Scanner with automatic document feeding function, scan data production method, and printed matter production method

Abstract

To provide a scanner with an automatic document feeding function capable of suppressing occurrence of an error while achieving high speed by shortening an interval between sheets to be transmitted as necessary.SOLUTION: A scanner 10 with an automatic document feeding function according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a transport mechanism 12, a processor 11, and a scan sensor 13. The transport mechanism 12 transports a medium stacked in a paper feed unit to a scan position and discharges the medium after scanning. The processor 11 controls the transport mechanism 12. The scan sensor 13 scans the medium at a scan position on a transport path. The processor 11 determines a type of the medium transported by the transport mechanism 12. In a case where the medium is a first medium of which size of the medium in a transport direction is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, the processor 11 performs control to delay paper feeding of a next medium, compared to a case where the medium is a second medium of which size of the medium in the transport direction is larger than the threshold value and is the same as the first medium except for the size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a scanner with an automatic document feed function, a method for producing scanned data, and a method for producing printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading processing device that aims to improve reading performance by shortening the gap between sheets when continuously reading documents, and preventing image loss when skewed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-76967 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while the technology described in Patent Document 1 can shorten the interval between sheets to increase speed, it also makes errors such as paper jams more likely to occur.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to develop a technology that can shorten the interval between sheets of paper being transported as needed to increase speed in a scanner with an automatic document feeder, while suppressing the occurrence of errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A scanner with an automatic document feed function according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a transport mechanism that transports media stacked in a paper feed section to a scanning position and ejects the media after scanning, a processor that controls the transport mechanism, and a scan sensor that scans the media at the scanning position on the transport path, wherein the processor determines the type of media transported by the transport mechanism, and if the media is a first medium whose size in the transport direction of the media is less than a threshold value, controls to delay the feeding of the next medium compared to when the media is a second medium whose size in the transport direction of the media is greater than the threshold value and is the same as the first medium in all respects except for its size.

[0007] A scan data production method according to one aspect of the present disclosure involves continuously feeding media stacked in a paper feed unit, determining the type of the media fed from the paper feed unit, and if the type of the media is a first medium, delaying the feeding of the next medium compared to when the type of the media is a second medium whose size in the transport direction is larger than that of the first medium but whose other properties are the same as those of the first medium, and producing scan data by scanning the media continuously fed from the paper feed unit.

[0008] A printed matter production method according to one aspect of the present disclosure involves continuously feeding media stacked in a paper feed unit, determining the type of media fed from the paper feed unit, and if the type of media is a first medium, delaying the feeding of the next medium compared to when the type of media is a second medium, which is larger than the first medium in size in the transport direction but is the same as the first medium in all other respects except for size, and producing printed matter by printing on the media continuously fed from the paper feed unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a scanner according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the scanner in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the distance between sheets depending on the document size. [Figure 4] 2 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a scan process in the scanner of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] This is a flow chart continuing from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scanning process in a scanner according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] This is a flow chart continuing from FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are merely examples for explaining the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the components described in the embodiments of the present invention are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] (Embodiment) [Scanner Configuration] An example of the configuration of a scanner according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a scanner according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the example of the configuration of the scanner in Fig. 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner 10 according to this embodiment can include a processor 11, a transport mechanism 12, a scan sensor 13, an operation unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0013] The processor 11 controls the entire scanner 10. The processor 11 can be configured to include, for example, an arithmetic processing unit, a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, etc. The arithmetic processing unit can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 11 can also be configured as an SoC (System on a Chip). As can be seen from these examples, the processor 11 can be configured to store the control program in an executable state. However, the processor 11 can also be configured to store part of the control program as a circuit configuration such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or can be configured as a dedicated circuit.

[0014] The control program can include a program for the arithmetic processing device to execute image processing in cooperation with the memory unit 15, the transport mechanism 12, the scan sensor 13, and the operation unit 14. In the following, an example will be described in which at least a part of the control program is stored in the memory unit 15 provided separately from the processor 11, but the memory unit 15 may be part of a storage device within the processor 11. In other words, the memory unit 15 can also be considered as part of the processor 11.

[0015] The storage unit 15 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or other memory. The storage unit 15 stores a scan program 20 (described later) as part of a control program in a state executable by the processor 11. The storage unit 15 can also store various types of data. The various types of data may include, for example, image data obtained by scanning, other intermediate data, and file data as products processed by the scan program 20.

[0016] The transport mechanism 12 transports media stacked in the paper feed unit to a scanning position and ejects the scanned media. Therefore, the transport mechanism 12 includes a paper feed unit (not shown) on which the media, which are the originals to be read, is placed, a paper ejection unit (not shown) that ejects the originals after reading, and a mechanism for transporting the originals between the paper feed unit and the paper ejection unit.

[0017] The scan sensor 13 is a sensor that scans the document at a scan position on the transport path. The scan sensor 13 optically reads the image of the document placed on the document table, for example, and obtains the image data and passes it to the processor 11.

[0018] Scanner 10 may also include an automatic document feeder (not shown) as part of transport mechanism 12 in order to automatically transport multiple documents one by one to a reading position such as a document table on scan sensor 13. An automatic document feeder is also called an ADF. ADF stands for Automatic Document Feeder. Thus, scanner 10 according to this embodiment has an automatic document feeding function that automatically transports multiple documents one by one to a reading position such as a document table. Therefore, scanner 10 with automatic document feeding function according to this embodiment may also be called an ADF scanner. Scanner 10 may also be called a document reading device.

[0019] An example of the transport mechanism 12 and an example of the arrangement of the scan sensor 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The transport mechanism 12 includes, along the document transport path SS, a pickup roller 101, a document detection sensor 102, a document stopper 103, a roller pair of a separation roller 104 and a retard roller 105, an intermediate roller 106, and a paper feed roller 107. Although not shown, the transport mechanism 12 may include a motor, such as a paper feed motor, that drives the drive rollers.

[0020] Furthermore, the transport mechanism 12 includes, following the paper feed roller 107, a trailing edge detection sensor 108, a pressure plate 109, and a paper discharge roller 112 along the document transport path SS. As an example of the scan sensor 13, a front surface reading sensor 110 is disposed at a position opposite the pressure plate 109, and a back surface reading sensor 111 is disposed between the front surface reading sensor 110 and the paper discharge roller 112.

[0021] 2, as the document transport path SS is indicated by the arrow, a document detected by document detection sensor 102 begins to be transported when pickup roller 101 picks up the document, and the document is separated from the next document by separation roller 104. The document then passes through intermediate roller 106 and paper feed roller 107, and the leading edge of the document reaches trailing edge detection sensor 108. When the document reaches trailing edge detection sensor 108, trailing edge detection sensor 108 turns ON, and when the trailing edge of the document leaves trailing edge detection sensor 108, trailing edge detection sensor 108 turns OFF. The document detected by trailing edge detection sensor 108 passes through the document reading positions of front surface reading sensor 110 and back surface reading sensor 111, and is discharged from discharge roller 112.

[0022] The operation unit 14 is a unit that accepts operations by the user of the scanner 10, and may also be referred to as an operation acceptance unit. The scanner 10 may also be equipped with a display unit (not shown). The display unit is a unit for displaying a user interface (UI) image for operating the scanner 10, and is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit may also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0023] The operation unit 14 can be realized by, for example, physical buttons, a touch panel mounted on a display unit, etc. When the operation unit 14 is configured to include a touch panel, the display unit and the touch panel can be collectively referred to as the operation panel of the scanner 10.

[0024] The scanner 10 may be provided with a communication unit instead of or in addition to the operation unit 14, and may receive signals indicating user operations from an external device via this communication unit. Examples of external devices include a terminal device and a printer.

[0025] The terminal device is, for example, an information processing device with a communication function, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and can be used by a user who desires image processing, such as scanning a document. When the external device is a terminal device, the scanner 10 can be connected to the terminal device via a wired or wireless network. This network can be, for example, a local area network. When the external device is a printer, the printer and the scanner 10 can be configured as a copier or a multifunction device equipped with other functions.

[0026] The scan program 20 will now be described. The scan program 20 can include a discrimination processing unit 21 and a paper feed processing unit 22 in order to carry out the process of transporting the document to be read to the position of the scan sensor 13 using the transport mechanism 12 and the scan sensor 13 and causing the scan sensor 13 to scan it. The scan program 20 is a program that causes a computer to execute each of the processes described as the processes performed by the discrimination processing unit 21 and the paper feed processing unit 22, respectively.

[0027] The discrimination processing unit 21 performs a process to discriminate the type of medium conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 12. The type of medium includes at least the size of the medium in the conveyance direction, and may also include the thickness of the medium and the quality of the medium, such as plain paper or photo paper. If the medium is a first medium whose size in the conveyance direction is equal to or smaller than a threshold, the paper feed processing unit 22 performs control to delay the feeding of the next medium compared to when the medium is a second medium whose size in the conveyance direction is larger than the threshold and is identical to the first medium in all other respects except for the size. The feeding of the next medium refers to the feeding of the medium placed in the paper feed unit and to be conveyed next. In this way, the processor 11 performs control to discriminate the type of medium and delay the feeding of the medium.

[0028] The reason for this control will be explained using Figure 3. This is mainly due to differences in automatic document feed performance for each document size. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the distance between sheets depending on the document size.

[0029] Graph 30 in Figure 3 shows the results of the distance between sheets when 100 sheets of A4, B5, A5, and A6 size documents were continuously fed using an automatic document feeder and scanned. The average distance between sheets remains the same for all document sizes, but it can be seen that the distance between sheets tends to be smaller for documents shorter in the transport direction. Furthermore, from these results, it can be inferred that the frequency of document jams increases when A6 size documents are continuously fed and scanned.

[0030] As described above, as the document feed speed increases during document reading, the difference in document feed performance for each document size becomes more pronounced, and when continuously fed documents that are short in the transport direction are read, the distance between the sheets cannot be ensured. As described above, when continuous document feeding is performed without sufficient separation from the next document, the distance between the sheets becomes smaller, so it is estimated that when continuous documents that are short in the transport direction are fed, a document may be fed into the document transport path without sufficient separation from the next document.

[0031] To avoid such problems, the paper feed processing unit 22 switches the subsequent document feed conditions according to the length of the document transported during document reading and delays the next document feed, reducing the possibility of poor paper separation when the document is short. Specifically, the paper feed processing unit 22 performs control to delay the feeding of the next medium for a first medium whose size in the transport direction of the medium is equal to or smaller than a threshold, compared to a second medium whose size in the transport direction of the medium is larger than the threshold and is identical to the first medium in all other respects except for its size. With this control, even when documents whose length in the transport direction is short are continuously fed, the documents are fed into the document transport path SS with sufficient paper separation from the next document, reducing the frequency of errors such as document jams.

[0032] [Example of scanning process] Next, an example of the scan processing in the scanner 10, including such control, will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of the scan processing in the scanner 10 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a flow diagram following Figure 4.

[0033] In scanner 10, condition information 23 is stored in memory 15 by user operation on operation unit 14 or by default setting. Condition information 23 includes information indicating whether to perform mixed scan, in which multiple types of documents are mixed in size and scanned in the paper feed unit, or non-mixed scan, in which one type of document is stacked in the paper feed unit and scanned. Processor 11 refers to this condition information 23 to determine whether to perform mixed scan or non-mixed scan.

[0034] This embodiment is particularly useful when performing mixed-size scanning, and the following example illustrates this. In other words, this embodiment is particularly useful when the scanner 10 has a mixed-size function that allows different sizes of media to be mixed in the paper feeder. Mixed-size scanning is based on the premise that multiple types of documents are mixed and placed vertically or horizontally, and fit within the width of a guide in the paper feeder that defines the width direction perpendicular to the document transport direction. Information indicating the width of this guide can be received by the processor 11 via a sensor installed in the guide.

[0035] For example, cases where A4 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and A5 size documents in landscape orientation, A3 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and A4 size documents in landscape orientation, or A5 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and A6 size documents in landscape orientation are included. Other cases include cases where B3 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and B4 size documents in landscape orientation, B4 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and B5 size documents in landscape orientation, or B5 size documents are stacked in portrait orientation and B6 size documents in landscape orientation are included. Of course, even if documents of other sizes that do not fit the width of the guide are placed on the stack, there is no problem as long as the transport mechanism 12 can transport them accurately and without tilting.

[0036] The condition information 23 also includes information indicating the above-mentioned threshold value for mixed-size scanning, and information indicating document feed conditions, which indicate whether continuous paper feed or single sheet feed is to be used.

[0037] The following describes a case where, during mixed-load scanning, the first condition, which is the document feed condition determined before the start of document reading, is continuous paper feeding. When the length L1 of a document transported while being read using continuous paper feeding is equal to or less than the threshold value Th, the paper feed processing unit 22 terminates the continuous paper feeding and switches the second condition, which is the document feed condition for the subsequent document, to single sheet feeding, and executes document reading. Thereafter, if the length L1 of a document transported while being read using single sheet feeding is not equal to or less than the threshold value Th, the paper feed processing unit 22 performs the following process. That is, in this case, the paper feed processing unit 22 switches the document feed condition for the further subsequent document to continuous paper feeding, which is the same document feed condition as the first condition determined before the start of document reading, and executes document reading. Of course, determining whether the length L1 is equal to or less than the threshold value Th is equivalent to determining whether the length L1 is less than the threshold value Th.

[0038] The length L1 can be detected as follows. As explained for the document transport path SS, when the leading edge of the document reaches the trailing edge detection sensor 108, the trailing edge detection sensor 108 turns ON, and when the trailing edge of the document leaves the trailing edge detection sensor 108, the trailing edge detection sensor 108 turns OFF. Therefore, the length L1 of the transported document can be detected from the amount of document feed from when the trailing edge detection sensor 108 turns ON to when it turns OFF.

[0039] In this process, first, the paper feed processing unit 22 determines whether continuous paper feed is possible (step S11). This determination may be, for example, whether the document detection sensor 102 can detect the presence of multiple documents in the paper feed unit and whether there is currently no paper jam error. If the result of step S11 is YES, the paper feed processing unit 22 instructs the transport mechanism 12 to start continuous paper feed, causing continuous paper feed to begin (step S12). If the result of step S11 is NO, or after processing step S12, the paper feed processing unit 22 determines whether continuous paper feed is being performed (step S13).

[0040] If the answer is NO in step S13, the discrimination processing unit 21 determines whether L1≦Th is satisfied and passes the result of this determination to the sheet feeding processing unit 22 (step S14). If the answer is YES in step S14, the sheet feeding processing unit 22 switches to single sheet feeding and instructs the transport mechanism 12 to start single sheet feeding, causing single sheet feeding to begin (step S15). If the answer is NO in step S14, including when L1 is not detected, the sheet feeding processing unit 22 determines whether continuous sheet feeding is possible (step S16), as in step S11. If the answer is NO in step S16, the process proceeds to step S15, where single sheet feeding begins. If the answer is YES in step S16, the sheet feeding processing unit 22 instructs the transport mechanism 12 to resume continuous sheet feeding, causing continuous sheet feeding to resume (step S17).

[0041] If the answer is YES in step S13, after the processing of step S15 and after the processing of step S17, the paper feed processing unit 22 instructs the rear end detection sensor 108 to start detecting L1, causing detection of L1 to begin (step S18). Following step S18, the paper feed processing unit 22 instructs the front side reading sensor 110 and the back side reading sensor 111 to start reading the document, causing reading of the document to begin (step S19). Thereafter, as the document is transported, detection of L1 by the rear end detection sensor 108 ends (step S20), and reading of the document also ends (step S21).

[0042] Next, paper feed processing unit 22 determines whether continuous paper feed is being performed (step S22), and if the result is NO, it sends an instruction to conveyance mechanism 12 to end single sheet feed, thereby terminating single sheet feed (step S23). If the result is YES in step S22, discrimination processing unit 21 determines whether L1≦Th is satisfied and passes the result of the determination to paper feed processing unit 22 (step S24). If the result is YES in step S24, paper feed processing unit 22 instructs conveyance mechanism 12 to end continuous paper feed, thereby terminating continuous paper feed (step S25). After processing step S25, if the result is NO in step S24, or after processing step S22, paper feed processing unit 22 determines whether there is a next document based on the detection result of document detection sensor 102 (step S26).

[0043] If there is a next document, that is, if step S26 is NO, the paper feed processing unit 22 returns to step S13 and continues processing. If there is no next document, that is, if step S26 is YES, there is no need to process the next document, so the paper feed processing unit 22 determines whether continuous paper feed is being performed (step S27). If step S27 is YES, the paper feed processing unit 22 instructs the transport mechanism 12 to end continuous paper feed, and ends continuous paper feed (step S28). After processing step S28, or if step S27 is NO, the paper feed processing unit 22 instructs the paper discharge rollers 112, etc. to discharge the document, causing it to be discharged (step S29), and ends processing.

[0044] As described above, in the scanning process during mixed scan, the document feed conditions determined before the start of document reading are switched to the document feed conditions for the subsequent document based on the length L1 of the document transported during document reading, and the document is then read. In other words, in the scanning process during mixed scan, the document feed conditions for the subsequent document are switched to the pre-start conditions based on the length L1 of the document transported during document reading under the pre-start conditions determined before the start of document reading. Furthermore, in this scanning process, the document feed conditions for the subsequent document are switched to the pre-start conditions based on the length of the document transported during document reading under the switched document feed conditions, and the document is then read.

[0045] Furthermore, as described above, when the transported document is the first medium, processor 11 performs control to delay the feeding of the next medium more than when the transported document is the second medium. This control may be simplified. That is, when the document type is the second medium, that is, when L1>Th, processor 11 may perform control to start feeding the next medium before the document is completely discharged. In other words, when L1>Th, paper feed processing unit 22 may control transport mechanism 12 to start feeding the next document before the document is completely discharged. This is because when the document type is long in the transport direction, the distance between sheets tends to be greater than when it is short, and therefore, starting the feeding of the next document before the document is completely discharged is thought to be less likely to cause problems such as paper jams.

[0046] In this case, if the type of document is the first medium, that is, if L1≦Th, processor 11 may perform control so that feeding of the next document begins after discharge of the current document is complete. In other words, if L1≦Th, paper feed processing unit 22 may control transport mechanism 12 so that feeding of the next document begins after discharge of the current document is complete. This is because when the type of document is short in the transport direction, the distance between sheets tends to be smaller than when it is long, and it is thought that problems such as paper jams may occur if feeding of the next document is not started after discharge is complete.

[0047] 2, a medium detection sensor that detects the medium (original) may be provided upstream of the front side reading sensor 110 and the back side reading sensor 111, which are examples of scan sensors. The processor 11 may then determine the size of the original in the transport direction based on the output of this medium detection sensor.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, processor 11 controls the feeding of the next document to be delayed when the transported document is the first medium compared to when the transported document is the second medium. This control may be simplified by controlling the timing of the start of feeding. In other words, processor 11 may shorten the time interval between the start of feeding of the transported document and the start of feeding of the next document when the transported document is the second medium compared to when the transported document is the first medium. This is because when the transported document is long in the transport direction, the distance between the sheets tends to be greater than when it is short. Therefore, even if the time until the start of feeding of the next document is shortened, problems such as paper jams are less likely to occur. Here, the start of feeding of each document may refer to the point at which the document is separated from the next document by separation roller 104 and transport by intermediate roller 106 begins.

[0049] [Scanning process according to a comparative example] Before describing the effects of this embodiment, a scan process by a scanner according to a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the scan process by the scanner according to the comparative example. Fig. 7 is a flow chart following Fig. 6.

[0050] Unlike the present embodiment, the scanning process according to the comparative example does not include a determination based on the length of the document as in steps S14 and S24. Hereinafter, the scanner according to the comparative example will be referred to as a comparison scanner, and components corresponding to those in FIG. 2 will be described as components with the same names.

[0051] As a processing procedure according to the comparative example, first, similar to step S11, the comparison scanner determines whether continuous paper feeding is possible (step S61). If the answer is YES in step S61, the comparison scanner instructs the conveyance mechanism to start continuous paper feeding, and continuous paper feeding begins (step S62). If the answer is NO in step S61, or after processing step S62, the comparison scanner determines whether continuous paper feeding is being performed (step S63).

[0052] If step S63 is NO, the comparison scanner switches to single sheet feeding and instructs the transport mechanism to start single sheet feeding, causing single sheet feeding to begin (step S65). If step S63 is YES, or after processing step S65, the comparison scanner instructs the front surface reading sensor and back surface reading sensor to start document reading, causing document reading to begin (step S69). Thereafter, document reading ends as the document is transported (step S71).

[0053] Next, the comparison scanner determines whether continuous sheet feeding is in progress (step S72), and if the answer is NO, it sends a command to the transport mechanism to end single sheet feeding, thereby terminating single sheet feeding (step S73).If the answer is YES in step S72, and after processing step S73, the comparison scanner determines whether there is a next document based on the detection result of the document detection sensor (step S76).

[0054] If there is a next document, that is, if step S76 is NO, the comparison scanner returns to step S63 and continues processing. If there is no next document, that is, if step S76 is YES, there is no need to process the next document, so the comparison scanner determines whether continuous paper feeding is being performed (step S77). If step S77 is YES, the comparison scanner instructs the transport mechanism to end continuous paper feeding, and ends continuous paper feeding (step S78). After processing step S78, or if step S77 is NO, the comparison scanner instructs the paper ejection rollers, etc., to eject the document, and causes the document to be ejected (step S79), ending processing.

[0055] In the comparative example, the document feed conditions are determined before the start of document reading, and the document feed conditions are not changed during document reading. Therefore, in the comparative example, as the document feed speed during document reading increases, the difference in document feed performance for each document size becomes more pronounced, and when continuous document feeding is performed with documents that are short in the transport direction, it is not possible to ensure a sufficient distance between the sheets. Furthermore, if the sufficient distance between the sheets is not ensured, the frequency of document jams increases. Therefore, in the comparative example, single-sheet feeding document reading, which ensures a sufficient distance between the sheets, must ultimately be performed.

[0056] In this way, in the comparative example, because documents of different lengths in the transport direction are fed during mixed load scanning, the document feed conditions determined before the start of document scanning must be single sheet feeding, which ensures sufficient distance between documents even for documents that are short in the transport direction. Therefore, in the comparative example, documents must all be read using single sheet feeding regardless of their length in the transport direction, which results in a large difference in speed performance compared to high-speed continuous feed document scanning during non-mixed load scanning.

[0057] In other words, mixed-size scanning is highly convenient for users who handle documents of various lengths because it can be used without having to sort the documents according to their length, but the comparative example has the problem of not being able to fully utilize the scanner's speed performance.

[0058] [Advantages of this embodiment] In the scanner 10 with automatic document feed function according to this embodiment, by switching document feed conditions to match the length of the document being fed during document scanning, it is possible to perform continuous document feed scanning at the same high speed as non-mixed document scanning, provided the document is not short in the feed direction. Furthermore, when the document is short in the feed direction, this scanner 10 performs single-sheet document feed scanning to prevent document jams, enabling mixed document scanning that takes advantage of the scanner's speed performance. Thus, according to this embodiment, unlike the comparative example, the convenience of mixed document scanning can be effectively utilized, shortening the interval between sheets of paper as needed to increase speed while preventing errors such as paper jams.

[0059] [Scan data production method according to the present embodiment] While the present embodiment has been described primarily with respect to the configuration of scanner 10, the present embodiment can also provide a scan data production method, as described in the processing example. This scan data production method can provide a scan data production method that includes the processes described as processes performed by discrimination processing unit 21 and paper feed processing unit 22, respectively. Specifically, this scan data production method continuously feeds media stacked in a paper feed unit and determines the type of the media fed from the paper feed unit. If the medium type is a first medium, this scan data production method delays the feeding of the next medium compared to when the medium type is a second medium, which is larger in size in the medium transport direction than the first medium but identical to the first medium in all other respects except for the size. This scan data production method produces scan data by scanning media continuously fed from the paper feed unit.

[0060] (Other variations) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the configuration of the scanner, the configuration of each program included in the scanner, the processing procedure of the scanner, etc. are not limited to those exemplified.

[0061] Furthermore, the control of transport and the like according to the above-described embodiment when producing scan data can also be applied when feeding a medium to be printed on, that is, when feeding a medium to be printed on.

[0062] That is, the present disclosure also includes the following embodiment as a print production method. This print production method continuously feeds media stacked in a paper feed unit and determines the type of media fed from the paper feed unit. The paper feed unit here is a component that supplies the media to be printed. This print production method delays the feeding of the next medium when the medium type is a first medium compared to when the medium type is a second medium, which is larger than the first medium in the size in the medium transport direction but identical to the first medium in all other respects except for the size. This print production method produces prints by printing on the media continuously fed from the paper feed unit. For example, prints can be produced by printing instead of scanning at the scanning position of the scanner 10. While detailed configuration examples and processing examples of a printing device that performs such printing are not provided, a typical printing device may be configured to control paper feeding as described for the scanner 10.

[0063] Furthermore, each of the devices, such as the scanner and printing device according to the above-described embodiments, and external devices connectable to the scanner or printing device, can have the following hardware configuration, for example: Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device.

[0064] 8 may include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 may include, for example, a communication interface or an interface with an input / output device, as required depending on the device.

[0065] The processor 1001 may be, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), also known as a microprocessor. The processor 1001 may include multiple processors. The memory 1002 is configured, for example, by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The functions of each device are realized by the processor 1001 reading a program stored in the memory 1002 and executing it while exchanging necessary information via the interface 1003.

[0066] The above-described program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. Examples of computer-readable media or tangible storage media include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or other memory technologies. Examples of computer-readable media or tangible storage media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray discs, or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. Examples of transitory computer-readable media or communication media include, but are not limited to, electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals. The program may also be included in a program product.

[0067] While the present invention has been described above in accordance with the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the inventions of the claims of this application. For example, inventions relating to a scan data production method and a print production method can also be considered inventions of a scanning method and a printing method, respectively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] SS...document transport path, 10...scanner, 11...processor, 12...transport mechanism, 13...scan sensor, 14...operation unit, 15...memory unit, 20...scan program, 21...discrimination processing unit, 22...paper feed processing unit, 23...condition information, 30...graph, 101...pickup roller, 102...document detection sensor, 103...document stopper, 104...separation roller, 105...retard roller, 106...intermediate roller, 107...paper feed roller, 108...trailing edge detection sensor, 109...pressure plate, 110...front surface reading sensor, 111...back surface reading sensor, 112...paper discharge roller, 1000...device, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...interface.

Claims

1. a transport mechanism that transports media stacked in a paper feed unit to a scanning position and ejects the media after scanning; a processor that controls the transport mechanism; a scan sensor that scans the medium at the scan position on the transport path; Equipped with The processor: Identifying the type of the medium transported by the transport mechanism; When the medium is a first medium whose size in the transport direction is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, control is performed to delay the feeding of the next medium compared to when the medium is a second medium whose size in the transport direction is larger than the threshold value and is the same as the first medium except for its size. Scanner with automatic document feed function.

2. When the type of the medium is the second medium, the processor controls to start feeding the next medium before the medium is completely discharged. The scanner with automatic document feeding function according to claim 1 .

3. When the type of the medium is the first medium, the processor performs control so as to start feeding the next medium after the medium has been discharged. The scanner with automatic document feeding function according to claim 2.

4. The paper feed unit has a mixed loading function that allows media of different sizes to be mixed.

3. The scanner with an automatic document feed function according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a medium detection sensor that detects the medium is provided upstream of the scan sensor; The processor determines the size of the medium in the transport direction based on the output of the medium detection sensor.

3. The scanner with an automatic document feed function according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a time interval between the start of feeding of the medium and the start of feeding of the next medium is shorter when the medium is the second medium than when the medium is the first medium; 3. The scanner with an automatic document feed function according to claim 1 or 2.

7. Continuously feeds media stacked in the paper feed section, Identifying the type of the medium fed from the paper feed unit; When the type of the medium is a first medium, the feeding of the next medium is delayed compared to when the type of the medium is a second medium, which is larger than the first medium in size in the transport direction and is the same as the first medium in all other respects except for the size; producing scan data by scanning the media continuously fed from the paper feed unit; Scan data production method.

8. Continuously feeds media stacked in the paper feed section, Identifying the type of the medium fed from the paper feed unit; When the type of the medium is a first medium, the feeding of the next medium is delayed compared to when the type of the medium is a second medium, which is larger than the first medium in size in the transport direction and is the same as the first medium in all other respects except for the size; producing printed matter by printing on the media continuously fed from the paper feed unit; Print production methods.

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