Reading device

Abstract

To provide a reading device capable of reliably reading an image while suppressing increase in a conveyance load of a medium, and a printing device.SOLUTION: The reading device comprises: an image pickup device 80 for imaging a medium being conveyed; a first roller 94 disposed on the upstream side of the image pickup device 80 in a conveyance direction F of the medium; and a second roller 96 disposed on the downstream side of the image pickup device 80 in the conveyance direction. The image pickup device 80 is separate from the medium and disposed opposite a first surface being one surface of the medium. The first roller 94 and the second roller 96 are brought into contact with the first surface of the medium from the image pickup device 80 side to apply a predetermined tension to the medium along the conveyance direction F of the medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that can selectively print on roll paper or cut sheets and can be installed in a small space. Printing devices like the one described in Patent Document 1 are known to include an imaging element and a reading device that reads an image printed on a transported medium using the imaging element. Some reading devices have a transparent member such as glass between the imaging element and the medium, and transport the medium while it is in contact with the transparent member. Another example of a reading device is one that has a reflector on the opposite side of the imaging element across the medium, and transports the medium while it is in contact with the reflector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-169186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional reading devices, when other members such as a reflector or transparent member come into contact with the medium, friction occurs between the medium and the other members, which can cause a burden when transporting the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the invention that solves the above problem is a reading device that includes an imaging element that captures an image of a medium being transported, a first roller that is arranged upstream of the imaging element in the transport direction of the medium, and a second roller that is arranged downstream of the imaging element in the transport direction, wherein the imaging element is spaced apart from the medium and is arranged opposite a first surface, which is one side of the medium, and the first roller and the second roller contact the first surface of the medium from the imaging element side, thereby applying a predetermined tension to the medium along the transport direction of the medium.

[0006] Another aspect that solves the above problem is a printing device that includes the above reading device, a transport unit that transports the long medium, and a printing unit that is located upstream of the reading device on the transport path of the medium and ejects ink onto the first surface, which is one surface of the medium transported by the transport unit, to form an image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Side view of the scanner. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the scanner. [Figure 5] Top view of the scanner. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Printing device configuration] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 illustrates the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The Z-axis indicates the up-down direction and vertical direction when the printing device 1 is installed. The X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The X-axis indicates the front-to-back direction of the printing device 1. The Y-axis indicates the left-to-right direction of the printing device 1. The left-to-right direction of the printing device 1 is the width direction of the printing medium S. The positive direction of the Z-axis indicates the upward direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the backward direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis indicates the rightward direction.

[0009] The printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a printing medium S. Various types of sheets can be used as the printing medium S used in the printing device 1. Examples of the printing medium S include paper such as plain paper or high-quality paper, or a synthetic resin film. The printing medium S may use an opaque material such as paper or a transparent material such as film as its base material. The print medium S is an example of a "medium."

[0010] The printing device 1 includes a medium supply unit 2, a medium transport unit 3, a printing unit 4, a drying unit 5, a medium collection unit 6, a scanner 70, a control device 100, and a housing 10 that houses these components.

[0011] The medium supply unit 2 supplies the printing medium S to the printing unit 4. The medium supply unit 2 has a cylindrical or columnar supply shaft 21. The supply shaft 21 rotates by the power of a payout motor M1. A roll body 22 on which the printing medium S is wound in a roll shape is attached to the supply shaft 21, and the printing medium S is paid out from the roll body 22 by the rotation of the supply shaft 21.

[0012] The medium transport unit 3 transports the printing medium S supplied by the medium supply unit 2 along a transport direction F. The medium transport unit 3 includes multiple transport rollers 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 that come into contact with the printing medium S, and form a transport path for the printing medium S. The transport rollers 30 and 31 transport the printing medium S fed from the medium supply unit 2 toward the printing unit 4.

[0013] The printing unit 4 prints an image on a label of the printing medium S by ejecting ink toward the printing medium S. The printing unit 4 includes a plurality of ejection heads 41 that eject ink, and a carriage 42 that holds the ejection heads 41.

[0014] The carriage 42 is capable of reciprocating in the X-axis direction along a first guide rail 43 installed in the printing device 1 along the X-axis direction. The carriage 42 may also be configured to be capable of reciprocating in the Y-axis direction along a second guide rail installed along the Y-axis direction. The carriage 42 is driven by a first carriage motor M2 and a second carriage motor M3, and moves the ejection head 41 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In other words, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is a lateral inkjet head printer.

[0015] The printing unit 4 performs printing in the width direction of the print medium S by ejecting ink while moving the ejection head 41 in the Y-axis direction. The printing unit 4 moves the ejection head 41 in the X-axis direction while the print medium S is stationary, thereby moving the ejection head 41 in the X-axis direction relative to the print medium S. Here, the printing unit 4 moves the ejection head 41 in the Y-axis direction to perform printing in the width direction of the print medium S. In this way, the printing unit 4 prints on the print medium S in an area extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions while the medium transport unit 3 is stopped from transporting the print medium S.

[0016] The medium transport unit 3 transports the printing medium S intermittently using the power of the transport motor M4. That is, the medium transport unit 3 transports the printing medium S a predetermined length in the transport direction F and then stops the printing medium S. Here, the predetermined length is the length in the X-axis direction that the printing unit 4 can print while the transport of the printing medium S is stopped. The printing unit 4 moves the ejection head 41 in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction to print on the printing surface S1 of the stopped printing medium S. When printing by the printing unit 4 is completed, the medium transport unit 3 transports the printing medium S along the X-axis direction. The printing surface S1 is an example of the "first surface."

[0017] The printing device 1 has a platen 44 arranged opposite the printing unit 4. The platen 44 has a rectangular surface arranged parallel to the XY plane. The platen 44 supports the printing medium S from the side facing the printing unit 4. A heater that heats the platen 44 is provided below the platen 44. The printing medium S is heated during printing or before and after printing, which promotes drying of the ink that has landed on the printing medium S.

[0018] The print medium S with the printed image is transported from the printing unit 4 to the drying unit 5 by transport rollers 32, 33, and 34. The drying unit 5 includes, for example, a heater that heats the print surface S1 of the print medium S and a heater that heats the back side of the print surface S1. The drying unit 5 heats the print medium S to dry the ink adhered to the print medium S.

[0019] The printing medium S is transported from the drying unit 5 to the medium collection unit 6 by transport rollers 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40. The medium collection unit 6 has a winding shaft 61 that rotates by the power of a winding motor M5. The medium collection unit 6 winds the printing medium S that has been dried by the drying unit 5 onto the winding shaft 61 and collects it. In this way, in the printing device 1, a transport path R is formed along which the print medium S is transported in the transport direction F.

[0020] The transport roller 40 is formed to be movable along the transport direction F. This prevents the print medium S from being subjected to excessive tension. A detection sensor 140 that detects the position of the transport roller 40 is provided adjacent to the transport roller 40. The detection sensor 140 may be any of various sensors, such as a transmissive optical sensor, a reflective optical sensor, or a switch-type sensor.

[0021] In the transport path R, a scanner 70 is disposed between the transport roller 40 and the medium collection unit 6. The scanner 70 is an example of a reading device that reads the printing surface S1 of the print medium S. The scanner 70 includes transport rollers 50 and 51. The print medium S is transported inside the scanner 70 by the transport rollers 50 and 51 and sent out to the medium collection unit 6.

[0022] Each of the transport rollers 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 50, and 51 contacts one side of the print medium S and guides and transports the print medium S. However, this is just one specific example, and the number and configuration of transport rollers included in the medium transport unit 3 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the medium transport unit 3 may include multiple pairs of rollers that nip the print medium S.

[0023] The printing device 1 includes an input device 150. The input device 150 is connected to the control device 100. The input device 150 is a device that allows a user operating the printing device 1 to input various types of information to the printing device 1, and may be various input devices such as a switch, keyboard, or mouse. The input device 150 outputs information input by the user to the control device 100. In this embodiment, the user can input to the input device 150 the material and color of the print medium S, whether the print medium S is transparent or not, the color of the ink, and the like.

[0024] In addition, the printing device 1 may be provided with an optical sensor, an imaging sensor, etc., and the control device 100 may determine the material and color of the printing medium S, whether the printing medium S is transparent or not, the color of the ink, etc. based on signals from the sensors, etc.

[0025] The control device 100 functions as a control unit that controls each part of the printing device 1. The control device 100 includes a processor 110 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a memory 120. The memory 120 is an example of a "storage unit."

[0026] The processor 110 reads and executes a control program 121 stored in the memory 120 to control each part of the printing device 1. The processor 110 executes the control program stored in the memory 120 to function as a control unit that controls each part of the printing device 1.

[0027] The memory 120 stores a control program related to the control of the printing device 1, an image processing program, setting data related to the settings of the printing device 1, and various other data. The memory 120 has a non-volatile storage area. The memory 120 has a volatile storage area and may also constitute a work area for the processor 110.

[0028] The control device 100 outputs control signals to operate the ejection head 41, the first carriage motor M2, the second carriage motor M3, the transport motor M4, the payout motor M1, and the winding motor M5. The control device 100 also operates the drying unit 5. The transport motor M4 drives the medium transport unit 3 and rotates at least one of the transport rollers 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40.

[0029] The control device 100 drives the ejection head 41 to eject ink toward the print medium S. The control device 100 drives the first carriage motor M2 to move the carriage 42 in the X-axis direction. The control device 100 drives the second carriage motor M3 to move the carriage 42 in the Y-axis direction. The control device 100 alternately and repeatedly performs main scanning by the first carriage motor M2, second carriage motor M3, and ejection head 41, and sub-scanning by the second carriage motor M3, thereby intermittently transporting the print medium S and intermittently printing on the print medium S.

[0030] The control device 100 drives the transport motor M4 to move the printing medium S in the transport direction. The control device 100 drives the payout motor M1 to rotate the supply shaft 21 and pay out the printing medium S. The control device 100 drives the winding motor M5 to rotate the winding shaft 61 and wind up the printing medium S. The control device 100 activates the heater of the drying unit 5 to dry the ink adhering to the printing medium S.

[0031] The control device 100 acquires the type of print medium S input by the user from the input device 150, and determines the rotation speeds of the transport motor M4, the payout motor M1, and the winding motor M5 according to the type of print medium S. The control device 100 acquires the detection value of the detection sensor 140 and detects the tension applied to the printing medium S. The control device 100 determines the rotation speeds of the transport motor M4, the payout motor M1, and the winding motor M5 according to the tension applied to the printing medium S.

[0032] [Scanner Configuration] Fig. 2 is a side view of the scanner 70 as seen from the Y direction. For ease of explanation, the drive motor M6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 2. 2, the scanner 70 includes transport rollers 50 and 51. The transport roller 50 is disposed upstream of the transport roller 51 on the transport path R. The transport roller 51 is disposed above the transport roller 50.

[0033] The transport roller 50 is provided with a drive motor M6 that rotates the transport roller 50, and the transport roller 51 is provided with a drive motor M7 that rotates the transport roller 51. Both drive motors M6 and M7 are driven to rotate under the control of the control device 100. The control device 100 determines the rotation speeds of the drive motors M6 and M7 depending on the detection value of the detection sensor 140 and the type of print medium S.

[0034] The scanner 70 is provided with two driven rollers 52. Each of the driven rollers 52 abuts against the circumferential surface of the transport roller 51. The transport roller 51 and each of the driven rollers 52 nip the print medium S and transport it to the medium collection unit 6.

[0035] A reading unit 72 that reads the image on the printing surface S1 is provided between the transport roller 50 and the transport roller 51 on the transport path R. The reading unit 72 includes a reading unit housing 74. The reading unit housing 74 is located above the transport path R, and is disposed so that the entire lower surface faces the printing surface S1 of the print medium S.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the scanner 70. As shown in FIG. 3, the reading unit housing 74 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular parallelepiped extending in the Y direction, and its bottom surface is disposed approximately parallel to the printing surface S1 of the print medium S. The bottom surface of the reading unit housing 74 is formed to be entirely open, and a cover glass 79 is fitted into it.

[0037] An imaging unit 76 is housed inside the reading unit housing 74. The imaging unit 76 includes a substrate 78 on which an imaging element 80 is mounted. The imaging element 80 may be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS). The imaging unit 76 may include a mirror that reflects incident light and a lens that forms an image on the imaging element 80.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the scanner 70. In Fig. 4, the placement unit 82 is omitted, and the print medium S is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging element 80 is formed in a long rectangular shape extending in the Y direction when viewed from the bottom, and is mounted over substantially the entire bottom surface of the reading unit housing 74 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of imaging light sources 81 are provided on the underside of the reading unit housing 74. The imaging light sources 81 are arranged along the transport direction F, sandwiching the imaging element 80. The imaging light source 81 is formed to be elongated extending in the Y direction, and emits light from its entire length toward the printing surface S1 located below. Both of the pair of imaging light sources 81 are covered from below by a cover glass 79. In this embodiment, a light emitting element such as an LED or a semiconductor laser is used as the imaging light source 81. However, the imaging light source 81 is not limited to this, and other types of light sources such as an HID lamp may also be used.

[0039] The reading unit 72 exposes the print surface S1 to light emitted from an imaging light source 81, and forms an image of the light reflected from the print surface S1 on the imaging element 80. Under the control of the control device 100, the imaging unit 76 detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light that forms an image on the imaging element 80, and generates image data based on the image of the document surface. The imaging unit 76 transmits this image data to the control device 100.

[0040] 2 and 3, a placing unit 82 is provided on the opposite side of the reading unit 72 across the transport path R and the print medium S. The placing unit 82 is located below the transport path R and is disposed opposite the surface of the print medium S opposite the printing surface S1. The placement section 82 is provided with an opposing surface 83, which is a flat surface facing the surface opposite the printing surface S1 of the printing medium S. The opposing surface 83 is formed in an elongated shape extending in the Y direction, and is disposed approximately parallel to the surface of the printing medium S opposite the printing surface S1.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a top view of the scanner 70. In Fig. 5, the reading unit 72 is omitted, and the print medium S is indicated by a two-dot chain line. 5, a reflecting plate 84, which is a long plate-like member, is placed on the placing portion 82. One flat surface of the reflecting plate 84 is formed in white, and the other flat surface is formed in a color other than white, such as black or gray.

[0042] When the reflector 84 is placed on the placement section 82, one of the planes is disposed opposite the imaging element 80 and the surface of the print medium S opposite the print surface S1. The reflector 84 is provided so as to be detachable from the mounting section 82. When the base material of the print medium S is transparent and the printed portion to be read by the reading section 72 is formed in white ink, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting section 82 so that the surface formed in a color other than white, such as black or gray, faces the imaging element 80. When the color of the ink of the print medium S and the printed portion to be read by the reading section 72 does not meet these conditions, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting section 82 so that the surface formed in white faces the imaging element 80.

[0043] This allows the scanner 70 to read a printed portion even if the base material of the print medium S is transparent and the printed portion read by the reading unit 72 is formed with white ink. Therefore, the scanner 70 can read any printed portion of the print medium S, regardless of the base material of the print medium S and the color of ink used to print the printed portion.

[0044] There may be two types of reflector 84: one that is entirely white, and one that is entirely black, gray, or another color other than white. In this case, the user may exchange the two reflectors 84 depending on the base material of the print medium S or the color of the ink. Also, for example, the user may place one reflector 84 on top of the other reflector 84 depending on the base material of the print medium S or the color of the ink.

[0045] The placement section 82 is provided with a pair of reflector light sources 86. The reflector light sources 86 are arranged along the conveyance direction F, sandwiching the reflector 84 therebetween. Each of the reflector light sources 86 is formed long and extends in the Y direction, and emits light from the entire longitudinal direction toward the reflector 84. The reflector light sources 86 of this embodiment use light-emitting elements such as LEDs and semiconductor lasers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of light sources such as HID lamps may also be used for the reflector light sources 86.

[0046] The reflector light source 86 is turned on and off under the control of the control device 100. The control device 100 turns on the reflector light source 86 when the base material of the print medium S input to the input device 150 is transparent and the printed portion read by the reading unit 72 is formed with ink other than white. If the print medium S and the ink color of the printed portion read by the reading unit 72 do not meet these conditions, the control device 100 turns off the reflector light source 86.

[0047] In the scanner 70, when the substrate of the print medium S is transparent and the printed portion read by the reading unit 72 is formed with ink other than white, the light emitted from the imaging light source 81 casts a shadow of the printed portion onto the white reflector 84. In the scanner 70 of this embodiment, the reflector light source 86 irradiates light onto the reflector 84, thereby preventing the shadow from falling onto the white reflector 84. Therefore, the scanner 70 can prevent a decrease in the accuracy of reading any printed portion of the print medium S, regardless of the substrate of the print medium S or the color of ink used to print the printed portion.

[0048] 2 and 3, a first roller 94 and a second roller 96 are attached to the reading unit housing 74 via an attachment member 90. The first roller 94 and the second roller 96 are both so-called driven rollers, in which no power source such as a motor is attached to a shaft body 98 that serves as a rotation shaft. The mounting members 90 are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the reading unit housing 74. The mounting members 90 are provided with arms 92 that extend outward from both sides of the reading unit housing 74 along the conveyance direction F.

[0049] Each of the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 is attached to the reading unit housing 74 by holding both ends of a shaft 98, which is a rotation axis, in the arm 92. One end of the shaft 98 is attached to one arm 92 of one mounting member 90, and the other end of the shaft 98 is attached to one arm 92 of the other mounting member 90.

[0050] In this way, by holding both ends of the shaft body 98 by each of the arms 92 on one side of each mounting member 90, the first roller 94 is disposed upstream of the reading unit housing 74 on the transport path R. Similarly, the second roller 96 is disposed downstream of the reading unit housing 74 on the transport path R. The first roller 94 and second roller 96 thus disposed each have their longitudinal directions extending substantially parallel to the Y direction, and their lower ends disposed below the bottom surface of the reading unit housing 74. The first roller 94 and second roller 96 are disposed at positions that are substantially the same height as each other in the vertical direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the first roller 94 is located below the upper end of the transport roller 50 in the Z direction, and the lower end of the second roller 96 is located below the upper end of the transport roller 51. In other words, the end of the transport roller 50 on the imaging element 80 side is located closer to the imaging element 80 than the end of the first roller 94 on the printing surface S1 side, and the end of the transport roller 51 on the imaging element 80 side is located closer to the imaging element 80 than the end of the second roller 96 on the printing surface S1 side.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 , the lower ends of the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 are in contact with the printing surface S1. As a result, the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 each apply a predetermined tension to the print medium S. As a result, the print medium S is prevented from bending below the reading unit housing 74, and extends in a substantially straight line when viewed from the Y direction. Therefore, the print medium S is positioned substantially parallel to the entire surface of the image sensor 80 at a position on the transport path R between the first roller 94 and the second roller 96. The scanner 70 reads the printing surface S1 of the print medium S in this state with the image sensor 80.

[0053] As a result, the scanner 70 can hold the print medium S so that the distance between the imaging element 80 and the print surface S1 is approximately constant at positions between the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 on the transport path R. As a result, the scanner 70 can prevent a decrease in the accuracy of reading the print surface S1.

[0054] On the transport path R, at least in the range read by the imaging element 80, the reading unit 72 and the placement unit 82 do not come into contact with the print medium S. In this range, the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 come into contact with the print medium S. This reduces the frictional load applied to the transported print medium S on the transport path R, at least in the range read by the imaging element 80.

[0055] Furthermore, in this range, the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 come into contact with the print medium S from the side where the imaging element 80 is located, thereby holding the print medium S. As a result, the scanner 70 can hold the print medium S so that the distance between the imaging element 80 and the print surface S1 is approximately constant, regardless of the thickness of the print medium S.

[0056] As described above, the first roller 94 and the second roller 96 are integrally provided to the reading unit housing 74 via the mounting member 90. This allows the scanner 70 to hold the print medium S so that the distance between the imaging element 80 and the print surface S1 is approximately constant, even if vibrations occur due to the transport of the print medium S.

[0057] [Scanner Operation] In the printing device 1, when the base material of the print medium S is opaque and the printed portion to be read by the reading unit 72 is formed with ink other than white, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting unit 82 so that the white surface faces the imaging element 80. In this case, the control device 100 turns off the reflector light source 86.

[0058] If the base material of the print medium S is opaque and the printed portion to be read by the reading unit 72 is formed with white ink, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting unit 82 so that the white surface faces the imaging element 80. In this case, the control device 100 turns off the reflector light source 86.

[0059] If the base material of the print medium S is transparent and the printed portion to be read by the reading unit 72 is formed with ink other than white, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting unit 82 so that the white surface faces the imaging element 80. In this case, the control device 100 turns on the reflector light source 86.

[0060] If the base material of the print medium S is transparent and the printed portion to be read by the reading unit 72 is formed with white ink, the user places the reflector 84 on the mounting unit 82 so that the surface formed in a color other than white faces the imaging element 80. In this case, the control device 100 turns off the reflector light source 86.

[0061] In this way, the scanner 70 can read any printed area on various types of printing media S by switching the reflective surface of the reflector 84 and the lighting of the reflector light source 86 depending on the base material of the printing medium S and the color of the ink in the printed area read by the reading unit 72.

[0062] The above-described embodiment is an example of one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the color of the reflective surface of the reflector 84 is switched by a user operation. However, this is not limiting, and the scanner 70 may be provided with a switching mechanism whose operation is controlled by the control device 100, and the color of the reflective surface of the reflector 84 may be changed by the switching mechanism.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, a lateral inkjet method is exemplified as the printing method of the printing device 1, but the printing method of the printing device 1 may be a line inkjet method or a serial inkjet method. Furthermore, the printing method of the printing device 1 is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be another printing method such as an electrophotographic method using toner.

[0065] The processor 110 may be configured with multiple processors or may be configured with a single processor. The processor 110 may be hardware programmed to implement the functions of each unit described below. That is, the processor 110 may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0066] Furthermore, the components shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each component individually; it is of course possible to configure the components so that the functions of each component are realized by a single processor executing a program. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-described embodiment may be implemented as hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented as software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the control device 100 and other components of the printing device 1 may be changed as desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0067] Unless otherwise specified, the horizontal, vertical, and other directions and various shapes in the above-described embodiments include a so-called equivalent range that provides the same action and effect as those directions, values, and shapes.

[0068] Summary of this disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0069] (Appendix 1) A reading device comprising an imaging element that images a medium being transported, a first roller arranged upstream of the imaging element in the transport direction of the medium, and a second roller arranged downstream of the imaging element in the transport direction, wherein the imaging element is spaced apart from the medium and arranged opposite a first surface, which is one of the surfaces of the medium, and the first roller and the second roller contact the first surface of the medium from the imaging element side, thereby applying a predetermined tension to the medium along the transport direction of the medium. This allows the reading device to hold the print medium so that the distance between the imaging element and the first surface is approximately constant regardless of the thickness dimension of the medium, and also suppresses an increase in the transport load on the medium.

[0070] (Appendix 2) A reading device as described in Appendix 1, wherein an imaging light source is arranged opposite the first surface and irradiates light onto the first surface, and a reflector and a reflector light source are provided on the opposite side of the medium from the imaging element. This prevents the reading device from casting a shadow on the reflector, and prevents a decrease in the accuracy of reading any location on the medium.

[0071] (Appendix 3) When the medium is a print medium on which a predetermined image is printed in ink other than white on a transparent substrate, the reflector faces the imaging element, and the area that overlaps with the range imaged by the imaging element is formed in white, and the imaging element images the first surface with the reflector light source turned on. This prevents the reading device from casting shadows from areas printed with ink other than white onto the reflector, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of reading any area on the medium.

[0072] (Appendix 4) When the medium is a print medium on which a predetermined image is printed in white ink on a transparent substrate, the reflector faces the imaging element, and the area that overlaps with the range imaged by the imaging element is formed in a color other than white, and the imaging element images the first surface with the reflector light source turned off. This allows the reading device to read the areas printed in white ink.

[0073] (Appendix 5) A reading device described in any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 4, wherein when the medium is a print medium on which a predetermined image is printed with various inks on an opaque substrate, the imaging element images the first surface when the reflector light source is turned off. This allows the reader to turn off the reflector light source when no shadow falls on the reflector.

[0074] (Appendix 6) The reading device according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the reflector faces the imaging element and is arranged so that the area that overlaps with the range imaged by the imaging element can be changed to either white or non-white. This allows the reading device to read any printed portion of various media.

[0075] (Appendix 7) A printing device comprising: the reading device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6; a transport unit that transports the long-sized medium; and a printing unit that is provided upstream of the reading device in the transport path of the medium and that ejects ink onto the first surface, which is one surface of the medium transported by the transport unit, to form an image. This allows the printing device to achieve the same effects as the reading device described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...printing device, 21...supply shaft, 50, 51...transport roller, 52...driven roller, 70...scanner, 72...reading unit, 74...reading unit housing, 76...imaging unit, 78...substrate, 79...cover glass, 80...imaging element, 81...imaging light source, 82...mounting unit, 83...opposing surface, 84...reflector, 86...reflector light source, 90...mounting member, 92...arm, 94...first roller, 96...second roller, 98...shaft, F...transport direction, M6...drive motor, 7...drive motor, R...transport path, S...printing medium, S1...printing surface.

Claims

1. an imaging element for imaging the medium being conveyed; a first roller disposed upstream of the imaging element in a transport direction of the medium; a second roller disposed downstream of the imaging element in the transport direction; Equipped with the imaging element is disposed at a distance from the medium and facing a first surface of the medium; The first roller and the second roller contact the first surface of the medium from the imaging element side, thereby applying a predetermined tension to the medium along the transport direction of the medium. Reading device.

2. an imaging light source that is disposed opposite the first surface and that irradiates the first surface with light; On the opposite side of the imaging element across the medium, A reflector and a reflector light source that irradiates light onto the reflector; will be established The reading device according to claim 1 .

3. When the medium is a print medium in which a predetermined image is printed with ink other than white on a transparent base material, the reflector faces the imaging element, and a portion of the reflector that overlaps with a range captured by the imaging element is formed in white; The imaging element captures an image of the first surface while the reflector light source is turned on.

3. The reading device according to claim 2.

4. When the medium is a print medium having a predetermined image printed in white ink on a transparent substrate, the reflector faces the imaging element, and a portion of the reflector that overlaps with a range captured by the imaging element is formed in a color other than white; The imaging element captures an image of the first surface while the reflector light source is turned off. The reading device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. When the medium is a print medium in which a predetermined image is printed with various inks on an opaque base material, The imaging element captures an image of the first surface while the reflector light source is turned off. The reading device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The reflector faces the imaging element, and a portion of the reflector overlapping with a range captured by the imaging element can be changed to either white or a color other than white. The reading device according to claim 2 or 3.

7. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a conveying unit that conveys the long medium; a printing unit that is provided upstream of the reading device in a transport path of the medium and that ejects ink onto the first surface, which is one surface of the medium transported by the transport unit, to form an image; Equipped with Printing device.

Images