Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading apparatus capable of more appropriately detecting whether or not a connector of an optical reading unit is correctly connected to a connector of a control board than before.SOLUTION: A digital multifunction peripheral 1 as an image reading apparatus includes an optical reading unit (platen scanner and automatic document feeder) that optically reads a document, a storage unit that stores an output information table of the optical reading unit and setting information of a connector corresponding to an interface of the optical reading unit, and a control board provided with a connector that can be connected to the connector of the optical reading unit via a cable. The control unit causes the platen scanner mounting board connected to the connector to execute predetermined reading processing at predetermined timing, and determines whether or not the connector of the platen scanner mounting board is correctly connected to the connector of the control board on the basis of output information obtained as a result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image reading device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, among image reading devices for reading documents, there is known one that includes a document table reading device that reads the document using an optical reading unit (such as a line sensor) that moves in the sub-scanning direction along the underside of the glass surface of the document table while scanning in the main scanning direction.

[0003] In addition to the document table, image reading devices are also known that are equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) that places multiple documents on a specified tray and automatically transports the documents one by one to an optical reading unit to read the documents.

[0004] These optical reading units are equipped with a contact image sensor (CIS) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) board equipped with a CIS element for image reading, and the connector on the reading element board and the connector on the control board are connected via a flat flexible cable (FFC) with the same pin arrangement.

[0005] However, when connecting the FFC between the connector on the reading element board and the connector on the control board, the shapes of these connectors are identical, so the cables are often plugged in incorrectly, which can result in malfunction.

[0006] In order to prevent errors caused by such incorrect cable connections, conventionally, the color or type of connectors or the color of the harness have been changed.

[0007] In relation to such problems, conventionally, in an image reading device that reads a color image by irradiating a read object with light of multiple colors from a light source, an image reading device has been proposed that can determine in a short time whether the light source and light receiving unit for image reading are operating normally. The image reading device includes a light emitting means that irradiates a read object with light of multiple colors, a plurality of light receiving units that receive reflected light from the read object, and an output signal from each light receiving unit for each color of light irradiated by the light emitting means according to acquisition conditions, and determines whether the light emitting means and light receiving units are operating normally based on the output signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-124997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, methods such as changing the color or type of connectors or the color of harnesses to prevent errors caused by incorrect cable connections in advance have the problem of increased costs due to the color changes.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, if the method of capturing an output signal from each light receiving unit for each color of light emitted by the light emitting means in accordance with the capture conditions and determining whether the light emitting means and light receiving unit are normal based on the output signal is applied to both the document platen reading device and the ADF, the time required for the determination will double.

[0011] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an image reading device and an image forming device that can detect more appropriately than conventional methods whether the connector of the optical reading unit is correctly connected to the connector of the control board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This disclosure relates to a device including an optical reading unit that optically reads an original, a storage unit that stores an output information table of the optical reading unit and setting information of a connector corresponding to an interface of the optical reading unit, and a control unit that has a control board provided with a connector that can be connected to the connector of the optical reading unit via a cable and controls the optical reading unit and the storage unit, the optical reading unit including a first optical reading unit and a second optical reading unit, the connectors of the control board including a first connector corresponding to the connector of the first optical reading unit and a second connector corresponding to the connector of the second optical reading unit, and the control unit and if the output information obtained as a result is the same as the output information table, sets the terminal settings of the first connector to the setting information of a connector corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit, and sets the terminal settings of the second connector to the setting information of a connector corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit; and if the output information is not the same as the output information table, determines that the connector of the optical reading unit may not be properly connected to the connector of the control board.

[0013] This disclosure also provides an image forming apparatus including the image reading device, an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data read and obtained by the image reading device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, if the output information is not normal when the optical reading unit connected to the first connector executes a predetermined reading process, it is determined that the connector of the optical reading unit may not be properly connected to the connector of the control board, thereby realizing an image reading device and an image forming device that can detect more appropriately than conventional methods whether the connector of the optical reading unit is properly connected to the connector of the control board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of FFC connection between a connector on a control board of a control unit, a connector on a platen scanner mounting board of a platen, and a connector on an ADF scanner mounting board of an ADF in the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the image reading unit of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(A) shows the configuration of the glass surface of the document table for reading the document, and Fig. 4(B) shows the configuration of the reading mechanism that optically reads the document. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining an FFC connection error in the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error message displayed on a display unit of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining an FFC connection error in a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error message displayed on a display unit of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0017] In this disclosure, an "image reading device" is a device that reads an original image and outputs image data, such as a scanner with a scanning function. In addition, an "image forming device" is a device that forms and outputs an image, such as a copier or multifunction device with a copying function, such as a printer that uses an electrophotographic method to form an image with toner, or an MFP that also includes functions other than copying.

[0018] In the image reading device according to this disclosure, the control unit may cause the optical reading unit connected to the first connector to execute the reading process, and if the resulting output information is not the same as the output information table, further cause the optical reading unit connected to the second connector to execute the reading process, and if the resulting output information is the same as the output information table, set the terminal settings of the first connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit, and set the terminal settings of the second connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit; on the other hand, if the output information is not the same as the output information table, determine that the connector of the optical reading unit may not be properly connected to the connector of the control board.

[0019] In this way, if the output information when the optical reading unit connected to the first connector executes a predetermined reading process is not normal, the optical reading unit connected to the second connector is further made to execute a reading process to determine whether the output information is normal, thereby realizing an image reading device that can detect more accurately than conventional methods whether the connector of the optical reading unit is correctly connected to the connector of the control board.

[0020] In the image reading device according to this disclosure, when the control unit sets the terminal setting of the first connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit and sets the terminal setting of the second connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit, the control unit may store the connector setting information in the memory unit, and when the device is started next time or thereafter, the device may be started with the connector setting information set.

[0021] In this way, if the optical reading unit connected to the second connector executes a reading process and the output information is normal, the next time the device is started up, it will be started up with the connector's setting information set.Therefore, even if the cable is inserted incorrectly between the connector of the optical reading unit and the connector of the control board, an image reading device can be realized that can operate normally without having to reinsert the cable.

[0022] In the image reading device according to this disclosure, a display unit may be further provided for displaying various information to the user, and the control unit may cause the optical reading unit connected to the second connector to execute the reading process, and if it determines that the resulting output information is not the same as the output information table, cause a predetermined error message to be displayed on the display unit.

[0023] In this way, if the output information when the optical reading unit connected to the first connector executes a specified reading process is not normal, and if the output information when the optical reading unit connected to the second connector executes a reading process is also not normal, a specified error message is displayed, thereby realizing an image reading device that can more accurately detect whether the connector of the optical reading unit is correctly connected to the connector of the control board than conventional devices.

[0024] In the image reading device according to this disclosure, the first optical reading unit may include a white reference plate, and the reading process may be shading correction based on reflected light from the white reference plate.

[0025] In this way, the first optical reading unit is equipped with a white reference plate, and the reading process is shading correction based on reflected light from the white reference plate, making it possible to realize an image reading device that can more accurately detect whether the connector of the optical reading unit is correctly connected to the connector of the control board than conventional methods.

[0026] In the image reading device according to this disclosure, the first optical reading unit may be a reading unit that reads the document placed on a document table scanner, and the second optical reading unit may be a reading unit that transports and reads the document placed on a predetermined tray using an automatic document feeder.

[0027] In this way, it is possible to realize an image reading device that can detect more appropriately than before whether the connectors of the document platen scanner and automatic document feeder as the optical reading unit are correctly connected to the connectors of the control board.

[0028] This disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0029] [Embodiment 1] The schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 1, which is an embodiment of an image reading device according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is a device such as a multifunction peripheral or MFP that digitally processes image data and has a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0031] The digital multifunction peripheral 1 executes scanning, printing, and copying jobs based on instructions from a user received via the operation unit 103 or the communication unit 55 .

[0032] <Digital MFP 1 Configuration> Next, the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a communication unit 55, a control unit 100, a printing unit 102, an operation unit 103, a display unit 104, a storage unit 105, an image reading unit 111, a conveying unit 112, and an image processing unit 113.

[0033] The communication unit 55 is a circuit and firmware of a communication interface that sends and receives communication data to and from external devices and receives, for example, a command to execute a print job from an external computer.

[0034] The control unit 100 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in an integrated manner and consists of at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit), at least one RAM (Random Access Memory), at least one ROM (Read only memory), various interface circuits, etc.

[0035] The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by monitoring and controlling the detection of each sensor and all loads such as motors, clutches, and fixing lamps. The number of control units 100 is not limited to one, and the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 may be controlled by a plurality of control units 100.

[0036] The control unit 100 includes a port determination unit 1001 and a port output unit 1002 .

[0037] The port determination unit 1001 is a part that determines the ports of the platen scanner mounting board 1111 and the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 based on the determination result by the shading correction unit 1113 described later.

[0038] The port output unit 1002 is a part that allocates the CIS signal of the platen scanner mounting board 1111 or the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 to the output port.

[0039] The printing unit 102 is a unit that prints a print image on a printing sheet by electrophotography.

[0040] The operation unit 103 is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel, and is a part that displays information on the liquid crystal display and receives instructions from the user via the touch panel.

[0041] The display unit 104 is a part that displays various types of information. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a monitor or line display, which is configured by, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and is used by the operating system and application software to display electronic data such as the processing status. The control unit 100 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through the display unit 104.

[0042] The storage unit 105 includes a RAM 104a and a ROM 104b, and is a non-volatile storage means such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash storage unit, and stores various data and programs.

[0043] The RAM 104a is a storage unit (random access memory) that can be accessed by the control unit 100, and provides a work storage unit for temporarily storing data. The RAM 104a stores, for example, a threshold value of the capacitance of the touch panel and a database of various types of images.

[0044] The ROM 104b is a read-only memory accessible by the control unit 100, and stores data necessary for the control unit 100 to control programs. The ROM 104b stores various data that are the basis for setting the image reading function, touch panel function, and the like.

[0045] The RAM 104a and the ROM 104b are connected to the control unit 100 via a bus, and programs for operating the control unit 100 are stored and expanded in the memory. These are just examples of configurations, and the system may be configured with multiple CPUs or boards.

[0046] The image reading unit 111 is a part that detects and optically reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed from an original tray, and generates image data. The image reading unit 111 includes a platen scanner mounting board 1111 , an ADF scanner mounting board 1112 , and a shading correction unit 1113 .

[0047] The platen scanner mounting board 1111 is a board equipped with a circuit for optically reading an original placed on the platen with a CIS unit.

[0048] The ADF scanner mounting board 1112 is a board equipped with a circuit for placing a plurality of originals on a predetermined tray, automatically transporting the originals one by one to the CIS unit, and optically reading the originals.

[0049] The shading correction unit 1113 is a part that performs shading correction on image data output from the CIS unit of the platen scanner mounting board 1111 and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 113 .

[0050] Specifically, the shading correction unit 1113 detects reflected light from a specified white reference board using the CIS unit while the LED of the light source for reading the document is turned on, obtains a reference white data value for shading correction, and performs shading correction (white level correction) based on the reference white data value.

[0051] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of FFC connection between connectors 1 and 2 on the control board of the control unit 100 and connector 1 on the document table scanner mounting board 1111 of the document table and connector 2 on the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 of the ADF in the digital multifunction printer 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, in the past, measures were sometimes taken to change the colors of the harness and connectors in order to prevent incorrect FFC connections between connectors 1 and 2 on the control board of the control unit 100 and connector 1 on the document table scanner mounting board 1111 of the document table and connector 2 on the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 of the ADF. However, changing the color in this way increases the cost.

[0053] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the image reading unit 111 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows the configuration of the glass surface of the document table for reading the document. As shown in FIG. 4(A), there are provided an original reading glass 1115 for reading an original conveyed by the ADF and an original placing glass 1116 for placing an original on the original table.

[0054] FIG. 4B shows the configuration of a reading mechanism that optically reads the document provided under the glass surface of FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4B, the CIS unit 1110 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction on a rail 1117 by a drive belt 1118 and a drive gear 1119. When reading an original document conveyed by the ADF, the CIS unit 1110 is placed stationary under the original reading glass 1115, and the conveyed original document is read sequentially by the line sensor.

[0055] The CIS unit 1110 includes a plurality of CMOS sensors arranged in the main scanning direction and an analog front end (AFE) that adjusts analog image data output from the CMOS sensors, converts it into digital image data, and outputs it.

[0056] The transport unit 112 is a part that transports documents set on a predetermined tray to the image reading unit 111.

[0057] The image processing unit 113 converts the image data read from the original by the image reading unit 111 into an appropriate electrical signal based on job commands such as printing input from the operation unit 103, and processes the signal so that it is suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0058] The control unit 100 controls the conveying unit 112 to convey the document. Then, the image of the document is read by the image reading unit 111 , and the image is processed by the image processing unit 113 , and image data representing the image of the document is stored in the storage unit 105 . Furthermore, the control unit 100 controls the printing unit 102 to cause the printing unit 102 to print the image of the document indicated by the image data in the storage unit 105 onto printing paper.

[0059] The above is an outline of the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

[0060] <Flow of FFC connection error determination process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, the flow of the FFC connection error determination process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining an FFC connection error in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG.

[0062] In the following example, it is assumed that, during assembly of the digital multifunction printer 1 at a factory, a user who is a factory worker connects connector 1 on the platen scanner mounting board 1111 and connector 2 on the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 to connectors 1 and 2 on the control board using FFC, and then turns on the power of the digital multifunction printer 1 to start it up.

[0063] After the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is powered on and started up, in step S1 of FIG. 5, the control unit 100 performs shading correction processing of the CIS unit on the connector 1 side (step S1).

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 100 keeps the LED of the image reading unit 111 lit, causes the CIS unit on the connector 1 side to read reflected light from a specified white reference plate, and causes the shading correction unit 1113 to acquire a reference white data value for shading correction.

[0065] Here, the timing for acquiring the reference white data value may be any time between 0 seconds (immediately after the start of startup) and 300 seconds (the time until the fluctuations in the white data value become generally stable).

[0066] In addition, the control unit 100 may keep the LED of the image reading unit 111 turned off and have the CIS unit on the connector 1 side read reflected light from a specified white reference board, and have the shading correction unit 1113 acquire a reference black data value for shading correction.

[0067] Next, in step S2, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined range of normal values ​​(step S2).

[0068] Specifically, the control unit 100 refers to an output information table that records shading-corrected output information from the document platen scanner mounting board 1111, which is pre-stored in the memory unit 105, and causes the port determination unit 1001 to determine whether the results of the shading correction are normal.

[0069] If the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined normal range (if the judgment in step S2 is Yes), in step S3, the control unit 100 assigns the signal of the platen scanner to connector 1 and the signal of the ADF scanner to connector 2 (step S3).

[0070] Specifically, the control unit 100 causes the port output unit 1002 to assign the CIS signal of the document platen scanner mounting board 1111 or the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 to the output port, sets the terminal setting of connector 1 to the connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the document platen scanner mounting board 1111, and sets the terminal setting of connector 2 to the connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the ADF scanner mounting board 1112.

[0071] Thereafter, in step S8, the control unit 100 performs the operation of the actual device (step S8), and the process ends.

[0072] On the other hand, if the result of shading correction is not within the predetermined normal range in step S2 (if the judgment in step S2 is No), in step S4, the control unit 100 performs shading correction processing of the CIS unit on the connector 2 side (step S4).

[0073] Next, in step S5, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined range of normal values ​​(step S5).

[0074] If the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined normal range (if the judgment in step S5 is Yes), in step S6, the control unit 100 assigns the signal of the platen scanner to connector 2 and the signal of the ADF scanner to connector 1 (step S6), and then performs the processing of step S8.

[0075] By doing this, when the ADF scanner connected to connector 2 executes a reading process and the output information is normal, the terminal settings of connector 1 are set to the connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the platen scanner, and the terminal settings of connector 2 are set to the connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the ADF scanner. Therefore, even if the cable is inserted incorrectly, a digital multifunction printer 1 can be realized that can operate normally without having to reinsert the cable.

[0076] On the other hand, if the result of the shading correction is not within the predetermined normal range in step S5 (if the judgment in step S5 is No), in step S7, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 104 to display a predetermined error message (step S7), and ends the processing.

[0077] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error message displayed on the display unit 104 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, an error message "A connector connection error has been detected. The connector of the document scanner and the connector of the ADF scanner are not connected properly" and an "OK" button are displayed as a pop-up on the display unit 104.

[0078] By displaying an error message in this way, the user can be notified that an abnormality has occurred in the connector connection, such as a disconnected connector, a poor connection, or a broken cable.

[0079] (Variation 1) As a first modification, when the signal of the platen scanner is assigned to connector 2 and the signal of the ADF scanner is assigned to connector 1, control unit 100 may cause display unit 104 to display that fact.

[0080] By doing so, when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is assembled at the factory, the user who is a factory worker can know that the ports have been swapped.

[0081] (Variation 2) As a second variant, if the signal from the document platen scanner is assigned to connector 2 and the signal from the ADF scanner is assigned to connector 1, the control unit 100 may store the result in the memory unit 105, and the next time the device is started up, start up the device with the ports swapped.

[0082] By doing so, the startup time of the device from the next time onwards can be reduced.

[0083] (Variation 3) As a third modification, the operation unit 103 may receive an ON / OFF setting for determining whether or not to perform the FFC connection error determination disclosed herein.

[0084] By doing so, for example, the setting can be turned ON when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is assembled in a factory, and turned OFF when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is shipped.

[0085] In this way, if the results of shading correction performed on the CIS unit connected to the document table scanner mounting board 1112 are not normal, it is determined that connector 1 on the document table scanner mounting board 1111 and connector 2 on the ADF scanner mounting board 1112 may not be properly connected to connectors 1 and 2 of the control unit 100, thereby realizing a digital multifunction peripheral 1 that can more accurately detect whether connectors 1 and 2 of these optical reading units are properly connected to connectors 1 and 2 of the control unit 100 than conventional methods.

[0086] [Embodiment 2] <Flow of FFC connection error determination process of digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure> Next, a flow of the FFC connection error determination process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0087] The schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining an FFC connection error in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] After the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is powered on and started up, in step S11 of FIG. 7, the control unit 100 performs shading correction processing on the CIS unit on the connector 1 side (step S11).

[0090] Next, in step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined range of normal values ​​(step S12).

[0091] If the result of the shading correction is within a predetermined normal range (if the judgment in step S12 is Yes), in step S13, the control unit 100 assigns the signal of the platen scanner to connector 1 and the signal of the ADF scanner to connector 2 (step S13).

[0092] Thereafter, in step S14, the control unit 100 performs the operation of the actual device (step S14), and the process ends.

[0093] On the other hand, if the result of the shading correction is not within the predetermined normal value range in step S12 (if the judgment in step S12 is No), in step S15, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 104 to display a predetermined error message (step S15).

[0094] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error message displayed on the display unit 104 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 8, an error message stating "An abnormality in the connector connection has been detected. The connector of the document scanner and the connector of the ADF scanner are not connected properly. If you would like to re-evaluate after connecting them properly, press the 'Re-evaluate' button," along with an "OK" button and a "Re-evaluate" button, is displayed as a pop-up on the display unit 104.

[0095] The user checks to see if the connector is inserted incorrectly or not connected properly, and after connecting the connector correctly, presses the "Re-evaluate" button.

[0096] Next, in step S16, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a re-determination should be performed (step S16).

[0097] If a re-determination should be performed (if the determination in step S16 is Yes), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S11. On the other hand, if re-determination is not to be performed (if the determination in step S16 is No), the control unit 100 ends the process.

[0098] In this way, if the results of shading correction performed on the CIS unit connected to the document platen scanner mounting board 1112 are not normal, an error message is displayed and the user is asked whether or not a re-evaluation should be performed, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer 1 that can more accurately detect whether or not connectors 1 and 2 of these optical reading units are correctly connected to connectors 1 and 2 of the control unit 100 than before.

[0099] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure also include any combination of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1: Digital multifunction device, 55: Communication unit, 100: Control unit, 102: Printing unit, 103: Operation unit, 104: Display unit, 104a: RAM, 104b: ROM, 105: Memory unit, 111: Image reading unit, 112: Transport unit, 113: Image processing unit, 1001: Port determination unit, 1002: Port output unit, 1110: CIS unit, 1111: Platen scanner mounting board, 1112: ADF scanner mounting board, 1113: Shading correction unit, 1115: Document reading glass, 1116: Document placing glass, 1117: Rail, 1118: Drive belt, 1119: Drive gear

Claims

1. an optical reading unit that optically reads an original; a storage unit that stores an output information table of the optical reading unit and setting information of a connector corresponding to an interface of the optical reading unit; a control unit that has a control board provided with a connector that can be connected to the connector of the optical reading unit via a cable, and that controls the optical reading unit and the storage unit; the optical reading unit includes a first optical reading unit and a second optical reading unit; the connector of the control board includes a first connector corresponding to a connector of the first optical reading unit and a second connector corresponding to a connector of the second optical reading unit; The control unit causes the optical reading unit connected to the first connector to execute a predetermined reading process at a predetermined timing, and if the resulting output information is the same as the output information table, sets the terminal settings of the first connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit, and sets the terminal settings of the second connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit, while if the output information is not the same as the output information table, determines that the connector of the optical reading unit may not be correctly connected to the connector of the control board.

2. The control unit causes the optical reading unit connected to the first connector to execute the reading process, and if the resulting output information is not the same as the output information table, causes the optical reading unit connected to the second connector to execute the reading process, and if the resulting output information is the same as the output information table, sets the terminal settings of the first connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit, and sets the terminal settings of the second connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit; on the other hand, if the output information is not the same as the output information table, determines that the connector of the optical reading unit may not be correctly connected to the connector of the control board.

3. The image reading device of claim 2, wherein the control unit sets the terminal settings of the first connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the second optical reading unit, and when the control unit sets the terminal settings of the second connector to connector setting information corresponding to the interface of the first optical reading unit, stores the connector setting information in the memory unit, and when the device is started up next time or thereafter, starts up the device with the connector setting information set.

4. Further provided with a display unit that displays various information to the user, The image reading device described in claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the optical reading unit connected to the second connector to execute the reading process, and if it determines that the output information obtained as a result is not the same as the output information table, causes the display unit to display a predetermined error message.

5. the first optical reading unit includes a white reference plate; 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading process is shading correction based on the light reflected from the white reference plate.

6. the first optical reading unit is a reading unit that reads the document placed on a document platen scanner, 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the second optical reading unit is a reading unit that reads the document placed on a predetermined tray by conveying the document using an automatic document feeder.

7. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data; an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data obtained by reading the image data with the image reading device;

Images