Image reading apparatus and image reading method

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus that reads an image formed on a medium while transporting the medium and improves the detection accuracy of the open / closed state of a cover member that forms a transport path for the medium.SOLUTION: An image reading apparatus comprises: a medium transport mechanism that transports a medium; a transport guide plate that forms a transport path provided in the medium transport mechanism and is openable and closable with respect to the medium transport mechanism; a plurality of image sensors that optically read an image; background white plates that respectively face the plurality of image sensors; and determination means that compares a reading value from each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value and determines the open / closed state of the transport guide plate. The determination means, before the medium is transported through the transport path, compares the reading values corresponding to the background white plates facing each of the image sensors with the threshold value, and determines the open / closed state of the transport guide plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Image reading devices that optically read text and images recorded on sheet-like media are known, and some image reading devices include a media transport mechanism that transports the media to a reading position and ejects the media to an ejection tray after image reading processing is complete.

[0003] In order to detect whether the cover is open or closed without installing additional components, a configuration has been disclosed that can accurately detect whether the cover is open or closed by using multiple thresholds (black threshold and white threshold) provided in the reading module (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 can detect the cover open / closed state at the detection level of the reading module. However, when applied to a cover that opens and closes only slightly, the detection result of the cover open / closed state becomes unstable due to the influence of component variations and repeated detection variations. As a result, the conventional configuration has not been able to solve the problem of falsely detecting the cover as open even when it is closed.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an image forming device that reads an image formed on a medium while transporting the medium, and that improves the accuracy of detecting the open / closed state of a cover member that forms the medium transport path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image formed on a sheet-like medium being transported, and includes a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium, a transport guide plate that forms a transport path provided in the medium transport mechanism and can be opened and closed relative to the medium transport mechanism, a plurality of image sensors that optically read the image, background white plates facing each of the plurality of image sensors, and a determination means that compares the reading values ​​of each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value and determines the open / closed state of the transport guide plate, characterized in that before transporting the medium in the transport path, the determination means compares the reading value of the background white plate facing each of the image sensors with the threshold value and determines the open / closed state of the transport guide plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that reads an image formed on a medium while transporting the medium, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the open / closed state of a cover member that forms a transport path for the medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image reading device. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an opening and closing structure of a transport guide plate included in the image reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a closed state of a transport guide plate included in the image reading apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conveying guide plate included in the image reading apparatus in an open state. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a medium transport mechanism included in the image reading apparatus. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of sensor outputs for detecting the open / closed state of a conveying guide plate. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of combinations of sensor outputs based on the open / closed state of a conveying guide plate. [Figure 9]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of combinations of sensor outputs based on the open / closed state of a conveying guide plate. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for determining whether a transport guide plate is open or closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading device and an image reading method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a scanner unit 100 which is an embodiment of an image reading device according to the present invention. The scanner unit 100 has two image reading modes, for example, a flatbed reading mode (a mode for reading a placed document) and a DF reading mode (a mode for reading a transported document), and is configured to be able to switch between these modes.

[0010] The placed document reading mode is an operating mode in which an original is placed on the flatbed contact glass 2 at the top of the flatbed scanner unit 1, and the user operates a copy start button or the like displayed on the operation display unit (not shown) to perform an operation start instruction operation (an operation to request the start of image reading), thereby performing an image reading operation.

[0011] In the placed document reading mode, after a start request operation is made, the surface image reading device 3 is operated in the sub-scanning direction 4 of the document (placed document) placed on the flatbed contact glass 2 through a drive unit such as a motor or timing belt and a progress holding member such as a guide rod to read the image of the placed document.

[0012] The transported document reading mode is an operating mode in which, with a stack of document sheets loaded on the document loading tray 21 (document loading table) in the ADF 20 as a media transport mechanism, the user operates a copy start button or the like displayed on the operation display unit (not shown) to perform an operation start instruction operation (an operation to request the start of image reading), thereby performing an image reading operation.

[0013] In the transported document reading mode, the ADF 20 as a medium transport mechanism separates original sheets one by one from a stack of original sheets stacked on the document placement tray 21 (document placement table), carries them into the document transport path 22, and transports the original sheets along the document transport path 22. The original sheets being transported are configured so that they gradually come partially in contact with the upper surface of the front DF contact glass 5 from the upstream portion in the transport direction. The original sheets being transported are gradually come partially in contact with the upper surface of the front DF contact glass 5 from the upstream portion in the transport direction. In the transported document reading mode, the front image reading device 3 is kept waiting directly below the front DF contact glass 5 while the original sheets are automatically transported, and an image of the original (transported original) being automatically transported by the ADF 20 is read.

[0014] When performing an image reading operation in the placed document reading mode, the surface reading module 6 mounted on the surface image reading device 3 irradiates light onto the image surface of the document (placed document) on the flatbed contact glass 2. The surface reading module 6 then reads the image of the placed document by converting the light reflected from the image surface of the placed document into an image signal. The surface reading module 6 may be a contact image sensor (life-size optical system) that integrates a well-known light source, lens, sensor, etc., or a light source, lens, and sensor, or a CCD / CMOS system (reducing optical system) that uses multiple mirrors to reflect the light reflected from the document.

[0015] The ADF 20 is attached via an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge (not shown in FIG. 1) to the rear (rear side) of the top surface of the flatbed scanner unit 1. The ADF 20 can take an open position that exposes the flatbed contact glass 2 to the flatbed scanner unit 1, and a closed position that allows the document on the flatbed contact glass 2 to be pressed against it.

[0016] In the transport document reading mode, a stack of document sheets formed by bundling sheet-like media is placed on the document placement tray 21. Placing document sheets as objects to be image-read on the document placement tray is referred to as "setting on the ADF 20." The document placement tray 21 is equipped with document side guides 23 that position the document sheets in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which a single document sheet is separated and fed from the document sheet stack set on the ADF 20. The document side guides 23 are movable, for example, in the sheet width direction, and move so as to clamp the document sheets from both sides in the width direction.

[0017] These document side guides 23 can move toward and away from each other so that the centers of the document sheets in the width direction and the document placement tray 21 are aligned. However, the document side guides 23 may be arranged so that one edge of the document sheet abuts against one edge of the document placement tray 21 and only the other edge is movable.

[0018] At least the upper part of the ADF 20 is covered by an openable cover 40. This cover 40 covers the upper part of the vicinity of the end of the paper feed side of the document placement tray 21 so that the leading edge of the document sheet enters the cover 40. Furthermore, the main guide parts that form the document transport path 22 of the ADF 20 are formed by ribs and the like formed on the cover 40.

[0019] On the other hand, the ADF 20 is equipped with a call roller 24 that calls the document set on the document loading tray 21 in the paper feed direction, a feed roller 25 that sends the document called in the paper feed direction by the call roller 24 toward the document transport path 22, and a separation pad (not shown).

[0020] The ADF 20 also includes a transport unit 27 as a document transport unit that transports the document fed into the document transport path 22 by the feed roller 25 onto the front DF contact glass 5 in a position where the image can be read, and transports the document to the discharge outlet 36 after the image has been read.

[0021] This transport unit 27 reverses the original sheet separated and carried in by the feed rollers 25 or the like along the original transport path 22, and transports the original sheet so that it passes a predetermined reading position on the top surface of the front DF contact glass 5. For such original transport, a plurality of transport rollers and a registration sensor 30 that detects the leading edge of the original sheet in the transport direction are provided on the original transport path 22 upstream of the front DF contact glass 5.

[0022] The original sheet separated by the feed roller 25 and the like is transported by the transport drive roller 28a / transport driven roller 28b and the transport drive roller 29a / transport driven roller 29b so as to pass over the front DF contact glass 5. The transported original sheet has an image formed on the front side of the original sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "original surface image") read by the front side reading module 6 at the appropriate time based on the timing when the leading edge of the original sheet is detected by the registration sensor 30. The transport drive roller 28a and the transport drive roller 29a are rollers that transmit driving torque from the paper feed transport motor. The transport driven roller 28b and the transport driven roller 29b are rollers that form an original transport nip surface by being pressed against the transport drive roller 28a and the transport drive roller 29a by a spring or the like. In the following description, the same configuration as above is assumed when the transport drive roller 28a, the transport drive roller 29a, the transport driven roller 28b, and the transport driven roller 29b are used.

[0023] For example, when the leading edge of the original sheet in the transport direction is detected by the registration sensor 30, the leading edge position of the original sheet can be detected based on the number of pulse signals (pulse count) that rotate the paper feed transport motor, which is the drive source for the transport drive rollers 28a and 29a. That is, the pulse count of the paper feed transport motor identifies the timing when the leading edge position of the original sheet reaches the reading position on the front DF contact glass 5. Then, the controller (ADF control unit 150) of the ADF 20 constituting the determination means starts to send a gate signal indicating the effective image area in the sub-scanning direction of the front side of the original to the controller (scanner control unit 160) of the flatbed scanner unit 1, and the gate signal continues to be sent until the trailing edge position of the original passes the reading position.

[0024] Furthermore, a front surface white guide member 31 serving as a background white plate is disposed at a position facing the front surface reading module 6 in the transported document reading mode.

[0025] When reading of the back side image of the document sheet is required, the back side image is read by a back side image reading device 34 consisting of a back side reading module 32 such as a contact type image sensor for back side reading and a back side DF contact glass 33.

[0026] The back surface reading module 32 includes a light source unit, a sensor chip, and an amplifier unit. The light source unit irradiates light onto the original sheet based on a lighting signal from the controller. The sensor chips are provided in multiple numbers and receive light reflected from the original sheet. The amplifier unit is provided in multiple numbers and amplifies the signal output from each sensor chip.

[0027] The back side reading module 32 also includes an A / D conversion unit and an image processing unit. The A / D conversion unit converts the signal amplified by the amplifier unit from an analog signal to a digital signal. The image processing unit performs image processing on the digitally converted signal.

[0028] Furthermore, the back side reading module 32 has an output control circuit that controls the output of signals stored in the frame memory based on timing signals from the ADF control unit 150, an interface circuit that outputs signals from the output control circuit to the device main body, etc. Note that the back side reading module 32 is supplied with power from the ADF control unit 150.

[0029] The timing of reading the image on the back side by the back side reading module 32 is controlled in the same way as the timing of reading the image on the front side, and the document after reading is discharged to the document discharge tray 39.

[0030] On the document transport path 22, downstream of the front DF contact glass 5, there are provided a transport drive roller 35a / transport driven roller 35b that transport document sheets whose front side images have been read toward the back side reading module 32. Further, downstream of the transport drive roller 35a / transport driven roller 35b, there are provided a back side white guide member 37 that faces the back side reading module 32, and downstream of the back side white guide member 37, there are provided a paper discharge drive roller 38a / transport driven roller 38b.

[0031] The number and location of these transport roller groups, the number of rollers in the main scanning direction, etc. can be set arbitrarily depending on the path setting conditions of the document transport path 22, the length of the minimum size document sheet in the transport direction, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, in many cases, the transported document reading mode is automatically selected when an original sheet or a stack of original sheets is set in the ADF 20. However, some known configurations of open / close detection sensors that detect the open / close state of the ADF 20 operate in the transported document reading mode when the ADF 20 is open, regardless of whether an original sheet is set in the ADF 20.

[0033] [Configuration of the characteristic part of the present invention] Next, the configuration of the characteristic part of the present invention will be described. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the ADF 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the ADF 20 has a configuration corresponding to a part thereof, in which the discharge drive roller 38a, the transport driven roller 38b, and the back white guide member 37 serving as a background white plate are integrated into one unit, and the configuration is openable and closable. This openable and closable configuration corresponding to a part of the ADF 20 will be referred to as an "opening and closing guide plate 110."

[0034] The ADF 20 can be moved away from (raised up in) the flatbed contact glass 2 by an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge provided at the rear (rear side) of the top surface of the flatbed scanner unit 1. The opening / closing guide plate 110 is configured so that it can be opened when the ADF 20 is moved away from the flatbed contact glass 2, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

[0035] By opening the opening / closing guide plate 110, the discharge drive roller 38a and the transport driven roller 38b can be separated, thereby releasing the clamping pressure. In other words, when a document jam occurs in the ADF 20, the document sheet often becomes stuck in the transport section 27. In this case, by lifting the ADF 20 and opening the opening / closing guide plate 110 downward (toward the flatbed contact glass 2), the jammed document sheet can be easily removed. In other words, the opening / closing guide plate 110 improves the ease of removing document sheets that have become jammed (conveyed improperly). Furthermore, by opening the opening / closing guide plate 110, the back-DF contact glass 33 of the back-side image reading device 34 can be easily cleaned. Here, the opening / closing guide plate 110 is assumed to be located directly above the FB scanner side (the bottom side of the ADF 20).

[0036] [Details of the opening and closing guide plate 110] Fig. 3(a) is a view of the opening / closing guide plate 110 as seen from above (the upper side when the upper side is taken as the side where the feed rollers 25 and the like are arranged, with the conveying section 27 as the boundary). Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the opening / closing guide plate 110 on the upstream lever 105, rear rotation shaft 103, and rear mating shaft 107 side. Fig. 3(c) is an enlarged view of the mating portion between the upstream lever 105 and the rear mating shaft 107.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3(a), the opening / closing guide plate 110 is configured so that the rear rotating shaft 103 and the front rotating shaft 104 are fitted with the rear plate 101 and the front plate 102, respectively, to form a rotation axis fulcrum, allowing it to rotate in the opening / closing direction.

[0038] 3(b) and 3(c), an upstream lever 105 provided on the opening / closing guide plate 110 fits with a rear mating shaft 107 provided on the rear plate 101, and a downstream lever 106 fits with a front mating shaft 108 provided on the front plate 102. The fitting of these levers and shafts allows the opening / closing guide plate 110 to be kept in a closed state. Note that the fitting form of the members exemplified above may be a snap fit or the like, and any method that can keep the opening / closing guide plate 110 in a closed state may be used.

[0039] 4 illustrates an example of the state when the opening and closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state. As already explained, when the opening and closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state, the upstream lever 105 (see FIG. 3) and the downstream lever 106 (see FIG. 3) provided on the opening and closing guide plate 110 are properly engaged with the rear mating shaft 107 (see FIG. 3) and the front mating shaft 108 (see FIG. 3).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state, the gap generating portion 109 (see FIG. 3) on the rear white guide member 37 is biased against the rear DF ​​contact glass 33, forming a constant gap 200 between the rear white guide member 37 and the rear DF ​​contact glass 33. The gap generating portion 109 may be integral with the rear white guide member 37, or may be a separate component attached thereto. Although not shown, the front white guide member 31 is also provided with a configuration similar to the gap generating portion 109 for the rear white guide member 37. When the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state, the entire ADF 20 is also in the closed state. In this case, a constant gap 201 is also formed between the front DF contact glass 5 and the front white guide member 31.

[0041] On the other hand, Fig. 5 illustrates the state when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the open state. As shown in Fig. 5, when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the open state, the engagement between the upstream lever 105 and the rear mating shaft 107 and the engagement between the downstream lever 106 and the front mating shaft 108 are incomplete. When the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the open state, for example, a part of the opening / closing guide plate 110 rides up onto the flatbed contact glass 2 as shown by the dotted circle portion 202 in Fig. 5.

[0042] When the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the open state, the gap between the rear white guide member 37 and the rear DF ​​contact glass 33 becomes a gap amount 203 which is larger than the gap amount 200.

[0043] 5, the entire ADF 20 also floats above the flatbed scanner unit 1. As a result, the gap between the front DF contact glass 5 and the front white guide member 31 becomes gap amount 204, which is larger than gap amount 201.

[0044] In this embodiment, the opening / closing guide plate 110 is located on the bottom surface of the ADF 20. Therefore, even if either or both of the upstream lever 105 and rear mating shaft 107, or the downstream lever 106 and front mating shaft 108, which are provided on the opening / closing guide plate 110, become disengaged, the ADF 20 will close to some extent due to its own weight. In other words, the opening / closing guide plate 110 is expected to be in a half-open state.

[0045] The ADF20 is equipped with a media transport mechanism open / close detection sensor 170 for detecting the "closed state" in which the bottom surface is placed against the flatbed scanner unit 1, and the "open state" in which the bottom surface is separated from the flatbed scanner unit 1.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, even if the ADF 20 is slightly floating (half-open), when the ADF 20's media conveying mechanism open / close detection sensor 170 detects the ADF 20 as being in a binding state (ADF closed state), the ADF 20 may be located in an area where the ADF 20 is detected as being in a binding state (ADF closed state).

[0047] Based on the above, a method for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing guide plate 110 according to this embodiment will be described. When the transported document reading mode is selected, the light source of the front side reading module 6 is turned on to read the reflected light from the front side white guide member 31 before starting to transport the document sheet. Similarly, the light source of the back side reading module 32 is turned on to read the reflected light from the back side white guide member 37. Here, when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state, a threshold value determined in advance taking into consideration variations in the reflected light from the front side white guide member 31 and the back side white guide member 37 is stored in memory, and the open / closed state is detected by comparing the reading result before transport with the threshold value.

[0048] If the gap between the front surface reading module 6 and the front surface white guide member 31, or the gap between the back surface reading module 32 and the back surface white guide member 37, or both gaps widen, the amount of reflected light decreases. In other words, the read value (pixel value) of the image decreases. Here, the read value (pixel value) is usually a value between 0 and 255, and as the reflected light becomes stronger, the value approaches 255.

[0049] For example, the reflected light data used to detect the open / close state before a document is transported in the transport document reading mode is acquired for the entire main scanning direction, and the main scanning direction is divided into a certain number of blocks and then compared with a threshold value. The threshold value may be set in advance for each divided main scanning block, or a uniform value may be used for all main scanning blocks. Furthermore, the results of comparing the read values ​​of the divided front white guide member 31 and the divided back white guide member 37 with the threshold value may be determined to be "closed" if the entire main scanning block is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Furthermore, the results of the comparison may be determined to be "open" if the read values ​​are less than the threshold value.

[0050] Alternatively, if the read values ​​of a certain number of main scanning blocks are less than a threshold, the open state may be determined. The average, median, or peak value of the read values ​​of each main scanning block may be used for comparison with the threshold. Furthermore, the average, median, or peak value of the read values ​​of the entire main scanning area may be used for determination, without dividing the area into blocks in the main scanning direction. Here, the entire main scanning direction basically means the effective reading area of ​​the image. However, detection may also be performed using a portion of the effective reading area of ​​the image.

[0051] 7 shows an example of measurement results of the read values ​​of the reflected light data of the front white guide member 31 and the divided back white guide member 37. The threshold value 300 shown in FIG. 7 is a uniform value for all blocks in the main scanning direction.

[0052] 7A illustrates an example of a reading module output 301 as a read value when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the closed state. The value of the reading module output 301 is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value 300.

[0053] 7B illustrates an example of the reading module output 302 as a read value when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in the open state. The value of the reading module output 302 is less than the threshold value 300.

[0054] 7(c) illustrates an example of the reading module output 303 as a read value when the opening / closing guide plate 110 is in a half-open state. The value of the reading module output 303 has some parts in the entire main scanning direction that are equal to or greater than the threshold value 300 and some parts that are less than the threshold value 300. In cases like this where the read value of the reflected light data is around the threshold value 300 in the main scanning direction, it is also possible to set it so that, for example, the average value, median value, and peak value are calculated for each divided area, and if three or more blocks are less than the threshold value, it is determined to be in the open state.

[0055] As described above, the flatbed scanner unit 1 according to this embodiment is characterized by improving accuracy by using the read values ​​of the front side reading module 6 and the back side reading module 32, even if the read values ​​of the reading modules are unstable due to the half-open position. For example, as shown in the table illustrated in FIG. 8, the reading state is distinguished by combining the judgment result based on the read value of the back side reading module 32 and the judgment result based on the read value of the front side reading module 6. In this case, when the judgment result based on the read value of the back side reading module 32 and the judgment result based on the read value of the front side reading module 6 both indicate a closed state (closed detection), the final judgment is determined to be closed detection. When one of the judgment results of the read values ​​of both the back side reading module 32 and the front side reading module 6 indicates an open state (open detection), the final judgment is determined to be open detection.

[0056] Next, a method for further improving the accuracy of detecting the open / closed state of the ADF 20 in the flatbed scanner unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0057] In the open / closed state detection control already explained, there is a possibility that it may be impossible to distinguish between a case where either the back side reading module 32 or the front side reading module 6, or both, have failed and the respective read values ​​have fallen below the threshold value 300. In other words, as shown in the table exemplified in FIG. 9(a), when the open state is detected, the possibility of a failure or abnormality in the back side reading module 32 or the front side reading module 6 cannot be denied.

[0058] Therefore, a fault detection flow is added for the front surface reading module 6. Conventionally, the front surface reading module 6 installed on the flatbed scanner side performs a shading correction operation before starting the document reading or document transport operation in both the placed document reading mode and the transported document reading mode, and then moves to the DF reading position and starts the reading operation. When performing the shading correction operation, the front surface reading module 6 moves directly below the sheet-like white reference member 7, adjusts the light intensity to account for variations in light intensity and sensitivity, and acquires white level data and black level data. Then, it performs shading correction to correct the read data based on the acquired white level data and black level data. Fault detection for the front surface reading module 6 is often also performed during this shading correction operation.

[0059] Fault detection is performed by reading the white reference member 7 in the surface reading module 6, and if the level is equal to or greater than a threshold set as a standard for fault detection, it is determined to be normal; if it is less than the threshold, it is determined to be abnormal; in other words, it is determined to be a fault or abnormality in the surface reading module. Because the white reference member 7 is located inside the flatbed scanner unit 1, the results are independent of the open / closed state of the opening / closing guide plate 110 or the ADF 20. Furthermore, the handling of main scanning read values ​​and the setting of thresholds for fault detection are the same as those for the opening / closing detection of the opening / closing guide plate 110 described above. By incorporating fault detection into the surface reading module, it is possible to narrow down the detection patterns as shown in the table in Figure 9(b).

[0060] [Open / close detection flow of the opening / closing guide plate 110] Next, the flow of the process for detecting whether the opening and closing guide plate 110 is open will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10. The process for detecting whether the opening and closing guide plate 110 is open is an example of a control process executed by the ADF control unit 150. First, when it is determined that the opening and closing guide plate 110 is in the open state, the transport operation of the original sheet is stopped, and the user is notified that the opening and closing guide plate 110 may be in the "open state" (S1001).

[0061] Following the notification process in step S1001, the user may be notified to close the opening / closing guide plate 110 using a pop-up or animation (S1002), and after the user checks the screen and performs the closing process, the notification may be sent using a display that disappears when the user operates the "OK" button included in the notification screen (S1002).

[0062] Since the opening / closing guide plate 110 is located on the bottom surface of the ADF, in order to close it properly, the ADF 20 must be opened once, and then the opening / closing guide plate 110 must be closed to close the ADF 20.

[0063] Therefore, whether or not the user has performed the process of closing the opening / closing guide plate in accordance with the screen display is determined based on the transition of the output value of the medium transport mechanism opening / closing detection sensor 170. The output of the medium transport mechanism opening / closing detection sensor 170 transitions from the closed state (at the time of notification) → the open state → the closed state (S1003). Therefore, if the medium transport mechanism opening / closing detection sensor 170 detects a transition from the open state to the closed state after notifying the user, the system may be configured to automatically re-detect whether the opening / closing guide plate is closed (S1004), and if the opening / closing guide plate is closed (S1005: YES), scanning may be resumed (S1006).

[0064] Furthermore, if the opening / closing guide plate is still determined to be in the "open state" after the retry (S1005: NO), a notification is issued again (or left as is) (S1007: NO), or if the "open state" is detected even after performing the opening / closing detection N times (S1007: YES), a message may be displayed indicating that a malfunction or abnormality may have occurred.

[0065] As already explained, the control method by the ADF control unit 150 described above is realized by cooperation between the hardware resources of a computer and a program as computer software. That is, the control method is a method executed by a computer by causing an arithmetic unit, a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, and a control unit to operate in cooperation with each other based on the program. The program may also be written to a storage unit or a storage medium, etc., and distributed, or distributed via a telecommunications line, etc.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof, and all technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0067] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <Aspect 1> An image reading device that reads an image formed on a sheet-like medium being conveyed, a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium; a transport guide plate that forms a transport path provided in the medium transport mechanism and is openable and closable relative to the medium transport mechanism; a plurality of image sensors for optically reading the image; a background white plate facing each of the plurality of image sensors; a determination means for comparing the read values ​​of each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; Equipped with the determining means, before transporting the medium in the transport path, compares the read value of the background white plate facing each of the image sensors with the threshold value to determine whether the transport guide plate is open or closed. The image reading device is characterized by the above. <Aspect 2> the transport guide plate is located on the bottom surface of a document transport unit that transports the medium to the position of the image sensor; one of the image sensors is provided inside the document transport unit corresponding to the transport guide plate, The other image sensor is provided at a position that affects the output of the read value when the conveying guide plate is opened. The image reading device according to the first aspect is as follows. <Aspect 3> the background white plate facing the other image sensor is disposed upstream of the background white plate facing the one image sensor. The image reading device according to the second aspect is as follows. <Aspect 4> The determination means The reading area of ​​the image sensor is divided into a plurality of areas in a main scanning direction that is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the medium, and the reading values ​​of the image sensor are calculated for each area; comparing the readings corresponding to each region with the threshold; If the read values ​​are equal to or greater than the threshold values ​​in all areas, it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in a closed state. The image reading device is according to any one of the first to third aspects. <Aspect 5> The determination means If the read values ​​are less than the threshold value in a predetermined number of regions, it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in an open state. The image reading device according to the fourth aspect is as follows. <Aspect 6> The determination means before starting the image reading operation, determining whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; When it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in an open state, the reading operation is stopped. outputting a notification indicating that the reading operation has been stopped; The image reading device is according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. <Aspect 7> a medium transport mechanism open / close detection sensor that detects the open / close state of the medium transport mechanism; The determination means When the medium transport mechanism transitions from an open state to a closed state after outputting the notification, Detecting whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; The image reading device according to the sixth aspect is as follows. <Aspect 8> The determination means After detecting whether the transport guide plate is open or closed, if it is determined that the transport guide plate is closed, output of the notification is stopped. The image reading device according to the seventh aspect. <Aspect 9> The determination means After stopping the output of the notification, restarting the reading operation. The image reading device according to the eighth aspect. <Aspect 10> The determination means When the medium transport mechanism transitions from an open state to a closed state after outputting the notification, Detecting whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; When it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in the open state after repeating the process a predetermined number of times, outputting a notification indicating that the image sensor is abnormal; The image reading device according to the sixth aspect is as follows. <Aspect 11> An image reading method for reading an image formed on a medium being conveyed in an image reading device including: a conveying path provided in a medium conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed, a conveying guide plate that can be opened and closed relative to the medium conveying mechanism; a plurality of image sensors that optically read the image; background white plates facing each of the plurality of image sensors; and a determining means that compares read values ​​of each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value and determines an open / closed state of the conveying guide plate, the method comprising: the determining means acquires the read values ​​of the background white boards facing the image sensors before the medium is conveyed; comparing the reading to the threshold; determining whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed based on the comparison result; The image reading method is characterized by the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100: Scanner unit 101: Rear side plate 102: Front side panel 103: Rear rotating shaft 104: Front rotation axis 105: Upstream lever 106: Downstream lever 107: Rear fitting shaft 108: Front mating shaft 109: Gap generation unit 110: Opening and closing guide plate 150: ADF control section 170: Media transport mechanism open / close detection sensor [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0069] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-157273

Claims

1. An image reading device that reads an image formed on a sheet-like medium being conveyed, a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium; a transport guide plate that forms a transport path provided in the medium transport mechanism and is openable and closable relative to the medium transport mechanism; a plurality of image sensors that optically read the image; a background white plate facing each of the plurality of image sensors; a determination means for comparing the read values ​​of each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; Equipped with the determining means, before transporting the medium in the transport path, compares the read value of the background white plate facing each of the image sensors with the threshold value to determine whether the transport guide plate is open or closed. An image reading device characterized by:

2. the transport guide plate is located on the bottom surface of a document transport unit that transports the medium to the position of the image sensor; one of the image sensors is provided inside the document transport unit corresponding to the transport guide plate, The other image sensor is provided at a position that affects the output of the read value when the conveying guide plate is opened.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

3. the background white plate facing the other image sensor is disposed upstream of the background white plate facing the one image sensor.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2.

4. The determination means The reading area is divided into a plurality of areas in a main scanning direction that is a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the medium, and the reading values ​​of the image sensor are calculated for each area; comparing the readings corresponding to each region with the threshold; If the read values ​​are equal to or greater than the threshold values ​​in all areas, it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in a closed state. The image reading device according to claim 1 .

5. The determination means If the read values ​​are less than the threshold value in a predetermined number of regions, it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in an open state.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4.

6. The determination means before starting the image reading operation, determining whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; When it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in an open state, the reading operation is stopped. outputting a notification indicating that the reading operation has been stopped; 2. The image reading device according to claim 1.

7. a medium transport mechanism open / close detection sensor that detects the open / close state of the medium transport mechanism; The determination means When the medium transport mechanism transitions from an open state to a closed state after outputting the notification, Detecting whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; 7. The image reading device according to claim 6.

8. The determination means After detecting whether the transport guide plate is open or closed, if it is determined that the transport guide plate is closed, output of the notification is stopped.

8. The image reading device according to claim 7.

9. The determination means After stopping the output of the notification, restarting the reading operation.

9. The image reading device according to claim 8.

10. The determination means When the medium transport mechanism transitions from an open state to a closed state after outputting the notification, Detecting whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed; When it is determined that the conveying guide plate is in the open state after repeating the process a predetermined number of times, outputting a notification indicating that the image sensor is abnormal; 7. The image reading device according to claim 6.

11. An image reading method for reading an image formed on a medium being conveyed in an image reading device including: a conveying path provided in a medium conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed, a conveying guide plate that can be opened and closed relative to the medium conveying mechanism; a plurality of image sensors that optically read the image; background white plates facing each of the plurality of image sensors; and a determining means that compares read values ​​of each of the plurality of image sensors with a predetermined threshold value and determines an open / closed state of the conveying guide plate, the determining means acquires the read values ​​of the background white boards facing the image sensors before the medium is conveyed; comparing the reading to the threshold; determining whether the conveying guide plate is open or closed based on the comparison result; An image reading method comprising:

Images