Image reading device

Abstract

To perform cleaning with a first cleaning section 65 in a state where a dirty background member 9 is mounted without performing disassembly, etc., of an image reading device 1.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises: reading sections 51 and 52 for reading an image of a medium 3 conveyed along a conveyance path 2 in a conveyance direction F; rotary members 31 and 32 which are disposed while being opposed with the reading sections 51 and 52 with the conveyance path 2 interposed therebetween and can be rotated around a shaft 11; a plurality of background members 9, 9, ... which are provided in the rotary members 31 and 32 and can be positioned while being opposed to the reading sections 51 and 52 by rotating the rotary members 31 and 32; and a first cleaning section 65 by which the background members 9, 9, ... can be cleaned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of this type of device is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device that includes an image reading unit, a background body having a plurality of reading background surfaces, and a drive structure that rotates the back body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-290801 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration cleaning of the background surface of the background body, and there is no description to suggest this. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the image reading device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a reading unit that reads an image of a medium transported in a transport direction on a transport path; a rotating member 5 that is arranged opposite the reading unit across the transport path and is rotatable around an axis; a plurality of background members that are provided on the rotating member and can be positioned opposite the reading unit by rotating the rotating member; and a first cleaning unit that can clean the background members. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the main components of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment, seen from the side; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will first be briefly described below. The image reading device according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a reading unit that reads an image of a medium transported in a transport direction on a transport path, a rotating member that is arranged opposite the reading unit across the transport path and is rotatable about an axis, a plurality of background members that are provided on the rotating member and can be positioned opposite the reading unit as the rotating member rotates, and a first cleaning unit that can clean the background members.

[0008] According to this aspect, the image reading device includes a plurality of background members that are provided on the rotating member and can be positioned facing the reading unit as the rotating member rotates, and a first cleaning unit that can clean the background members. As a result, when the background members become dirty, they can be easily cleaned by the first cleaning unit. In other words, the dirty background members can be cleaned by the first cleaning unit while they are attached, without the need to disassemble the image reading device.

[0009] A second aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises a rotation drive unit that rotates the rotating member around an axis, a control unit, and a sensor that senses the degree of dirt on the background member, wherein the first cleaning unit is positioned so as to be able to clean the background member while the rotating member is rotating, and the control unit executes a cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit on the background member based on information obtained by the sensor. Here, "performing a cleaning operation on the background member" means that if the acquired information regarding the degree of dirt on the background member acquired by the sensor indicates a state in which cleaning is not required, use is continued without cleaning the background member, and conversely, if cleaning is required, cleaning of the background member is performed by the first cleaning unit. Further, the term "cleaning required" refers to a state in which the information on the degree of dirt on the background member sensed by the sensor is set as being such that the background member cannot exhibit the performance required of the background member.

[0010] According to this aspect, the first cleaning unit is disposed so as to be able to clean the background member while the rotating member is rotating, and the control unit executes a cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit on the background member based on information acquired by the sensor, thereby automating and easily executing the operation of determining whether cleaning of the background member is necessary and executing cleaning if cleaning is necessary.

[0011] A third aspect of the image reading device according to the present invention is dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that the reading unit also functions as the sensor.

[0012] According to this aspect, since the reading unit also functions as the sensor, the degree of dirt on the background member can be sensed by utilizing existing components.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that the plurality of background members have a set of background members of the same color, and the control unit performs a switching operation of the background members based on the information obtained by the sensor for the background members cleaned by the first cleaning unit. Here, "performing a background member switching operation" means that if the acquired information regarding the degree of dirt on one background member acquired by the sensor indicates that switching to another background member is not necessary, the use of the one background member is continued, and conversely, if switching is necessary, the rotating member is rotated to switch to the other background member. In addition, "a state in which switching is required" means a state in which information regarding the degree of dirt on one of the background members after cleaning sensed by the sensor is set as not being able to exhibit the performance required of a background member.

[0014] According to this aspect, the control unit executes the operation of switching the background member based on the information acquired by the sensor for the background member cleaned by the first cleaning unit, thereby automating and easily performing the operation of determining whether or not it is necessary to switch the background member to another background member of the same color, and switching to another background member of the same color if switching is necessary.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that the first cleaning unit is arranged between the one background member and the other background member on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member. This aspect can also be subordinate to the third or fourth aspect.

[0016] According to this aspect, the first cleaning unit is disposed between the one background member and the other background member on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, whereby each of the background members can be easily cleaned by rotating the rotating member.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that the rotating member has a reference member having a reference color arranged between the one background member and the other background member on its outer circumferential surface. This aspect may be subordinate to any one of the third to fifth aspects.

[0018] According to this aspect, a reference member having a reference color is disposed between the one background member and the other background member on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, whereby after data for shading correction is obtained using the reference plate, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not to switch to any of the background members.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the image reading device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the sixth aspect, characterized in that the reading unit includes a translucent member arranged opposite the rotating member, the rotating member includes a second cleaning unit capable of cleaning the translucent member by rotating, and the control unit performs a cleaning operation of the translucent member by the second cleaning unit based on information read by the reading unit while the reference member is opposed to the translucent member. Here, "performing a cleaning operation on the light-transmitting member" means that if the information regarding the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member read by the reading unit indicates that cleaning is not required, use is continued without cleaning the light-transmitting member, and conversely, if cleaning is required, cleaning of the light-transmitting member is performed by the second cleaning unit. Further, the term "a state in which cleaning is required" refers to a state in which the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member is set such that the light-transmitting member is unable to exhibit the performance required of the light-transmitting member.

[0020] According to this aspect, the control unit executes the cleaning operation of the light-transmitting member by the second cleaning unit based on the information read by the reading unit while the reference member is facing the light-transmitting member. This makes it possible to determine the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member, and if cleaning of the light-transmitting member is necessary, to perform the cleaning and then sense the degree of dirt on the background member. Therefore, the degree of dirt on the background member can be obtained with high accuracy.

[0021] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading device according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In the following explanation, the three mutually orthogonal axes are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as shown in each figure. The directions indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) are the + directions of each direction, and the opposite directions are the - directions. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which gravity acts, the +Z direction indicates a vertical upward direction, and the -Z direction indicates a vertical downward direction. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the device, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the device. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the device, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the device.

[0022] <Overall structure of image reading device> The image reading device 1 of this embodiment is a scanner capable of reading an image on a medium that is an original. Here, the image means something that is visually recorded on the medium, such as characters, figures, tables, pictures, photographs, etc. The medium is not limited to sheets, but also includes cards, booklets, etc. The image reading device 1 is not limited to a scanner, and may be a copy machine, a facsimile machine, etc. 1, the image reading device 1 is provided with two reading units, a first reading unit 51 and a second reading unit 52, which are used to read an image on a medium 3. Furthermore, the image reading device 1 transports the medium 3 along a transport path 2 in a transport direction F, and is provided with a first transport roller 4 provided upstream of the first reading unit 51, a second transport roller 6 provided upstream of a second reading unit 52 located downstream of the first reading unit 51, and a third transport roller 8 provided downstream of the second reading unit 52. A roller pair consisting of a feed roller 10 and a separation roller 7 is disposed upstream of the first transport roller 4 in the transport direction F. The feed roller 10 is a drive roller that rotates by the power of a first drive source 15, and transports the medium 3 in the transport direction F. The separation roller 7 is a drive roller that rotates by the power of a drive source (not shown), and separates multiple sheets of medium 3 into a single sheet.

[0023] Here, the separation roller 7 rotates by the power of the drive source in a direction to send the medium 3 upstream (+Y direction) in the transport direction F. The separation roller 7 is equipped with a torque limiter (not shown), and when a torque exceeding a set value is applied to this torque limiter, the separation roller 7 is driven to rotate in a direction to send the medium 3 downstream (-Y direction) in the transport direction F. A pick roller 12 is disposed upstream of the separation roller 7. The pick roller 12 is a drive roller that rotates by the power of the first drive source 15, the same as the feed roller 10, and sends out the medium 3 in the transport direction F. The first transport roller 4, second transport roller 6, and third transport roller 8 that constitute the transport section 5 that transports the medium 3 in the transport direction F also include drive rollers that rotate by the power of the first drive source 15.

[0024] 1, in this embodiment, a curved inversion path 18 is provided downstream of a straight path 68 from the feed roller 10 to the third transport roller 8, i.e., downstream of the third transport roller 8. In the curved inversion path 18, a fourth transport roller 20, a fifth transport roller 22, and a discharge roller 24 are arranged in this order along the transport direction F. The discharge receiver 16 that receives the medium 3 discharged from the curved reversal path 18 is disposed above the straight path 68 to achieve a compact design.

[0025] 1, reference numeral 71 denotes a control unit. The control unit 71 controls the driving of the first driving source 15 and the driving of a second driving source 27 described below in accordance with the transport of the medium 3. The first driving source 15 and the second driving source 27 are each constituted by a motor. The control unit 71 includes a CPU, a flash ROM, and a RAM. The CPU performs various arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the flash ROM, and controls the operation of the entire image reading device 1. The flash ROM, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM, which is an example of a storage means.

[0026] 1, reference numeral 14 denotes a medium placement unit on which a medium 3 to be read is set. The medium 3 on the medium placement unit 14 is transported along the transport path 2 and finally discharged to a discharge receiving unit 16. The medium placement unit 14 is configured to move up and down. When the medium 3 set on the medium placement unit 14 is to be sent in the transport direction F, first, the medium placement unit 14 is moved upward (in the +Z direction) by power transmitted from a drive source (not shown), and the uppermost medium 3 of the set media stops in a state of contact with the pick roller 12. In this state, the pick roller 12 rotates to send the medium 3 in the transport direction F, and the leading edge of the medium 3 reaches the nip position of the roller pair of the feed roller 10 and the separation roller 7.

[0027] In the case of a multiple-feed state in which multiple sheets of medium 3 are fed, the sheets are separated into one by separation roller 7, and that one sheet is transported in transport direction F by first transport roller 4, and the image on the first side of medium 3 is read by first reading unit 51. Furthermore, medium 3 that has been read by first reading unit 51 is transported by second transport roller 6, and the image on the second side of medium 3, which is opposite to the first side, is read by second reading unit 52. The medium 3 that has been read by the second reading unit 52 is sent to the curved inversion path 18 by the third transport roller 8, transported by the fourth transport roller 20 and the fifth transport roller 22, and discharged to the discharge receiving unit 16 by the discharge roller 24.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 that read an image of the medium 3 transported in the transport direction F are provided with a first light-transmitting member 431 and a second light-transmitting member 432, which are light-transmitting members 43 arranged between the transport path 2. 2, reference numeral 42 denotes the reading position of the second reading unit 52, and reference numeral 44 denotes the inclined surface. The inclined surface 44 is provided at the upstream end of the reading surface side of the light-transmitting member 43, and guides the leading edge of the medium 3 being conveyed to move in a direction along the conveyance path 2 when the leading edge comes into contact with the inclined surface 44.

[0029] <Rotating parts> 1, the first and second rotating members 31 and 32 are disposed as rotating members on the opposite side of the first and second light-transmitting members 431 and 432 from the first and second reading units 51 and 52. The first and second rotating members 31 and 32 are disposed opposite the first and second reading units 51 and 52, and are rotating members that can rotate around an axis 11. The first and second rotating members 31 and 32 are substantially cylindrical (FIG. 3), and are formed to have a length that can cover the reading range (X-axis direction) of the first and second reading units 51 and 52. As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are provided with a plurality of background members 9, 9, ... and a second cleaning unit 63. They are further provided with a first cleaning unit 65 capable of cleaning the background members 9, 9, .... The plurality of background members 9, 9, ..., the second cleaning unit 63 and the first cleaning unit 65 will be described later. Note that since Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the second reading unit 52, the first rotating member 31 is not visible.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 rotate around the axis 11 by the power of the second driving source 27, which is a common driving source. The rotational operations of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are controlled by a control unit 71. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 75 denotes a power transmission mechanism. The second driving source 27 transmits power to the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 via the power transmission mechanism 75 to rotate them. The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 may be configured to rotate by the power of individual motors, rather than by the common second drive source 27.

[0031] The first reading unit 51, the first light-transmitting member 431, and the second rotating member 32 are disposed above the transport path 2. The second reading unit 52, the second light-transmitting member 432, and the first rotating member 31 are disposed below the transport path 2. 1, in this embodiment, the image reading device 1 is made up of a lower unit 55 and an upper unit 56. The upper unit 56 is configured to be openable and closable by vertical rotation with respect to the lower unit 55 by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown). The lower unit 55 has a second reading unit 52, a second light-transmitting member 432, and a first rotating member 31. The upper unit 56 has a first reading unit 51, a first light-transmitting member 431, and a second rotating member 32. When the upper unit 56 is closed relative to the lower unit 55, as shown in FIG. 1, the second light-transmitting member 432 and the second rotating member 32 face each other, and the first light-transmitting member 431 and the first rotating member 31 face each other. Although not shown, in a state where the upper unit 56 is opened relative to the lower unit 55, the second light-transmitting member 432 and the second rotating member 32 do not face each other, and the first light-transmitting member 431 and the first rotating member 31 do not face each other. That is, the opposing surfaces of the lower unit 55 and the upper unit 56 are exposed, and are accessible to the user.

[0032] 1 and 2, this embodiment includes a first transport auxiliary unit 61 and a second transport auxiliary unit 62 that face the first light-transmitting member 431 and the second light-transmitting member 432, are disposed upstream of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32, and serve as transport auxiliary units that assist in transporting the medium 3. Here, the first transport auxiliary unit 61 and the second transport auxiliary unit 62 are configured with a drive roller 26, referred to as a platen roller 26, which rotates by the power of the first driving source 15 being transmitted thereto.

[0033] [Embodiment 1] Following the description of the overall structure of the image reading device 1 above, the image reading device 1 of the first embodiment will be described below, although some of the description will overlap. 1 and 2, the image reading device 1 of the first embodiment is equipped with two reading units, the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, as described above, as reading units that read an image on a medium 3 transported in a transport direction F on the transport path 2. As already described, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the second reading unit 52, so the first reading unit 51 does not appear in the figure. However, the structure of the first reading unit 51 is the same as the structure of the second reading unit 52, except that it is upside down (FIG. 1). Therefore, they will be described together below. Two rotating members, a first rotating member 31 and a second rotating member 32, are arranged opposite the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 across the conveying path 2. The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are configured to be rotatable around a shaft 11.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are provided with a plurality of background members 9, 9, specifically, two background members 9. The background members 9 are available in white, black, gray, and the like, and the one to be used is determined according to the design specifications of the image reading device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the length of the background member 9 in the X-axis direction is approximately the same as that of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. Here, a white background member 91 and a black background member 92 are provided as the background members 9, 9, respectively. When the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 read the image of the medium 3, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are rotated to position the background member 91 or the background member 92 facing the first light-transmitting member 431 and the second light-transmitting member 432, respectively. The background members 9 may be both white, both black, or the like. 2, this embodiment includes a first cleaning unit 65 capable of cleaning two background members 9, 9, i.e., background member 91 and background member 92. Here, the first cleaning unit 65 is a brush having a base end fixed to the frame 19, which is a structural member of the upper unit 56. The first cleaning unit 65 is not limited to the brush, and may be any unit capable of cleaning the surface of the background member 9 that is required to function as a background member, and may be configured to clean by blowing air currents, for example.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, this embodiment is equipped with a second drive source 27 as a rotation drive unit that rotates the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 around the axis 11, a control unit 71, and a sensor 23 that senses the degree of dirt on the background members 91 and 92 as the background members 9. In this embodiment, the sensor 23 is also served as the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, which are reading units. That is, an optical system of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit for reading an image on the medium 3 of the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 is configured to be used as the sensor 23. The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 rotate by power transmitted from the second driving source 27 via a power transmission mechanism 75. The first cleaning unit 65 is disposed so as to be able to clean the background members 91 and 92 while the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are rotating.

[0036] The control unit 71 causes the first cleaning unit 65 to perform a cleaning operation on the background member 9 based on the information obtained by the sensor 23. Here, "performing a cleaning operation on the background members 9" means that, when the acquired information on the degree of dirt on the background members 9 acquired by the sensor 23 indicates a state in which cleaning is not required, use is continued without cleaning one or both of the background members 9 that do not require cleaning, and conversely, when cleaning is required, one or both of the background members 9 that require cleaning are cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65. This cleaning operation is executed by the control unit 71. Moreover, the term "cleaning required state" refers to a state in which information regarding the degree of dirt on the background member 9 sensed by the sensor 23 is set as not being able to exhibit the performance required of the background member 9. The value of the information corresponding to this "cleaning required state" is set in advance.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first cleaning unit 65 is disposed between the background members 91 and 92 on the outer circumferential surfaces 13 of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. Furthermore, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 have a reference member 64 having a reference color disposed between the background members 91 and 92 on the outer circumferential surface 13. Here, the reference color of the reference member 64 is white. The reference member 64 is provided so that the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 obtain data for shading correction from the reference member 64 and use the data to correct the linearity of the image signal.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are provided with a second cleaning portion 63 capable of cleaning the light-transmitting member 43 by rotating. The second cleaning part 63 is a brush whose base end is fixed to the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. The second cleaning part 63 is not limited to the brush, and may be anything capable of cleaning the surface of the light-transmitting member 43 that is required to function as a light-transmitting member, and may be configured to clean by blowing air currents, for example. A second cleaning unit 63 is also attached to the first rotating member 31, but is not shown in the figure because it has the same structure as the second cleaning unit 63 of the second rotating member 32. The second cleaning unit 63 comes into contact with and cleans the first light-transmitting member 431 and the second light-transmitting member 432 as the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 rotate in the direction of arrow 21 about the axis 11 as the center of rotation. 2, but may be at any position where the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 rotate to come into contact with and clean the first light-transmitting member 431 and the second light-transmitting member 432, respectively. The contact angle of the second cleaning part 63 with the light-transmitting member 43 does not need to be a right angle as in FIG. 2, and may be inclined.

[0039] The control unit 71 is configured to rotate the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 to position the reference member 64 facing the light-transmitting member 43, and to cause the second cleaning unit 63 to perform a cleaning operation on the light-transmitting member 43 based on information read by the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52. Here, "performing a cleaning operation on the light-transmitting member 43" means that if the information on the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member 43 read by the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 indicates that cleaning is not required, use is continued without cleaning the light-transmitting member 43, and conversely, if cleaning is required, cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is performed by the second cleaning unit 63. This cleaning operation is performed by the control unit 71. Moreover, the term "a state in which cleaning is required" refers to a state in which the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member 43 is set such that the light-transmitting member 43 is unable to exhibit the performance required of the light-transmitting member 43. 4, it is possible to determine whether cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is necessary or not from information read by the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 in a state where the reference member 64 is opposed to the light-transmitting member 43. As the information for the determination, for example, RGB values ​​can be used. The RGB values ​​obtained when the light-transmitting member 43 is not dirty are set as reference values ​​so that the determination can be made based on the degree of deviation from the reference value.

[0040] <Flow of cleaning operation on background member by first cleaning unit> The control unit 71 executes the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit 65 on the background member 9 according to the following flow. (1) The reference member 64 is placed opposite the light-transmitting member 43, and the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 are caused to read the reference member 64 to obtain information. (2) Based on the information acquired in (1), it is determined whether cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is necessary. (2-1) When it is determined that cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is not necessary, one background member 92 is placed opposite the light-transmitting member 43 and the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 serving as the sensor 23 are caused to perform sensing. (2-2) If the light-transmitting member 43 needs cleaning, the second cleaning unit 63 cleans the light-transmitting member 43. After the predetermined cleaning is performed, the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 read again to obtain information, and the process returns to the determination in (2). (3) Based on the information acquired by the sensing in (2-1), it is determined whether cleaning of the background member 92 is necessary. (3-1) If cleaning of the background member 92 is not required, use continues without cleaning the background member 92, and the medium is transported to read the image. (3-2) If it is determined that the background member 92 needs cleaning, the background member 92 is cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65. After the predetermined cleaning has been performed, information is obtained again by the sensing, and the process returns to the determination in (3). If the number of times in (2-2) that the process returns to the determination in (2) exceeds a predetermined number, it is preferable to notify the user of that state. Also, if the number of times in (3-2) that the process returns to the determination in (3) exceeds a predetermined number, it is preferable to notify the user of that state.

[0041] The timing for starting the flow of the cleaning operation for the background member by the first cleaning unit may be set to any of the following: when the image reading device is turned on, when a predetermined period of use has elapsed, when the number of read sheets of the medium exceeds a predetermined number, when the user judges it necessary, etc. Alternatively, multiple timings may be set.

[0042] <Explanation of Effects of First Embodiment> (1) In this embodiment, the image reading device 1 includes a plurality of background members 9 that are provided on the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32, which are rotating members, and that can be positioned opposite the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, which are reading units, by rotating the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32, and a first cleaning unit 65 that can clean the background members 9. As a result, when the background members 9 become dirty, they can be easily cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65. In other words, the dirty background members 9 can be cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65 while they are attached, without the need to disassemble the image reading device 1, etc.

[0043] (2) In addition, in this embodiment, the first cleaning unit 65 is disposed so as to be able to clean the background member 9 while the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32, which are rotating members, are rotating, and the control unit 71 executes the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit 65 on the background member 9 based on the information acquired by the sensor 23. This makes it possible to automate and easily perform the operation of determining whether or not cleaning of the background member 9 is necessary and executing the cleaning if cleaning is necessary.

[0044] (3) In the present embodiment, the sensor 23 also functions as the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, which are reading units. This makes it possible to sense the degree of dirt on the background member 9 by utilizing existing components. (4) In this embodiment, the first cleaning unit 65 is disposed between one background member 91 and another background member 92 on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32, which are rotating members. This makes it possible to easily clean each background member 91 by rotating the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. (5) In this embodiment, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 have a reference member 64 having a reference color disposed between one background member 91 and another background member 92 on the outer circumferential surface 13. This makes it possible to quickly determine whether or not to switch to one of the background members after acquiring data for shading correction using the reference member 64.

[0045] (6) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 71 executes a cleaning operation on the light-transmitting member 43 by the second cleaning unit 63 based on information read by the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 with the reference member 64 facing the light-transmitting member 43. This makes it possible to determine the degree of dirt on the light-transmitting member 43, and if cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is necessary, to perform the cleaning and then sense the degree of dirt on the background member 9. Therefore, the degree of dirt on the background member 9 can be obtained with high accuracy.

[0046] [Embodiment 2] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, four background members 91, 92, 93, and 94 are provided as the background member 9 on the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. The background members 91, 92, 93, and 94 are available in white, black, gray, and other colors, and the color to be used is determined according to the design specifications of the image reading device 1. Here, the background members 91 and 93 are white, and the background members 92 and 94 are black. Of course, the color combination is not limited to this. The second cleaning unit 63 is configured to be located between the background members 93 and 94. In the image reading device 1 according to the second embodiment, the flow of the cleaning operation performed by the first cleaning unit 65 on the background member 9 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0047] [Embodiment 3] Next, an image reading device 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted. However, the colors of the background members 91 and 92 are different from those in the first embodiment, as will be described later. In the third embodiment, the two background members 9, 9 have a pair of background members of the same color. Specifically, the background members 91 and 92 are configured with the same white color or the same black color. The control unit 71 is configured to execute a switching operation of the background member 9 based on the information acquired by the sensor 23 for the background member 9 that has been cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65.

[0048] Here, "performing a switching operation of the background member 9" means that if the acquired information regarding the degree of dirt on, for example, one of the background members 92 acquired by the sensor 23 indicates that switching to another background member 91 is not necessary, the use of one background member 92 is continued, and conversely, if switching is necessary, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are rotated to switch to the other background member 91. Further, the term "a state in which switching is required" refers to a state in which information regarding the degree of dirt on one of the background members 92 after cleaning sensed by the sensor 23 is set as not being able to exhibit the performance required of a background member.

[0049] <Flow of cleaning operation and switching operation for background member by first cleaning unit> The control unit 71 executes the cleaning operation and switching operation on the background member 9 by the first cleaning unit 65 in the following flow. (1) The reference member 64 is placed opposite the light-transmitting member 43, and the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 are caused to read the reference member 64 to obtain information. (2) Based on the information acquired in (1), it is determined whether cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is necessary. (2-1) When it is determined that cleaning of the light-transmitting member 43 is not necessary, the background member 92 is placed opposite the light-transmitting member 43 and the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 serving as the sensor 23 are caused to perform sensing. (2-2) If the light-transmitting member 43 needs cleaning, the second cleaning unit 63 cleans the light-transmitting member 43. After the predetermined cleaning is performed, the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 read again to obtain information, and the process returns to the determination in (2). (3) Based on the information acquired by the sensing in (2-1), it is determined whether cleaning of the background member 92 is necessary. (3-1) If cleaning of the background member 92 is not required, use continues without cleaning the background member 92, and the medium is transported to read the image. (3-2) If the background member 92 needs cleaning, the background member 92 is cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65. After the predetermined cleaning is performed, information is acquired again by the sensing, and it is determined from the acquired information whether or not the background member 92 needs cleaning. (3-2-1) If cleaning of the background member 92 is not required, use continues without cleaning the background member 92, and the medium is conveyed to read the image. (3-2-2) If the background member 92 needs to be cleaned, the background member 92 is switched to another background member 91, and the medium is conveyed to read the image. Furthermore, after the first cleaning unit 65 has performed a second cleaning on the background member 92, information is obtained by the sensing, and a determination is made from the obtained information as to whether or not cleaning of the background member 92 is necessary. If cleaning of the background member 92 is still necessary, the background member 92 may be switched to another background member 91.

[0050] The above-described cleaning operation and switching operation are also the same for the four background members 91, 92, 93, and 94 shown in the second embodiment (FIG. 5). For example, when it is determined that it is necessary to switch to the black background member 92 in the state shown in FIG. 5, the background member 92 is switched to another background member 94 of the same black color as the background member 92.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the control unit 71 executes the operation of switching the background member 9 based on the information acquired by the sensor 23 for the background member 9 cleaned by the first cleaning unit 65. This makes it possible to easily automate the operation of determining whether or not it is necessary to switch the background member 9 to another background member 9 of the same color, and switching to another background member 9 of the same color if switching is necessary.

[0052] Other Embodiments The image reading device 1 according to the present invention is based on the configuration of the embodiment described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit some of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above embodiment, an image reading device has been described that is equipped with a first reading unit 51 and a second reading unit 52 as reading units and can read both sides of a medium 3, the first side and the second side, but the present invention can also be applied to an image reading device with a single-sided reading structure. In the above embodiment, the image reading device 1 is described in which the conveying path 2 includes the straight path 68 and the curved inverting path 18. However, the present invention is also applicable to a device that does not include the curved inverting path 18. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the structure in which the light-transmitting member 43 is provided has been described, but the light-transmitting member 43 may be omitted. In addition, in embodiment 1, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are described as being rotated by the second driving source 27 as a rotation drive unit, but they may also be configured to be rotated manually without using a driving source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1... image reading device, 2... transport path, 3... medium, 4... first transport roller, 5... transport unit, 6: second conveying roller; 7: separation roller; 8: third conveying roller; 9: background member; 10: Feed roller; 11: Shaft; 12: Pick roller; 13: Periphery; 14...medium placement portion, 15...first driving source, 16...discharge receiving portion, 18: curved inversion path, 19: frame, 20: fourth conveying roller, 21: arrow, 22: fifth conveying roller; 23: sensor; 24: discharge roller; 26 ... driving roller (platen roller), 27 ... second driving source (rotation driving unit), 31: first rotating member; 32: second rotating member; 42: reading position, 43: light-transmitting member, 431: first light-transmitting member, 432: second light-transmitting member, 44: inclined surface; 51: first reading unit; 52: second reading unit; 55: lower unit; 56: upper unit; 61: first conveying auxiliary part; 62: first conveying auxiliary part; 63: second cleaning unit; 64: reference member; 65: first cleaning unit; 68: straight path; 71: control unit, 75: power transmission mechanism, 91: background member, 92: background member, 93: background member, 94: background member, 431: first light-transmitting member, 432: second light-transmitting member, F...Transport direction

Claims

1. a reading unit that reads an image of a medium conveyed in a conveying direction on a conveying path; a rotating member that is disposed opposite the reading unit across the transport path and is rotatable about an axis; a plurality of background members provided on the rotating member and capable of being positioned opposite the reading unit as the rotating member rotates; A first cleaning unit capable of cleaning the background member; An image reading device comprising:

2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, A rotation drive unit that rotates the rotating member about an axis; A control unit; A sensor for sensing a degree of dirt on the background member, the first cleaning unit is disposed so as to be able to clean the background member while the rotating member is rotating, The control unit executes a cleaning operation on the background member by the first cleaning unit based on the acquired information of the sensor.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

3. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, The sensor is also functioned as the reading unit.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

4. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, the plurality of background members includes a set of background members of the same color; the control unit executes a switching operation of the background member based on the acquired information by the sensor for the background member cleaned by the first cleaning unit.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

5. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, The first cleaning unit is disposed between the one background member and the other background member on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

6. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, a reference member having a reference color is disposed between the one background member and the other background member on an outer circumferential surface of the rotating member; 1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

7. 7. The image reading device according to claim 6, the reading unit includes a light-transmitting member disposed opposite the rotating member, the rotating member includes a second cleaning part that is capable of cleaning the light-transmitting member by rotating, the control unit causes the second cleaning unit to perform a cleaning operation on the light-transmitting member based on information read by the reading unit in a state in which the reference member is opposed to the light-transmitting member.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images