and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 122b captures the back side of the medium being transported to generate an input image and output it.

[0031] Note that the medium ejection device 100 may have only one of the first imaging device 122a and the second imaging device 122b arranged, and may read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor having a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0032] The discharge roller 124 and the sixth driven roller 120f are disposed facing each other downstream of the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e in the medium transport direction A2. The discharge roller 124 and the sixth driven roller 120f discharge the medium transported by the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e onto the discharge tray 104.

[0033] The medium placed on the placement table 103 is transported between the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a in the medium transport direction A2 by the rotation of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 113 in the medium feed directions A5 and A6, respectively. Meanwhile, the separation roller 114 rotates in the direction of the arrow A7, i.e., the opposite direction to the medium feed direction, or stops, thereby restricting the feeding of media other than the separated medium (preventing double feeding).

[0034] The medium is guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a, and as the first and second transport rollers 119a-b rotate in the directions of arrows A8-9, the medium is sent to the imaging position of the imaging device 122 and is imaged by the imaging device 122. Furthermore, the medium is discharged onto the discharge tray 104 as the third to fifth transport rollers 119c-e and the discharge roller 124 rotate in the directions of arrows A10-13, respectively.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining each sensor. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the periphery of the medium transport path as viewed from the inside (second housing 102 side).

[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 3, two of each of the feed roller 113, separation roller 114, first to fifth transport rollers 119a to 119e, first to sixth driven rollers 120a to 120f and / or discharge roller 124 are provided.

[0037] The separation sensor 115 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 and upstream of the first conveyor roller 119a and the first driven roller 120a in the medium conveying direction A2. In particular, the separation sensor 115 is disposed near the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114. Moreover, the separation sensor 115 is disposed upstream of the pick sensor 116, the first skew sensor 117, and the second skew sensor 118 in the medium conveying direction A2. Moreover, the separation sensor 115 is disposed in the center in the width direction A4, particularly between the two feed rollers 113 (between the two separation rollers 114).

[0038] The separation sensor 115 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The separation sensor 115 generates and outputs a separation signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the separation sensor 115, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. In this way, the separation sensor 115 detects the medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0039] The pick sensor 116 is an example of a sensor. The pick sensor 116 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 and upstream of the first conveyor roller 119a and the first driven roller 120a in the media conveying direction A2. In particular, the pick sensor 116 is disposed downstream of the separation sensor 115 and at the same position as the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 in the media conveying direction A2. The pick sensor 116 may be disposed upstream or downstream of the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 in the media conveying direction A2. The pick sensor 116 is disposed at the center in the width direction A4, particularly between the two feed rollers 113 and / or between the two first conveyor rollers 119a. The pick sensor 116 is disposed between the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 in the width direction A4.

[0040] The pick sensor 116 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The pick sensor 116 generates and outputs a pick signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the pick sensor 116, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. In this way, the pick sensor 116 detects a medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0041] The first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 are disposed downstream of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 and upstream of the first conveyor roller 119a and the first driven roller 120a in the medium conveying direction A2. In particular, the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 are disposed downstream of the separation sensor 115 in the medium conveying direction A2. The first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 are disposed at the same position as seen from the width direction A4, that is, at the same position as each other in the medium conveying direction A2, and are disposed side by side with an interval in the width direction A4. The first skew sensor 117 is disposed on the left side (left side in FIG. 3) of the center position as seen from the downstream side in the width direction A4. The second skew sensor 118 is disposed on the right side (right side in FIG. 3) of the center position as seen from the downstream side in the width direction A4.

[0042] The first skew sensor 117 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The first skew sensor 117 generates and outputs a first skew signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the first skew sensor 117, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. In this way, the first skew sensor 117 detects the medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0043] The second skew sensor 118 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The second skew sensor 118 generates and outputs a second skew signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second skew sensor 118, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. In this way, the second skew sensor 118 detects the medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0044] The feed sensor 121 is disposed downstream of the first conveyor roller 119a and the first driven roller 120a and upstream of the second conveyor roller 119b and the second driven roller 120b in the medium conveying direction A2. The feed sensor 121 may be disposed downstream of the second conveyor roller 119b and the second driven roller 120b in the medium conveying direction A2 and upstream of the imaging device 122. The feed sensor 121 is disposed in the center in the width direction A4, particularly between the two feed rollers 113, between the two first conveyor rollers 119a and / or between the two second conveyor rollers 119b.

[0045] The feed sensor 121 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. Based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver, the feed sensor 121 generates and outputs a feed signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the feed sensor 121. In this way, the feed sensor 121 detects a medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0046] The discharge sensor 123 is disposed downstream of the fifth conveyor roller 119e and the fifth driven roller 120e in the medium conveying direction A2 and upstream of the discharge roller 124 and the sixth driven roller 120f. The discharge sensor 123 is disposed in the center in the width direction A4, particularly between the two feed rollers 113, between the two fifth conveyor rollers 119e and / or between the two discharge rollers.

[0047] The discharge sensor 123 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. Based on the intensity of the light received by the receiver, the discharge sensor 123 generates and outputs a discharge signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the discharge sensor 123. In this way, the discharge sensor 123 detects the medium transported to its arrangement position.

[0048] A reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of a light guide in separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, first skew sensor 117, second skew sensor 118, feed sensor 121 and / or discharge sensor 123. In each sensor, the light emitter and the light receiver may be disposed opposite each other with the medium transport path in between. Each sensor may detect the presence of the medium using a contact detection sensor or the like that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact or when the medium is not in contact.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium ejection device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0050] In addition to the above-mentioned components, medium ejection device 100 further includes a first motor 131, a second motor 132, an interface device 133, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0051] The first motor 131 is an example of a conveying motor that drives the conveying rollers. The first motor 131 includes one or more motors, and generates a driving force for rotating the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, and the first to fifth conveying rollers 119a-e in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150, thereby feeding and conveying the medium. The first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e may be provided so as to rotate according to the driving force of the first motor 131, rather than being driven to rotate by the first to fifth conveying rollers 119a-e. In addition, the motor included in the first motor 131 moves the placement table 103 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150.

[0052] The second motor 132 is an example of a discharge motor that drives the discharge rollers 124. The second motor 132 includes one or more motors, and generates a driving force for rotating the discharge rollers 124 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150, thereby discharging the medium. The sixth driven roller 120f may be provided so as to rotate according to the driving force of the second motor 132, rather than being driven to rotate by the discharge rollers 124.

[0053] In this way, in medium ejection device 100, first motor 131 that drives pick roller 112, feed roller 113, separation roller 114 and / or first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e and second motor 132 that drives discharge roller 124 are provided separately. This allows medium ejection device 100 to change the ejection speed of a specific medium while the specific medium is being ejected, without changing the transport speed of other media that are being transported or imaged. Therefore, medium ejection device 100 can appropriately change the ejection speed of the media while transporting multiple media in sequence.

[0054] The interface device 133 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, etc.) to transmit and receive input images and various information. Also, instead of the interface device 133, a communication device having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication device may have a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line according to a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

[0055] The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The storage device 140 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the medium ejection device 100. The computer programs may be installed in the storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read only memory), or the like. The computer programs may also be distributed from a server or the like and installed in the storage device 140.

[0056] The processing circuit 150 operates based on a program previously stored in the storage device 140. The processing circuit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 150 may be, for example, a DSP (digital signal processor), an LSI (large scale integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0057] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the placement table sensor 111, the separation sensor 115, the pick sensor 116, the first skew sensor 117, the second skew sensor 118, the feed sensor 121, the imaging device 122, the discharge sensor 123, the first motor 131, the second motor 132, the interface device 133, the storage device 140, and the like, and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 150 performs drive control of the first motor 131 and the second motor 132, image capture control of the imaging device 122, and the like, based on signals received from each sensor. The processing circuit 150 acquires an input image from the imaging device 122, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 133.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

[0059] 5, the storage device 140 stores a control program 141, a detection program 142, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software that runs on a processor. The processing circuit 150 reads each program stored in the storage device 140 and operates according to the read program. In this way, the processing circuit 150 functions as a control unit 151 and a detection unit 152.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the overall process of the medium ejection device 100.

[0061] An example of the overall processing operation of medium ejection device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. Note that the flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of medium ejection device 100 based on a program stored in memory device 140 in advance.

[0062] First, the control unit 151 waits until a user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the operation device 105 or an information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the user to read a medium is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133 (step S101).

[0063] Next, the control unit 151 acquires a mounting table signal from the mounting table sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on the mounting table 103 based on the acquired mounting table signal (step S102). If a medium is not placed on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 returns the process to step S101 and waits until a new operation signal is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133.

[0064] On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 drives the first motor 131 to move the placement table 103 to a position where the medium can be fed. The control unit 151 also drives the first motor 131 to rotate the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and / or the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e. The control unit 151 also drives the second motor 132 to rotate the discharge roller 124 and / or the sixth driven roller 120f. In this way, the control unit 151 feeds and transports the medium placed on the placement table 103 (step S103). At this time, the control unit 151 sets the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller 124 to a reference speed.

[0065] Next, the control unit 151 starts media processing for the medium that has started to be fed and transported (step S104). Media processing is executed for each medium that is fed and transported. Media processing for the second and subsequent media is started during media processing for the medium that was fed and transported immediately before each medium. Details of media processing will be described later.

[0066] Next, the control unit 151 waits until the medium processing for all the media placed on the placement table 103 is completed (step S105).

[0067] Next, the control unit 151 stops the rollers rotated in step S103, and controls the first motor 131 and the second motor 132 to return the mounting table 103 to the initial position (step S106), thereby completing the series of steps.

[0068] 7 and 8 are flow charts showing an example of the operation of media processing. Media processing for the first medium fed and transported among the media placed on the placement table 103 starts in step S104 of FIG. 6, and media processing for the media fed and transported thereafter starts in the media processing for the media fed and transported immediately before each medium. Hereinafter, the medium that is the target of media processing will be referred to as the target medium, the medium fed and transported immediately before the target medium will be referred to as the preceding medium preceding the target medium, and the medium fed and transported immediately after the target medium will be referred to as the following medium following the target medium. The combination of the preceding medium and the target medium, or the combination of the target medium and the following medium, is each an example of a combination of a first medium and a second medium.

[0069] First, control unit 151 determines whether the leading edge of the target medium has passed the position of pick sensor 116 for the first time (step S201). Control unit 151 periodically acquires a pick signal from pick sensor 116. When the signal value of the pick signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of pick sensor 116 and that pick sensor 116 has detected the leading edge of the medium.

[0070] If the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of pick sensor 116 for the first time, control unit 151 stores the time when the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of pick sensor 116 as the second passing time in storage device 140 (step S202), and returns the process to step S201.

[0071] On the other hand, if the leading edge of the target medium has not yet passed the position of the pick sensor 116 or has already passed the position, the control unit 151 determines whether the leading edge of the target medium has passed both the positions of the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 for the first time (step S203). The control unit 151 periodically acquires the first skew signal and the second skew signal from the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118. When the signal value of the first skew signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of the medium, the control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the first skew sensor 117 and that the first skew sensor 117 has detected the leading edge of the medium. The control unit 151 stores the time when the leading edge of the target medium passed the position of the first skew sensor 117 in the storage device 140 as the first skew sensor passing time. Furthermore, when the signal value of the second skew signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of the medium, control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of second skew sensor 118 and that second skew sensor 118 has detected the leading edge of the medium. Control unit 151 stores in storage device 140 the time when the leading edge of the target medium passed the position of second skew sensor 118 as the second skew sensor passing time.

[0072] When the leading edge of the target medium passes both the position of first skew sensor 117 and the position of second skew sensor 118 for the first time, detection unit 152 detects the skew of the target medium transported by the transport rollers and stores it in storage device 140 (step S204). Detection unit 152 detects the skew of the target medium based on the detection results by first skew sensor 117 and second skew sensor 118.

[0073] The detection unit 152 calculates a multiplication value by multiplying a subtraction value obtained by subtracting the second skew sensor passing time from the first skew sensor passing time stored in the storage device 140 by the feeding speed of the medium by the feeding roller 113. This multiplication value corresponds to the deviation of the leading edge of the medium in the medium conveying direction A2 at the positions of the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118. Next, the detection unit 152 calculates a division value obtained by dividing the calculated multiplication value by the distance in the width direction A4 between the positions of the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 as the tangent of the tilt angle of the leading edge of the medium. Next, the detection unit 152 calculates the arctangent of the calculated tangent as the tilt angle of the medium. The above-mentioned subtraction value, multiplication value, tangent, and tilt angle can take positive and negative values. That is, when the second skew sensor 118 is ahead at the leading edge of the medium, each value is a positive value, and when the first skew sensor 117 is ahead at the leading edge of the medium, each value is a negative value. Detection unit 152 detects the calculated tilt angle as the tilt of the medium. Detection unit 152 may detect the calculated tangent, multiplication value, or subtraction value as the tilt of the medium.

[0074] Furthermore, detection unit 152 may detect the skew of the medium based on the detection results from separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, first skew sensor 117, and second skew sensor 118. In this case, control unit 151 periodically acquires a separation signal from separation sensor 115. When the signal value of the separation signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of separation sensor 115 and that separation sensor 115 has detected the leading edge of the medium. Control unit 151 stores in storage device 140 the time when the leading edge of the medium passed the position of separation sensor 115.

[0075] When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, second skew sensor 118, and first skew sensor 117, the detection unit 152 detects a first tilt having a positive value as the tilt of the medium. When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of separation sensor 115, second skew sensor 118, pick sensor 116, and first skew sensor 117, the detection unit 152 detects a second tilt having a positive value and an absolute value greater than the first tilt as the tilt of the medium. When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of second skew sensor 118, separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, and first skew sensor 117, the detection unit 152 detects a third tilt having a positive value and an absolute value greater than the second tilt as the tilt of the medium. When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, first skew sensor 117, and second skew sensor 118, the detection unit 152 detects a fourth tilt as the tilt of the medium, which has a negative value and has the same absolute value as the first tilt. When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of separation sensor 115, first skew sensor 117, pick sensor 116, and second skew sensor 118, the detection unit 152 detects a fifth tilt as the tilt of the medium, which has a negative value and has the same absolute value as the second tilt. When the detection unit 152 detects the leading edge of the medium in the order of first skew sensor 117, separation sensor 115, pick sensor 116, and second skew sensor 118, the detection unit 152 detects a sixth tilt as the tilt of the medium, which has a negative value and has the same absolute value as the third tilt.

[0076] On the other hand, if the leading edge of the target medium has not yet passed or has already passed both the position of the first skew sensor 117 and the position of the second skew sensor 118, the control unit 151 determines whether or not a preceding medium is present (step S205). That is, the control unit 151 determines whether the target medium is the second or subsequent medium fed and transported, or the first medium fed and transported. If a preceding medium is not present, that is, if the target medium is the first medium fed and transported, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and returns the process to step S201.

[0077] On the other hand, if a preceding medium exists, that is, if the target medium is a medium that has been fed and transported second or later, the control unit 151 calculates the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the preceding medium and stores it in the storage device 140 (step S206). The control unit 151 calculates the distance in the media transport direction A2 between the leading edge of the target medium at the position of the pick sensor 116 and the trailing edge of the preceding medium as the inter-medium distance. The control unit 151 calculates the multiplication value obtained by subtracting the first passing time of the preceding medium from the second passing time of the target medium stored in the storage device 140, and multiplying this value by the feeding speed of the medium by the feeding roller 113 as the inter-medium distance. The second passing time of the target medium is stored when the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of the pick sensor 116 in step S202 of the (currently being executed) media processing for the target medium. The first passing time of the preceding medium is stored when the trailing edge of the preceding medium passes the position of the pick sensor 116 in step S213 of the media processing for the preceding medium, which will be described later.

[0078] Next, the control unit 151 determines a threshold value to be compared with the inter-medium distance in order to determine whether or not to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium by the discharge rollers 124, stores the determined threshold value in the storage device 140 (step S207), and returns the process to step S201. The threshold value is an example of a criterion for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium by the discharge rollers 124.

[0079] The control unit 151 changes the threshold value based on the inclination of the medium detected by the detection unit 152. For example, the control unit 151 changes the threshold value based on the inclination of the target medium. The control unit 151 may change the threshold value based on the inclination of the preceding medium. The control unit 151 may also change the threshold value based on the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium. In this case, the control unit 151 calculates a subtraction value obtained by subtracting the inclination of the preceding medium from the inclination of the target medium as the relative inclination of the target medium with respect to the preceding medium. The control unit 151 may calculate a subtraction value obtained by subtracting the inclination of the target medium from the inclination of the preceding medium as the relative inclination of the preceding medium with respect to the target medium. The control unit 151 changes the threshold value based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium, thereby changing the criterion for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium by the discharge rollers 124.

[0080] 9A to 9D are schematic diagrams for explaining the relationship between the inclination of the medium and the inter-medium distance. In Fig. 9A to 9D, medium M1 is the preceding medium, and medium M2 is the target medium. Distance D1 is the inter-medium distance between the leading edge of target medium M2 and the trailing edge of preceding medium M1 at the position of pick sensor 116.

[0081] 9A shows a state in which the target medium M2 is not tilted, but the preceding medium M1 is tilted by an angle θ1. As shown in FIG. 9A, because the preceding medium M1 is tilted, the shortest distance D2 between the leading edge of the target medium M2 and the trailing edge of the preceding medium M1 is smaller than the inter-medium distance D1 at the position of the pick sensor 116. Therefore, if the discharge speed of the preceding medium M1 is reduced, there is a possibility that the leading edge of the target medium M2 will come into contact with the trailing edge of the preceding medium M1.

[0082] 9B shows a state in which the preceding medium M1 is not tilted, but the target medium M2 is tilted by an angle θ2. As shown in FIG. 9B, even when the target medium M2 is tilted, the shortest distance D2 between the leading edge of the target medium M2 and the trailing edge of the preceding medium M1 is smaller than the inter-medium distance D1 at the position of the pick sensor 116. Therefore, when the discharge speed of the preceding medium M1 is reduced, there is a possibility that the leading edge of the target medium M2 will come into contact with the trailing edge of the preceding medium M1.

[0083] 9C shows a state in which the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are inclined in different directions. As shown in FIG. 9C, when the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are inclined in different directions, the shortest distance D2 between the leading edge of the target medium M2 and the trailing edge of the leading medium M1 is much smaller than the inter-medium distance D1 at the position of the pick sensor 116. Therefore, when the discharge speed of the leading medium M1 is reduced, the leading edge of the target medium M2 is likely to come into contact with the trailing edge of the leading medium M1. The shortest distance D2 when the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are inclined in different directions is close to the shortest distance when either one of the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 is inclined by the sum of the inclination angle θ1 of the leading medium M1 and the inclination angle θ2 of the target medium M2.

[0084] 9D shows a state in which the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are mutually inclined in the same direction. As shown in FIG. 9D, when the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are mutually inclined in the same direction, the difference between the shortest distance D2 between the leading end of the target medium M2 and the trailing end of the leading medium M1 and the inter-medium distance D1 at the position of the pick sensor 116 is small. Therefore, when the discharge speed of the leading medium M1 is reduced, the leading end of the target medium M2 is unlikely to contact the trailing end of the leading medium M1. The shortest distance D2 when the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 are mutually inclined in the same direction is close to the shortest distance when either one of the leading medium M1 and the target medium M2 is inclined by the difference between the inclination angle θ1 of the leading medium M1 and the inclination angle θ2 of the target medium M2.

[0085] The control unit 151 sets the threshold value so that the greater the magnitude (absolute value) of the inclination of the medium, the easier it is to control the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller 124 not to be reduced. That is, the greater the magnitude of the inclination of the medium, the greater the threshold value to be set. For example, when the magnitude of the inclination of the medium is equal to or less than the first inclination threshold, the control unit 151 sets the threshold value to a first value. When the magnitude of the inclination of the medium is greater than the first inclination threshold and equal to or less than the second inclination threshold, the control unit 151 sets the threshold value to a second value. When the magnitude of the inclination of the medium is greater than the second inclination threshold, the control unit 151 sets the threshold value to a third value. The first inclination threshold, the second inclination threshold, the first value, the second value, and the third value are determined in advance. The second inclination threshold is set to a value greater than the first inclination threshold. The second value is set to a value greater than the first value, and the third value is set to a value greater than the second value.

[0086] On the other hand, if the leading edge of the target medium has not yet passed the positions of the first skew sensor 117 and the second skew sensor 118 or has already passed them in step S203, the control unit 151 determines whether the leading edge of the target medium has passed the position of the first conveyor roller 119a for the first time (step S208). The control unit 151 periodically acquires a feed signal from the feed sensor 121. When the signal value of the feed signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of the medium, the control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the feed sensor 121 and that the feed sensor 121 has detected the leading edge of the medium. When the control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the feed sensor 121, it determines that the medium has passed the position of the first conveyor roller 119a.

[0087] When the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of first conveyor roller 119a for the first time, control unit 151 controls first motor 131 to stop pick roller 112 and feed roller 113 (step S209), and returns the process to step S201. Thereafter, the target medium is conveyed by first to fifth conveyor rollers 119a-e and discharge roller 124. Stopping the rotation of feed roller 113 prevents the target medium from being pushed out by feed roller 113 and bending, or prevents double feeding of the target medium and subsequent media.

[0088] On the other hand, if the leading edge of the target medium has not yet passed the position of the first conveyor roller 119a or has already passed the position, the control unit 151 determines whether the leading edge of the target medium has passed the imaging start position for the first time (step S210). The imaging start position is set, for example, to a position between the second conveyor roller 119b and the imaging device 122. The control unit 151 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the imaging start position when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed the position of the feed sensor 121. The first predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of the feed sensor 121 to the imaging start position.

[0089] When the leading edge of the target medium passes the imaging start position for the first time, the control unit 151 causes the imaging device 122 to start imaging (step S211), and the process returns to step S201.

[0090] On the other hand, if the leading edge of the target medium has not yet passed the imaging start position or has already passed the imaging start position, the control unit 151 determines whether the trailing edge of the target medium has passed the rotation start position of the feed roller 113 for the first time (step S212). The rotation start position is set to an arbitrary position downstream of the feed roller 113. The control unit 151 periodically acquires a separation signal from the separation sensor 115. When the signal value of the separation signal changes from a value indicating the presence of the medium to a value indicating the absence of the medium, the control unit 151 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of the separation sensor 115 and that the separation sensor 115 has detected the trailing edge of the medium. When a second predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of the separation sensor 115, the control unit 151 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the rotation start position. The second predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of the separation sensor 115 to the rotation start position. The rotation start position may be set to the position of the separation sensor 115, the position of the pick sensor 116, or the like. In this case, when the trailing end of the medium passes the position of separation sensor 115 or the position of pick sensor 116, control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the rotation start position.

[0091] When the rear end of the target medium passes the rotation start position of the feed roller 113 for the first time, the control unit 151 acquires a mounting table signal from the mounting table sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium remains on the mounting table 103 based on the acquired mounting table signal (step S213). If no medium remains on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 does not execute any particular process and returns the process to step S201.

[0092] On the other hand, if media remain on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 controls the first motor 131 to rotate the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 113 again, thereby feeding and transporting the succeeding media (step S214).

[0093] Next, the control unit 151 starts medium processing for the subsequent medium (step S215), and returns the process to step S201.

[0094] On the other hand, if the trailing end of the target medium has not yet passed the rotation start position or has already passed it in step S212, control unit 151 determines whether the trailing end of the target medium has passed the position of pick sensor 116 for the first time (step S216). Control unit 151 periodically acquires a pick signal from pick sensor 116. When the signal value of the pick signal changes from a value indicating the presence of a medium to a value indicating its absence, control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the position of pick sensor 116 and that pick sensor 116 has detected the trailing end of the medium.

[0095] When the trailing edge of the target medium passes the position of pick sensor 116 for the first time, control unit 151 stores the time when the trailing edge of the target medium passes the position of pick sensor 116 as the first passing time in storage device 140 (step S217), and returns the process to step S201. The first passing time of the target medium is used to calculate the media distance between the trailing edge of the target medium and the leading edge of the succeeding medium in step S206 of the media processing for the succeeding medium.

[0096] On the other hand, if the trailing end of the target medium has not yet passed the position of pick sensor 116 or has already passed it, control unit 151 determines whether the trailing end of the target medium has passed the imaging position of imaging device 122 for the first time (step S218). Control unit 151 periodically acquires a feed signal from feed sensor 121. When the signal value of the feed signal changes from a value indicating the presence of a medium to a value indicating the absence of a medium, control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the position of feed sensor 121 and that feed sensor 121 has detected the trailing end of the medium. When a third predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing end of the medium passed the position of feed sensor 121, control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the imaging position. The third predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of feed sensor 121 to the imaging position.

[0097] When the rear end of the target medium passes the imaging position for the first time, the control unit 151 causes the imaging device 122 to end imaging. The control unit 151 acquires an input image from the imaging device 122, outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 133 (step S219), and returns the process to step S201. The control unit 151 may acquire an image from the imaging device 122 each time the imaging device 122 generates an image of one or more lines extending in the main scanning direction, and when the rear end of the medium passes the imaging position, synthesize the images to generate an input image.

[0098] On the other hand, if the rear end of the target medium has not yet passed the imaging position or has already passed the imaging position, the control unit 151 determines whether or not the deceleration timing for reducing the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge rollers 124 has been reached for the first time (step S220). The control unit 151 determines whether or not the deceleration timing has been reached based on whether or not the rear end of the medium has passed the deceleration start position. The deceleration start position is set to a position between the fifth conveyor rollers 119e and the discharge rollers 124. The control unit 151 determines that the rear end of the medium has passed the deceleration start position when a fourth predetermined time has elapsed since the rear end of the medium passed the position of the feed sensor 121. The fourth predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of the feed sensor 121 to the deceleration start position.

[0099] The deceleration start position may be set to a position between the discharge sensor 123 and the discharge rollers 124. In this case, the control unit 151 periodically acquires a discharge signal from the discharge sensor 123. When the signal value of the discharge signal changes from a value indicating the presence of the medium to a value indicating the absence of the medium, the control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the position of the discharge sensor 123 and that the discharge sensor 123 has detected the trailing end of the medium. The control unit 151 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the deceleration start position when a fifth predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing end of the medium passed the position of the discharge sensor 123. The fifth predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of the discharge sensor 123 to the deceleration start position.

[0100] When the deceleration timing is reached for the first time, the control unit 151 determines whether the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium is equal to or greater than the threshold determined for the target medium (step S221). The inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium is calculated in step S206 of the medium processing for the following medium, and is stored in the storage device 140. The threshold for the target medium is determined in step S207 of the medium processing for the following medium, and is stored in the storage device 140.

[0101] If the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the succeeding medium is equal to or greater than the threshold determined for the target medium, the control unit 151 sets the medium discharge speed by the discharge rollers 124 to a first speed that is lower than the reference speed (step S222), and returns the process to step S201. The first speed is preset to a fixed value.

[0102] In this way, when the discharge rollers 124 discharge the target media, the control unit 151 reduces the discharge speed of the target media by the discharge rollers 124. This allows the medium discharge device 100 to prevent the media from being discharged too forcefully and scattering on the discharge tray 104 or flying out of the discharge tray 104, improving the alignment of the discharged media. This allows the user to easily align the discharged media, and the medium discharge device 100 can improve user convenience.

[0103] In particular, when the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium detected by the pick sensor 116 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit 151 reduces the discharge speed of the target medium by the discharge rollers 124. By reducing the discharge speed of the target medium only when the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium is secured, the medium discharge device 100 can prevent the leading edge of the following medium from coming into contact with the trailing edge of the preceding medium, causing a change in the speed of the following medium. Thus, the medium discharge device 100 can prevent distortion of the following medium in an input image in which the following medium is captured, or the following medium from jamming.

[0104] On the other hand, if the inter-media distance between the target medium and the following medium is less than the threshold determined for the target medium, the control unit 151 sets the medium discharge speed by the discharge rollers 124 to a second speed higher than the first speed (step S223) and returns the process to step S201.

[0105] The second speed is set to, for example, the same speed as the reference speed. That is, when the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the subsequent medium is less than the threshold value determined for the target medium, the control unit 151 does not reduce the discharge speed of the target medium by the discharge roller 124. In this way, the control unit 151 changes the criterion for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed of the target medium by the discharge roller 124 based on the inclination of the target medium or the inclination of the subsequent medium. As a result, when the target medium and / or the subsequent medium are inclined and there is a high possibility that the target medium and the subsequent medium will come into contact with each other by reducing the discharge speed of the target medium, the medium discharge device 100 does not reduce the discharge speed of the target medium. Therefore, the medium discharge device 100 can improve the alignment of the discharged medium while suppressing the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image due to mutual contact between the media transported in succession.

[0106] The second speed may be set to a speed lower than the reference speed and higher than the first speed. That is, when the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium is less than a threshold determined for the target medium, the control unit 151 reduces the degree to which the discharge rollers 124 reduce the discharge speed of the target medium compared to when the inter-medium distance is equal to or greater than the threshold. In this case, the medium discharge device 100 can improve the alignment of the discharged medium while suppressing distortion of the medium in the input image or jamming of the medium caused by contact between the continuously transported media.

[0107] On the other hand, if the deceleration timing has not yet been reached or has already been reached in step S220, control unit 151 determines whether ejection of the target medium has been completed (step S224). Control unit 151 determines that ejection of the medium has been completed when a sixth predetermined time has elapsed since the rear end of the medium passed the position of ejection sensor 123. The sixth predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of ejection sensor 123 to the ejection port. If ejection of the target medium has not yet been completed, control unit 151 returns to step S201 without performing any particular processing.

[0108] On the other hand, when the ejection of the target medium is complete, the control unit 151 returns the medium ejection speed by the ejection rollers 124 to the reference speed (step S225), and ends the medium processing for the target medium.

[0109] The control unit 151 may change the criterion for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed by correcting the inter-medium distance, instead of changing the threshold value for comparison with the inter-medium distance. That is, the control unit 151 may change the criterion for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed by correcting the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the preceding medium detected by the pick sensor 116 based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium. In this case, in step S207, the control unit 151 determines a coefficient to be multiplied by the inter-medium distance or an offset value to be subtracted from the inter-medium distance based on the inclination of the medium, and stores it in the storage device 140. The control unit 151 sets the coefficient or offset value so that the greater the inclination of the medium, the easier it is to control the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller 124 not to be reduced. That is, the control unit 151 sets the coefficient to have a smaller value as the inclination of the medium becomes larger, and sets the offset value to have a larger value as the inclination of the medium becomes larger. In step S221, the control unit 151 determines whether the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the subsequent medium, corrected using the coefficient or offset value determined for the target medium, is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this case, the threshold value is preset to a fixed value. In this case, the medium ejection device 100 can also improve the alignment of the ejected medium while suppressing the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image due to contact between the continuously transported media.

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit 151 may calculate the inter-media distance using the separation sensor 115, the first skew sensor 117, the second skew sensor 118, the feed sensor 121, or the discharge sensor 123, instead of the pick sensor 116. In that case, in step S202, the control unit 151 stores the time when the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of the separation sensor 115, the first skew sensor 117, the second skew sensor 118, the feed sensor 121, or the discharge sensor 123 as the second passing time in the storage device 140. Also, in step S217, the control unit 151 stores the time when the trailing edge of the target medium passes the position of the separation sensor 115, the first skew sensor 117, the second skew sensor 118, the feed sensor 121, or the discharge sensor 123 as the first passing time in the storage device 140. In step S206, the control unit 151 calculates the distance in the medium transport direction A2 between the leading edge of the target medium and the trailing edge of the preceding medium at the position of each sensor as the inter-medium distance. In this case, the separation sensor 115, the first skew sensor 117, the second skew sensor 118, the feed sensor 121, or the discharge sensor 123 are examples of sensors that detect the medium.

[0111] Furthermore, when the size of the medium is fixed, the control unit 151 may calculate the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the preceding medium based on the distance between the leading ends of the media, instead of the distance between the leading ends of the target medium and the trailing end of the preceding medium. The size of the medium is set by the user, for example, using the operation device 105 or an information processing device that is communicatively connected to the medium ejection device 100. In this case, the processing of steps S216 to S217 is omitted. In step S206, the control unit 151 calculates a multiplication value by multiplying the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the second passing time of the preceding medium from the second passing time of the target medium by the feeding speed of the medium by the feeding roller 113. The control unit 151 calculates the inter-medium distance by subtracting the size of the medium in the medium conveying direction A2 from the calculated multiplication value. By calculating the inter-medium distance based on the distance between the leading ends of the media, the medium ejection device 100 does not need to detect the passing time of the pick sensor 116 of the trailing end of each medium, and the processing load of each medium process can be reduced. However, because the speed at which the media moves may change while the media is being transported, the media ejection device 100 can more accurately estimate the relationship between the rear end of the preceding medium and the leading end of the target medium by calculating the inter-media distance based on the distance between the leading end of the target medium and the trailing end of the preceding medium.

[0112] Furthermore, the detection unit 152 may detect the tilt of the trailing end of the preceding medium as the tilt of the preceding medium, instead of the tilt of the leading end of the preceding medium. In this case, the detection unit 152 detects the tilt of the medium based on the time when the trailing end of the medium passes the position of the first skew sensor 117 and the position of the second skew sensor 118. Since the tilt of the medium may change during the transport of the medium, the medium ejection device 100 can more accurately estimate the relationship between the trailing end of the preceding medium and the leading end of the target medium by using the tilt of the trailing end of the preceding medium as the tilt of the preceding medium. On the other hand, the medium ejection device 100 can reduce the processing load of each medium process without detecting the tilt of the trailing end of each medium by using the tilt of the leading end of each medium as the tilt of each medium.

[0113] As described above in detail, the medium ejection device 100 reduces the ejection speed of the target medium, while changing the criteria for determining whether to reduce the ejection speed based on the inclination of the target medium or the following medium. This allows the medium ejection device 100 to improve the alignment of the ejected medium, while suppressing the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jams in the input image due to mutual contact between continuously transported media. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 is able to appropriately reduce the medium ejection speed.

[0114] If the distance between successively transported media is uniformly increased so that the successively transported media do not come into contact with each other, the medium transport performance is reduced. By changing the criteria for determining whether to reduce the discharge speed based on the inclination of the medium, the medium discharge device 100 can improve the alignment of the discharged media and reduce the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jams in the input image while suppressing the reduction in the medium transport performance.

[0115] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of the medium processing operation of a medium ejection device according to another embodiment.

[0116] The flowchart shown in Fig. 10 is executed instead of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. Since the processes of steps S301 to S306 and S308 to S311 in Fig. 10 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S206 and S208 to S211 in Fig. 7, the description will be omitted and only step S307 will be described below.

[0117] In step S307, the control unit 151 determines the discharge speed of the preceding medium by the discharge rollers 124 based on the inclination of the medium detected by the detection unit 152, and stores it in the storage device 140 (step S307). As with the process of step S207, the control unit 151 changes the discharge speed of the preceding medium based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium (the relative inclination of one medium with respect to the other medium). The control unit 151 sets the discharge speed of the preceding medium to be lower than the reference speed and to be higher as the magnitude (absolute value) of the inclination of the medium increases.

[0118] In this embodiment, the processes of steps S221 and S223 in FIG. 8 are omitted. When the deceleration timing is reached for the first time in step S220, in step S222, the control unit 151 sets the medium discharge speed by the discharge roller 124 to the discharge speed determined in step S307. In this way, when the target medium and / or the following medium are tilted and there is a high possibility that the target medium and the following medium will come into contact by reducing the discharge speed of the target medium, the medium discharge device reduces the degree of reduction in the discharge speed of the target medium. This reduces the possibility that the discharge speed of the target medium becomes too low and the following medium will come into contact with the target medium. Therefore, the medium discharge device can improve the alignment of the discharged medium and suppress the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image while suppressing a decrease in the medium transport performance.

[0119] As described above in detail, the medium ejection device is now able to appropriately reduce the ejection speed of the target medium even when the ejection speed by the ejection roller 124 is changed based on the inclination of the target medium or subsequent media while reducing the ejection speed of the target medium.

[0120] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of the medium processing operation of a medium ejection device according to yet another embodiment.

[0121] The flowchart shown in Fig. 11 is executed instead of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. Since the processes of steps S401 to S406 and S408 to S411 in Fig. 11 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S206 and S208 to S211 in Fig. 7, the description will be omitted and only step S407 will be described below.

[0122] In step S407, the control unit 151 determines the timing to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium by the discharge rollers 124 (the timing to start reducing) based on the inclination of the medium detected by the detection unit 152, and stores the result in the storage device 140 (step S407). As in the process of step S207, the control unit 151 changes the timing to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium (the relative inclination of one medium with respect to the other medium). The control unit 151 sets the timing to reduce the discharge speed of the preceding medium (the timing to start reducing) so that the greater the inclination of the medium, the slower the timing. That is, the control unit 151 sets the deceleration start position so that the greater the inclination of the medium, the closer the deceleration start position is to the discharge rollers 124.

[0123] In this embodiment, in step S220 of FIG. 8, the control unit 151 determines whether the deceleration timing determined in step S407 has been reached for the first time. In addition, the threshold value to be compared with the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the following medium in step S221 is set to a fixed value. In this way, when the target medium and / or the following medium are tilted and there is a high possibility that the target medium and the following medium will come into contact with each other by reducing the discharge speed of the target medium, the medium discharge device delays the timing of reducing the discharge speed of the target medium. This shortens the time that the target medium is transported at a low speed, and the possibility that the following medium will come into contact with the target medium is reduced. Therefore, the medium discharge device can improve the alignment of the discharged medium and suppress the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image while suppressing a decrease in the medium transport performance.

[0124] As described above in detail, the medium discharge device is now able to appropriately reduce the discharge speed of the medium even when the timing for reducing the discharge speed by the discharge rollers 124 is changed based on the inclination of the medium.

[0125] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of the medium processing operation of a medium ejection device according to yet another embodiment.

[0126] The flowchart shown in Fig. 12 is executed instead of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. Since the processes of steps S501 to S506 and S508 to S511 in Fig. 12 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S206 and S208 to S211 in Fig. 7, the description will be omitted and only step S507 will be described below.

[0127] In step S507, the control unit 151 changes the transport speed of the target medium by the pick roller 112 and / or the feed roller 113 based on the inclination of the medium detected by the detection unit 152 (step S507). As in the process of step S207, the control unit 151 changes the transport speed of the target medium based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium (the relative inclination of one medium with respect to the other medium). The control unit 151 sets the transport speed of the target medium so that the greater the inclination of the medium, the greater the inter-media distance between the preceding medium and the target medium. In other words, the control unit 151 sets the transport speed of the target medium so that the greater the inclination of the medium, the lower the transport speed of the target medium. Thereafter, the target medium is transported at the transport speed set in step S507 until the leading edge of the target medium passes the position of first transport roller 119a in step S508 and pick roller 112 and feed roller 113 stop in step S509.

[0128] In this embodiment, the threshold value compared with the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the subsequent medium in step S221 of FIG. 8 is set to a fixed value. In this manner, the medium ejection device reduces the transport speed of the subsequent medium when the target medium and / or the subsequent medium are tilted and reducing the ejection speed of the target medium would likely cause the target medium and the subsequent medium to come into contact with each other. This ensures the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the subsequent medium, reducing the likelihood that the subsequent medium will come into contact with the target medium. Therefore, the medium ejection device can improve the alignment of the ejected medium and suppress the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image while suppressing a decrease in the medium transport performance.

[0129] The control unit 151 may change the transport speed of the target medium by the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e and / or the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e instead of or in addition to the pick roller 112 and / or the feed roller 113 based on the inclination of the medium. In this case, the control unit 151 monitors the positions of the preceding medium and the target medium, and changes (reduces) the transport speed by the rollers that hold the target medium among the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e. In this case, the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and / or the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e are an example of transport rollers that transport the medium.

[0130] Furthermore, the control unit 151 may increase the inter-medium distance between the target medium and the preceding medium by stopping the pick roller 112 and / or the feed roller 113 for a predetermined time to stop the transport (feed) of the target medium. In this case, in step S507, the control unit 151 changes the time for which the transport of the target medium by the pick roller 112 and / or the feed roller 113 is stopped based on the inclination of the target medium, the inclination of the preceding medium, or the relationship between the inclination of the target medium and the inclination of the preceding medium. The control unit 151 sets the time for which the transport of the target medium is stopped so that the time increases as the magnitude of the inclination of the medium increases. In this case as well, the medium ejection device can improve the alignment of the ejected medium and suppress the occurrence of medium distortion or medium jamming in the input image while suppressing a decrease in the medium transport performance.

[0131] The control unit 151 may stop the target medium by stopping, for a set time, the rollers that sandwich the target medium, among the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e. In this case, the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the first to fifth transport rollers 119a-e, and / or the first to fifth driven rollers 120a-e are an example of transport rollers that transport the medium.

[0132] As described above in detail, the medium ejection device is now able to appropriately reduce the medium ejection speed even when changing the transport speed of the subsequent medium by the transport roller or the time for which transport of the subsequent medium by the transport roller is stopped based on the inclination of the medium.

[0133] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 250 of a medium ejection device according to another embodiment.

[0134] Processing circuit 250 is used in place of processing circuit 150 of medium ejection device 100, and executes overall processing, media processing, and the like in place of processing circuit 150. Processing circuit 250 has a control circuit 251, a detection circuit 252, and the like. Note that each of these components may be composed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, and the like.

[0135] The control circuit 251 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 151. The control circuit 251 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133. The control circuit 251 also receives a placement table signal, a separation signal, a pick signal, a feed signal, and a discharge signal from the placement table sensor 111, the separation sensor 115, the pick sensor 116, the feed sensor 121, and the discharge sensor 123, respectively. The control circuit 251 also reads out the inclination of the medium from the storage device 140. The control circuit 251 controls the first motor 131 and the second motor 132 based on each received signal and / or each read information, acquires an input image from the imaging device 122, and outputs it to the interface device 133.

[0136] The detection circuit 252 is an example of a detection unit, and has the same function as the detection unit 152. The detection circuit 252 receives a separation signal, a pick signal, a first skew signal, and a second skew signal from the separation sensor 115, the pick sensor 116, the first skew sensor 117, and the second skew sensor 118, respectively. The detection circuit 252 detects the skew of the medium based on each of the received signals, and stores the detected skew in the storage device 140.

[0137] As described above in detail, the medium ejection device is able to appropriately reduce the medium ejection speed even when the processing circuit 250 is used.

[0138] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the medium ejection device may change any two or more parameters from the criteria for determining whether to reduce the ejection speed, the ejection speed, the timing for reducing the ejection speed, the medium transport speed by the transport roller, and the time for which transport of the medium by the transport roller is stopped, based on the inclination of the medium. This allows the medium ejection device to more flexibly control the medium ejection process.

[0139] The medium ejection device may have a so-called straight path, and may feed and transport the media placed on the placement table in order from the bottom up. In this case, the feed roller is disposed below the separation roller and faces the separation roller.

[0140] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0141] [Appendix 1] A conveying roller for conveying the medium; a detection unit that detects a tilt of the medium transported by the transport roller; a discharge roller that discharges the medium conveyed by the conveyance roller; a control unit that reduces a discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, the control unit changes the discharge speed based on a relationship between an inclination of the first medium and an inclination of the second medium following the first medium. A medium ejection device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 100 medium discharge device, 112 pick roller, 113 feeding roller, 114 separation roller, 115 separation sensor, 116 pick sensor, 117 first skew sensor, 118 second skew sensor, 119a-e first to fifth conveying rollers, 120a-f first to sixth driven rollers, 121 feed sensor, 122 imaging device, 123 discharge sensor, 124 discharge roller, 151 control unit, 152 detection unit

Claims

1. A transport roller for transporting the medium, A detection unit for detecting the inclination of the medium conveyed by the conveyor roller, A discharge roller for discharging the medium conveyed by the aforementioned conveying roller, The device includes a control unit that reduces the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, The control unit changes the criteria for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed, or the timing for reducing the discharge speed, based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium following the first medium. A media discharge device characterized by the following features.

2. It further has a sensor for detecting the medium, The control unit, When the discharge roller discharges the first medium, if the distance between the first medium and the second medium following the first medium, as detected by the sensor, is greater than or equal to a threshold, the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller is reduced. The media discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the determination criterion is changed by changing the threshold or correcting the distance based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium.

3. The media discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit changes the determination criterion, the discharge speed, or the timing for reducing the discharge speed based on the relationship between the inclination of the first medium and the inclination of the second medium.

4. A conveying motor that drives the conveying roller, The system further includes a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller, The media discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport motor and the discharge motor are provided separately.

5. The medium is transported by the transport rollers. The tilt of the medium conveyed by the aforementioned conveyor roller is detected, The discharge roller discharges the medium that has been conveyed by the conveying roller. The discharge roller reduces the discharge speed of the first medium when it discharges the first medium, Based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium following the first medium, the criteria for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed, or the timing for reducing the discharge speed, are changed. A method for discharging a medium characterized by the following features.

6. A control program for a media discharge device having a conveyor roller for transporting a medium and a discharge roller for discharging the medium transported by the conveyor roller, The tilt of the medium conveyed by the aforementioned conveyor roller is detected, When the discharge roller discharges the first medium, the medium discharge device is made to reduce the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller. Based on the inclination of the first medium or the inclination of the second medium following the first medium, the criteria for determining whether or not to reduce the discharge speed, or the timing for reducing the discharge speed, are changed. A control program characterized by the following features.

7. A conveying roller for conveying a medium, A detection unit for detecting the inclination of the medium conveyed by the conveyor roller, A discharge roller for discharging the medium conveyed by the aforementioned conveying roller, The device includes a control unit that reduces the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, The control unit changes the transport speed of the second medium by the transport roller, or the time for stopping the transport of the second medium by the transport roller, based on the relationship between the inclination of the first medium and the inclination of the second medium that follows the first medium. A media discharge device characterized by the following features.

8. Further comprising a sensor for detecting a medium, The media discharge device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit reduces the discharge speed of the first medium by the discharge roller when the discharge roller discharges the first medium, if the distance between the first medium and a second medium following the first medium detected by the sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold.

Images