Reading device and multifunctional machine

Abstract

To provide a reading device and a multifunctional machine that can execute error notification processing at an appropriate period when an error occurs during use of a reading unit, such as during reading processing or notification of an error state.SOLUTION: In reading processing, an object to be read on a transparent plate 14 is read by a reading unit 18. In error notification processing, an error notification operation to notify that a multifunctional machine 1 is in an error state is performed by the reading unit 18. A reading disabled condition, a reading enabled condition, a return enabled condition, and a notification preferential condition are set in advance, and when an error occurs during use of the reading unit 18, that is, during reading processing or error notification processing, it is determined to give preference to execution of the error notification processing or continuation of the use of the reading unit 18 according to whether these conditions are established or not established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device and a multifunction peripheral. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a reading device that optically reads an object to be read.

[0003] In one example of a reading device, a reading unit equipped with a light source and an image sensor is provided below a transparent plate. The image sensor has a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in the main scanning direction. When light from the light source of the reading unit is reflected by an object to be read placed on the transparent plate and the reflected light is incident on the image sensor of the reading unit, photoelectric conversion is performed in each light-receiving element, and the reading unit achieves reading of one line in the main scanning direction. While the reading unit is moved in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, reading of one line in the main scanning direction is repeated, thereby reading the entire object to be read and generating image data of the object to be read.

[0004] Some reading devices are equipped with a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and others are not equipped with such a display. In the case of a reading device equipped with a display, if an error occurs that prevents the reading device from operating normally, the display will display a message that the reading device is in an error state until the error is resolved, thereby notifying the user of the error state. However, in the case of a reading device without a display, even if an error occurs, it is naturally not possible to display a message that the reading device is in an error state on the display.

[0005] Therefore, in a reading device that does not have a display, a technology has been proposed in which, when the reading device is in an error state, the reading unit is moved to a specific position, and the light source is turned on while the reading unit is stopped at that position, thereby notifying the user of the error state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-32218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, with conventional technology, if an error occurs during a reading process in which a reading unit reads an object to be read, it is unclear when an error notification process for notifying an error state should be executed.Furthermore, if a new error occurs during the notification of an error state, it is unclear when an error notification process for the new error should be executed.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a reading device and a multifunction peripheral that can execute error notification processing at an appropriate time when an error occurs during use of the reading unit, such as during reading processing or notification of an error state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a reading device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a transparent plate on one side of which an object to be read is placed, a reading unit that emits light toward the transparent plate, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes a reading process that causes the reading unit to read the object to be read placed on one side, an error notification process that causes the reading unit to perform an error notification operation in response to the occurrence of an error, and a decision process that determines whether to interrupt use of the reading unit and execute the error notification process, or to execute the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended, depending on the conditions under which an error occurs while the reading unit is being used.

[0010] According to this configuration, in the reading process, the reading unit reads the object to be read on one side of the transparent plate. In the error notification process, the reading unit performs an error notification operation to notify an error state. In this way, the reading unit is used in the reading process and the error notification process.

[0011] If an error occurs while the reading unit is in use, there is a choice between prioritizing the execution of an error notification process or prioritizing the continuation of use of the reading unit. That is, in response to an error occurring while the reading unit is in use, there is a choice between interrupting use of the reading unit and executing the error notification process, or executing the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended. Therefore, the conditions under which the error occurred while the reading unit was in use determine whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit. This makes it possible to execute the error notification process to notify of the error state at an appropriate time when an error occurs while the reading unit is in use.

[0012] In addition, a multifunction device according to another aspect of the present invention is a multifunction device comprising a reading device that reads an object to be read, a printing device that prints an image on a medium, and a control unit, wherein the reading device comprises a transparent plate on one side of which the object to be read is placed, and a reading unit that emits light toward the transparent plate, and the control unit executes a reading process that causes the reading unit to read the object to be read that is placed on one side, an error notification process that causes the reading unit to perform an error notification operation in response to the occurrence of an error, and a decision process that determines whether to interrupt use of the reading unit and execute the error notification process, or to execute the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended, depending on the conditions under which an error occurs while the reading unit is being used.

[0013] According to this configuration, in the reading process, the reading unit reads the object to be read on one side of the transparent plate. In response to an error occurring in the multifunction device, an error notification process is executed, and the reading unit performs an error notification operation to notify the user of the error state. In this way, the reading unit is used in the reading process and the error notification process.

[0014] If an error occurs while the reading unit is in use, there is a choice between prioritizing the execution of an error notification process or prioritizing the continuation of use of the reading unit. That is, in response to an error occurring while the reading unit is in use, there is a choice between interrupting use of the reading unit and executing the error notification process, or executing the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended. Therefore, the conditions under which the error occurred while the reading unit was in use determine whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit. This makes it possible to execute the error notification process to notify of the error state at an appropriate time when an error occurs while the reading unit is in use. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, if an error occurs while the reading unit is being used, such as during a reading process or while an error state is being notified, the error notification process can be executed at an appropriate time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the reading device. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part of the back surface of the top panel of the housing of the reading device and a reading unit. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating examples of a reference position, a standby position, a reading start position, a reading end position, and an error notification position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral. [Figure 7A] 10 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the flow of an error notification timing determination process. [Figure 7B] 10 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the flow of the error notification timing determination process. [Figure 8A] 10 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating another example of the error notification timing determination process. [Figure 8B] 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating another example of the error notification timing determination process. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the first position condition is satisfied. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which the first position condition is satisfied. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the second position condition is met. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which the second position condition is satisfied. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which both the first position condition and the second position condition are not met. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] <Multifunction device> 1 includes a reading device 2 that reads an object to be read, and a printing device 3 that prints an image related to image data on a sheet-like medium. The object to be read includes not only originals such as text documents and photographic documents that are read for reproduction by printing or the like, but also documents that are read for digital documentation using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, and paper on which a barcode (one-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional code) is displayed that is read for decoding.

[0019] The front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right directions of the multifunction device 1 are defined, and these directions will be used appropriately in the following description. In Fig. 1, the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right directions of the multifunction device 1 are indicated by arrows, in Fig. 2, the top, bottom, left, and right directions of the reading device 2 are indicated by arrows, and in Fig. 5, the front, rear, top, and bottom directions of the printing device 3 are indicated by arrows.

[0020] <Reading device> 1 and 2, the reading device 2 includes a housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cover 12 that opens and closes the top surface of the housing 11. The rear end of the cover 12 is connected to the upper rear end of the housing 11 so as to be able to swing about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The cover 12 swings between an open position where the front end is raised relative to the top surface of the housing 11 to expose the top surface of the housing 11, and a closed position where the cover 12 is folded down relative to the top surface of the housing 11 to cover the top surface of the housing 11.

[0021] A rectangular opening 13 that is long in the left-right direction is formed on the top surface of the housing 11. The opening 13 is closed from below by a transparent plate 14. The transparent plate 14 is made of a transparent plate such as a transparent glass plate or a resin plate.

[0022] The object to be read is placed at a specified position on the transparent plate 14 with the surface of the object to be read facing downward. The specified position is based on the left rear corner where the rear edge 15 and left edge 16 of the opening 13 intersect, and for example, if the object to be read is rectangular, it is the position where one corner of the object to be read abuts against the left rear corner of the opening 13 and the two edges of the object to be read abut against the rear edge 15 and left edge 16 of the opening 13.

[0023] 2, a background member 17 made of a sheet-like white resin is elastically supported on the inner surface of the cover 12. The background member 17 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is smaller than the opening 13. When the object to be read is placed on the transparent plate 14 and the cover 12 is closed from the open position to the closed position, the background member 17 does not ride on the peripheral edge of the opening 13 of the housing 11, but is positioned within the opening 13 with a gap between it and each edge of the opening 13, and presses the object to be read against the transparent plate 14.

[0024] Below the transparent plate 14, a reading unit 18 and a moving mechanism 19 are provided.

[0025] The reading unit 18 is in the form of a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) unit and includes a light source 21, a rod lens array 22, and an image sensor 23. The light source 21 includes three LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The rod lens array 22 includes a large number of rod lenses aligned in the main scanning direction, which coincides with the front-to-back direction. The rod lenses are gradient index lenses with a fixed magnification. The image sensor 23 is a linear image sensor configured with multiple light receiving elements arranged at equal intervals in the main scanning direction. Each light receiving element includes, for example, a red (R), green (G), or blue (B) color filter and a photodiode, and outputs an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the intensity of each RGB color component contained in the received light.

[0026] The movement mechanism 19 moves the reading unit 18 in a sub-scanning direction that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction coincides with the left-right direction. The movement mechanism 19 includes a CIS carriage 24 that carries the reading unit 18, and a scanner motor 25 that generates a driving force to move the CIS carriage 24 back and forth in the left-right direction.

[0027] The reading device 2 is not limited to a configuration that employs a CIS method, which is an equal magnification optical method, as a reading method, but may also employ a reduction optical method, that is, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) method.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , a reference member 26 made of rectangular tape is provided to the left of the transparent plate 14. The reference member 26 is attached to the back surface (the downward-facing surface) of the top panel of the housing 11 so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction to the left of the transparent plate 14. The reference member 26 has rectangular areas at the front-right and rear-right corners that are black areas 27, and the remaining area is white areas 28. As a result, at the end along the right edge of the reference member 26, a white area 28 is sandwiched between two black areas 27 in the front-to-rear direction, and each black area 27 and white area 28 are continuous in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, at the end along the front edge and the end along the rear edge of the reference member 26, a white area 28 is adjacent to the left of the black area 27, and the black area 27 and white area 28 are continuous in the left-to-right direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 , the boundary between the black area 27 and the white area 28 that are continuous in the left-right direction is the reference position RP, and in the reading device 2, each position that serves as the start point or end point of the movement of the reading unit 18 is set based on the reference position RP. The start point or end point of the movement of the reading unit 18 includes a standby position WP, a reading start position SP, and a reading end position EP. The standby position WP is a position where the reading unit 18 is located when it is in a standby state where it is not operating, and is set at a position away to the left of the left edge 16 of the opening 13. The reading start position SP is set at the left edge 16 of the opening 13. The reading end position EP is a position that is set according to the size of the object to be read, and is set at a position away from the reading start position SP to the right by a distance that corresponds to the length of the object to be read in the sub-scanning direction.

[0030] The standby position WP may be the same position as the reference position RP. Furthermore, the reading start position SP may be set at a position a predetermined reading margin to the right of the left edge 16 of the opening 13 to prevent the reading unit 18 from reading the backside of the top panel of the housing 11. The position of the reading unit 18 is the position of the reading unit 18 when light reflected from the reference member 26, the object to be read on the transparent plate 14, or the background member 17 enters the image sensor 23 of the reading unit 18; for example, when light reflected from the object to be read at the reading end position EP enters the image sensor 23, the position of the reading unit 18 coincides with the reading end position EP.

[0031] <Printing device> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 3 has a housing 31. A rectangular opening 32 is formed in the front of the housing 31. A plate-shaped discharge tray 33 extending in the front-rear and left-right directions is provided inside the housing 31 so as to divide the space behind the opening 32 into upper and lower two sections. A supply tray 34 is disposed in the space below the discharge tray 33 so as to be insertable and removable through the opening 32. The supply tray 34 is formed in a box shape with an open top. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the supply tray 34 stores print paper P, which is an example of a medium, in a stacked state. The print paper P with an image printed on it is discharged into the space above the discharge tray 33.

[0032] A transport path 35 along which the print paper P is transported is set within the housing 31. The transport path 35 includes a curved path 36 having a substantially semicircular arc shape that bulges rearward from the rear end of the supply tray 34 and curves upward, and a straight path 37 that extends linearly forward from the curved path 36.

[0033] Also provided within the housing 31 are a transport mechanism 41 and a print head 42 .

[0034] The transport mechanism 41 is a mechanism that transports the medium along the transport path 35. The transport mechanism 41 includes a feed roller 45, a first transport roller 46, a second transport roller 47, a third transport roller 48, and a discharge roller 49. The transport mechanism 41 also includes a transport motor (not shown) that is a drive source for the feed roller 45, the first transport roller 46, the second transport roller 47, the third transport roller 48, and the discharge roller 49.

[0035] The feed roller 45 is positioned so that its peripheral surface comes into contact with the uppermost print sheet P in the supply tray 34 when the supply tray 34 is inserted into the space below the discharge tray 33. The first conveyor roller 46 is positioned at the rear end of the straight path 37. The second conveyor roller 47 is positioned at a position spaced forward from the first conveyor roller 46. The third conveyor roller 48 is positioned at a position spaced forward from the second conveyor roller 47. The discharge roller 49 is positioned at the front end of the straight path 37, spaced forward from the third conveyor roller 48.

[0036] The print head 42 is disposed between the first transport roller 46 and the second transport roller 47, above the transport path 35. A plurality of nozzles are arranged on the underside of the print head 42. When the print head 42 faces the print paper P and ink is ejected from the nozzles of the print head 42, the ink droplets land on the print paper P.

[0037] The print head 42 may be a line head whose position is fixed, or a serial head that moves back and forth in the main scanning direction that coincides with the front-to-rear direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the printing device 3 is not limited to a configuration that employs an inkjet printing method, but may be a configuration that employs an electrophotographic method or a configuration that employs a thermal method.

[0039] <Electrical configuration> 6, the multifunction device 1 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 51. The ASIC 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 52 and a memory 53. The memory 53 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an E2PROM, which allows data to be rewritten, and a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0040] The ASIC 51 is connected to a bus 54 for data communication. The reading unit 18 and the moving mechanism 19 of the reading device 2, and the transport mechanism 41 and the print head 42 of the printing device 3 are also connected to the bus 54.

[0041] The multifunction device 1 is also provided with a network interface 55 and a USB interface 56, and the network interface 55 and the USB interface 56 are connected to the bus 54.

[0042] The network interface 55 is an interface for data communication (network communication) with an external device via a network. Examples of the external device include a PC (Personal Computer) and an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server. The network communication method may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0043] The USB interface 56 is an interface for data communication with a USB device such as a USB memory, and includes a USB connector to which a USB cable is connected and a USB controller that controls the USB connection with the USB device.

[0044] The CPU 52 (an example of a control unit) of the ASIC 51 executes programs stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory 53 and controls the operation of the reading device 2 (the reading unit 18 and the movement mechanism 19). The CPU 52 also executes programs stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory 53 and controls the operation of the printing device 3 (the transport mechanism 41 and the print head 42). When these programs are executed, the CPU 52 uses the volatile memory of the memory 53 as a work area.

[0045] <Reading process> In the multifunction device 1, the CPU 52 executes a reading process that causes the reading device 2 to read the object to be read. To start the reading process, the user places the object to be read at a specified position on the transparent plate 14, and then operates an operation key provided on an external device or the multifunction device 1 to instruct the start of the reading process. In response to this operation, an instruction to start the reading process is input to the CPU 52. When the instruction to start the reading process is input to the CPU 52, the CPU 52 starts the reading process.

[0046] During the reading process, a reading operation and a return operation are performed.

[0047] In the reading operation, the light source 21 of the reading unit 18 is turned on, and the reading unit 18 is moved at a constant speed in one direction in the sub-scanning direction, that is, rightward, from the reading start position SP to the reading end position EP.

[0048] During the reading operation, light from the light source 21 passes through the transparent plate 14, is reflected by the object to be read or the background member 17 on the transparent plate 14, and the reflected light passes through the transparent plate 14 again. When the reflected light passes through the rod lens array 22 and enters the image sensor 23, photoelectric conversion is performed in each light receiving element of the image sensor 23, and each light receiving element outputs a voltage (electrical signal) according to the amount of light received.

[0049] The ASIC 51 includes an A / D conversion circuit. The A / D conversion circuit has, for example, 8-bit (0 to 255) resolution and converts the voltage (electrical signal) output from the image sensor 23 for each RGB color into a digital pixel value (image data). For example, voltages below a lower-limit reference voltage (lower limit value) are uniformly converted to a pixel value of "0," voltages above an upper-limit reference voltage (upper limit value) are uniformly converted to a pixel value of "255," and voltages between the lower limit value and the upper limit value are converted to a pixel value corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage. By converting the voltage output from each light receiving element into a pixel value, the reading unit 18 achieves reading of one line in the main scanning direction.

[0050] The reading unit 18 is moved at a constant speed from the reading start position SP to the reading end position EP, and the reading unit 18 repeatedly reads one line at a time, thereby reading the reading range between the reading start position and the reading end position, and generating image data of the object to be read. When the reading unit 18 reaches the reading end position EP, the reading operation ends.

[0051] After the reading operation is completed, the return operation is started. In the return operation, the movement direction of the reading unit 18 is reversed, and the reading unit 18 is moved in the other direction in the sub-scanning direction, that is, leftward, toward the standby position WP.

[0052] During the return operation, the reading unit 18 reads the reference member 26. Then, from the image data generated by reading the reference member 26, the CPU 52 searches for a position where the pixel values ​​of adjacent pixels in the sub-scanning direction change across the black / white determination threshold, and determines that position as the reference position RP (detection of the reference position RP). The CPU 52 also sets a standby position WP and a reading start position SP based on the reference position RP. When the reading unit 18 stops at the standby position WP, the return operation ends.

[0053] During the reading process, after image data of the object to be read is generated, a data transmission operation is performed to transmit the image data to an external device via the network interface 55, or a data storage operation is performed to store the image data in a USB memory via the USB interface 56. The data transmission operation includes, for example, an operation to transmit the image data of the object to be read to a PC, an operation to transmit the image data of the object to be read to an FTP server, and an operation to attach the image data of the object to an e-mail and send it.

[0054] <Printing process> In the multifunction device 1, the CPU 52 executes a printing process that causes the printer 3 to print an image corresponding to image data on a medium. To start the printing process, the user operates operation keys provided on an external device to specify image data to be printed and issue an instruction to start the printing process for printing the image data. Alternatively, the user connects a USB memory storing image data to a USB connector of the USB interface 56 and operates operation keys provided on the multifunction device 1 to specify image data to be printed and issue an instruction to start the printing process for printing the image data. In response to these operations, an instruction to start the printing process is input to the CPU 52. When the instruction to start the printing process is input to the CPU 52, the CPU 52 starts the printing process. Alternatively, when the user operates operation keys provided on the multifunction device 1 to input an instruction to start copying to the CPU 52, the reading process is started and the printing process for printing the image data generated by the reading operation is started.

[0055] During the printing process, the feed roller 45, first conveyance roller 46, second conveyance roller 47, third conveyance roller 48, and discharge roller 49 are driven. When the circumferential surface of the feed roller 45 is in contact with the topmost medium (print paper P) in the supply tray 34, the feed roller 45 rotates, thereby sending the topmost print paper P into the curved path 36 of the conveyance path 35. The medium then receives conveyance forces from the first conveyance roller 46, second conveyance roller 47, third conveyance roller 48, and discharge roller 49 in that order, and is conveyed along the curved path 36 and straight path 37 of the conveyance path 35 toward the discharge tray 33.

[0056] As the medium is transported along the linear path 37, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles of the print head 42, and an image made up of dots formed by droplets of ink is printed on the medium, so that an image based on the image data is printed on the medium by the time the medium has passed the position facing the print head 42. Once the medium with the image based on the image data has passed the discharge rollers 49, it is discharged into the space above the discharge tray 33 and is received by the discharge tray 33.

[0057] <Error notification timing determination process> In the multifunction device 1, an error may occur during the reading process that prevents the reading process from being completed. For example, a malfunction of the reading unit 18 may cause an error during the reading process that prevents the reading operation from being completed. Also, a malfunction of the movement mechanism 19, for example, a malfunction that prevents the reading unit 18 from moving to the left, which is the other side of the sub-scanning direction, may cause an error during the reading process that prevents the return operation from being completed. If a failure occurs in network communication, an error occurs that prevents the data transmission operation from being completed. If the capacity of the USB memory connected to the USB connector of the USB interface 56 becomes full, image data cannot be written to the USB memory, and an error occurs that prevents the data saving operation from being completed.

[0058] Furthermore, errors that prevent the printing process from being completed may occur during the printing process in the multifunction device 1. For example, errors that prevent the printing process from being completed include an out-of-paper condition in which the supply tray 34 is empty of printing paper P, and a paper jam in the conveyance path 35 of the printing device 3.

[0059] After an error occurs in the multifunction device 1 that prevents the reading process or the printing process from being completed, the multifunction device 1 is in an error state in which the reading process or the printing process cannot be completed due to the error until the error is resolved.

[0060] When the multifunction peripheral 1 is powered on, the power-on triggers the CPU 52 to execute the error notification time determination process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0061] In the error notification time determination process, the CPU 52 determines whether or not a reading process is in progress (a reading process is being executed) (S101).

[0062] When the CPU 52 determines that a reading process is in progress (S101: YES), it determines whether or not a reading-disabled condition exists, that is, an error that prevents the reading operation from being completed has occurred during the reading operation (S102).

[0063] If an error occurs during the reading operation that prevents the reading operation from being completed, the CPU 52 determines that the reading impossible condition is met (S102: YES) and interrupts the reading operation (S103). Then, the CPU 52 executes an error notification process (S104) and causes the reading unit 18 to perform an error notification operation. In the error notification operation, the CPU 52 does not turn on the light source 21 of the reading unit 18 and controls the movement mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the position where it was when the reading operation was interrupted to the error notification position and stop there.

[0064] Furthermore, when the user takes action to resolve the error and the error state is resolved, the CPU 52 controls the moving mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the error notification position to the standby position WP and stop it, and the error notification process is terminated.

[0065] The error notification position is a position where the reading unit 18 faces the opening 13, in other words, a position where the reading unit 18 faces the transparent plate 14 in the direction in which light from the light source 21 is emitted, and is a position that can be seen by a user through the transparent plate 14. In this embodiment, the error notification position is set at a plurality of different positions in the sub-scanning direction depending on the type of error. For example, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4, for an error that prevents the reading operation of the reading process from being completed, the error notification position is set to the first error notification position EIP1, for an error that prevents the reading operation of the reading process from being completed but the return operation from being completed, the error notification position is set to the second error notification position EIP2, which is different from the first error notification position EIP1, for an error that prevents the reading operation of the reading process from being completed but the return operation from being completed, the error notification position is set to the third error notification position EIP3, which is different from the first error notification position EIP1 and the second error notification position EIP2, and for an error that prevents the printing process from being completed, the error notification position is set to the fourth error notification position EIP4, which is different from the first error notification position EIP1, the second error notification position EIP2, and the third error notification position EIP3.

[0066] After the error notification process is executed, the CPU 52 ends the error notification time determination process.

[0067] If an error that prevents the reading operation from being completed has not occurred during the reading operation, the CPU 52 determines that the reading-disabled condition is not met (S102: NO). In this case, the CPU 52 determines whether the reading-enabled condition, that is, an error that prevents the return operation from being completed has occurred during the return operation, is met (S105).

[0068] If an error occurs during the return operation that prevents the return operation from being completed, for example, if an error occurs that prevents the reference position from being detected due to a malfunction of the reading unit 18, the CPU 52 determines that the readable condition is met (S105: YES).The CPU 52 then interrupts the return operation (S107) and executes error notification processing (S104).Note that the interruption of the return operation during the return operation also includes an event in which the return operation is not started even though the timing for starting the return operation has arrived due to the completion of the reading operation.

[0069] If no error that prevents the return operation from being completed has occurred during the return operation, the CPU 52 determines that the readable condition is not met (S105: NO). In this case, the CPU 52 determines whether a returnable condition, that is, an error that prevents the data transmission operation or the data storage operation from being completed, or an error that prevents the print process from being completed, is met (S108). If the CPU 52 determines that the returnable condition is met (S108: YES), it determines whether the return operation is completed (S109). If the return operation is not completed (S109: NO), the CPU 52 returns to step S102, where it determines whether the readable condition is met, and performs the processing from step S102 onward. If the CPU 52 determines that the return operation is completed (S109: YES), it executes error notification processing (S104).

[0070] Furthermore, if the CPU 52 determines that no error has occurred in the multifunction device 1, in other words, if it determines that none of the read-disabled condition, read-enabled condition, and return-enabled condition is met (S108: NO), the CPU 52 ends the error notification time determination process. Then, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the error notification time determination process, the CPU 52 executes the error notification time determination process again and determines whether or not a reading process is in progress (S101).

[0071] When determining that the reading process is not in progress (S101: NO), the CPU 52 determines whether or not the error notification process is in progress (S110 in FIG. 7B).

[0072] If the CPU 52 determines that neither the reading process nor the error notification process is in progress (S110: NO), it determines whether an error has occurred in the multifunction device 1 (S111). If the CPU 52 determines that no error has occurred in the multifunction device 1 (S111: NO), it ends the error notification time determination process. If an error has occurred in the multifunction device 1, the CPU 52 determines that an error has occurred (S111: YES). In this case, it executes the error notification process (S104 in FIG. 7A).

[0073] When the CPU 52 determines that an error notification process is in progress (S110: YES in FIG. 7B), it determines whether a priority notification condition is met (S112). The priority notification condition is a condition in which an error that occurred during the error notification process has a higher priority for error notification than an error related to an error state notified by the error notification process. The priority for error notification is set in advance. For example, an error that prevents the reading process from being completed is set to the highest priority A, an error that prevents the printing process from being completed is set to the next highest priority B, an error that allows both the reading operation and the return operation of the reading process to be completed but does not allow the data transmission operation or the data storage operation to be completed is set to the next highest priority C, and an error that prevents the printing process from continuing due to ink running out in the printing device 3 is set to the lowest priority D.

[0074] When the CPU 52 determines that the priority notification condition is met (S112: YES), it interrupts the ongoing error notification process (S113) and executes error notification process for the error that occurred during the error notification process (S104 in FIG. 7A). The error notification process causes the reading unit 18 to perform an error notification operation, and the reading unit 18 moves from the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process to a new error notification position according to the content of the error that occurred during the error notification process, and stops there.

[0075] If the error state corresponding to the new error notification position is resolved but the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process has not been resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to return the reading unit 18 from the new error notification position to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process. In this case, once the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process is resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the error notification position to the standby position WP and stop it, and the error notification process is terminated. Also, if the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process has been resolved at the time the error state corresponding to the new error notification position is resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the new error notification position to the standby position WP and stop it, and the error notification process is terminated.

[0076] When the CPU 52 determines that the priority notification condition is not met (S112: NO), the CPU 52 does not execute the error notification process and ends the error notification time determination process.

[0077] <Action and effect> As described above, in the reading process, the reading unit 18 reads the object to be read on the transparent plate 14. In the error notification process, the reading unit 18 performs an error notification operation to notify the user that an error has occurred in the multifunction device 1. In this way, the reading unit 18 is used in the reading process and the error notification process.

[0078] If an error occurs while using the reading unit 18, there is a choice between prioritizing the execution of an error notification process or prioritizing the continuation of use of the reading unit 18. That is, in response to the occurrence of an error while using the reading unit 18, there is a choice between interrupting use of the reading unit 18 and executing the error notification process, or a choice between executing the error notification process after use of the reading unit 18 has ended. Therefore, the conditions under which an error occurs while using the reading unit 18, i.e., a read-disabled condition, a read-enabled condition, a return-enabled condition, and a notification priority condition, are set in advance, and whether the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit 18 is prioritized is determined depending on whether these conditions are met. This makes it possible to execute the error notification process at an appropriate time when an error occurs while using the reading unit 18 (during the reading process or the error notification process).

[0079] During the reading process, a reading operation is performed in which the reading unit 18 is moved in one direction of the sub-scanning direction from the reading start position to the reading end position, and the reading unit 18 reads the object to be read.After the reading operation is completed, a return operation is performed in which the reading unit 18 is moved in the other direction of the sub-scanning direction from the reading end position and the reading unit 18 is stopped at a standby position.

[0080] If an error occurs during a reading operation that prevents the reading operation from being completed, the return operation, data transmission operation, and data saving operation cannot be performed. Therefore, if an error occurs during a reading operation that prevents the reading operation from being completed, it is preferable that the reading operation be interrupted and a notification be sent that the multifunction device 1 is in an error state. By notifying the error state, it is expected that the error will be resolved quickly, and the reading process can be completed by resuming or re-executing it after the error is resolved. Therefore, a reading-disabled condition is set in which an error occurs during a reading operation that prevents the reading operation from being completed. If the reading-disabled condition is met, the reading operation is interrupted, error notification processing is executed, and the reading unit 18 performs the error notification operation.

[0081] If an error occurs during the return operation that prevents the return operation from being completed, the reading operation is completed, so the data transmission operation or data storage operation can be performed even if the return operation is not completed. Therefore, if an error occurs during the return operation that prevents the return operation from being completed, it is preferable that the return operation be interrupted and a notification be sent that the multifunction device 1 is in an error state. For this reason, a readable condition is set that an error occurs during the return operation that prevents the return operation from being completed, and if the readable condition is met, the return operation is interrupted, error notification processing is executed, and the reading unit 18 performs the error notification operation.

[0082] If an error occurs that prevents the data transmission operation or the data storage operation from being completed, or if an error occurs that prevents the printing process from being completed, it is preferable that the fact that the multifunction device 1 is in an error state be notified after the return operation is completed. Completion of the return operation allows detection of the reference position during the return operation and setting of the standby position and the reading start position based on the reference position, so that the reading unit 18 can be operated with high positional accuracy in the reading process that is executed after the error is resolved. For this reason, a return possible condition is set in which an error occurs that prevents the data transmission operation or the data storage operation from being completed, or an error occurs that prevents the printing process from being completed, and if the return possible condition is met, an error notification process is executed after the return operation is completed, and the reading unit 18 performs an error notification operation.

[0083] In the error notification operation, the reading unit 18 moves from the position where it was when the reading operation was interrupted to an error notification position and stops there. The error notification position is set at a different position in the sub-scanning direction depending on the content of the error. For example, a first error notification position EIP1, a second error notification position EIP2, a third error notification position EIP3, and a fourth error notification position EIP4 are set as the error notification positions. As a result, in the error notification operation, the reading unit 18 stops at the error notification position EIP1, EIP2, EIP3, or EIP4 depending on the content of the error, so that in addition to the fact that the multifunction device 1 is in an error state, the content of the error can be notified to the user.

[0084] Although the error notification position is set to a different position depending on the type of error, it may be set to a fixed position EIP regardless of the type of error, as shown by the solid line in FIG.

[0085] <Another example of error notification timing determination process> Instead of the error notification time determination process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an error notification time determination process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B may be executed.

[0086] In the error notification time determination process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the CPU 52 determines whether or not a reading process is in progress (a reading process is being executed) (S201).

[0087] When the CPU 52 determines that a reading process is in progress (S201: YES), it determines whether at least one of a first position condition and a second position condition is met (S202). The first position condition is set as a condition that an error occurrence position, which is the position of the reading unit 18 during the reading process when an error occurs, is downstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18. The error notification position EIP is a position where the reading unit 18 faces the opening 13, and is set to a single position, for example, regardless of the type of error. The second position condition is set as a condition that a first distance, which is the distance from the error occurrence position to the reading end position or the standby position, is equal to or shorter than a second distance, which is the distance from the error occurrence position to the error notification position EIP.

[0088] 9A, the first position condition is met when the error occurrence position is downstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, in other words, when the error occurrence position is between the error notification position EIP and the reading end position EP. Also, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first position condition is met when an error occurs during the return operation and the error occurrence position is downstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, in other words, when the error occurrence position is between the error notification position EIP and the standby position WP.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 10A, the second position condition is met when the first distance from the error occurrence position to the reading end position EP is equal to or less than the second distance from the error occurrence position to the error notification position EIP. The reading end position EP varies depending on the size of the object to be read, and may be set closer to the reading start position than the error notification position EIP. Also, as shown in Fig. 10B, the second position condition is met when the first distance from the error occurrence position to the standby position WP is equal to or less than the second distance from the error occurrence position to the error notification position EIP.

[0090] When the CPU 52 determines that at least one of the first position condition and the second position condition is met (S202: YES), the CPU 52 determines whether a reading operation is in progress (S203).

[0091] When the CPU 52 determines that a reading operation is in progress (S203: YES), it determines whether the reading operation is complete (S204). If the reading operation is not complete, the CPU 52 waits for the reading operation to be completed, and when it determines that the reading operation is complete (S204: YES), it interrupts the reading process (in this case, interrupts the return operation) (S205) and executes an error notification process (S206).

[0092] If the CPU 52 determines that a reading operation is not in progress (S203: NO), it determines whether a return operation is in progress (S207). If the CPU 52 determines that a return operation is in progress (S207: YES), it determines whether the return operation has been completed (S208). If the return operation has not been completed (S208: NO), the CPU 52 returns to step S202, where it determines whether at least one of the first position condition and the second position condition is met, and performs the processing from step S202 onwards. Then, if the CPU 52 determines that the return operation has been completed (S208: YES), it executes error notification processing (S206).

[0093] If the error occurs neither during a reading operation nor during a return operation, that is, if the error occurs during a data transmission operation or a data storage operation, the CPU 52 determines that the return operation is not in progress (S207: NO) and executes an error notification process (S206).

[0094] On the other hand, when the CPU 52 determines that neither the first position condition nor the second position condition is satisfied (S202: NO), it suspends the reading process (S205) and executes the error notification process (S206). Both the first position condition and the second position condition are satisfied when, as shown in Fig. 11, the error occurrence position is upstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, and the first distance from the error occurrence position to the reading end position EP is longer than the second distance from the error occurrence position to the error notification position EIP.

[0095] Furthermore, when determining that the reading process is not in progress (S201: NO), the CPU 52 determines whether or not the error notification process is in progress (S209 in FIG. 8B).

[0096] If the CPU 52 determines that neither the reading process nor the error notification process is in progress (S209: NO), it determines whether an error has occurred in the multifunction device 1 (S210). If the CPU 52 determines that no error has occurred in the multifunction device 1 (S210: NO), it ends the error notification time determination process. If an error has occurred in the multifunction device 1, the CPU 52 determines that an error has occurred (S210: YES). In this case, it executes the error notification process (S206 in FIG. 8A).

[0097] When determining that the error notification process is in progress (S209: YES in FIG. 8B), the CPU 52 determines whether or not a priority notification condition is met (S211). The priority notification condition is a condition in which an error that occurred during the error notification process has a higher priority for error notification than an error related to an error state that has been notified by the error notification process, and the priority for error notification is set to the same as that in the error notification timing determination process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example.

[0098] When the CPU 52 determines that the priority notification condition is met (S211: YES), it interrupts the ongoing error notification process (S212) and executes error notification process for the error that occurred during the error notification process (S206 in FIG. 8A). In this error notification process, for example, the reading unit 18 that was stopped at the error notification position (the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process) due to the previous error notification process moves and stops at a position different from the error notification position due to the error notification operation. When the reading unit 18 is stopped at a position different from the error notification position, a user who sees this can understand that an error with a higher notification priority than the previous error has occurred during notification of an error state due to the previous error.

[0099] 7A and 7B, if the error state corresponding to the new error notification position is resolved but the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process has not been resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to return the reading unit 18 from the new error notification position to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process. In this case, once the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process is resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the error notification position to the standby position WP and stop it, and the error notification process is terminated. Furthermore, if the error state corresponding to the error notification position before the interruption of the error notification process has been resolved at the time the error state corresponding to the new error notification position is resolved, the CPU 52 controls the movement mechanism 19 to move the reading unit 18 from the new error notification position to the standby position WP and stop it, and the error notification process is terminated.

[0100] When the CPU 52 determines that the priority notification condition is not met (S211: NO), the CPU 52 does not execute the error notification process and ends the error notification time determination process.

[0101] <Action and effect> 8A and 8B, if an error occurs during a reading operation and the position at which the error occurred is downstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, or if the first distance from the position at which the error occurred to the reading end position EP is equal to or less than the second distance from the position at which the error occurred to the error notification position EIP, the return operation is interrupted after the reading operation is completed, and error notification processing is executed, and an error notification operation is performed by the reading unit 18. This makes it possible to perform a data transmission operation in which image data obtained in the reading operation is transmitted to an external device, or a data storage operation in which the image data is stored in a USB memory.

[0102] Furthermore, if an error occurs during the return operation and the position at which the error occurred is downstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, or if the first distance from the position at which the error occurred to the standby position WP is equal to or less than the second distance from the position at which the error occurred to the error notification position EIP, an error notification process is executed after the return operation is completed, and the error notification operation is performed by the reading unit 18. As a result, the reference position RP is detected during the return operation, and the standby position WP and the reading start position SP are set based on the reference position RP, so that the reading unit 18 can be operated with good positional accuracy in the reading process that is executed after the error is resolved.

[0103] If an error occurs during the reading process, the position at which the error occurred is upstream of the error notification position EIP in the movement direction of the reading unit 18, and the first distance from the position at which the error occurred to the reading end position EP is greater than the second distance from the position at which the error occurred to the error notification position EIP, the reading process is interrupted, error notification process is executed, and an error notification operation is performed by the reading unit 18. As a result, the error can be expected to be resolved quickly by the notification of the error state, and the reading process can be completed by resuming or re-executing the reading process after the error is resolved.

[0104] Although the error notification position EIP is set to a single position in the above description, it may be set to multiple different positions in the sub-scanning direction regardless of the type of error. In this case, in the error notification operation, it is preferable that the reading unit 18 is moved and stopped at the error notification position EIP that is closest to the position of the reading unit 18 at the start of the error notification process. This allows the error notification operation to be completed in a short time, thereby shortening the time required from the occurrence of an error until it is notified that the multifunction device 1 is in an error state.

[0105] Also, in the error notification timing determination process shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the error notification position may be set to a different position in the sub-scanning direction depending on the content of the error, and in the error notification operation, the reading unit 18 may be moved to and stopped at the error notification position depending on the content of the error.

[0106] <Modification> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also be embodied in other forms.

[0107] For example, the error notification position may be set to different positions in the sub-scanning direction depending on the type of error, or may be set to a single fixed position. Also, in the error notification operation, the reading unit 18 may be moved to the error notification position and stopped, but the light source 21 of the reading unit 18 may be controlled to emit light in a different color depending on the type of error. For example, if an error occurs during a reading operation or a return operation in which the moving mechanism 19 breaks down and the reading unit 18 cannot be moved, the light source 21 of the reading unit 18 may be controlled to emit light in a color corresponding to this error state.

[0108] The reading device 2 is equipped with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and as a reading method, in addition to the FB (Flat Bed) method in which an object to be read placed on a transparent plate 14 is read, the reading device 2 may also employ an ADF method in which the object to be read is read while being transported by the ADF. Furthermore, the reading device 2 may employ the ADF method as the reading method, but not the FB method. In a configuration that does not employ the FB method, the position of the reading unit 18 is fixed, so that the light source 21 of the reading unit 18 may be turned on at that position during the error notification operation.

[0109] Furthermore, if an error occurs during the reading process, a decision is made as to whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit 18, and if an error occurs during the error notification process, the decision as to whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit 18 does not necessarily have to be made.

[0110] Conversely, if an error occurs during the error notification process, a decision is made as to whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit 18, and if an error occurs during the reading process, the decision as to whether to prioritize the execution of the error notification process or the continuation of use of the reading unit 18 does not have to be made.

[0111] The multifunction device 1 may be provided with a display that displays various types of information.

[0112] Although the CPU 52 executes each process, the multifunction device 1 may be provided with multiple CPUs, such as a CPU for each of the reading device 2 and the printing device 3, and the multiple CPUs may work together to execute each process.

[0113] The reading device 2 may also be a standalone device.

[0114] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1: Multifunction device 2: Reading device 3: Printing device 14: Transparent plate 18: Reading unit 52:CPU P:Printing paper

Claims

1. a transparent plate on one side of which an object to be read is placed; a reading unit that emits light toward the transparent plate; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit a reading process for causing the reading unit to read an object to be read that is placed on the one surface; an error notification process for causing the reading unit to perform an error notification operation in response to the occurrence of an error; and executing a determination process to determine whether to interrupt use of the reading unit and execute the error notification process, or to execute the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended, depending on the condition of the error that occurred during use of the reading unit. Reading device.

2. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, In the determination process, the control unit determines whether to interrupt the reading process and execute the error notification process, or to execute the notification process after the reading process is completed, depending on the condition of the error that occurred during the reading process. Reading device.

3. 3. The reading device according to claim 2, In the reading process, the control unit performs a reading operation in which the reading unit reads the object to be read while moving the reading unit from a reading start position to a reading end position in one direction of the sub-scanning direction, and a return operation in which the reading unit moves from the reading end position to the other direction of the sub-scanning direction and stops the reading unit at a standby position after the reading operation is completed. Reading device.

4. 4. The reading device according to claim 3, the occurrence condition includes an operation-disabling condition that an error has occurred during the reading process that prevents the reading operation or the return operation from being completed, If the operation disable condition is met in the determination process, the control unit determines to interrupt the reading process and execute the error notification process. Reading device.

5. 5. The reading device according to claim 4, the inoperable condition includes a read-disabled condition that an error that prevents the read operation from being completed occurs during the read operation; If the read-disabled condition is met in the determination process, the control unit determines to interrupt the reading operation and execute the error notification process. Reading device.

6. 5. The reading device according to claim 4, the inoperable condition includes a readable condition that an error occurred during the return operation that prevents the return operation from being completed; If the readable condition is met in the determination process, the control unit determines to interrupt the return operation and execute the error notification process. Reading device.

7. 5. The reading device according to claim 4, If the operation disable condition is not satisfied in the determination process, the control unit determines to execute the error notification process after the return operation is completed. Reading device.

8. 4. The reading device according to claim 3, In the error notification process, the control unit moves the reading unit to an error notification position and stops the reading unit as the error notification operation. Reading device.

9. 9. The reading device according to claim 8, The occurrence condition includes a first position condition that an error occurrence position, which is the position of the reading unit during the reading process when the error occurs, is downstream of the error notification position in the movement direction of the reading unit, and a second position condition that a first distance, which is the distance from the error occurrence position to the reading end position or the standby position, is equal to or shorter than a second distance, which is the distance from the error occurrence position to the error notification position, In the determination process, the control unit if the error occurs during the reading operation and at least one of the first position condition and the second position condition is satisfied, determining to interrupt the return operation after the reading operation is completed and to execute the error notification process; if the error occurs during the return operation and at least one of the first position condition and the second position condition is satisfied, determining to execute the error notification process after the return operation is completed. Reading device.

10. 10. The reading device according to claim 9, If both the first position condition and the second position condition are not satisfied in the determination process, the control unit determines to interrupt the reading process and to execute the error notification process. Reading device.

11. 11. The reading device according to claim 10, the error notification positions are set at a plurality of different positions in the sub-scanning direction, the control unit, in the error notification process executed in accordance with the determination of the determination process, moves the reading unit to the error notification position that is closest to the position of the reading unit at the start of the error notification process, and stops the reading unit thereat. Reading device.

12. The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, In the determination process, the control unit determines whether to interrupt the error notification process and execute a new error notification process, or to execute a new error notification process after the error notification process has ended, depending on the condition under which an error occurred during the error notification process. Reading device.

13. a reading device that reads the object to be read; a printing device for printing an image on a medium; A control unit; A multifunction peripheral comprising: The reading device is a transparent plate on one side of which an object to be read is placed; a reading unit that emits light toward the transparent plate; Equipped with The control unit a reading process for causing the reading unit to read an object to be read that is placed on the one surface; an error notification process for causing the reading unit to perform an error notification operation in response to the occurrence of an error; and executing a determination process to determine whether to interrupt use of the reading unit and execute the error notification process, or to execute the error notification process after use of the reading unit has ended, depending on the condition of the error that occurred during use of the reading unit. Multifunction machine.

14. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 13, When an error occurs in the printing device during the reading process, the control unit executes the error notification process after the reading process is completed. Multifunction machine.

Images