Medium transport system and transport assist member

Abstract

To provide a medium transport system allowed to carry a thick medium satisfactorily and a transport assist member.SOLUTION: A medium transport system comprises a medium transport device and a transport assist member 200 that assists in carrying a medium by being carried together with the medium with the transport device. The medium transport device has a transport roller provided to rise and lower. The transport assist member 200 has a movement part arranged closer to a front end of the medium M being carried and for moving the transport roller by abutting against the transport roller earlier than the medium M being carried. The movement part has a thickness equal to or greater than 4% of a diameter of the transport roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media transport system and a transport assist member. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, media transport systems having media transport devices such as scanners are required to transport not only ordinary paper but also thick media such as plastic cards or passports.

[0003] A holder capable of storing and transporting a passport in an open state has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). This holder includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion facing the first plate portion and forming a storage pocket for the passport together with the first plate portion, and a fixing portion that fixes the first plate portion and the second plate portion to each other and defines the edge of the storage pocket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-174247 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A media transport system is required to transport thick media well.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a medium transport system and a transport auxiliary member that can transport thick media well. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A media transport system according to one aspect of the present invention is a media transport system having a media transport device and a transport auxiliary member that is transported together with the media by the media transport device and assists in transporting the media, wherein the media transport device has a transport roller that is arranged to be able to be raised and lowered, and the transport auxiliary member has a moving part that is positioned at the leading end of the media to be transported and abuts against the transport roller before the media to move the transport roller, and the moving part has a thickness that is 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller.

[0008] A transport auxiliary member according to one aspect of the present invention is a transport auxiliary member that is transported together with a medium by a medium transport device having a transport roller that can be raised and lowered, and assists in transporting the medium.The transport auxiliary member has a moving part that is positioned at the leading edge of the medium to be transported, and abuts against the transport roller before the medium to be transported, thereby moving the transport roller, and the moving part has a thickness that is 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the medium transport system and the transport assist member can transport a thick medium well. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a medium transport system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transport path inside the medium transport device. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams for explaining a transport assist member. [Figure 4] 10(A) to 10(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining a transport auxiliary member. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of each roller, etc. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing input images. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the roller pair and the medium. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium transport device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit. [Figure 12] 10(A) to 10(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining other transport auxiliary members. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of each roller, etc. FIG. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining still another transport auxiliary member. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining still another transport auxiliary member. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining still another transport auxiliary member. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining still another transport auxiliary member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes a medium transport system and a transport assist member according to one aspect of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium transport system according to an embodiment.

[0013] The medium transport system 1 includes a medium transport device 100 and a transport assist member 200. The medium transport device 100 is, for example, an image scanner, and transports, captures, and ejects a medium, which is an original document. The medium may be paper, such as thin paper or PPC (Plain Paper Copier) paper, or a thick medium (e.g., a medium having a thickness of 1 mm or more), such as cardboard, plastic cards, booklets, or passports. In other words, the media supported by the medium transport device 100 include multiple media with different thicknesses. The medium may be stored and transported in the transport assist member 200. The medium transport device 100 may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP), or the like. Note that the transported medium may not be an original document but may be a print target or the like, and the medium transport device 100 may be a printer or the like that forms an image on the transported medium.

[0014] 1, arrow A1 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A2 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction, and arrow A3 indicates the height direction perpendicular to the medium transport path. Hereinafter, "upstream" refers to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A1, and "downstream" refers to the downstream side of the medium transport direction A1. The width direction A2 is an example of a direction that intersects with the medium transport direction.

[0015] The medium conveying device 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a loading table 103, an ejection table 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, and the like.

[0016] The upper housing 102 is disposed in a position that covers the top surface of the medium conveying device 100, and is engaged with the lower housing 101 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when a medium becomes jammed or when cleaning the inside of the medium conveying device 100, for example.

[0017] The placement stage 103 engages with the lower housing 101 and places media to be fed and transported on it. The ejection stage 104 engages with the upper housing 102 and places ejected media on it. Note that the ejection stage 104 may also engage with the lower housing 101.

[0018] The operation device 105 has input devices such as buttons and an interface circuit for acquiring signals from the input devices, accepts input operations by a user, and outputs operation signals in response to the user's input operations. The display device 106 has a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

[0019] The transport assist member 200 is a plate-shaped member that is transported together with the medium by the medium transport device 100 and assists in transporting the medium.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device.

[0021] The transport path inside the medium transport device 100 includes a medium sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first transport roller 114, a second transport roller 115, an imaging device 116, a first discharge roller 117, and a second discharge roller 118. The number of each roller is not limited to one, and there may be multiple rollers. In this case, the rollers are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A2.

[0022] The top surface of lower housing 101 forms lower guide 107a of the medium transport path, and the bottom surface of upper housing 102 forms upper guide 107b of the medium transport path. As shown in Fig. 2, the medium transport path has a so-called straight path mechanism in which the vertical positional relationship between the front and back surfaces of the medium does not change between the state before transport when the medium is placed on loading tray 103 and the state after ejection when the medium is placed on ejection tray 104. Because the medium transport path has a straight path mechanism, medium transport device 100 can be formed compactly.

[0023] The media sensor 111 is disposed upstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The media sensor 111 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. The media sensor 111 generates and outputs a first media signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. Note that the media sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as an optical detection sensor, may be used as the media sensor 111.

[0024] The feed roller 112 is provided in the lower housing 101 and feeds the media placed on the mounting table 103 in order from the bottom up. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is provided in the upper housing 102 and arranged opposite the feed roller 112. The feed roller 112 and separation roller 113 function as a separation unit that separates the media. The separation roller 113 is biased (pressed) in a direction (downward) toward the feed roller 112 by a pressing member (not shown) such as a spring, and is provided so as to be movable upward, i.e., so as to be able to move up and down. The separation roller 113 may be fixed, and the feed roller 112 may be provided so as to be able to move up and down. Alternatively, a separation pad may be used instead of the separation roller 113.

[0025] The first conveyor roller 114 is provided in the lower housing 101. The second conveyor roller 115 is provided in the upper housing 102 and is disposed above and facing the first conveyor roller 114. The first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 are disposed downstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 and convey the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the imaging device 116. The second conveyor roller 115 is biased (pressed) in a direction (downward) toward the first conveyor roller 114 by a pressing member (not shown) such as a spring and is provided so as to be movable upward, i.e., so as to be able to move up and down. Note that the second conveyor roller 115 may be fixed and the first conveyor roller 114 may be provided so as to be able to move up and down. Alternatively, one of the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 may be a driven roller that rotates following the rotation of the other roller. Alternatively, one of the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 may be replaced with a pad.

[0026] The imaging device 116 is an example of an imaging unit. The imaging device 116 is disposed downstream of the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 and upstream of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 in the medium conveyance direction A1. The imaging device 116 includes a first imaging device 116a and a second imaging device 116b. The first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b are disposed near the medium conveyance path and facing each other across the conveyance path. The second imaging device 116b is biased (pressed) in a direction (downward) toward the first imaging device 116a by a pressing member (not shown) such as a spring, and is provided so as to be movable upward, i.e., so as to be able to move up and down. Alternatively, the second imaging device 116b may be fixed, and the first imaging device 116a may be provided so as to be able to move up and down. The first imaging device 116a includes a first imaging sensor 121a and a first reference member 122a. The second imaging device 116b includes a second imaging sensor 121b and a second reference member 122b.

[0027] The first imaging sensor 121a is a line sensor using a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a 1:1 optical system type having CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The first imaging sensor 121a is disposed opposite the second reference member 122b. The first imaging device 116a also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The first imaging device 116a captures an image of the surface of the transported medium at imaging position P1, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0028] The second imaging sensor 121b has a CIS line sensor with a life-size optical system having CMOS imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The second imaging sensor 121b is positioned opposite the first reference member 122a. The second imaging device 116b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and A / D converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 116b captures an image of the back side of the transported medium at imaging position P2, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0029] The medium conveying device 100 may have only one of the first and second imaging devices 116a and 116b, and may read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor with a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0030] The first reference member 122a and the second reference member 122b function as backings. The first imaging sensor 121a and the second imaging sensor 121b capture images of the second reference member 122b and the first reference member 122a, respectively, when no medium is being transported. The surfaces of the second reference member 122b and the first reference member 122a that face the first imaging sensor 121a and the second imaging sensor 121b have a single color (e.g., white). The medium transport device 100 performs image correction, such as shading correction, based on image signals obtained by capturing images of the second reference member 122b and the first reference member 122a.

[0031] The first discharge roller 117 is provided in the lower housing 101. The second discharge roller 118 is provided in the upper housing 102 and is disposed above and facing the first discharge roller 117. The first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 are disposed downstream of the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115, and discharge the medium conveyed by the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 to the discharge tray 104. The second discharge roller 118 is biased (pressed) in a direction (downward) toward the first discharge roller 117 by a pressing member (not shown), such as a spring, and is provided so as to be movable upward, i.e., so as to be able to move up and down. Note that the second discharge roller 118 may be fixed, and the first discharge roller 117 may be provided so as to be able to move up and down. Alternatively, one of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 may be a driven roller that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the other roller. Alternatively, one of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 may be replaced with a pad.

[0032] The rollers of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 that are provided so as to be able to rise and fall are an example of conveyance rollers. Hereinafter, the rollers of the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 that are provided so as to be able to rise and fall may be referred to as conveyance rollers. Note that the rollers of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 that are provided so as to be able to rise and fall, or the rollers of the first conveyance roller 114 and the second conveyance roller 115 that are provided so as to be able to rise and fall may also be used as conveyance rollers.

[0033] The media placed on the mounting table 103 are transported between the lower guide 107a and the upper guide 107b in the media transport direction A1 by the rotation of the feed roller 112 in the direction of arrow A4 in FIG. 2. The medium transport device 100 has two operating modes: a separation mode in which, when multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the media are separated and fed, and a non-separation mode in which the media are fed without being separated. When operating in the separation mode, the separation roller 113 rotates or stops in the direction of arrow A5, i.e., the opposite direction to the media feed direction, when feeding a medium. When multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 function to separate only the media placed on the mounting table 103 that are in contact with the feed roller 112. This restricts the transport of media other than the separated media (preventing double feeding). On the other hand, when operating in the non-separation mode, the separation roller 113 rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow A5, that is, in the medium feeding direction, during medium feeding.

[0034] The medium is fed between the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 while being guided by the lower guide 107a and the upper guide 107b. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 116a and the second imaging device 116b as the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 rotate in the directions of arrows A6 and A7 in FIG. 2, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 116 is discharged onto the discharge tray 104 as the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 rotate in the directions of arrows A8 and A9 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0035] 3 and 4(A) to 4(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining the transport auxiliary member. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transport auxiliary member. FIG. 4(A) is a plan view of the transport auxiliary member as seen from above. FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 4(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport auxiliary member in the width direction A2). FIG. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in FIG. 4(A) (a cross-sectional view of an end of the transport auxiliary member in the width direction A2).

[0036] The transport assist member 200 includes a moving portion 201 , a restricting portion 202 , a contact portion 203 , and a placing portion 204 .

[0037] The moving unit 201 is disposed on the leading edge side of the medium being conveyed. That is, the conveyance assist member 200 is conveyed so that the moving unit 201 is disposed downstream in the medium conveyance direction A1. The moving unit 201 contacts the conveyance roller before the medium being conveyed and moves (raises and lowers) the conveyance roller. The moving unit 201 has a thickness that is 4% or more and 100% or less of the diameter of the conveyance roller. The upper limit of the thickness of the moving unit 201 may be 50% of the diameter of the conveyance roller. The upper limit of the thickness of the moving unit 201 may be the sum of the radius of the conveyance roller and the radius of the roller facing the conveyance roller (the first discharge roller 117 when the conveyance roller is the second discharge roller 118). The upper limit of the thickness of the moving unit 201 may be the maximum thickness of the medium supported by the medium conveyance device 100. The moving unit 201 also has an inclined surface 201a that gradually rises from the leading edge side to the trailing edge side.

[0038] The restricting portions 202 are disposed on both side edges of the medium being transported. That is, the transport assist member 200 is transported with the restricting portions 202 disposed along the medium transport direction A1. The restricting portions 202 are arranged to be able to come into contact with the ends of the medium being transported in the width direction A2, and restrict the width direction A2 of the medium being transported. By having the restricting portions 202, the transport assist member 200 can prevent the medium from protruding from the transport assist member 200 during transport and colliding with the side walls of the medium transport path.

[0039] The contact portion 203 is disposed on the rear end side of the medium being transported. That is, the transport auxiliary member 200 is transported so that the contact portion 203 is disposed on the upstream side in the medium transport direction A1. The contact portion 203 is provided so that it can come into contact with the rear end of the medium being transported. By having the contact portion 203, the transport auxiliary member 200 can prevent the medium from protruding rearward from the transport auxiliary member 200 and remaining in the medium transport path during transport.

[0040] The thickness of the restricting portion 202 and the contacting portion 203 may be smaller than the thickness of the moving portion 201. The thickness of the restricting portion 202 and the contacting portion 203 may be the same as the thickness of the moving portion 201.

[0041] The moving part 201 and the restricting part 202 abut against each other, and the abutting part 203 and the restricting part 202 abut against each other. As a result, the moving part 201, the restricting part 202, and the abutting part 203 form a square-shaped frame. An opening 205 in which the medium M is placed is formed within the frame formed by the moving part 201, the restricting part 202, and the abutting part 203.

[0042] The placement unit 204 is disposed below within a frame formed by the moving unit 201, the regulating unit 202, and the abutting unit 203. That is, the placement unit 204 is disposed upstream of the moving unit 201 and downstream of the abutting unit 203 in a state where the moving unit 201 is transported so as to be disposed downstream in the medium transport direction A1. The placement unit 204 is provided so that the transported medium can be placed thereon. By having the placement unit 204, the transport auxiliary member 200 can stably transport the medium placed on the placement unit 204.

[0043] A mounting portion 204 is disposed on the lower surface of the frame formed by the moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, and the contact portion 203, but an opening 205 is formed on the upper surface of the frame, and the transport assist member 200 does not cover the upper surface of the medium being transported. This exposes the medium placed on the transport assist member 200 to the second imaging device 116b, and the second imaging device 116b can capture a good image of the upper surface of the medium placed on the transport assist member 200.

[0044] The moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, the contact portion 203, and / or the mounting portion 204 are formed of resin or plastic materials. The moving portion 201 has a hardness sufficient to move (raise and lower) the conveying roller. The conveying auxiliary member 200 (the moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, the contact portion 203, and the mounting portion 204) is preferably flexible. This allows the conveying auxiliary member 200 to convey the media smoothly even when the media conveyance path is bent or curved. Generally, in a media conveying device with a straight path structure, the media conveyance path is angled relative to the horizontal so that the media can be fed using their own weight, and the mounting surface of the discharge tray is approximately horizontal so that the media can be stably placed. The flexibility of the conveying auxiliary member 200 allows it to flexibly curve when its tip contacts the mounting surface of the discharge tray 104, allowing the media to be properly discharged.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferable that the color of the transport assist member 200 (the moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, the contact portion 203, and the placing portion 204) is the same as the color of the first reference member 122a and / or the second reference member 122b. The term "same color" does not necessarily mean that the colors are completely identical, but also includes that the hues and brightnesses are similar. For example, the term "same color" includes that both the color of the transport assist member 200 and the color of each reference member are white, that both the color of the transport assist member 200 and the color of each reference member are gray, or that both the color of the transport assist member 200 and the color of each reference member are black. The term "same color" also includes that the difference between each color value (R value, G value, and B value) of an image of the transport assist member 200 captured by an imaging device included in the medium transport device and each color value of an image of each reference member is equal to or less than a threshold value (e.g., 1 / 3 of the gradation range). This allows the medium conveying device 100 to effectively cut out the medium from an image captured of a medium conveyed using the conveying assist member 200, in the same way as when cutting out an area containing the medium from an image captured of a medium conveyed without using the conveying assist member 200.

[0046] Furthermore, the placement section 204 may be formed of a colorless and transparent material such as a polypropylene film or a polyester film. This allows the medium placed on the transport assist member 200 to be imaged by the first imaging device 116a, and the first imaging device 116a can image the underside of the medium placed on the transport assist member 200.

[0047] 5(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of each roller and the imaging device. Fig. 5(A) shows a state in which passport B is being transported without using a transport assist member, and Fig. 5(B) shows a state in which passport B is being transported with a transport assist member.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the leading edge of the passport B has a thickness. When the passport B is transported without using the transport assist member 200, the leading edge of the passport B abuts against the side of the second discharge roller 118 before entering the nip between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118. At this time, a large load is applied to the passport B in order to lift the second discharge roller 118. The large load applied to the passport B impedes the progress of the passport B, and distortion (stretching, shrinking, etc.) occurs in the input image in the area of ​​the passport B that is captured when the leading edge of the passport B abuts against the second discharge roller 118.

[0049] On the other hand, as described above, the tip of the transport assist member 200 has an inclined surface 201a. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5(B), when the passport B is transported using the transport assist member 200, the transport assist member 200 smoothly enters the nip portion between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118 and lifts the second discharge roller 118. This prevents a large load from being applied to the passport B when it is imaged, and prevents distortion from occurring in the area of ​​the passport B in the input image.

[0050] Furthermore, even when a medium is sandwiched between a carrier sheet made of two transparent members bonded together at the leading edge of the medium and transported, the leading edge of the carrier sheet smoothly enters the nip between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118, allowing the second discharge roller 118 to rise. However, the presence of the transparent member between the second imaging device 116b and the medium causes the white or black of the medium to appear closer to gray in the image, reducing the range of brightness of the medium included in the input image. As described above, because the transport assist member 200 does not cover the top surface of the medium, the second imaging device 116b can effectively capture an image of the medium transported using the transport assist member 200, thereby preventing a reduction in the brightness of the medium included in the input image.

[0051] The technical significance of making the thickness of the moving part 201 of the transport auxiliary member 200 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller will be explained below.

[0052] The transport roller has a cylindrical shape, and the angle (area) at which the leading edge of the medium contacts the transport roller varies depending on the position (height) of the transport roller at which the leading edge of the medium contacts. Therefore, the magnitude of the load applied to the medium when the leading edge of the medium contacts the side of the transport roller varies depending on the position (height) of the transport roller at which the leading edge of the medium contacts.

[0053] Figure 6(A) shows an input image of a passport with a thickness slightly less than 4% of the diameter of the conveying roller, and Figure 6(B) shows an input image of a passport with a thickness slightly more than 4% of the diameter of the conveying roller.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6(A), input image T1, which was taken of a passport with a thickness slightly less than 4% of the diameter of the conveying roller, has distortion D1 in the passport area, but distortion D1 is sufficiently small. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(B), input image T2, which was taken of a passport with a thickness slightly more than 4% of the diameter of the conveying roller, has sufficiently large distortion D2.

[0055] The inventors conducted an experiment in which media of various thicknesses were transported and imaged without using the transport assist member 200, and conducted a survey of subjective evaluations by a large number of people regarding the magnitude of distortion contained in each generated input image. As a result, the majority of people rated distortion occurring in media with a thickness less than 4% of the diameter of the transport roller as acceptable, but the majority of people rated distortion occurring in media with a thickness of 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller as unacceptable. Therefore, media with a thickness less than 4% of the diameter of the transport roller are likely to be transported and imaged well without using the transport assist member 200. On the other hand, media with a thickness of 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller are preferably transported using the transport assist member 200. Since the moving part 201 of the transport assist member 200 preferably raises the transport roller to the thickness of the medium to be transported, the thickness of the moving part 201 is preferably 4% or more of the diameter of the transport roller.

[0056] The technical significance of setting the upper limit of the thickness of the moving part 201 of the transport auxiliary member 200 to 100% or 50% of the diameter of the transport roller will be described below.

[0057] Generally, by making the diameter (size) of the rollers included in a roller pair the same, it is possible to standardize the necessary parts and reduce manufacturing costs. Therefore, in media conveying devices, the diameters of the rollers included in a roller pair are often the same.

[0058] 7A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a roller pair including two rollers with the same diameter and a medium. Fig. 7A shows a state in which a medium thicker than the diameter of each roller (i.e., the sum of the radii of the two rollers) has reached the position of the roller pair including two rollers with the same diameter.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7(A), the upper surface of medium M1, which is thicker than the diameter of each roller, abuts above the center O1 of the upper roller R1. Alternatively, the lower surface of medium M1 abuts below the center O2 of the lower roller R2. Therefore, medium M1 cannot raise or lower roller R1 or R2, and rollers R1 and R2 cannot transport medium M1. In other words, if the thickness of moving section 201 is greater than 100% of the diameter of the transport roller, the transport roller cannot transport transport assist member 200, so the thickness of moving section 201 is set to be equal to or less than the diameter of the transport roller.

[0060] 7B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a pair of rollers having two rollers with different diameters and a medium, in which a medium with a thickness greater than the radius of the smaller roller has reached the position of the pair of rollers having two rollers with different diameters.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7B, the greater the difference in diameter between the rollers, the smaller the thickness of the medium that can be transported. For example, if the diameter of one roller R3 is significantly smaller than the diameter of the other roller R4 (or if a pad is used instead of roller R4), the upper surface of the medium M2, which is thicker than the radius of the smaller roller R3, may abut above the center O3 of roller R3. As a result, the medium M2 cannot move up and down roller R3, and rollers R3 and R4 cannot transport the medium M2. In other words, if the thickness of the moving part 201 is greater than the radius of the transport roller, the transport roller cannot transport the transport assist member 200, so it is preferable that the thickness of the moving part 201 be set to be equal to or less than the radius of the transport roller.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium transport device.

[0063] In addition to the above-described components, the medium conveying device 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0064] The motor 131 includes one or more motors. The motor 131 rotates the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, and / or the second discharge roller 118 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150, thereby conveying the medium.

[0065] The interface device 132 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, etc.) to transmit and receive input images and various information. Alternatively, instead of the interface device 132, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit may have a wired communication interface device for transmitting and receiving signals via a wired communication line in accordance with a communication protocol such as a wired LAN.

[0066] The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or optical disk. The storage device 140 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the medium conveying device 100. The computer programs may be installed into the storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory). The computer programs may also be distributed from a server or the like and installed into the storage device 140.

[0067] The processing circuit 150 operates based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 140. The processing circuit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 150 may be a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0068] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the medium sensor 111, the imaging device 116, the motor 131, the interface device 132, the storage device 140, etc., and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 150 performs drive control of the motor 131, image capture control of the imaging device 116, etc., based on the medium signal received from the medium sensor 111. The processing circuit 150 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 132.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit.

[0070] 9, the storage device 140 stores a control program 141, an image acquisition program 142, and the like. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuitry 150 reads each program stored in the storage device 140 and operates in accordance with the read program. As a result, the processing circuitry 150 functions as a control unit 151 and an image acquisition unit 152.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device.

[0072] An example of the operation of the medium reading process of the medium conveying device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. The flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 140.

[0073] First, the control unit 151 waits until the user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the operation device 105 or the information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the reading of a medium is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132 (step S101).

[0074] Next, control unit 151 acquires a medium signal from medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on mounting table 103 based on the acquired medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on mounting table 103, control unit 151 ends the series of steps.

[0075] On the other hand, when a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to rotate the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveying roller 114, the second conveying roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, and / or the second discharge roller 118 (step S103). As a result, the control unit 151 feeds and conveys the medium.

[0076] Next, the image acquisition unit 152 causes the imaging device 116 to capture an image of the medium, acquires an input image from the imaging device 116, and outputs the acquired input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 132 (step S104). The image acquisition unit 152 may acquire image signals obtained by capturing images of the second reference member 122b and the first reference member 122a, and perform corrections such as shading on the input image based on the acquired image signals. The image acquisition unit 152 may also use a known cropping technique to crop the area of ​​the medium from the input image.

[0077] Next, control unit 151 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the medium signal received from medium sensor 111 (step S105). If a medium remains on mounting table 103, control unit 151 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 and S105.

[0078] On the other hand, if there are no media remaining on the mounting table 103, the control unit 151 controls the motor 131 to stop the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyance roller 114, the second conveyance roller 115, the first discharge roller 117, and / or the second discharge roller 118 (step S106).Then, the control unit 151 ends the series of steps.

[0079] As described above in detail, the transport assist member 200 contacts the transport roller of the medium transport device 100 before the medium to be transported, causing the transport roller to move. The medium transport system 1 transports the transport assist member 200 together with the medium to assist in transporting the medium. This enables the medium transport system 1 to transport thick media well.

[0080] Furthermore, the medium transport system 1 stores the medium inside the transport auxiliary member 200 and transports the medium, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit in a medium conveyance device according to another embodiment.

[0082] The processing circuit 350 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 of the medium conveying device 100, and executes media reading processing and the like in place of the processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 350 includes a control circuit 351 and an image acquisition circuit 352. Note that each of these components may be configured as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

[0083] The control circuit 351 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 151. The control circuit 351 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 132, and a medium signal from the medium sensor 111. The control circuit 351 controls the motor 131 based on the received information.

[0084] The image acquisition circuit 352 is an example of an image acquisition unit, and has the same function as the image acquisition unit 152. The image acquisition circuit 352 acquires an input image from the imaging device 116 and outputs it to the interface device 132.

[0085] As described above in detail, the medium transport system can transport thick media well even when the processing circuit 350 is used.

[0086] Figures 12(A) to 12(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining other transport auxiliary members. Figure 12(A) is a plan view of the transport auxiliary member as seen from above. Figure 12(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 12(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport auxiliary member in the width direction A2). Figure 12(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in Figure 12(A) (a cross-sectional view of an end of the transport auxiliary member in the width direction A2).

[0087] The transport assist member 400 has the same configuration and function as the transport assist member 200. The transport assist member 400 has a moving portion 401, a restricting portion 402, a contact portion 403, and a mounting portion 404. The moving portion 401, the restricting portion 402, the contact portion 403, and the mounting portion 404 have the same configuration and function as the moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, the contact portion 203, and the mounting portion 204 of the transport assist member 200. However, the moving portion 401 does not have an inclined surface. In addition, the moving portion 401 is longer than the distance between the nip portion formed by the transport rollers in the medium transport direction A1 and the imaging position of the imaging device 116. The moving portion 401 is longer than the distance between the upstream end of the nip portion formed by the transport rollers in the medium transport direction A1 and the imaging position P2 of the second imaging device 116b provided on the opening 405 side. The moving section 401 may be longer than both the distance between the upstream end of the nip portion formed by the conveying roller in the media conveying direction A1 and the imaging position P1 of the first imaging device 116a, and the distance between the upstream end of the nip portion formed by the conveying roller and the imaging position P2 of the second imaging device 116b.

[0088] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of each roller and the imaging device, and shows a state in which a passport B is being transported using a transport assist member.

[0089] The leading end of the transport assist member 400 abuts against the side of the second discharge roller 118 before entering the nip between the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118. At this time, a large load is applied to the transport assist member 400 in order to lift the second discharge roller 118. Due to the large load applied to the transport assist member 400, the progress of the passport B placed on the transport assist member 400 is impeded. However, as described above, the moving section 401 provided at the leading end of the transport assist member 400 is longer than the distance between the nip between the transport rollers (the first discharge roller 117 and the second discharge roller 118) and the imaging position of the imaging device 116. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the leading end of the transport assist member 400 abuts against the side of the second discharge roller 118, the passport B placed on the transport assist member 400 has not yet reached the imaging positions P1 and P2 of the imaging device 116. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the passport B from being imaged in a state where a large load is being applied to the transport assist member 400, and to prevent distortion from occurring in the area of ​​the passport B in the input image.

[0090] As described above in detail, the media conveying system is now capable of conveying thick media well even when the moving part 401 of the conveying auxiliary member 400 is longer than the distance between the nip formed by the conveying roller and the imaging position of the imaging device 116.

[0091] Figures 14(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining yet another transport assist member. Figure 14(A) is a plan view of the transport assist member as seen from above. Figure 14(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 14(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport assist member in the width direction A2).

[0092] The transport auxiliary member 500 has the same configuration and function as the transport auxiliary member 200. The transport auxiliary member 500 has a moving section 501, a contact section 503, and a mounting section 504. The moving section 501, the contact section 503, and the mounting section 504 have the same configuration and function as the moving section 201, the contact section 203, and the mounting section 204 of the transport auxiliary member 200. However, the transport auxiliary member 500 does not have a regulating section. Even in this case, the transport auxiliary member 500 can transport the medium well by means of the contact section 503 and / or the mounting section 504.

[0093] As described above in detail, the medium transport system is able to transport thick media well even when the transport auxiliary member 500 does not have a restricting portion.

[0094] Figures 15(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining yet another transport assist member. Figure 15(A) is a plan view of the transport assist member seen from above. Figure 15(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 15(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport assist member in the width direction A2).

[0095] The transport assist member 600 has the same configuration and function as the transport assist member 200. The transport assist member 600 has a moving section 601, a regulating section 602, and a mounting section 604. The moving section 601, the regulating section 602, and the mounting section 604 have the same configuration and function as the moving section 201, the regulating section 202, and the mounting section 204 of the transport assist member 200. However, the transport assist member 600 does not have an abutting section. In this case, the transport assist member 600 can also smoothly transport the medium using the mounting section 604 while regulating the width direction A2 of the medium using the regulating section 602.

[0096] As described above in detail, the medium transport system is now able to transport thick media well even when the transport assist member 600 does not have a contact portion.

[0097] Figures 16(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining yet another transport assist member. Figure 16(A) is a plan view of the transport assist member seen from above. Figure 16(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 16(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport assist member in the width direction A2).

[0098] The transport assist member 700 has the same configuration and function as the transport assist member 200. The transport assist member 700 has a moving section 701 and a placing section 704. The moving section 701 and the placing section 704 have the same configuration and function as the moving section 201 and the placing section 204 of the transport assist member 200. However, the transport assist member 700 does not have a regulating section or an abutting section. Even in this case, the transport assist member 600 can transport the medium well using the placing section 704.

[0099] As described above in detail, the medium transport system is able to transport thick media well even when the transport assist member 700 does not have a restricting portion or a contact portion.

[0100] Figures 17(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining yet another transport assist member. Figure 17(A) is a plan view of the transport assist member seen from above. Figure 17(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 17(A) (a cross-sectional view of the center of the transport assist member in the width direction A2).

[0101] The transport auxiliary member 800 has the same configuration and function as the transport auxiliary member 200. The transport auxiliary member 800 has a moving portion 801, a restricting portion 802, and an abutting portion 803. The moving portion 801, the restricting portion 802, and the abutting portion 803 have the same configuration and function as the moving portion 201, the restricting portion 202, and the abutting portion 203 of the transport auxiliary member 200. However, the transport auxiliary member 800 does not have a mounting portion. Although the transport auxiliary member 800 does not have a mounting portion, the abutting portion 803 can push the rear end of the transported medium, thereby allowing the medium to be transported smoothly. Furthermore, because the transport auxiliary member 200 does not cover the bottom surface of the transported medium as well as the top surface, the first imaging device 116a as well as the second imaging device 116b can capture a clear image of the medium, preventing a reduction in brightness of the input image.

[0102] As described above in detail, the medium transport system is now able to transport thick media well even when the transport auxiliary member 800 does not have a mounting portion.

[0103] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the moving sections 501, 601, 701, and 801 of the transport assist members 500, 600, 700, and 800 may not have an inclined surface, similar to the moving section 401 of the transport assist member 400. In this case, similar to the moving section 401, the moving sections 501, 601, 701, and 801 are longer than the distance between the nip portion formed by the transport rollers and the imaging position of the imaging device 116 in the medium transport direction A1.

[0104] The medium transport path of the medium transport device may have a so-called U-turn path mechanism, which feeds and transports the media placed on the loading table from the top to the bottom, and discharges them onto the discharge table. In this case, the separation roller is disposed below the feeding roller, facing the feeding roller.

[0105] Furthermore, the medium transport device may have an image forming device instead of or in addition to the imaging device 116. The image forming device is a printer such as an inkjet type or laser type, and is placed at a position corresponding to the position where the imaging device 116 is placed, and forms an image (prints predetermined information) on the transported medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1 medium conveying system, 100 medium conveying device, 112 feeding roller, 113 separation roller, 114 first conveying roller, 115 second conveying roller, 116 imaging device, 122a first reference member, 122b second reference member, 117 first discharge roller, 118 second discharge roller, 200 conveying auxiliary member, 201 moving portion, 201a inclined surface, 202 regulating portion, 203 contact portion, 204 placing portion

Claims

1. A media transport system having a media transport device and a transport assist member that is transported together with a medium by the media transport device and assists in transporting the medium, the medium transport device has a transport roller that is provided so as to be able to move up and down; the transport assisting member is disposed on the leading edge side of the medium to be transported, and has a moving portion that comes into contact with the transport roller before the medium to be transported, thereby moving the transport roller; the moving portion has a thickness of 4% or more of the diameter of the conveying roller; A media transport system comprising:

2. The media transport system of claim 1 , wherein the moving portion has an inclined surface.

3. the medium transport device further includes an imaging unit disposed upstream of the transport roller in a medium transport direction; The medium transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the moving portion is longer than a distance between a nip portion formed by the transport roller and an imaging position of the imaging portion in the medium transport direction.

4. The medium transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport assist member further includes a contact portion that can come into contact with a rear end of the medium being transported.

5. The medium transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport auxiliary member further includes a restricting portion that restricts the width of the medium being transported.

6. The medium transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport assist member further comprises a mounting portion on which the medium to be transported is placed.

7. The media transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport assisting member does not cover an upper surface of the transported media.

8. the media transport device further comprises a backing; The media transport system of claim 1 , wherein the transport assist member has a color identical to that of the backing.

9. The medium transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport assist member is flexible.

10. A transport assist member that is transported together with a medium by a medium transport device having a transport roller that can be raised and lowered to assist the transport of the medium, a moving section disposed on the leading edge side of the medium to be conveyed and contacting the conveying roller before the medium to move the conveying roller; The moving part has a thickness of 4% or more of the diameter of the conveying roller. A transport auxiliary member characterized by:

Images