Image reading apparatus, image reading method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a program capable of reducing difficulties of machine analysis with low failure reproducibility, for a failure of a traveling body driving system that occurs in a market, in the image reading apparatus.SOLUTION: An image reading apparatus which reads a document image by reciprocating a carriage, which is a traveling body includes: scanning driving means which moves the carriage by a motor; reference position detection means which detects whether the carriage has passed or has not passed a reference position; anomaly detection means which detects an abnormal stop position of the carriage based on a result of detecting the carriage that has passed or has not passed the reference position; and abnormal stop position specification processing means which specifies a location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when the abnormal stop position of the carriage is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] When an abnormality in the image level is detected at the position of a reference white plate during driving of a carriage of an image reading apparatus, there is a technique for performing an abnormality analysis process for distinguishing between malfunctions of a reading unit and a traveling body drive system. When a new abnormality in the traveling body drive system of the carriage is recognized, the error history generated by the reading unit is corrected. Conventionally, when an abnormality in the image level was detected, regardless of whether there was an abnormality in the traveling body drive system, the parts related to the reading unit were replaced. However, unnecessary part replacement can be prevented by changing the parts of the traveling body drive system.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 1 discloses performing an abnormality analysis of the traveling body drive system after detecting a malfunction of the reading unit. The condition for performing the abnormality analysis is limited to the case where the origin position sensor detection filler provided on the carriage does not block the origin position sensor. A technique for distinguishing between malfunctions of the reading unit and the traveling body drive system by performing an abnormality analysis of the traveling body drive system after detecting a malfunction of the reading unit is disclosed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the carriage abnormally stops for some reason, starting from the reference position detection means for detecting the passage or non-passage of the carriage provided at a predetermined position, no abnormal analysis is performed on where the drive of the carriage has malfunctioned. Therefore, in the case of malfunction symptoms other than obvious component defects (such as disconnection of each harness, detachment of the drive belt, defective drive motor, etc.), and in a machine where the malfunction symptoms are not easily reproduced, it becomes difficult to analyze. From the above, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only separates the malfunction of the traveling body drive system from the malfunction of the reading means. When the stop position of the carriage at the time of a malfunction in the traveling body drive system cannot obtain information other than valid or invalid with respect to the reference position detection means, malfunction analysis becomes difficult in a machine with low reproducibility of malfunctions, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, an image reading method, and a program that can reduce the difficulty of analyzing a machine with low reproducibility of malfunctions with respect to malfunctions in the traveling body drive system occurring in the market.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus that reads a document image by reciprocally moving a carriage that is a traveling body, scanning drive means for moving the carriage by a motor, reference position detection means for detecting the passage and non-passage of the carriage with respect to a reference position of the carriage, abnormal detection means for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage based on the detection results of the passage and non-passage of the carriage with respect to the reference position, and abnormal stop position specifying processing means for specifying the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of machine analysis with low reproducibility of defects with respect to defects in the traveling body drive system occurring in the market, and thus the present invention has an effect of achieving this.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is an image forming apparatus generally called a multi-function device having at least two functions among a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 101, which is an example of an image reading device, and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 102, and has an image forming unit 103 below it. Regarding the image forming unit 103, in order to explain the internal configuration, the external cover is removed to show the internal configuration.

[0012] The ADF 102 is a document support unit that positions a document to be read at the reading position. The ADF 102 automatically conveys the document placed on the placement table to the reading position. The image reading unit 101 reads the document conveyed by the ADF 102 at a predetermined reading position. Also, the image reading unit 101 has a contact glass, which is a document support unit for placing a document, on its upper surface, and reads the document on the contact glass at the reading position. Specifically, the image reading unit 101 is a scanner having a light source, an optical system, and an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) inside, and reads the reflected light of the document illuminated by the light source with the image sensor through the optical system. That is, the image reading unit 101 and the ADF 102 are an example of an image reading device that reads a document image by reciprocating a carriage 6 (see FIG. 2), which is a traveling body. Here, the image reading device may have at least one or more functions of copy, print, scanner, and FAX. Thereby, it can also be adapted as a FAX or an MFP (multifunction peripheral).

[0013] The image forming unit 103 prints the document image read by the image reading unit 101. The image forming unit 103 has a manual feed roller 104 for manually inserting recording paper and a recording paper supply unit 107 for supplying recording paper. The recording paper supply unit 107 has a mechanism for feeding out recording paper from a multi-stage recording paper supply unit 107. The supplied recording paper is sent to a secondary transfer belt 112 via a registration roller 108.

[0014] The recording paper conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 112 has a toner image on an intermediate transfer belt 113 transferred thereto at the transfer unit.

[0015] The image forming unit 103 also includes an optical writing device 109, tandem type image forming units (Y, M, C, K) 105, an intermediate transfer belt 113, the secondary transfer belt 112, etc. Through the image forming process by the image forming unit 105, the image written by the optical writing device 109 is formed as a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 113.

[0016] Specifically, the image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 105 rotatably has four photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K), and around each photosensitive drum, there are provided image forming elements 106 including a charging roller, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaner unit, and a discharger respectively. The image forming elements 106 function on each photosensitive drum, and the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 113 by each primary transfer roller.

[0017] The intermediate transfer belt 113 is stretched and arranged by a driving roller and a driven roller at the nip between each photosensitive drum and each primary transfer roller. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 113 is secondarily transferred onto the recording paper on the secondary transfer belt 112 by the running of the intermediate transfer belt 113. The recording paper is conveyed to the fixing device 110 by the running of the secondary transfer belt 112, and the toner image is fixed as a color image on the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray outside the machine. In the case of double-sided printing, the front and back of the recording paper are reversed by the reversing mechanism 111, and the reversed recording paper is sent onto the secondary transfer belt 112.

[0018] Note that the image forming unit 103 is not limited to forming an image by the electrophotographic method as described above, and may form an image by an inkjet method.

[0019] Note that the image reading unit 101 includes what is called a reduction optical system using a CCD sensor and what is called a contact type optical system using a CIS, but here it is not particularly limited.

[0020] Any function that uses the reading operation with the image reading apparatus of the present invention can be applied not only to the scanning operation in particular, but also to functions such as copying and faxing as an image forming apparatus.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an example of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0022] The image reading unit 101 is a scanner device mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction machine, or a facsimile apparatus, or a single scanner device. Then, the original document as the subject is illuminated by the irradiation light from the light source 7, and the reflected light from the original document is processed into a signal received by the image sensor substrate 10, and the image data of the original document can be read.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 6 includes a light source 7 for exposing the original document, an image sensor 9 that receives the reflected light from the light source and converts the signal, and a reflecting mirror 3 that sends the reflected light from the light source to the image sensor substrate 10. The image sensor substrate 10 is also mounted with components such as a lens for imaging and an AFE that converts the analog signal received by the image sensor substrate 10 into a digital signal. The configuration of this carriage 6 includes what is called a reduction optical system using a CCD sensor and what is called a close-contact optical system using a CIS, but here it is not particularly limited. Also, in FIG. 2, components such as the light source 7, the image sensor 9, and the reflecting mirror 3 are assembled in the carriage 6 to form an integrated type, but there is also a method in which the image sensor substrate 10 is fixed and only the light source 7 and the reflecting mirror are scanned as the carriage. Regarding the driving of the carriage 6, there are what are called a belt method or a differential mirror method, but here it is not particularly limited.

[0024] The original document is placed on the contact glass 12, and the carriage 6 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction 14. When reading an image in flatbed scanning mode, the origin position sensor 4 detects the origin position detection filler 11 to determine the position where the carriage 6 starts to be driven. The drive motor 5 rotates to drive the carriage 6 connected to the drive belt 2 to scan, and a reference white board 13 used to correct various variations caused by the reading optical system and the like. The original document placed on the contact glass 12 is read, and the carriage 6 returns to the starting position again.

[0025] Here, the reference position detection means 300 (see FIG. 3) is described as the photointerrupter of the origin position sensor 4. However, it may also be a method of determining the position where the carriage 6 starts to be driven by the image sensor substrate 10 reading the reference black line 19 marked in the main scanning direction of the reference white board 13.

[0026] An automatic document feeder (ADF) 102 is mounted on the upper part, and it is connected via a hinge or the like so that the DF18 such as this ADF102 can be opened and closed with respect to the contact glass 12. The DF18 includes a document tray as a document placement table on which a stack of documents composed of a plurality of documents can be placed. It also includes separation and feeding means including a document feeding roller that separates the documents one by one from the stack of documents placed on the document tray and automatically feeds them toward the document reading glass 17. In addition, another optical sensor is installed in the DF18, and a configuration in which both sides are read in one document conveyance is also a known configuration. In this way, the image reading unit 101 realizes the operation of reading the document.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the function related to the abnormal stop position specifying process of the carriage of the control device of the image reading unit according to the present embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 23 of the image reading unit (scanner unit) 101 functions as an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6. The control device 23 of the image reading unit 101 includes a control unit 231 (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit), a motor signal generation unit 232, a motor drive control unit 233, a pulse counter 234, a counter arithmetic unit 235, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 237.

[0029] The control unit 231 controls the motor signal generation unit 232, the counter arithmetic unit 235, the encoder sensor 236, and the remote diagnosis maintenance service 240, as well as the entire image reading unit 101. Note that the drive motor 5 may be a stepping motor, a DC motor, etc., but is not particularly limited here.

[0030] The control unit 231 executes all distance specifications for moving the carriage 6 in FIG. 2 starting from the reference position detection means 300. The reference position detection means 300 may be a method of detecting the carriage 6 with the origin position sensor 4 (for example, a photo interrupter), or a method of obtaining position information from an electrical signal obtained by optically reading the reference black line 19 printed in the main scanning direction of the reference white plate 13.

[0031] Regarding the validity or invalidity of the reference position detection means 300, in the case of the origin position sensor 4 (for example, a photo interrupter), it is defined as valid when the origin position sensor 4 is shielded from light, and other states are defined as invalid. For the method of optically reading the reference black line 19 printed in the main scanning direction of the reference white plate 13, it is defined as valid when the reference black line 19 printed in the main scanning direction of the reference white plate 13 is read while moving from the position indicated by the code 20 of the image reading unit 101 to the position indicated by the code 14 in the sub-scanning direction, or while moving from the position indicated by the code 14 of the image reading unit 101 to the position indicated by the code 20. That is, the reference position detection means 300 is an example of a reference position detection means for detecting the passage (valid) and non-passage of the carriage 6 with respect to the reference position (for example, the origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19).

[0032] The motor signal generation unit 232 outputs the motor pulses, drive pulses, and the forward and reverse signals of the drive motor 5, which is a driving means for driving the carriage 6, generated internally based on the inputs from the control unit 231 and the encoder sensor 236 to the motor drive control unit 233 and also outputs them to the pulse counter 234. The motor signal generation unit 232 can vary the moving speed of the carriage 6 by varying the width of the pulses. The motor drive control unit 233 and the drive motor 5 are an example of scanning drive means for moving the carriage 6 by the drive motor 5 (an example of a motor).

[0033] Subsequently, the abnormal stop position specifying function of the carriage 6 will be described.

[0034] When the control unit 231 determines that the carriage 6 has not passed the reference position detecting means 300 at a predetermined pulse count or has fallen into a state of passing earlier than the predetermined pulse count during the driving of the carriage 6, it determines that the stop position of the carriage 6 is abnormal, promptly stops the carriage 6, and notifies the user of an error. However, these functions are already known technologies. That is, the control unit 231 functions as an example of an abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 based on the detection results of passing and non-passing of the carriage 6 with respect to the reference position.

[0035] The abnormal stop position specifying process of the carriage 6 is performed after the carriage 6 stops when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected. When the carriage 6 stops, the pulse counter 234 is reset. The value for resetting the pulse counter 234 can be arbitrary.

[0036] After resetting the pulse counter 234, the carriage 6 is moved in the direction of the reference black line 19 or the origin position sensor 4.

[0037] When the reference position detecting means 300 detects the carriage 6 by the origin position sensor 4 or optically reads the reference black line 19, it immediately stops the motor and holds the pulse count value at that time.

[0038] The control unit 231 calculates, in the counter operation unit 235, the pulse count value held from the mechanical layout dimension value of the reference black line 19 or the origin position sensor 4 that is the starting point of the carriage 6 drive in terms of distance, quantitatively specifies the position where the carriage 6 has stopped, saves the value as the counter operation value, and then notifies the remote diagnosis and maintenance service 240.

[0039] Here, the remote diagnosis and maintenance service 240 is for grasping the status of multi-function devices and printers on the network in real time and realizing accurate and speedy support and services. It can prevent equipment failures in advance, and even if a malfunction occurs, it can minimize downtime through prompt response. Furthermore, it becomes possible to predict regular part replacements and toner depletion in advance. This service can be used free of charge by customers who have signed a maintenance contract.

[0040] That is, when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected, the control unit 231 functions as an example of an abnormal stop position specifying means for specifying the location where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped. As a result, the location where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped can be specified, so in an image reading device (scanner), it is possible to reduce the difficulty of machine analysis with low reproducibility of malfunctions for malfunctions in the traveling body drive system occurring in the market.

[0041] After the carriage 6 has stopped when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected, the control unit 231 moves the carriage 6 in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined moving distance. Even when it is impossible to detect the passage and non-passage of the carriage 6 with respect to the reference position after the carriage 6 has stopped, an operation of moving the carriage 6 in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined moving distance may be performed. Thereby, it becomes possible to judge the reference position even in a configuration that does not use the origin position sensor 4 (a configuration that judges by the reference black line 19).

[0042] Also, when the control unit 231 can detect the passage of the carriage 6 relative to the reference position during the abnormal stop position specifying process for specifying the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped, it holds the pulse count value, and when it cannot detect the passage of the carriage 6 relative to the reference position, it also functions as an example of a notification unit that notifies the result that the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped cannot be specified. Thereby, by calculating the position where the carriage 6 has stopped from the starting position of the drive of the carriage 6, a highly accurate position (the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped) can be specified with respect to the mechanical layout. Also, the result that the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped cannot be specified can be notified.

[0043] Also, the control unit 231 may specify the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped when there is a movement defect of the carriage 6 that occurs during the adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage 6 executed after the power-on of the image reading device. Thereby, the failure stop position at the time of a movement error of the carriage 6 that occurs during the reference position adjustment operation of the carriage 6 can be specified.

[0044] Also, the control unit 231 may specify the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped when there is a movement defect of the carriage 6 that occurs during the initial optical adjustment operation executed after the adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage 6. Thereby, the failure stop position at the time of a movement error of the carriage 6 that occurs during the gain adjustment during the initial optical adjustment operation can be specified.

[0045] Also, the control unit 231 may specify the position where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped when there is a movement defect of the carriage 6 that occurs when reading the platen original (FB). The platen original is an original used for copying or scanning for the purpose of copying, and is placed on the contact glass 12 in FIG. 2. Thereby, the failure stop position at the time of a movement error of the carriage 6 that occurs during the reading of the FB can be specified.

[0046] Further, the control unit 231 may identify the location where the carriage 6 abnormally stops in case of a carriage movement failure occurring during white data acquisition which is executed before reading a DF document. Thereby, the failure stop position at the time of a carriage movement error occurring before reading the DF document (during white data acquisition operation) can be identified.

[0047] Also, when the control unit 231 is connected to the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240 that manages the machine state of the image reading device by wire or wirelessly, if it identifies the location where the carriage 6 abnormally stops, it may also function as an example of a transmission unit that notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240 of the location where the carriage 6 abnormally stops. Thereby, the position where the carriage 6 abnormally stops can be remotely collected by the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240.

[0048] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the flow of processing for detecting an abnormality in the movement of the carriage 6 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of carriage movement abnormality detection processing in the image reading device according to the present embodiment.

[0049] The control unit 231 performs initial setting of each register after the scanner power is turned on (step S401) or at the time of energy saving recovery (step S402). After the initial setting of each register, if the control unit 231 performs an initial optical adjustment operation after adjusting the reference position of the carriage 6 (step S403) (step S404: Yes), it moves the carriage 6 to the reference white plate 13 (white plate position) (step S405). Next, the control unit 231 executes processing for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 (step S406). If no abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected (step S406: No), the control unit 231 performs gain adjustment (step S407), and after completion of the gain adjustment, returns the carriage 6 to the position before movement (white plate position) (step S408).

[0050] In the operation of step S406, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected before moving to the reference white plate 13 (step S406: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S409) and performs an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6 (step S410). Thereafter, the control unit 231 notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240 of the location where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped after saving the counter calculation value (step S419).

[0051] Also, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected when returning from the reference white plate 13 in the operation of step S408 (step S411: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S409) and performs an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6 (step S410).

[0052] Also, after the initial optical adjustment operation in step S404 (step S404: No), the control unit 231 enables reading of DF18 (step S412). When reading by DF18 (step S412: Yes), the control unit 231 moves the carriage 6 to the reference white plate 13 before starting manuscript reading to acquire white data and returns to the position before movement (step S405).

[0053] Note that if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected before moving the carriage 6 to the reference white plate 13 before starting manuscript reading (step S406: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S409) and performs an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6 (step S410).

[0054] When starting the manuscript reading operation by DF18 (step S412: Yes), if an abnormality in the drive of the carriage 6 is detected when returning from the reference white plate 13 (step S405) (step S406: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 and performs an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6 (steps S409, S410).

[0055] After the initial optical adjustment operation, it becomes possible to read FB (platen original) as well (step S412: No). When reading FB (step S413: Yes), the control unit 231 moves the carriage 6 in the sub-scanning direction 14 to read the original (step S414). After reading the original, the control unit 231 returns the carriage 6 to the position before the movement.

[0056] In the operation in step S414, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected before finishing reading the original (step S415: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S409) and performs an abnormal stop position identification process for the carriage 6 (step S410).

[0057] In the operation in step S415, if no abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected (step S415: No), when the original reading operation is completed (step S416), the control unit 231 returns the carriage 6 to the position before the movement (step S417). Then, in the operation in step S417, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected before returning the carriage 6 to the position before the movement (step S418: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S409) and performs an abnormal stop position identification process for the carriage 6 (step S410).

[0058] Subsequently, an example of the flow of the adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage 6 (the operation shown in step S403 of FIG. 4) will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0059] After the machine (image reading unit 101) is powered on or when the energy saving mode resumes, the control unit 231 starts driving the carriage 6, and after the reference position detection means 300 becomes effective, stops the carriage 6 to determine the initial position of the carriage 6 (carriage reference position adjustment operation) is started (step S501). Then, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is detected during the driving of the carriage 6 or after the carriage 6 stops (step S502: Yes), the control unit 231 stops the carriage 6 (step S505) and performs an abnormal stop position specifying process for the carriage 6 (step S506). After that, the control unit 231 saves the counter calculation value and then notifies the remote diagnosis and maintenance service 240 of the location where the carriage 6 has abnormally stopped (step S507).

[0060] Also, in step S502, if an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6 is not detected (step S502: No), the control unit 231 determines whether the carriage 6 has been detected by the reference position detection means 300 (step S503). If the carriage 6 has been detected by the reference position detection means 300 (step S503: Yes), the control unit 231 completes the carriage reference position adjustment operation (step S504).

[0061] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the flow of the abnormal stop position specifying process of the carriage 6 in the image reading unit 101 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the abnormal position specifying process of the carriage in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0062] When the control unit 231 detects an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage 6, it resets the pulse counter 234 to an arbitrary value (step S601). After resetting the count value of the pulse counter 234, the control unit 231 sets the maximum moving position 20 that can be moved in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction 14 to the moving distance that can reach the origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19, and starts moving the carriage 6 in the sub-scanning direction 14 at a low speed (driving in the self-starting area in the case of stepping motor driving) (step S602).

[0063] Before the carriage 6 reaches the moving distance that can reach the origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 in the operation in step S602, if the origin position sensor 4 detects the carriage 6 or optically reads the reference black line 19 (step S603: Yes) (the detection method may be any control method such as soft polling or hard interrupt), the control unit 231 immediately executes a process to stop the drive motor 5 (step S604), holds the pulse count value at that time (step S605), executes an arithmetic process of the counter value, and after saving the position where the carriage 6 stops starting from each origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 as the counter arithmetic value (step S606), it notifies the remote diagnosis maintenance service 240.

[0064] When the moving distance that can reach the origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 is reached in the operation in step S602, if the origin position sensor 4 does not detect the carriage 6 or the reference black line 19 is not optically read (step S603: No) (the detection method may be any control method such as soft polling or hard interrupt), that is, when the reference position is not detected, the control unit 231 immediately executes a process to stop the drive motor 5 when the carriage 6 reaches the target moving distance (step S607: Yes) (step S608), and makes the carriage 6 move toward the maximum moving position 20 in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction 14 at a low speed (taking the driving of the stepping motor as an example, self-starting), and starts the movement by specifying the moving distance from the maximum position in the sub-scanning direction 14 of the image reading unit (scanner) 101 to approximately the origin position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 (step S609).

[0065] If, in the operation in step S609, the carriage 6 is detected by the home position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 is optically read before reaching the movable distance reachable by the home position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 (step S610: Yes) (the detection method may be any control method such as soft polling or hard interrupt), that is, if the reference position has not been detected, the control unit 231 immediately executes a process to stop the drive motor 5, holds the pulse count value at that time (step S605), executes an arithmetic process of the counter value, saves the position where the carriage 6 has stopped with the home position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 as the starting point as the counter arithmetic value (step S606), and then notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240.

[0066] When, in the operation in step S609, the movable distance reachable by the home position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 is reached (step S611: Yes), if the carriage 6 is not detected by the home position sensor 4 or the reference black line 19 is not optically read (step S610: No) (the detection method may be any control method such as soft polling or hard interrupt), the control unit 231 immediately executes a process to stop the drive motor 5, saves an arbitrary value as the counter arithmetic value as an error in the abnormal stop position specifying detection process (step S612), and then notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service 240.

[0067] As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the location where the carriage 6 has stopped abnormally can be specified. Therefore, in an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of machine analysis with low reproducibility of defects with respect to defects in the traveling body drive system occurring in the market.

[0068] Note that the program executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is provided by being pre - incorporated in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 237 or the like. The program executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer - readable recording medium such as a CD - ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD - R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. in an installable format or an executable format file.

[0069] Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0070] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above - described respective parts (control unit 231). As actual hardware, for example, a processor such as a CPU reads the program from the above - mentioned ROM 237 and executes it, whereby the above - mentioned respective parts are loaded onto the main storage device, and the control unit 231 is generated on the main storage device.

[0071] In the above - described embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a multi - function device having at least two functions among a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner device, a facsimile device, etc.

[0072] Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> In an image reading apparatus that reciprocates a carriage, which is a traveling body, to read a document image, scanning drive means for moving the carriage by a motor, Reference position detection means for detecting passage through and non-passage relative to the reference position of the carriage; Abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage based on the detection results of passage through and non-passage of the carriage relative to the reference position; When an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected, abnormality stop position specifying means for specifying the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped; An image reading apparatus comprising the same. <2> The abnormality stop position specifying means moves the carriage by a predetermined moving distance in the sub-scanning direction after the carriage has stopped when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected, and even when passage through and non-passage of the carriage relative to the reference position cannot be detected after the carriage has stopped, the operation of moving the carriage in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction by the predetermined moving distance is performed. The image reading apparatus according to <1>. <3> When passage of the carriage relative to the reference position can be detected during the abnormality stop position specifying process for specifying the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped, the pulse count value is held, and when passage of the carriage relative to the reference position cannot be detected, a notification unit for notifying a result that the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped cannot be specified is provided. The image reading apparatus according to <1> or <2>. <4> The abnormality stop position specifying means specifies the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when there is a movement failure of the carriage that occurs during the adjustment operation of the carriage relative to the reference position that is executed after the power-on of the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>. <5> The abnormality stop position specifying means specifies the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when there is a movement failure of the carriage that occurs during the initial optical adjustment operation that is executed after the adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage. The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>. <6> The abnormality stop location specifying means specifies the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when there is a movement failure of the carriage that occurs when reading a platen original. The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <5>. <7> The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the abnormal stop location specifying means specifies the location where the carriage abnormally stops when a movement failure of the carriage occurs during white data acquisition executed before reading a DF document. <8> The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <7>, further comprising a transmission unit that, when connected to a remote diagnostic maintenance service for managing the machine state of the image reading apparatus by wire or wirelessly, notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service of the location where the carriage abnormally stops when the location where the carriage abnormally stops is specified. <9> The image reading apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8>, comprising at least one or more functions of copying, printing, scanning, and FAX. <10> An image reading method executed by an image reading apparatus that reciprocates a carriage, which is a traveling body, to read a document image, detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage based on detection results of passage and non-passage of the carriage with respect to a reference position; specifying the location where the carriage abnormally stops when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected; and an image reading method including the above. <11> A program for causing a computer that controls an image reading apparatus that reciprocates a carriage, which is a traveling body, to read a document image to function as an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage based on detection results of passage and non-passage of the carriage with respect to a reference position, and an abnormal stop position specifying means for specifying the location where the carriage abnormally stops when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 5 Driving motor 23 Control device 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Image reading unit 231 Control unit 232 Motor signal generation unit 233 Motor drive control unit 234 Pulse counter 235 Counter operation unit 236 Encoder sensor 240 Remote diagnosis and maintenance service 300 Reference position detection means

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0074]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. In an image reading device that reads an image on a document by reciprocating a carriage, a scanning drive means for moving the carriage by a motor; a reference position detection means for detecting whether the carriage passes or does not pass a reference position; an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in a stop position of the carriage based on a detection result of passage or non-passage of the carriage with respect to the reference position; an abnormal stop position identifying means for identifying a position where the carriage has stopped abnormally when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected; An image reading device comprising:

2. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal stop position identification means moves the carriage a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction after the carriage stops at a point when an abnormality in the stopping position of the carriage is detected, and even if it is impossible to detect whether the carriage has passed or not relative to the reference position after the carriage has stopped, the means moves the carriage a predetermined distance in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction.

3. 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit which holds a pulse count value if the passage of the carriage relative to the reference position is detected during an abnormal stop position identification process which identifies the location where the carriage abnormally stopped, and which notifies the user that the location where the carriage abnormally stopped cannot be identified if the passage of the carriage relative to the reference position cannot be detected.

4. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal stop position identifying means identifies a location where the carriage has stopped abnormally when a malfunction of the carriage occurs during an adjustment operation of the carriage relative to the reference position that is executed after the image reading device is powered on.

5. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal stop position identifying means identifies a position where the carriage has stopped abnormally when a movement problem of the carriage occurs during an initial optical adjustment operation performed after an adjustment operation of the reference position of the carriage.

6. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein said abnormal stop position specifying means specifies a position where said carriage has stopped abnormally when a movement problem of said carriage occurs when reading an original on a pressure plate.

7. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal stop position specifying means specifies a position where the carriage has stopped abnormally when a movement problem of the carriage occurs during acquisition of white data executed before reading a DF document.

8. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that, when connected via wire or wireless to a remote diagnostic maintenance service that manages the machine status of the image reading device, notifies the remote diagnostic maintenance service of the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped when the location where the carriage has abnormally stopped is identified.

9. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, and a fax function.

10. An image reading method executed in an image reading device that reads an image of a document by reciprocating a carriage that is a moving body, comprising: detecting an abnormality in a stop position of the carriage based on a detection result of passage or non-passage of the carriage with respect to a reference position; a step of identifying a location where the carriage has stopped abnormally when an abnormality in the stopping position of the carriage is detected; An image reading method comprising the steps of:

11. A computer that controls an image reading device that reads an image of a document by reciprocating a carriage that is a moving body, an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in a stop position of the carriage based on a detection result of passage or non-passage of the carriage with respect to a reference position; an abnormal stop position identifying means for identifying a position where the carriage has stopped abnormally when an abnormality in the stop position of the carriage is detected; A program to make it function as such.

Images