Medium carrier device

Abstract

To provide a medium carrier device capable of properly carrying a medium.SOLUTION: A medium carrier device has: a mount base where a medium is mounted; a carrier part which carries the medium mounted on the mount base; a sensor for detecting the floating of a medium to be carried by the carrier part; a discharge part which discharges the medium carried by the carrier part; a discharge tray which is arranged above the mount base and on which media discharged from the discharge part are stacked; and an extension tray which is connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray in the medium discharging direction, wherein the lower end of the extension tray on the upstream side in the medium discharging direction is arranged on the mount base side relative to the lower end on the downstream side of the discharge tray in the medium discharging direction with the media discharged from the discharge part stacked cooperatively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in a medium transport device such as a scanner, there is a possibility that the medium being transported may float up.

[0003] A sheet feeding device is disclosed that stops the operation of a sheet feeding means when it detects that a sheet has an abnormal shape (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] An image reading device is disclosed that includes a flip-up detection unit that detects a document being flipped up, and a staple determination unit that determines whether or not the document has been stapled based on the detection result of the flip-up detection unit (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-354346 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-147605 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A medium transport device is required to transport a medium appropriately.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a medium transport device that is capable of properly transporting a medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A media transporting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a mounting table on which media is placed, a transport section which transports the media placed on the mounting table, a sensor for detecting the floating of the media transported by the transport section, a discharge section which discharges the media transported by the transport section, a discharge tray arranged above the mounting table and which loads the media discharged by the discharge section, and an extension tray connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray in the media discharge direction, and when the extension trays cooperate to load the media discharged from the discharge section, the lower end of the extension tray on the upstream side in the media discharge direction is positioned closer to the mounting table than the lower end of the discharge tray on the downstream side in the media discharge direction.

[0009] A media transport device according to one aspect of the present invention has a mounting table on which a medium is placed, a transport unit which transports the medium placed on the mounting table, a sensor for detecting the floating of the medium transported by the transport unit, and a guide member arranged to guide the medium transported by the transport unit to the sensor, and the guide member has a guide surface formed so as to have no steps.

[0010] A media transport device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a mounting table on which a medium is placed, a transport unit which transports the medium placed on the mounting table, a sensor for detecting the floating of the medium transported by the transport unit, a discharge unit which discharges the medium transported by the transport unit, and a tray arranged above the mounting table and on which the medium discharged by the discharge unit is loaded, the tray having a base and an attached unit connected to at least one of the left and right sides of the base, the lower end of the base being arranged closer to the mounting table than the lower end of the attached unit, the left and right lower end portions of the portion protruding downstream in the media discharge direction from the attached unit of the base are formed so as to have no steps, and the lower end portion downstream in the media discharge direction of the attached unit is formed so as to have no steps. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the medium transport device can transport the medium appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device 100. FIG. [Diagram 3] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first floating sensor 112 and the like. FIG. [Figure 4] 13A, 13B, and 13C are schematic diagrams for explaining the first floating sensor 112. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a second floating sensor 115. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining the extension tray 106 and the like. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an extension tray 106 and the like. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an extension tray 106 and the like. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an extension tray 106 and the like. FIG. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining the extension tray 106 and the like. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a medium. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a medium. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a medium. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a medium. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a medium. [Figure 16] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium conveying device 100. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining another medium conveying device 200. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a discharge tray 205 and the like. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit 350. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a medium conveying device, a medium conveying 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.

[0014] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium conveying device 100 conveys 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 conveying device 100 may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), or the like. Note that the medium being conveyed may not be an original document, but may be a print target, or the like, and the medium conveying device 100 may be a printer, or the like.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The medium conveying device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a placement table 103, a discharge tray 105, an extension tray 106, an operation device 107, a display device 108, and the like.

[0017] The second housing 102 is disposed inside the first housing 101 and rotatably engaged with the first housing 101 by a hinge so as to be openable and closable when a medium is jammed or when the inside of the medium conveying device 100 is cleaned.

[0018] The placement table 103 engages with the first housing 101 so as to place the medium to be transported 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, i.e., so as to be able to rise and fall. The placement table 103 is disposed at the lower 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. The placement table 103 has a drawer tray 104 and is provided so as to be able to extend toward the upstream side in the medium transport direction A2. The drawer tray 104 may be omitted.

[0019] The drawer tray 104 is provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the upstream end of the mounting table 103 in the medium transport direction A2. The drawer tray 104 is stored inside the mounting table 103 when small-sized media (e.g., A5 size or smaller) are transported. On the other hand, the drawer tray 104 is drawn out from the mounting table 103 and disposed so as to extend the mounting table 103 when large-sized media (e.g., larger than A5 size) are transported. The drawer tray 104 cooperates with the mounting table 103 to place the transported media on it.

[0020] The discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 are examples of a tray. The discharge tray 105 is engaged with the second housing 102 so as to stack the media discharged from the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. The discharge tray 105 is disposed above the mounting base 103 so as to face the mounting base 103, that is, so as to overlap with the mounting base 103 when viewed from the height direction A1. The discharge tray 105 has a side guide 105a. The side guide 105a is provided on the upper surface of the discharge tray 105 so as to be movable in the width direction A4. The side guide 105a is positioned according to the width of the media loaded on the discharge tray 105 and regulates the width direction of the media. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two side guides 105a are disposed at an interval in the width direction A4. The number of side guides 105a may be one.

[0021] The extension tray 106 is connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3. The extension tray 106 is rotatably provided at the downstream end of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3. When a small-sized medium (e.g., A5 size or smaller) is discharged, the extension tray 106 is closed and placed (stored) on the discharge tray 105. On the other hand, when a large-sized medium (e.g., a size larger than A5 size) is discharged, the extension tray 106 is opened and placed so as to extend the discharge tray 105 toward the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3. That is, like the discharge tray 105, the extension tray 106 is placed above the placement table 103 so as to face the placement table 103, that is, so as to overlap with the placement table 103 when viewed from the height direction A1. The extension tray 106 cooperates with the discharge tray 105 to stack the media discharged from the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102.

[0022] The operation device 107 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 108 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 108 may be a liquid crystal display with a touch panel function. In that case, the operation device 107 has an interface circuit for acquiring an input signal from the touch panel.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0024] The transport path inside the media transport device 100 includes a first media sensor 111, a first lift sensor 112, a guide member 113, a pick roller 114, a second lift sensor 115, a feed roller 116, a separation roller 117, first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e, first to sixth driven rollers 119a-f, a second media sensor 120, an imaging device 121, and a discharge roller 122, etc.

[0025] The number of each of the pick roller 114, the feed roller 116, the separation roller 117, the first to sixth conveying rollers 118a-e, and / or the first to sixth driven rollers 119a-f, and / or the discharge roller 122 is not limited to one, and may be more than one. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 116, the separation roller 117, the first to fifth conveying rollers 118a-e, the first to sixth driven rollers 119a-f, and / or the discharge roller 122 are arranged at intervals in the width direction A4.

[0026] 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 form a so-called U-turn path.

[0027] The first medium sensor 111 is an example of a first sensor. The first medium sensor 111 is disposed on the placement table 103, that is, upstream of the feed roller 116 and the separation roller 117, and detects a medium placed on the placement table 103. The first medium sensor 111 determines whether 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 first medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a first medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether the medium is placed on the placement table 103 or not. The first medium signal is an example of an output signal from the first medium sensor 111. Note that the first medium 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 first medium sensor 111.

[0028] Pick roller 114 is provided in second housing 102, and comes into contact with a medium placed on placement table 103 that is elevated to approximately the same height as the medium transport path, and feeds the medium downstream.

[0029] The feed roller 116 is provided in the second housing 102 downstream of the pick roller 114, and feeds the medium placed on the placement table 103 and fed by the pick roller 114 further downstream. The separation roller 117 is provided in the first housing 101 facing the feed roller 116. The separation roller 117 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 116 and the separation roller 117 perform a medium separation operation, separate the media, and feed them one by one. The feed roller 116 is disposed above the separation roller 117, and the medium conveying device 100 feeds the media by a so-called top-take method. A separation pad may be used instead of the separation roller 117.

[0030] The first to fifth conveying rollers 118a-e and the first to fifth driven rollers 119a-e are provided facing each other downstream of the feed roller 116 and the separation roller 117, and convey the medium fed by the feed roller 116 and the separation roller 117 downstream.

[0031] The second medium sensor 120 is disposed downstream of the first transport roller 118a and the first driven roller 119a and upstream of the second transport roller 118b and the second driven roller 119b in the medium transport direction A2, and detects the medium transported to the disposed position. The second medium sensor 120 may be disposed between the feed roller 116 and the separation roller 117 and the first transport roller 118a and the first driven roller 119a, or between the second transport roller 118b and the second driven roller 119b and the imaging device 121 in the medium transport direction A2. The second medium sensor 120 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the medium transport path. The light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and irradiates light toward the medium transport path. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light irradiated by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The second medium sensor 120 generates and outputs a second medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second medium sensor 120, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver.

[0032] A reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of the light guide tube. The light emitter and the light receiver may be provided facing each other across the medium transport path. The second medium sensor 120 may be any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a contact detection sensor that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact or when the medium is not in contact.

[0033] The imaging device 121 is disposed downstream of the first and second transport rollers 118a-b in the medium transport direction A2, and captures images of the medium transported by the first and second transport rollers 118a-b and the first and second driven rollers 119a-b. The imaging device 121 includes a first imaging device 121a and a second imaging device 121b disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path.

[0034] The first imaging device 121a 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 121a 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 121a captures an image of the surface of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0035] Similarly, the second imaging device 121b 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 121b 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 121b captures the back side of the medium being transported to generate an input image and output it.

[0036] The medium conveying device 100 may have only one of the first imaging device 121a and the second imaging device 121b arranged to 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.

[0037] The discharge roller 122 and the sixth driven roller 119f are provided facing each other downstream of the first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e. The discharge roller 122 and the sixth driven roller 119f discharge the medium transported by the first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e and the first to fifth driven rollers 119a-e to the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106.

[0038] 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 114 and the feed roller 116 in the medium feed direction A11 and A12, respectively. The medium transport device 100 has a separation mode in which the medium is separated while being fed, and a non-separation mode in which the medium is not separated and is fed. The feed mode is set by the user using the operation device 107 or an information processing device that is communicatively connected to the medium transport device 100. When the feed mode is set to the separation mode, the separation roller 117 rotates or stops in the direction of the arrow A13, i.e., in the opposite direction to the medium feed direction. This limits the feeding of media other than the separated medium (prevention of double feeding). On the other hand, when the feed mode is set to the non-separation mode, the separation roller 117 rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow A13, i.e., in the medium feed direction.

[0039] The medium is guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a, and as the first and second transport rollers 118a-b rotate in the directions of arrows A14-15, the medium is sent to an imaging position of the imaging device 121 and is imaged by the imaging device 121. Furthermore, the medium is discharged onto the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 as the third to fifth transport rollers 118c-e and the discharge roller 122 rotate in the directions of arrows A16-19, respectively. The discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 hold the media discharged by the discharge roller 122 and the sixth driven roller 119f.

[0040] Pick roller 114, feed roller 116, separation roller 117, first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e, and / or first to fifth driven rollers 119a-e are an example of a transport section, and transport the medium placed on placement table 103. Discharge roller 122 and / or sixth driven roller 119f are an example of a discharge section, and discharge the medium transported by the transport section.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first floating sensor 112, the guide member 113, and the second floating sensor 115. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the first floating sensor 112, the guide member 113, the second floating sensor 115, etc., as viewed from the upstream side in the medium transport direction A2. In the example shown in Fig. 3, two pick rollers 114 are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction A4, and two second floating sensors 115 are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction A4.

[0042] The first lifting sensor 112 is an example of a sensor, and detects lifting of the medium transported by the transport unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the first lifting sensor 112 is disposed at the upstream end of the second housing 102 in the medium transport direction A2, that is, upstream of the pick roller 114 and the feed roller 116. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first lifting sensor 112 is disposed above the placement table 103 and the pick roller 114 and below the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 in the height direction A1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first lifting sensor 112 is disposed at approximately the center of the medium transport path in the width direction A4. The first lifting sensor 112 is disposed, for example, inside the outer end of the pick roller 114 in the width direction A4.

[0043] When a portion of the medium transported by the transport unit is lifted up, the guide member 113 guides the lifted portion of the medium to the first lift sensor 112. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 113 is provided so as to cover a portion of the second housing 102, and functions as a cover for the second housing 102. The guide member 113 is disposed at the upstream end of the second housing 102 in the medium transport direction A2, that is, upstream of the pick roller 114 and the feed roller 116. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 113 is disposed around the first lift sensor 112 so as to surround the first lift sensor 112. That is, at least a portion of the guide member 113 is disposed above and below the first lift sensor 112 in the height direction A3, and at least a portion of the guide member 113 is disposed outside the first lift sensor 112 in the width direction A4. Thereby, guide member 113 is disposed so as to be able to guide the raised portion of the medium to first lift sensor 112 when a portion of the medium being transported by the transport unit is lifted.

[0044] The guide member 113 has a first guide surface 113a, a second guide surface 113b, a third guide surface 113c, etc. The first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, and the third guide surface 113c are arranged so as to face the upstream side of the medium transport direction A2, respectively. The first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, and the third guide surface 113c are formed flat so as not to have a step, i.e., so as not to have a protruding portion protruding to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A2, respectively. In particular, the first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, and the third guide surface 113c are formed so that each position in the surface does not have a protruding portion protruding to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A2 from a position farther away from the first lift sensor 112 than each position.

[0045] First guide surface 113a is disposed above first lift sensor 112 in height direction A3. When the rear end of a medium transported by the transport unit lifts up and abuts against first guide surface 113a, first guide surface 113a guides the rear end of the medium downward to first lift sensor 112.

[0046] When viewed from the upstream side in the medium transport direction A2, the second guide surface 113b is disposed to the left of the first lift sensor 112 in the width direction A4. When a portion of the medium transported by the transport unit floats up and abuts against the second guide surface 113b, the second guide surface 113b guides the portion of the medium abutting against the second guide surface 113b toward the center to the first lift sensor 112.

[0047] When viewed from the upstream side in the medium transport direction A2, the third guide surface 113c is disposed to the right of the first lift sensor 112 in the width direction A4. When a portion of the medium transported by the transport unit floats up and abuts against the third guide surface 113c, the third guide surface 113c guides the portion of the medium abutting against the third guide surface 113c toward the center to the first lift sensor 112.

[0048] It is desirable that the first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, and the third guide surface 113c are disposed so as to be located downstream in the medium transport direction A2 from the first lift sensor 112. This allows the medium guided by the first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, or the third guide surface 113c to abut against the first lift sensor 112 more reliably.

[0049] The first guide surface 113a, the second guide surface 113b, and the third guide surface 113c may be provided so as to be flush with each other, and the guide member 113 may be formed flat as a whole so as to have no steps.

[0050] The second lifting sensor 115 detects lifting of the medium conveyed by the conveying unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the second lifting sensor 115 is disposed downstream of the pick roller 114 and upstream of the feed roller 116 in the medium conveying direction A2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower end of the second lifting sensor 115 is disposed above the lower end (nip position) of the pick roller 114 and the lower end (nip position) of the feed roller 116 in the height direction A1. As shown in FIG. 3, the second lifting sensor 115 is disposed outside the first lifting sensor 112 in the width direction A4. The second lifting sensor 115 is disposed, for example, outside the outer end of the pick roller 114 in the width direction A4. The second lifting sensor 115 may be disposed in the center, for example, between the outer ends of two pick rollers 114 in the width direction A4. The number of the second lifting sensors 115 may be one or three or more.

[0051] 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams for explaining the first floating sensor 112. FIG.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4A, the first lift sensor 112 includes a first contact member 112a, a second contact member 112b, a first arm 112c, a second arm 112d, and a horseshoe-shaped sensor 112e. The first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b are arranged at an upstream end of the first housing 101 in the medium transport direction A2 and spaced apart from each other in the width direction A4. The first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b are made of resin or the like and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the medium transport direction A2. One end of a first arm 112c and one end of a second arm 112d are attached to the first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b, respectively. The first arm 112c and the second arm 112d are provided so as to be swingable about a first swing shaft 112f and a second swing shaft 112g, respectively. The other end of the first arm 112c is disposed inside the horseshoe-shaped sensor 112e. The other end of the second arm 112d is disposed so as to be able to come into contact with and move away from the first arm 112c.

[0053] The horseshoe-shaped sensor 112e includes a light emitter 112h and a light receiver 112i. The light emitter 112h and the light receiver 112i are arranged to face each other. The light emitter 112h is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the light receiver 112i. The light receiver 112i is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter 112h.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 4(A), when the medium is not in contact with the first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b, the other end of the first arm 112c is disposed between the light emitter 112h and the light receiver 112i, and the light irradiated by the light emitter 112h is blocked by the first arm 112c. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4(B), when the medium is in contact with the first contact member 112a, the other end of the first arm 112c moves from between the light emitter 112h and the light receiver 112i, and the light irradiated by the light emitter 112h is received by the light receiver 112i. Also, when the medium is in contact with the second contact member 112b, the second arm 112d comes in contact with the first arm 112c, and the first arm 112c moves by the second arm 112d. In this case, the other end of the first arm 112c also moves from between the light emitter 112h and the light receiver 112i, and the light emitted by the light emitter 112h is received by the light receiver 112i. The horseshoe-shaped sensor 112e generates and outputs a first floating signal whose signal value changes depending on whether the medium is in contact with the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b, depending on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver 112i.

[0055] In the first lift sensor 112, the first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A4, and the movement of each contact member is detected by a single horseshoe-shaped sensor 112e. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to efficiently and inexpensively detect that the medium has come into contact with the first lift sensor 112. Note that the number of contact members in the first lift sensor 112 may be one or three or more. Also, in the first lift sensor 112, a horseshoe-shaped sensor may be provided for each contact member.

[0056] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of first lift sensor 112 when the trailing edge of the medium being transported lifts up.

[0057] 4C shows a state in which a plurality of media M1 and M2 stapled at multiple locations on the rear end side with staples S1 are transported. When media M1 and M2 stapled at multiple locations on the rear end side with staples S1 are transported, the uppermost medium M1 is fed by the feed roller 116, while the other medium M2 remains on the placement table 103 by the separation roller 117. Therefore, the portion stapled with staples S1 is pulled by the uppermost medium M1 and floats upward, and abuts against the front surface of the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b.

[0058] Similarly, when a plurality of media each having one corner on the rear end side stapled thereto are transported, the uppermost medium is fed by the feeding roller 116 while the other media are held on the placement table 103 by the separation roller 117. Therefore, the portion stapled thereto is pulled by the uppermost medium and rises upward, and comes into contact with the front surface of the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4(A), when the medium is not in contact with the first contact member 112a and the second contact member 112b, the light irradiated by the light emitter 112h is blocked by the first arm 112c. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(B), when the rear end of the medium being transported floats up and abuts against the front surface of the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b, the rear end of the medium pushes the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b. In this case, the light irradiated by the light emitter 112h is not blocked by the first arm 112c and is received by the light receiver 112i. That is, the signal value of the first floating signal generated by the first floating sensor 112 changes depending on whether floating of the medium being transported occurs, and the first floating sensor 112 detects floating of the medium transported by the transport unit. In particular, the first floating sensor 112 can detect media whose trailing edge is stapled.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the second floating sensor 115. As shown in FIG.

[0061] The second lift sensor 115 has an arm 115a and a horseshoe-shaped sensor 115b.

[0062] The arm 115a is provided above the medium transport path so as to extend in the medium transport direction A2, and is arranged so that its lower surface faces the first guide 101a at a predetermined distance. When a plurality of second lift sensors 115 are provided, each arm 115a is arranged at the same height in the height direction A1. The downstream end 115c of the arm 115a is rotatably attached to the second housing 102 so that the upstream end 115d swings. The predetermined distance is set to a distance that is the maximum height to which the medium can bend when the medium is fed, plus a margin. As a result, when the medium being transported is not lifted, the medium is transported without abutting against the arm 115a. On the other hand, when the medium being transported is lifted, the medium comes into contact with the arm 115a and is raised by rotating the arm 115a. That is, the arm 115a is arranged so as to rise according to the lift of the medium.

[0063] The horseshoe-shaped sensor 115b includes a light emitter 115e and a light receiver 115f. The light emitter 115e and the light receiver 115f are arranged to face each other. The light emitter 115e is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the light receiver 115f. The light receiver 115f is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter 115e.

[0064] When the medium is not in contact with the arm 115a, the arm 115a is disposed between the light emitter 115e and the light receiver 115f, and the light irradiated by the light emitter 115e is blocked by the arm 115a. On the other hand, when the medium is in contact with the arm 115a and the arm 115a is raised, the arm 115a moves from between the light emitter 115e and the light receiver 115f, and the light irradiated by the light emitter 115e is received by the light receiver 115f. The horseshoe-shaped sensor 115b generates and outputs a second lift-up signal, the signal value of which changes depending on whether the arm 115a is raised by the medium or not, according to the intensity of the light received by the light receiver 115f.

[0065] When multiple media with leading edge (downstream) corners stapled are transported, the topmost medium is fed by the feed roller 116 while the other media are kept on the placement table 103 by the separation roller 117. As a result, the peripheral portion of the medium around the stapled position is lifted up to a position where it abuts against the arm 115a. The signal value of the second lifting signal generated by the second lifting sensor 115 changes depending on whether or not lifting of the transported medium occurs, and the second lifting sensor 115 detects lifting of the medium transported by the transport unit. In particular, the second lifting sensor 115 can detect media with leading edge stapled.

[0066] Figures 6(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106. Figures 6(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams of the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 viewed from above. Figure 6(A) shows a state in which the extension tray 106 is closed, and Figure 6(B) shows a state in which the extension tray 106 is open.

[0067] As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the extension tray 106 is provided so as to rotate around a rotation shaft 106a with respect to the discharge tray 105 and be openable and closable. As shown in Fig. 6A, the extension tray 106 is stored on the discharge tray 105 when closed. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6B, the extension tray 106 is disposed so as to extend the discharge tray 105 when open, and cooperates with the discharge tray 105 to load the media discharged from the discharge section. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to open and close the extension tray 106 according to the size of the media to be discharged. When a small-sized medium is discharged, the medium conveying device 100 closes the extension tray 106, thereby reducing the overall size of the medium conveying device 100 and securing the user's working space. On the other hand, when a large-sized medium is discharged, the medium conveying device 100 opens the extension tray 106, thereby allowing the discharged media to be stably loaded.

[0068] The extension tray 106 has a base 106b and an attached portion 106c. In the width direction A4, the base 106b is located at the center of the extension tray 106, and the attached portion 106c is connected (disposed) to the left and right of the base 106b. Note that the attached portion 106c may be connected (disposed) to only one of the left and right sides of the base 106b.

[0069] In the medium discharge direction A3, the attached portion 106c is shorter than the base portion 106b, and the base portion 106b has a protrusion 106d that protrudes downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from the attached portion 106c when the extension tray 106 is open. That is, when the extension tray 106 is closed, the base portion 106b and the attached portion 106c are present in the downstream portion of the extension tray 106, but only the base portion 106b is present in the upstream portion of the extension tray 106. Therefore, when the extension tray 106 is closed, the length of the upstream portion of the extension tray 106 in the width direction A4 is shorter than the length of the downstream portion of the extension tray 106 in the width direction A4. As a result, the side guide 105a does not interfere with the extension tray 106 even when it is disposed at a position on the center side of the width direction A4. Therefore, when the extension tray 106 is opened or closed in a state in which the side guide 105a is disposed on the center side in the width direction A4, the extension tray 106 is prevented from colliding with the side guide 105a and being damaged.

[0070] 7, 8, 9, 10(A) and 10(B) are perspective views for explaining the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the extension tray 106 removed from the discharge tray 105, viewed from below and downstream in the medium discharge direction A3. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the lower surface of the extension tray 106 removed from the discharge tray 105, viewed from below. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 viewed from the side. FIG. 10(A) is a schematic diagram of the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 viewed from the downstream in the medium discharge direction A3. FIG. 10(B) is a schematic diagram of the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 viewed from the side.

[0071] 7, 9, and 10(A), at each position in the medium discharge direction A3, the lower end of the base 106b is disposed below the lower end of the attached portion 106c, i.e., on the side of the mounting base 103. Also, as shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), the length of the extension tray 106 in the width direction A4 is shorter than the length of the discharge tray 105 in the width direction A4, and the lower end of the extension tray 106 is disposed below the discharge tray 105 in the extension direction of the discharge tray 105, i.e., on the side of the mounting base 103.

[0072] 7 and 8, side end 106e, which is the side surface of the end of protrusion 106d of base 106b on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3, is formed flat so as to have no step, i.e., no protrusion protruding downstream in the medium discharge direction A3. Also, bottom end 106f, which is the underside of the end of protrusion 106d of base 106b on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3, is formed flat so as to have no step, i.e., no protrusion protruding downward.

[0073] Also, side end portions 106g, which are the side surfaces of the left and right (outside) ends in the width direction A4 of the protrusion portion 106d of the base 106b, are formed flat so as not to have a step, i.e., so as not to have a protruding portion protruding outward in the width direction A4. In particular, the side end portions 106g are formed so that any position in the plane does not protrude outward in the width direction A4 from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position. Also, the lower end portions 106h, which are the lower surfaces of the left and right (outside) ends in the width direction A4 of the protrusion portion 106d of the base 106b, are formed flat so as not to have a step, i.e., so as not to have a protruding portion protruding downward. In particular, the lower end portions 106h are formed so that any position in the plane does not protrude downward from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position. In addition, the lower end 106h, which is the underside of the left and right (outer) ends of the base 106b in the width direction A4, is formed flat so as to have no steps not only at the protrusion 106d but also at both ends in the medium discharge direction A3, i.e., so as to have no protrusions that protrude downward.

[0074] Also, side end 106i, which is the side surface of the end of the attachment portion 106c on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3, is formed flat so as to have no step, i.e., no protrusion that protrudes downstream in the medium discharge direction A3. Also, bottom end 106j, which is the bottom surface of the end of the attachment portion 106c on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3, is formed flat so as to have no step, i.e., no protrusion that protrudes downward.

[0075] Also, the side end portions 106k, which are the side surfaces of the left and right (outside) ends in the width direction A4 of the attached portion 106c, are formed flat so as not to have any step, i.e., so as not to have any protruding portion protruding outward in the width direction A4. In particular, the side end portions 106k are formed so that any position in the plane does not protrude outward in the width direction A4 from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position. Also, the lower end portions 106l, which are the lower surfaces of the left and right (outside) ends in the width direction A4 of the attached portion 106c, are formed flat so as not to have any step, i.e., so as not to have any protruding portion protruding downward. In particular, the lower end portions 106l are formed so that any position in the plane does not protrude downward from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position.

[0076] Also, a rib 106m extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed on the lower surface of the base 106b. The rib 106m is formed flat so as not to have a step, i.e., so as not to have a protruding portion protruding outward or downward in the width direction A4. In particular, the rib 106m is formed so that any position within the rib does not protrude outward or downward in the width direction A4 from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position. Similarly, a rib 106n extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed on the lower surface of the attachment portion 106c. The rib 106n is formed flat so as not to have a step, i.e., so as not to have a protruding portion protruding outward or downward in the width direction A4. In particular, the rib 106n is formed so that any position within the rib does not protrude outward or downward in the width direction A4 from a position downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 from that position.

[0077] As with the extension tray 106, the side and / or bottom surface of the downstream end of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3 and / or the side and / or bottom surface of the left and right ends in the width direction A4 may be formed without steps. As with the extension tray 106, the bottom surface of the discharge tray 105 may be provided with a rib that is formed without steps and extends along the medium discharge direction A3.

[0078] Furthermore, the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 are not provided with ribs extending along the width direction A4.

[0079] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a medium when the trailing edge of the medium being transported is lifted. Fig. 11 shows a state in which a plurality of media M1 and M2, each having a trailing edge side stapled at multiple locations with staples S1, are being transported.

[0080] When the media M1 and M2 are stapled at multiple locations on the rear end side with staples S1, the uppermost medium M1 is fed by the feed roller 116, while the other medium M2 is kept on the placement table 103 by the separation roller 117. Therefore, the portion stapled with staples S1 is pulled by the uppermost medium M1 and floats upward. Therefore, the periphery of the portion stapled with staples S1 may come into contact with the downstream side end 106e of the protrusion 106d, or the lower ends 106f, 106h, 106j, and 106l of the protrusion 106d or the attached portion 106c. Since the side end 106e and the lower ends 106f, 106h, 106j, and 106l do not have a step, the raised portion of the medium is prevented from being caught by each end, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching the first lift sensor 112. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can reduce the possibility of the raised portion of the medium being damaged, while appropriately detecting the raised state of the medium and stopping the conveyance of the medium, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0081] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of the medium when the trailing edge of the medium is lifted up. Fig. 12 shows a state in which a plurality of media M3 and M4, each having a corner on the trailing edge side stapled with a staple S2, are being transported.

[0082] When the media M3 and M4, whose rear corners are stapled with the staple S2, are transported, the portion stapled with the staple S2 is pulled by the uppermost medium M3 and floats upward. Therefore, the periphery of the portion stapled with the staple S2 may come into contact with the side ends 106g, 106i, and 106k of the protrusion 106d or the attached portion 106c, or the bottom ends 106h, 106j, and 106l. Since the side ends 106g, 106i, and 106k and the bottom ends 106h, 106j, and 106l do not have a step, the raised portion of the medium is prevented from being caught by the ends, causing damage to the medium, and from not reaching the first lift sensor 112. Therefore, the medium transport device 100 can appropriately detect the lift of the medium and stop transport of the medium while reducing the possibility of damage to the raised portion of the medium.

[0083] There is also a possibility that the periphery of the portion stapled by staple S1 or S2 may come into contact with ribs 106m, 106n. Because ribs 106m, 106n do not have steps, the raised portion of the medium is prevented from getting caught on each rib, causing damage to the medium and preventing the medium from reaching first lift sensor 112. Thus, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the lift of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility that the raised portion of the medium will be damaged, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0084] Furthermore, as described above, discharge tray 105 and extension tray 106 are not provided with ribs extending along width direction A4. This prevents the raised portion of the medium from getting caught on a rib extending along width direction A4, causing damage to the medium and preventing the medium from not reaching first lift sensor 112. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the lift of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility of damage to the raised portion of the medium.

[0085] As described above, the lower end of the base 106b is disposed below the lower end of the attachment 106c. As a result, when the media M3 and M4, whose rear corners are stapled with the staple S2, are transported, the entire media is pressed down by the lower end of the base 106b, suppressing lifting of the stapled portion and reducing the degree of lifting. This prevents the lifted portion of the media from getting caught on each end, causing damage to the media, and preventing the media from not reaching the first lift sensor 112. Therefore, the media transport device 100 can appropriately detect the lifting of the media and stop transport of the media while reducing the possibility of damage to the lifted portion of the media, thereby suppressing damage to the media.

[0086] As described above, the lower end of the extension tray 106 is disposed below the discharge tray 105, that is, on the side of the placement table 103. Therefore, when the media M3 and M4, whose corners on the rear end side are stapled by the staple S2, are transported, the entire media is pushed down by the lower end of the extension tray 106. As a result, even at a position upstream of the extension tray 106 in the medium discharge direction A3, that is, at the position where the discharge tray 105 is disposed, the lifting of the stapled portion is suppressed, and the degree of lifting is reduced. Therefore, the lifted portion of the medium is prevented from getting caught on each end of the discharge tray 105, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching the first lifting sensor 112. Therefore, the medium transport device 100 can appropriately detect the lifting of the medium and stop transport of the medium while reducing the possibility that the lifted portion of the medium is damaged, thereby suppressing the occurrence of damage to the medium.

[0087] As described above, the bottom end 106h, which is the underside of the left and right (outside) ends in the width direction A4 of the base 106b, is formed flat so as to have no steps across both ends in the medium discharge direction A3, i.e., so as to have no protruding portions that protrude downward. This prevents the lifted portion of the medium from getting caught on the bottom end 106h, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching the first lift sensor 112. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the lifting of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility that the lifted portion of the medium will be damaged, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0088] 7 and 8, the side end 106i, which is the side surface of the downstream end of the attached portion 106c in the medium discharge direction A3, is arranged so that the more outside in the width direction A4 perpendicular to the medium discharge direction, the more upstream in the medium discharge direction A3. The side end 106i is an example of an inclined surface that is located upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it is outside in the width direction A4 perpendicular to the medium discharge direction, and the extension tray 106 has an inclined surface on the downstream side of the attached portion 106c in the medium discharge direction A3. The side end 106i is provided so that the angle θ1 formed by the side end 106i and the width direction A4 perpendicular to the medium discharge direction A3 is greater than 0°, preferably 10° or more.

[0089] When the corner on the rear end side stapled with staple S2 floats up and abuts against side edge 106i, the floated portion is smoothly guided outward along inclined side edge 106i. This prevents the floated portion of the medium from getting caught on side edge 106i, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching first float sensor 112. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the floatation of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility that the floated portion of the medium will be damaged, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0090] As with the extension tray 106, the side surface of the downstream end of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3 may be disposed so that the outer sides in the width direction A4 are positioned more upstream in the medium discharge direction A3.

[0091] Furthermore, in the width direction A4, the length of the extension tray 106 (the distance from the outer end of one attached portion 106c to the outer end of the other attached portion 106c) is preferably 2 / 3 or more of the maximum medium size supported by the medium conveying device 100. As a result, even when media of the maximum medium size are loaded on the extension tray 106, the ends of the loaded media in the width direction A4 do not droop. Therefore, even if the media bound with staples floats up during transport, it does not come into contact with the media loaded on the extension tray 106. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the media loaded on the extension tray 106 from coming into contact with the staples of the floating media and being damaged.

[0092] Furthermore, in the medium discharge direction A3, the distance from the upstream end of the discharge tray 105 to the downstream end of the attachment portion 106c is preferably greater than the maximum medium size supported by the medium conveying device 100. As a result, even if the stapled medium floats up during conveyance, it will not come into contact with the media stacked on the extension tray 106. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent the media stacked on the extension tray 106 from coming into contact with the staples of the floating medium and being damaged.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 9, the side end 106i, which is the side surface of the end downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 of the attached portion 106c, is arranged so as to be located upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the lower side with reference to the lower surface of the protrusion 106d. That is, the side end 106i is arranged so as to be located upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the mounting table 103. The side end 106i is an example of an inclined surface located upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the mounting table 103, and the extension tray 106 has an inclined surface downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 of the attached portion 106c. The side end 106i is provided so that the angle θ2 formed between the side end 106i and the lower surface of the protrusion 106d is less than 90°, preferably 85° or less.

[0094] When the corner on the rear end side stapled with staple S2 floats up and abuts against side edge 106i, the floated portion is smoothly guided along inclined side edge 106i downward, i.e., toward placement table 103. This prevents the floated portion of the medium from getting caught on side edge 106i, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching first float sensor 112. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the float of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility that the floated portion of the medium will be damaged, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0095] 9, the side end 105b, which is the side surface of the downstream end of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3, is disposed so as to be positioned upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the lower side with reference to the lower surface of the extension tray 106. That is, the side end 105b is disposed so as to be positioned upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the mounting base 103. The side end 105b is an example of an inclined surface positioned upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it approaches the mounting base 103, and the discharge tray 105 has an inclined surface downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 of the discharge tray 105. The side end 105b is disposed so that the angle θ3 formed between the side end 105b and the lower surface of the extension tray 106 is less than 90°, preferably 85° or less.

[0096] When a corner on the rear end side stapled with staple S2 floats up and abuts against side edge 105b, the floated portion is smoothly guided along inclined side edge 105b downward, i.e., toward placement table 103. This prevents the floated portion of the medium from getting caught on side edge 105b, causing damage to the medium, and preventing the medium from not reaching first float sensor 112. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the float of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility that the floated portion of the medium will be damaged, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0097] 10(B), a connecting portion 105c that connects to the extension tray 106 is provided on the side surface of the downstream end of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3. Meanwhile, a connected portion 106o that connects to the discharge tray 105 is provided on the upstream end of the extension tray 106 in the medium discharge direction A3. The extension tray 106 is connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray 105 in the medium discharge direction A3 by connecting (abutting) the connected portion 106o to the connecting portion 105c. When the extension tray 106 is in the open state, the connecting portion 105c is provided so as not to protrude downward (towards the placement base 103) from the connected portion 106o with respect to the bottom surface of the extension tray 106. In other words, when the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106 cooperate to stack media discharged from the discharge section, the upstream lower end of the extension tray 106 in the media discharge direction A3 is positioned closer to the loading platform 103 than the downstream lower end of the discharge tray 105 in the media discharge direction A3.

[0098] 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams for explaining the behavior of a medium when its trailing edge is lifted up as it is being conveyed. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 show how the trailing edges of multiple media M1 and M2, each of which has multiple locations on its trailing edge side stapled with staples S1, are lifted up and pass through the seam between extension tray 106 and discharge tray 105.

[0099] As described above, the connected portion 106o of the extension tray 106 arranged downstream in the medium discharge direction A3 is arranged lower (on the placement table 103 side) than the connecting portion 105c of the discharge tray 105 arranged upstream in the medium discharge direction A3. That is, the connected portion 106o of the extension tray 106 arranged upstream in the medium transport direction A2 is arranged lower (on the placement table 103 side) than the connecting portion 105c of the discharge tray 105 arranged downstream in the medium transport direction A2. Therefore, when the rear ends of the media M1 and M2 move along the lower surface of the extension tray 106, they are prevented from colliding with the joint between the extension tray 106 and the discharge tray 105. This prevents the raised portion of the media from getting caught in the joint between the extension tray 106 and the discharge tray 105, causing damage to the media, and preventing the media from not reaching the first lift sensor 112. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can reduce the possibility of the raised portion of the medium being damaged, while appropriately detecting the raised state of the medium and stopping the conveyance of the medium, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0100] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of a medium when the trailing edge of the medium being transported is lifted up. Fig. 15 shows how the trailing edges of multiple media M1 and M2, which are stapled at multiple points on the trailing edge side with staples S1, are lifted up and moved along the guide member 113.

[0101] As described above, guide member 113 has first guide surface 113a, second guide surface 113b, and third guide surface 113c that are formed so as to have no steps. This prevents the rear ends of media M1 and M2 from getting caught on steps in guide member 113 when guided along guide member 113, causing damage to the media and preventing the media from not reaching first lift sensor 112. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can appropriately detect the lift of the medium and stop conveyance of the medium while reducing the possibility of damage to the lifted portion of the medium.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium conveying device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0103] In addition to the components described above, the medium conveying device 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0104] The motor 131 includes one or more motors. The motor 131 rotates the pick roller 114, the feed roller 116, the separation roller 117, the first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e, and / or the discharge roller 122 to transport the medium and moves the placement table 103 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150. The first to sixth driven rollers 119a-f may be provided to rotate according to the driving force of the motor 131, rather than being driven by the first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e or the discharge roller 122.

[0105] The interface device 132 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 132, a communication unit 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 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit may have a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line in accordance with a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

[0106] The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), 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 conveying 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 compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM). The computer programs may be distributed from a server or the like and installed in the storage device 140.

[0107] 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).

[0108] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 107, the display device 108, the first medium sensor 111, the first lift sensor 112, the second lift sensor 115, the second medium sensor 120, the imaging device 121, the motor 131, the interface device 132, the storage device 140, etc., and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 150 performs drive control of each motor, imaging control of the imaging device 121, etc., based on each signal received from each sensor. The processing circuit 150 acquires an input image from the imaging device 121, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 132.

[0109] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

[0110] 17, the storage device 140 stores a control program 141, a determination 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 determination unit 152.

[0111] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device 100.

[0112] An example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 18. Note that the flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 140.

[0113] First, the control unit 151 waits until a user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the operation device 107 or an information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the user to read a medium is received from the operation device 107 or the interface device 132 (step S101).

[0114] Next, control unit 151 acquires a first medium signal from first medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on placement table 103 based on the acquired first medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on placement table 103, control unit 151 returns the process to step S101 and waits until a new operation signal is received from operation device 107 or interface device 132.

[0115] On the other hand, if a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to feed and transport the medium (step S103). The control unit 151 drives the motor for moving the placement table 103 to move the placement table 103 to a position where the medium can be fed. Next, the control unit 151 drives the motor for rotating each roller to rotate the pick roller 114, the feed roller 116, the separation roller 117, the first to fifth transport rollers 118a-e, the discharge roller 122, and / or the first to sixth driven rollers 119a-f. In this way, the control unit 151 feeds and transports the medium placed on the placement table 103.

[0116] Next, the determination unit 152 determines whether or not the medium has floated (step S104). The determination unit 152 acquires a first float signal from the first float sensor 112. If the signal value of the first float signal indicates that the medium is in contact with the first contact member 112a or the second contact member 112b, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium has floated because the medium has been transported and stapled at its rear end. The determination unit 152 also acquires a second float signal from the second float sensor 115. If the signal value of the second float signal indicates that the arm 115a is raised by the medium, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium has floated because the medium has been transported and stapled at its front end. On the other hand, if the signal value of the first lift-up signal does not indicate that the medium is in contact with each contact member and the signal value of the second lift-up signal does not indicate that the arm 115a is being raised by the medium, the judgment unit 152 judges that the medium is not lifting up.

[0117] If the determination unit 152 determines that the medium has floated, the control unit 151 executes abnormality processing (step S105) and ends the series of steps. As abnormality processing, the control unit 151 stops the motor 131 and stops the feeding and transport of the medium. When the medium bound with staples is transported and floating of the medium has occurred, the control unit 151 can prevent damage to the medium by stopping the feeding and transport of the medium. As abnormality processing, the control unit 151 may display on the display device 108 that the medium has floated, or may send this to the information processing device via the interface device 132 and notify the user of a warning.

[0118] On the other hand, if the determination unit 152 does not determine that the medium has floated up, the control unit 151 determines whether the imaging of the medium has been completed (step S106). The control unit 151 periodically acquires a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 120, and determines that the second medium sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the medium when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating a state in which the medium is present to a value indicating a state in which the medium is not present. The control unit 151 determines that the rear end of the medium has passed the imaging position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second medium sensor 120 detected the rear end of the medium, and determines that the imaging of the medium has been completed. The predetermined time is set to the time it takes for the medium to move from the second medium sensor 120 to the imaging position of the imaging device 121 plus a margin. If the imaging of the medium has not yet been completed, the control unit 151 returns to step S104 and repeats the processes from step S104 onwards.

[0119] On the other hand, if the imaging of the medium is completed, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium has not floated up (step S107).

[0120] Next, the control unit 151 acquires an input image from the imaging device 121, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 132 (step S108).

[0121] Next, control unit 151 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the first medium signal received from first medium sensor 111 (step S109). If a medium remains on mounting table 103, control unit 151 returns the process to step S104, and repeats the processes from step S104 onwards.

[0122] On the other hand, if there is no media remaining on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 controls the motor 131 to stop each roller and also controls the motor 131 to lower the mounting table 103 to the lowest position (step S110), thereby completing the series of steps.

[0123] As described above in detail, medium conveying device 100 forms the portion that guides the medium to first lift sensor 112, which detects lifting of the medium, so that it does not have any steps. As a result, when the medium lifts up, the lifted portion of the medium is smoothly guided to first lift sensor 112, and first lift sensor 112 can more reliably detect the medium. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 is able to appropriately respond when the medium lifts up while reducing the possibility of damage to the lifted portion of the medium, and is able to appropriately convey the medium.

[0124] Furthermore, even when stapled media is transported, damage to the media is suppressed, so the user does not need to check whether there are staples before scanning, and media transport device 100 can improve user convenience. Even when bent or curved media is transported, the bent or curved portion of the media is well guided, so the user does not need to check whether the media is bent or curved before scanning, and media transport device 100 can improve user convenience.

[0125] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining a medium conveying device 200 according to another embodiment.

[0126] The medium conveying device 200 has the same configuration and function as the medium conveying device 100. However, the medium conveying device 200 has a discharge tray 205, a first extension tray 206, and a second extension tray 209 instead of the discharge tray 105 and the extension tray 106. The discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and the second extension tray 209 are examples of trays. The first extension tray 206 and the second extension tray 209 are also examples of extension trays. The discharge tray 205 has the same configuration and function as the discharge tray 105.

[0127] The first extension tray 206 is connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray 205 in the medium discharge direction A3. The first extension tray 206 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the downstream end of the discharge tray 205 in the medium discharge direction A3. The first extension tray 206 is stored inside the discharge tray 205 when small-sized media (e.g., A5 size or smaller) are discharged. On the other hand, the first extension tray 206 is pulled out from the discharge tray 205 when medium of a medium size or larger (e.g., larger than A5 size) is discharged, and is disposed so as to extend the discharge tray 205 toward the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3.

[0128] The second extension tray 209 is connected to the downstream side of the first extension tray 206 in the medium discharge direction A3. The second extension tray 209 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the downstream end of the first extension tray 206 in the medium discharge direction A3. The second extension tray 209 is stored inside the first extension tray 206 when a medium of a medium size (e.g., a size larger than A5 size and equal to or smaller than A4 size) is discharged. On the other hand, the second extension tray 209 is pulled out from the first extension tray 206 when a medium of a large size (e.g., a size larger than A4 size) is discharged, and is disposed so as to extend the first extension tray 206 toward the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3.

[0129] The discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206 and the second extension tray 209 are disposed above the mounting table 103 so as to face the mounting table 103, i.e. so as to overlap with the mounting table 103 when viewed from the height direction A1. The first extension tray 206 and the second extension tray 209 cooperate with the discharge tray 205 to stack media discharged from the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102.

[0130] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and the second extension tray 209. Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of the discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and the second extension tray 209 viewed from the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 20, inside the discharge tray 205, a guide portion 205a such as a rail extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed, and at the outer end of the first extension tray 206 in the width direction A4, an engagement portion 206a such as a protrusion extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed. The engagement portion 206a slides along the guide portion 205a, so that the first extension tray 206 slides relative to the discharge tray 205. Similarly, inside the first extension tray 206, a guide portion 206b such as a rail extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed, and at the outer end of the second extension tray 209 in the width direction A4, an engagement portion 209a such as a protrusion extending along the medium discharge direction A3 is formed. The engagement portion 209a slides along the guide portion 206b, so that the second extension tray 209 slides relative to the first extension tray 206.

[0132] The length in the width direction A4 of the first extension tray 206 is shorter than the length in the width direction A4 of the discharge tray 205, and the lower end of the first extension tray 206 is disposed below the lower end of the discharge tray 205 in the extension direction of the discharge tray 205, i.e., on the side of the placement table 103. Moreover, the length in the width direction A4 of the second extension tray 209 is shorter than the length in the width direction A4 of the first extension tray 206, and the lower end of the second extension tray 209 is disposed below the lower end of the first extension tray 206 in the extension direction of the first extension tray 206, i.e., on the side of the placement table 103.

[0133] In addition, in the same manner as the extension tray 106, the side surface and / or the bottom surface of the end portion on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3 in the discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and / or the second extension tray 209 may be formed so as not to have a step. In addition, in the same manner as the extension tray 106, the side surface and / or the bottom surface of the left and right ends in the width direction A4 in the discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and / or the second extension tray 209 may be formed so as not to have a step. In addition, in the same manner as the extension tray 106, the bottom surface of the discharge tray 205, the first extension tray 206, and / or the second extension tray 209 may be provided with a rib that is formed so as not to have a step and extends along the medium discharge direction A3. In addition, in the same manner as the attachment portion 106c of the extension tray 106, the side surface of the end portion on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3 in the discharge tray 205 and / or the first extension tray 206 may be arranged so as to be located upstream in the medium discharge direction A3 as it is toward the outside of the width direction A4. Also, similar to the attachment portion 106c of the extension tray 106, the side of the downstream end of the discharge tray 205 and / or the first extension tray 206 in the media discharge direction A3 may be positioned so as to be located upstream of the media discharge direction A3, closer to the loading platform 103.

[0134] 19, a connected portion 206c provided at an end portion on the upstream side in the medium discharge direction A3 of the first extension tray 206 is connected to a connecting portion 205b provided at an end portion on the downstream side in the medium discharge direction A3 of the discharge tray 205, whereby the first extension tray 206 is connected to the downstream side of the discharge tray 205 in the medium discharge direction A3. As described above, the lower end of the first extension tray 206 is disposed below the lower end of the discharge tray 205 in the extension direction of the discharge tray 205, that is, on the side of the placement base 103. Therefore, when the first extension tray 206 is pulled out, the connecting portion 205b is formed so as not to protrude below the connected portion 206c with respect to the lower surface of the first extension tray 206. That is, in a state in which the discharge tray 205 and the first extension tray 206 cooperate to stack media discharged from the discharge section, the upstream lower end of the first extension tray 206 in the medium discharge direction A3 is disposed closer to the placement table 103 than the downstream lower end of the discharge tray 205 in the medium discharge direction A3. Therefore, when the rear end of the medium moves along the underside of the first extension tray 206, collision with the joint between the first extension tray 206 and the discharge tray 205 is suppressed.

[0135] Similarly, a connected portion 209b provided at an upstream end of the second extension tray 209 in the medium discharge direction A3 is connected to a connecting portion 206d provided at a downstream end of the first extension tray 206 in the medium discharge direction A3, whereby the second extension tray 209 is connected to the downstream side of the first extension tray 206 in the medium discharge direction A3. As described above, the lower end of the second extension tray 209 is disposed lower than the lower end of the first extension tray 206 in the extension direction of the second extension tray 209, that is, on the side of the placement base 103. Therefore, when the second extension tray 209 is pulled out, the connecting portion 206d is formed so as not to protrude lower than the connected portion 209b with respect to the lower surface of the second extension tray 209. That is, in a state in which the first extension tray 206 and the second extension tray 209 cooperate to stack media discharged from the discharge section, the upstream lower end of the second extension tray 209 in the media discharge direction A3 is disposed closer to the placement table 103 than the downstream lower end of the first extension tray 206 in the media discharge direction A3. Therefore, when the rear end of the medium moves along the underside of the second extension tray 209, it is prevented from colliding with the joint between the second extension tray 209 and the first extension tray 206.

[0136] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device 200 is now able to properly convey a medium even when the extension tray is provided so as to be able to be pulled out.

[0137] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 350 of a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment.

[0138] Processing circuit 350 is used in place of processing circuit 150 of medium conveying device 100 or medium conveying device 200, and executes medium reading processing and the like in place of processing circuit 150. Processing circuit 350 has control circuit 351, determination circuit 352, and the like. Note that each of these components may be composed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, and the like.

[0139] The control circuit 351 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 151. The control circuit 351 receives an operation signal from the operation device 107 or the interface device 132. The control circuit 351 also receives a first medium signal from the first medium sensor 111 and a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 120. The control circuit 351 also receives a determination result of whether or not the medium has lifted from the determination circuit 352. The control circuit 351 controls the motor 131 based on the received information, and also acquires an input image from the imaging device 121 and outputs it to the interface device 132.

[0140] The determination circuit 352 is an example of a determination unit, and has the same function as the determination unit 152. The determination circuit 352 receives a first lifting signal from the first lifting sensor 112 and a second lifting signal from the second lifting sensor 115. The determination circuit 352 determines whether or not the medium has lifted based on each of the received signals, and outputs the determination result to the control circuit 351.

[0141] As described above in detail, the medium conveying device is now able to properly convey the medium even when using the processing circuit 350.

[0142] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the discharge tray and the extension tray (first extension tray and second extension tray) may be disposed below the placement tray 103. In this case, too, the guide member 113 is disposed around the first lift sensor 112 so as to be able to guide the medium conveyed by the conveying unit to the first lift sensor 112.

[0143] A distance measuring sensor may be used as the first lift-up sensor 112. The distance measuring sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The light emitter irradiates light (infrared light or visible light) toward the mounting table 103. Meanwhile, the light receiver receives the light irradiated by the light emitter and reflected by the mounting table 103 or the medium being transported. The distance measuring sensor generates a signal corresponding to the time from when the light emitter irradiates light to when the light receiver receives the light as a first lift-up signal. The signal value of the first lift-up signal changes depending on the distance from the distance measuring sensor to the medium, and therefore changes depending on whether lift-up of the transported medium occurs.

[0144] Alternatively, an ultrasonic sensor may be used as the first lift sensor 112. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver arranged above the mounting table 103 and at both ends in the width direction A4 so as to face each other. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits ultrasonic waves toward the ultrasonic receiver. The ultrasonic receiver receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic sensor generates a signal according to the intensity of the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver as a first lift signal. If a medium exists between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter are attenuated by the medium, and therefore the signal value of the first lift signal changes depending on whether lifting of the transported medium occurs or not.

[0145] A distance measuring sensor may be used as the second lift sensor 115. The distance measuring sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The light emitter irradiates light (infrared light or visible light) toward the medium transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver receives the light irradiated by the light emitter and reflected by the first guide 101a or the transported medium. The distance measuring sensor generates a signal corresponding to the time from when the light emitter irradiates light to when the light receiver receives the light as a second lift signal. The signal value of the second lift signal changes according to the distance from the distance measuring sensor to the medium, and therefore changes according to whether lifting of the transported medium occurs or not. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 100, 200 media conveying device, 103 placement table, 104 drawer tray, 105 discharge tray, 106 extension tray, 106b base, 106c attachment, 112 first lift sensor, 113 guide member, 114 pick roller, 116 feed roller, 117 separation roller, 118a-e first to fifth conveying rollers, 119a-f first to sixth driven rollers, 122 discharge roller, 206 first extension tray, 209 second extension tray

Claims

1. A mounting platform on which the media is placed, A transport unit for transporting the medium placed on the aforementioned platform, A sensor for detecting the lifting of the medium being transported by the transport unit, A discharge unit for discharging the medium transported by the transport unit, A discharge tray is positioned above the aforementioned mounting platform and is used to load the media discharged by the discharge unit, The discharge tray has an extension tray connected to the downstream side in the media discharge direction, In a state in which the media discharged from the discharge unit are stacked together, the lower surface of the extension tray and the lower surface of the discharge tray guide the media transported by the transport unit to the sensor, and the lower end of the extension tray on the upstream side in the media discharge direction is positioned closer to the aforementioned mounting base than the lower end of the discharge tray on the downstream side in the media discharge direction. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

2. The media transport device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray has an inclined surface located on the downstream side in the media discharge direction, with the side facing the aforementioned stand being further upstream in the media discharge direction.

3. A mounting platform on which the media is placed, A transport unit for transporting the medium placed on the aforementioned platform, A sensor for detecting the lifting of the medium being transported by the transport unit, The system includes a guide member positioned to guide the medium being transported by the transport unit to the sensor, The guide member has a guide surface formed so as not to have any steps. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

4. A mounting platform on which the media is placed, A transport unit for transporting the medium placed on the aforementioned platform, A sensor for detecting the lifting of the medium being transported by the transport unit, A discharge unit for discharging the medium transported by the transport unit, It has a tray positioned above the aforementioned mounting platform and for loading the medium discharged by the aforementioned discharge unit, The tray has a base and an attachment connected to at least one of the left or right sides of the base. The lower surface of the base and the lower surface of the attachment guide the medium transported by the transport unit to the sensor. The lower end of the base is positioned on the side of the mounting base described above, The left and right lower ends of the portion of the base that protrudes downstream in the media discharge direction from the attached portion are formed so as not to have any steps. The lower end of the accessory part on the downstream side in the media discharge direction is formed so as not to have a step. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

5. The media conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the attached portion has an inclined surface on the downstream side in the media discharge direction, the outer side of which is perpendicular to the media discharge direction is located on the upstream side in the media discharge direction.

6. The media transport device according to claim 4, wherein the attached part has an inclined surface located on the downstream side in the media discharge direction, and the side of the mounting base described above is located further upstream in the media discharge direction.

7. The media transport device according to claim 4, wherein the left and right lower ends of the base are formed so as not to have a step across both ends in the media discharge direction.

8. The media transport device according to claim 4, wherein the left and right lower ends of the attached part are formed so as not to have a step.

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