Medium transport device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a medium conveying device, a control method, and a control program capable of satisfactorily conveying a medium when counting the number of conveyed media.SOLUTION: The medium conveying apparatus includes a medium tray, a roller that conveys a plurality of media placed on the medium tray, an imaging unit that images the conveyed medium, a setting unit that sets one of an imaging mode in which the conveyed medium is imaged and a counting mode in which the number of the conveyed media is counted without imaging the medium, and a control unit that controls the roller so that a total conveyance time of the medium when the counting mode is set is shorter than a total conveyance time when the imaging mode is set. When the counting mode is set, the control unit sets the transport speed of the medium or the transport path of the medium so that the occurrence frequency of the transport abnormality of the medium is reduced as compared with the case where the imaging mode is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medium transport device, a control method, and a control program, and more particularly to a medium transport device, a control method, and a control program that count the number of transported media. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a function for counting the number of conveyed media has been developed for media conveying devices such as scanners that convey and capture images of multiple media. In such media conveying devices, it is necessary to convey the media smoothly when counting the number of conveyed media.

[0003] An image forming apparatus has been disclosed that detects the number of originals by circulating and counting originals in a sheet document stack one by one before images are read (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] An image processing apparatus has been disclosed in which, when the count mode is selected, the front surface of the conveyed sheet is not read by a reading unit, but the number of conveyed sheets is counted (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-216671 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-191515 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In a medium transport device, it is required to transport the media smoothly when counting the number of transported media.

[0007] The objective of the medium transport device, control method, and control program is to enable the medium to be transported properly when counting the number of transported media.

[0008] A media transport device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a mounting table, rollers for transporting multiple media placed on the mounting table, an imaging unit for capturing images of the transported media while moving them, a setting unit for setting either an imaging mode for capturing images of the transported media or a counting mode for counting the number of media transported without capturing images of the media, and a control unit for controlling the rollers so that the total media transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total transport time when the imaging mode is set, and the control unit sets the media transport speed when the counting mode is set so that the frequency of media transport abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. In addition, a media transport device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a mounting table, rollers for transporting multiple media placed on the mounting table, a movably mounted imaging unit for capturing images of the transported media, a setting unit for setting either an imaging mode for capturing images of the transported media or a counting mode for counting the number of media transported without capturing images of the media, and a control unit for controlling the rollers so that the total media transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total transport time when the imaging mode is set, and the control unit moves the imaging unit when the counting mode is set so that the frequency of media transport abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set.

[0009] Furthermore, a control method according to one aspect of the embodiment is a control method for a media conveying device having a mounting table, in which a roller conveys multiple media placed on the mounting table, an imaging unit images the conveyed media, and either an imaging mode in which the images are taken while the conveyed media are moving, or a counting mode in which the number of conveyed media is counted without imaging the media, is set, and the roller is controlled so that the total media conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total media conveying time when the imaging mode is set, and in the control, when the counting mode is set, the media conveying speed is set so that the frequency of media conveying abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. Furthermore, a control method according to one aspect of the embodiment is a control method for a media conveying device having a mounting table, in which rollers convey multiple media placed on the mounting table, a movably arranged imaging unit images the conveyed media, and either an imaging mode in which the conveyed media are imaged, or a counting mode in which the number of conveyed media is counted without imaging the media, is set, the rollers are controlled so that the total media conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total media conveying time when the imaging mode is set, and in the control, when the counting mode is set, the imaging unit is moved so that the frequency of media conveying abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set.

[0010] In addition, a control program according to one aspect of the embodiment is a control program for a media conveying device having a mounting table, rollers for conveying multiple media placed on the mounting table, and an imaging unit for imaging the conveyed media, and sets either an imaging mode in which images are captured while the conveyed media are moving, or a counting mode in which the number of media conveyed without imaging the media is counted, and causes the media conveying device to control the rollers so that the total media conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total media conveying time when the imaging mode is set, and in the control, when the counting mode is set, the media conveying speed is set so that the frequency of media conveying abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. In addition, a control program according to one aspect of the embodiment is a control program for a media transport device having a loading platform, rollers for transporting multiple media placed on the loading platform, and an imaging unit that is movably arranged and captures images of the transported media, and the control program sets either an imaging mode for capturing images of the transported media or a counting mode for counting the number of media transported without capturing images of the media, and causes the media transport device to control the rollers so that the total media transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total transport time when the imaging mode is set, and in the control, when the counting mode is set, moves the imaging unit so that the frequency of media transport abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the medium transport device, the control method, and the control program are able to transport the medium properly when counting the number of transported media.

[0012] The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium transport device 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a driving source. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium conveying device 100. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a setting process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium transport process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium transport process. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph for explaining a change in the speed of a roller. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph for explaining a change in the speed of a roller. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a medium to be fed. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a portion of the operation of another medium transport process. [Figure 13] 10 is a graph for explaining a change in the speed of a roller. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining the moving mechanism 222. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a portion of the operation of yet another medium transport process. [Figure 16] 10 is a graph for explaining a change in the speed of a roller. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another processing circuit 350. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A medium conveying device, a control method, and a control program according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium conveying device 100 conveys a medium, which is an original document, and captures an image. The medium may be paper, cardboard, a card, a booklet, a passport, or the like. The medium conveying device 100 may also be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), or the like.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transport path inside the medium transport device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The transport path inside the media transport device 100 includes a first media sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a second media sensor 114, a third media sensor 115, a transport roller 116, a first opposing roller 117, a fourth media sensor 118, an imaging device 119, an ejection roller 120, and a second opposing roller 121, etc.

[0022] The feed roller 112, separation roller 113, transport roller 116, first opposing roller 117, discharge roller 120, and second opposing roller 121 are examples of rollers that transport multiple media placed on the mounting table 103. Note that the number of each of the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, transport roller 116, first opposing roller 117, discharge roller 120, and / or second opposing roller 121 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 112, separation roller 113, transport roller 116, first opposing roller 117, discharge roller 120, and / or second opposing roller 121 are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction A1.

[0023] The top surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide 101a of the medium transport path, and the bottom surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide 102a of the medium transport path. In Figure 2, arrow A1 indicates the medium transport direction. 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.

[0024] The first medium sensor 111 is disposed upstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The first medium sensor 111 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. The first medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a first medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. Note that the first medium 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 first medium sensor 111.

[0025] The feed roller 112 is provided in the lower housing 101, and separates the multiple media placed on the mounting table 103 and feeds them sequentially from the bottom. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is provided in the upper housing 102, arranged opposite the feed roller 112, and rotates in the opposite direction to the medium feeding direction. Alternatively, the feed roller 112 may be provided in the upper housing 102 and the separation roller 113 in the lower housing 101, and the feed roller 112 may feed the multiple media placed on the mounting table 103 sequentially from the top.

[0026] The second media sensor 114 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 112 and upstream of the transport roller 116, and detects media transported to that position. In particular, the second media sensor 114 is disposed between the feed roller 112 and the third media sensor 115 in the media transport direction A1, near the nip region between the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The second media sensor 114 includes a light emitter and a light receiver disposed on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide disposed opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide. When a medium is present in a position opposite the second media sensor 114, the light emitted from the light emitter is blocked by the medium, and the light receiver does not detect the light emitted from the light emitter. The second medium sensor 114 generates and outputs a second medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second medium sensor 114, based on the intensity of light received by the light receiver.

[0027] The third media sensor 115 is located downstream of the feed roller 112 and upstream of the transport roller 116 and detects media transported to that position. That is, the third media sensor 115 is located between the feed roller 112 and the transport roller 116. The third media sensor 115 includes a light emitter and a light receiver located on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide located opposite the light emitter and the light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the media transport path. Meanwhile, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide. The third media sensor 115 generates and outputs a third media signal based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or absent at the position of the third media sensor 115.

[0028] The transport roller 116 and the first opposed roller 117 are disposed downstream of the feed roller 112 and facing each other. The transport roller 116 and the first opposed roller 117 transport a plurality of media placed on the mounting table 103 and fed by the feed roller 112 and separation roller 113 to the imaging device 119. The transport roller 116 is provided in the upper housing 102, and the first opposed roller 117 is provided in the lower housing 101, below the transport roller 116. Note that the transport roller 116 may be provided in the lower housing 101, and the first opposed roller 117 may be provided in the upper housing 102.

[0029] The fourth medium sensor 118 is disposed downstream of the transport rollers 116 and upstream of the imaging device 119, and detects media transported to that position. The fourth medium sensor 118 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the media transport path, and a light guide tube provided opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the media transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the media transport path. The light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The fourth medium sensor 118 generates and outputs a fourth medium signal, the signal value of which changes depending on whether a medium is present or absent at the position of the fourth medium sensor 118, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver.

[0030] Note that a reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of a light guide tube in second medium sensor 114, third medium sensor 115, and / or fourth medium sensor 118. Also, in second medium sensor 114, third medium sensor 115, and / or fourth medium sensor 118, the light emitter and light receiver may be disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path. Also, second medium sensor 114, third medium sensor 115, and / or fourth medium sensor 118 may detect the presence of a medium using a contact detection sensor or the like that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact or when the medium is not in contact.

[0031] The imaging device 119 is an example of an imaging section, and is disposed downstream of the transport rollers 116 to capture images of the medium transported by the transport rollers 116. The imaging device 119 includes a first imaging device 119a and a second imaging device 119b disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path.

[0032] The first imaging device 119a is an example of a first imaging unit. The first imaging device 119a has a line sensor based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a 1:1 optical system type having imaging elements based on CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 119a 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 119a captures an image of the surface of the transported medium under control of a processing circuit (described later), generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0033] The second imaging device 119b is an example of a second imaging unit and faces the first imaging device 119a. It is arranged so that it can be pushed up by the thickness of the transported medium and move away from the first imaging device 119a. The second imaging device 119b has a CIS line sensor with a life-size optical system and CMOS imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 119b 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 second imaging device 119b captures the back side of the transported medium under control of a processing circuit (described later) to generate and output an input image.

[0034] Note that medium conveying device 100 may have only one of first imaging device 119a and second imaging device 119b disposed, 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.

[0035] The discharge roller 120 and the second opposed roller 121 are disposed facing each other downstream of the imaging device 119. The discharge roller 120 and the second opposed roller 121 transport a plurality of media placed on the mounting table 103 and transported by the transport roller 116 and the first opposed roller 117, and discharge the media onto the discharge table 104. The discharge roller 120 is provided in the upper housing 102, and the second opposed roller 121 is provided in the lower housing 101, below the discharge roller 120. Note that the discharge roller 120 may be provided in the lower housing 101, and the second opposed roller 121 may be provided in the upper housing 102.

[0036] The media placed on the mounting table 103 is transported between the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 102a in the media transport direction A1 by the rotation of the feed roller 112 in the direction of arrow A2 in Figure 2, i.e., the media feed direction. When transporting the media, the separation roller 113 rotates in the direction of arrow A3, i.e., the opposite direction to the media feed direction. When multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 work 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).

[0037] The medium is fed between the conveying roller 116 and the first opposing roller 117 while being guided by the lower guide 101a and the upper guide 102a. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 119a and the second imaging device 119b as the conveying roller 116 and the first opposing roller 117 rotate in the directions of arrows A4 and A5, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 119 is discharged onto the discharge tray 104 as the discharge roller 120 and the second opposing roller 121 rotate in the directions of arrows A6 and A7, respectively.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the drive sources of the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the transport roller 116, the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120 and / or the second opposing roller 121. As shown in FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the medium conveying device 100 has a first motor 131 and a second motor 132 as drive sources for the rollers.

[0040] The first motor 131 is provided in the lower housing 101 and is connected to the feed roller 112 via a first transmission mechanism 131a to drive the feed roller 112. The first motor 131 generates a driving force for driving the feed roller 112 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit. The first transmission mechanism 131a includes one or more pulleys, belts, gears, etc. provided between the first motor 131 and the shaft 112a of the feed roller 112, and transmits the driving force generated by the first motor 131 to the feed roller 112. In this way, the first motor 131 rotates the feed roller 112 to feed the medium.

[0041] The second motor 132 is provided in the upper housing 102 separately from the first motor 131, and is connected to the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113 via a second transmission mechanism 132a to drive the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113. The second motor 132 generates driving force for driving the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit. The second transmission mechanism 132a includes one or more pulleys, belts, gears, etc. provided between the second motor 132 and the shaft 116a of the conveying roller 116, the shaft 120a of the discharge roller 120, and the shaft 113a of the separation roller 113. In particular, one or more gears are provided between the shaft 116a of the conveying roller 116 and / or the shaft 120a of the discharge roller 120 and the shaft 113a of the separation roller 113 to vary the rotation direction and rotation speed of each roller. The second transmission mechanism 132a transmits the driving force generated by the second motor 132 to the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113. As a result, the second motor 132 rotates the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113, causing the conveying roller 116, the discharge roller 120, and the separation roller 113 to feed, convey, and discharge the medium.

[0042] The first opposing roller 117 is a driven roller that rotates following the conveyance roller 116, and the second opposing roller 121 is a driven roller that rotates following the discharge roller 120. The first opposing roller 117 and / or the second opposing roller 121 may be driven by a driving force from a second motor 132. In this case, one or more gears are further provided between the shaft 116a of the conveyance roller 116 and the shaft 117a of the first opposing roller 117, and / or between the shaft 120a of the discharge roller 120 and the shaft 121a of the second opposing roller 121. The second transmission mechanism 132a further transmits the driving force generated by the second motor 132 to the first opposing roller 117 and / or the second opposing roller 121.

[0043] The separation roller 113 may be configured to be driven by a driving force from the first motor 131 instead of the second motor 132. In this case, one or more gears are further provided between the shaft 113a of the separation roller 113 and the shaft 112a of the feed roller 112. The first transmission mechanism 131a further transmits the driving force generated by the first motor 131 to the separation roller 113. The separation roller 113 may also be configured to be driven by a driving force from a motor separate from the first motor 131 and the second motor 132. The first motor 131 may be disposed in the upper housing 102, and the second motor 132 may be disposed in the lower housing 101.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium conveying device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0045] In addition to the above-described components, the medium conveying device 100 further includes an interface device 133, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0046] The interface device 133 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 mobile information terminal, etc.) to transmit and receive input images and various information. Instead of the interface device 133, 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.

[0047] 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), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or the like.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the first medium sensor 111, the second medium sensor 114, the third medium sensor 115, the fourth medium sensor 118, the imaging device 119, the first motor 131, the second motor 132, the interface device 133, the storage device 140, etc., and controls each of these components. Based on the medium signals received from the media sensors, the processing circuit 150 performs drive control of the first motor 131 and the second motor 132, image capture control of the imaging device 119, etc., acquires an input image from the imaging device 119, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 133.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

[0051] 5, the storage device 140 stores a setting program 141, a control 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 setting unit 151 and a control unit 152.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the setting process of the medium conveying device 100.

[0053] An example of the operation of the setting process of the medium conveying device 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. 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.

[0054] First, the setting unit 151 waits until a user inputs an instruction to set an operation mode using the operation device 105 or an information processing device, and a setting signal instructing the setting of the operation mode is received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133 (step S101). The operation mode is a mode for defining the operation of the medium conveying device 100, and includes an imaging mode for capturing images of conveyed media, and a counting mode for counting the number of conveyed media without capturing images of the media.

[0055] Next, the setting unit 151 stores the operation mode specified by the setting signal, i.e., the operation mode specified by the user, in the storage device 140, thereby setting the operation mode in the medium conveying device 100 (step S102), and the series of steps ends. That is, the setting unit 151 sets the medium conveying device 100 to either the imaging mode or the counting mode.

[0056] 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the medium conveying process of the medium conveying device 100. FIG.

[0057] 7 and 8, an example of the operation of the medium conveying process of medium conveying device 100 will be described below. Note that the flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in advance in storage device 140.

[0058] First, the control unit 152 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 133 (step S201).

[0059] Next, when the control unit 152 receives the operation signal, it acquires a first medium signal from the first medium sensor 111 and determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103 based on the acquired first medium signal (step S202). If no medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 152 ends the series of steps.

[0060] On the other hand, if a medium is placed on the mounting table 103, the control unit 152 reads the currently set operation mode from the storage device 140 and identifies whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S203). The control unit 152 also initializes a counter for counting the number of media set on the mounting table 103 and transported together by resetting (setting the counter to 0).

[0061] Next, the control unit 152 sets the surface movement speeds of the feed roller 112, separation roller 113, transport roller 116, first opposing roller 117, discharge roller 120, and / or second opposing roller 121 (step S204). The surface movement speed is the speed at which the surface of each roller that comes into contact with the medium moves. In other words, the surface movement speeds of the feed roller 112, transport roller 116, first opposing roller 117, discharge roller 120, and / or second opposing roller 121 are the speed at which the medium is transported by the feed roller 112, transport roller 116, and discharge roller 120. Hereinafter, the surface movement speed of each roller may be simply referred to as "speed."

[0062] 9 and 10 are graphs for explaining the speed changes of the feed roller 112, the transport roller 116, the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120, and the second opposing roller 121. Fig. 9 shows the speed changes of each roller in the imaging mode, and Fig. 10 shows the speed changes of each roller in the counting mode.

[0063] 9 and 10, graphs G11 and G21 show the change in speed of the feed roller 112, and graphs G12 and G22 show the change in speed of the conveying roller 116. Since the speeds of the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120, and the second opposing roller 121 change in the same way as the speed of the conveying roller 116, the following will explain the change in speed of the conveying roller 116 as a representative. The horizontal axis of each of the graphs G11, G12, G21, and G22 represents time, and the vertical axis represents speed.

[0064] Meanwhile, graph G13 shows the change in the signal value of the third medium signal output from third medium sensor 115, and graph G14 shows the change in the signal value of the fourth medium signal output from fourth medium sensor 118. The horizontal axis of each of graphs G13 and G14 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the signal value. In this embodiment, when no medium is present at each sensor, the signal value of the corresponding signal is L, and when a medium is present at each sensor, the signal value of the corresponding signal is H.

[0065] 9 and 10, time T1 indicates the start of medium feeding. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 sets the speed of the feed roller 112 to an initial speed V1 and the speed of the conveyance roller 116 to an initial speed W1 at the start of medium feeding. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 sets the speed of the feed roller 112 to an initial speed V1' that is lower than the initial speed V1 and sets the speed of the conveyance roller 116 to an initial speed W1' that is the same as the initial speed W1 at the start of medium feeding. In this way, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the initial speed of the feed roller 112 to a lower speed than the initial speed of the feed roller 112 when the imaging mode is set.

[0066] Next, the control unit 152 drives the first motor 131 and the second motor 132. As a result, the control unit 152 rotates the feeding roller 112, the separation roller 113, the transport roller 116, the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120, and / or the second opposing roller 121 to feed and transport the medium (step S205).

[0067] Control unit 152 controls first motor 131 and second motor 132 to rotate each roller at the set speed. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, each roller rotates at the set speed after a predetermined through-up period has elapsed since the start of driving each motor at time T1. Note that, similarly, when control unit 152 changes the speed of each roller thereafter, each roller rotates at the set speed after a predetermined through-up period has elapsed since the start of driving each motor.

[0068] Next, control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the transported medium passes the position of third medium sensor 115 (step S206). Control unit 152 periodically acquires a third medium signal from third medium sensor 115, and determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of third medium sensor 115 when the signal value of the third medium signal changes from a value indicating that no medium is present to a value indicating that a medium is present.

[0069] Next, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feeding roller 112 and the separation roller 113 (step S207).

[0070] 9 and 10, time T2 indicates the time when the signal value of the third medium signal changes from L to H, i.e., the time when the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 to a final speed V3 and changes the speed of the transport roller 116 to a final speed W3. The final speed V3 of the feed roller 112 is set to a speed that is higher than the initial speed V1 of the feed roller 112 and equal to or lower than the final speed W3 of the transport roller 116. The final speed W3 of the transport roller 116 is set to a speed that is higher than the initial speed W1 of the transport roller 116. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 to a final speed V3' that is the same as the final speed V3, and changes the speed of the transport roller 116 to a final speed W3' that is the same as the final speed W3.

[0071] Next, control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the transported medium passes the position of transport rollers 116 (step S208). Control unit 152 periodically acquires a fourth medium signal from fourth medium sensor 118, and determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of fourth medium sensor 118 when the signal value of the fourth medium signal changes from a value indicating that the medium is not present to a value indicating that the medium is present. Control unit 152 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of transport rollers 116 when the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of fourth medium sensor 118.

[0072] Next, the control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to stop the feeding roller 112 (step S209).

[0073] 9 and 10, time T3 indicates the time when the signal value of the fourth medium signal changes from L to H, i.e., the time when the leading edge of the medium passes the position of fourth medium sensor 118. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, after the leading edge of the medium passes the position of fourth medium sensor 118, control unit 152 stops feed roller 112 (changes the speed to 0). As a result, the medium is subsequently transported by transport roller 116, and feed roller 112 rotates along with the transported medium. By stopping feed roller 112, control unit 152 can prevent the medium from being pushed by feed roller 112 and bending between feed roller 112 and transport roller 116, which could cause a medium jam.

[0074] Next, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S210).

[0075] If the operation mode is set to the image capture mode, the control unit 152 causes the image capture device 119 to start capturing an image of the medium (step S211).

[0076] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 increments the counter (+1) (step S212).

[0077] Next, control unit 152 waits until the trailing edge of the transported medium passes the position of third medium sensor 115 (step S213). Control unit 152 periodically acquires a third medium signal from third medium sensor 115, and determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of third medium sensor 115 when the signal value of the third medium signal changes from a value indicating the presence of a medium to a value indicating the absence of a medium.

[0078] Next, control unit 152 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the first medium signal received from first medium sensor 111 (step S214).

[0079] If media remain on the mounting table 103, the control unit 152 sets the speed of the feeding roller 112 for feeding the following media (step S215).

[0080] 9 and 10, time T4 indicates the time when the signal value of the third medium signal changes from H to L, i.e., the time when the trailing edge of the medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 sets the speed of the feed roller 112 to a first intermediate speed V2a. The first intermediate speed V2a is set to a speed higher than the initial speed V1 and lower than the final speed V3. The first intermediate speed V2a is the first speed of the feed roller 112 when feeding the second or subsequent medium. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 sets the speed of the feed roller 112 to a first intermediate speed V2a', which is lower than the first intermediate speed V2a. In this way, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the initial speed of the feed roller 112 to a lower speed than the initial speed of the feed roller 112 when the imaging mode is set.

[0081] Next, the control unit 152 drives the first motor 131 to rotate the feed roller 112 and feed and transport the following medium (step S216). The control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to rotate the feed roller 112 at a set speed. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 starts rotating the feed roller 112 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of the third medium sensor 115. The predetermined time is set to any time greater than 0. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 starts rotating the feed roller 112 immediately after the trailing edge of the medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115.

[0082] Next, control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the following medium passes the position of second medium sensor 114 (step S217). Control unit 152 periodically acquires a second medium signal from second medium sensor 114, and determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of second medium sensor 114 when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating that no medium is present to a value indicating that a medium is present.

[0083] Next, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 (step S218).

[0084] 9, when the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 to a second intermediate speed V2b. The second intermediate speed V2b is set to a speed higher than the first intermediate speed V2a and lower than the final speed V3. The second intermediate speed V2b is the second-stage speed of the feed roller 112 when feeding the second or subsequent medium. When the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 to the final speed V3'.

[0085] Next, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S219). If the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 returns the process to step S208 and repeats the processes from step S208 onwards for the subsequent medium. In this case, in step S208, the control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the subsequent medium passes the position of the conveyance roller 116 (time T6 in FIGS. 9 and 10), and in step S209, controls the first motor 131 to stop the feed roller 112.

[0086] If the operating mode is set to the imaging mode, control unit 152 waits until the trailing edge of the preceding medium passes the imaging position of imaging device 119 (step S220). Control unit 152 periodically acquires a fourth medium signal from fourth medium sensor 118, and determines that the trailing edge of the preceding medium has passed the position of fourth medium sensor 118 when the signal value of the fourth medium signal changes from a value indicating the presence of a medium to a value indicating the absence of a medium. Control unit 152 determines that the trailing edge of the preceding medium has passed the imaging position when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the preceding medium passed the position of fourth medium sensor 118. The first predetermined time is set to a value equal to the time required for the medium to move from the position of fourth medium sensor 118 to the imaging position plus a margin.

[0087] Next, the control unit 152 acquires an input image from the imaging device 119 and stores the acquired input image in the storage device 140. Note that the control unit 152 may perform predetermined image processing on the input image, such as correction processing such as shading correction or filtering, cropping processing, or compression processing. The control unit 152 outputs the input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 133, and deletes it from the storage device 140 (step S221).

[0088] Next, similar to the process in step S206, control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the succeeding medium passes the position of third medium sensor 115 (step S222).

[0089] Next, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feeding roller 112 (step S223).

[0090] 9 and 10, time T5 indicates the time when the signal value of the third medium signal changes from L to H, i.e., the time when the leading edge of the following medium passes the position of third medium sensor 115. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation mode is set to imaging mode, controller 152 changes the speed of feed roller 112 to final speed V3 when the leading edge of the following medium passes the position of third medium sensor 115. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the operation mode is set to counting mode, the speed of feed roller 112 has already been changed to final speed V3', and controller 152 does not change the speed of feed roller 112.

[0091] Next, the control unit 152 returns the process to step S208, and repeats the processes from step S208 onwards for the subsequent medium.

[0092] On the other hand, in step S214, if there are no media remaining on the mounting table 103, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S224). If the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 proceeds to step S227.

[0093] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the image capture mode, the control unit 152 waits until the rear end of the transported medium passes the image capture position of the image capture device 119, similar to the process in step S220 (step S225).

[0094] Next, the control unit 152 acquires an input image from the imaging device 119 and stores the acquired input image in the storage device 140. The control unit 152 may perform predetermined image processing on the input image. The control unit 152 outputs the input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 133, and deletes it from the storage device 140 (step S226).

[0095] Next, control unit 152 waits until the trailing edge of the transported medium passes the position of discharge rollers 120 (step S227). Control unit 152 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of discharge rollers 120 when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of fourth medium sensor 118. The second predetermined time is set to a value obtained by adding a margin to the time required for the medium to move from the position of fourth medium sensor 118 to the position of discharge rollers 120.

[0096] Next, the control unit 152 controls the second motor 132 to stop the separation roller 113, the transport roller 116, the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120 and / or the second opposing roller 121 (step S228).

[0097] Next, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S229). If the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 ends the series of steps without performing any particular processing.

[0098] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 outputs the number of media transported by displaying the counter on the display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 133 (step S230), and then ends the series of steps.

[0099] The control unit 152 may count the number of conveyed media not only in the counting mode but also in the imaging mode and output the count in step S230. In this case, the control unit 152 may further determine whether the counter value calculated in the immediately preceding media conveyance process matches the counter value calculated in the current media conveyance process. If the counter values ​​do not match, the control unit 152 notifies the user of a warning by displaying a message to that effect on the display device 106 or by sending the message to the information processing device via the interface device 133. This allows the user to capture a specific group of media in the imaging mode, then count the media in the counting mode and easily determine whether the number of media captured in the imaging mode is correct, thereby enabling the medium conveyance device 100 to improve user convenience.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 152 may increment the counter at any other timing instead of incrementing it in step S212. For example, the control unit 152 may increment the counter when the leading or trailing edge of the medium passes the position of the second medium sensor 114, the third medium sensor 115, the fourth medium sensor 118, or a medium sensor or ultrasonic sensor (not shown) located at any other position.

[0101] Furthermore, in steps S217 and S218, the control unit 152 may change the speed of the feed roller 112 when a fourth predetermined time has elapsed since the start of feeding of the medium, rather than when the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the second medium sensor 114. The fourth predetermined time is set, through prior experiments, to the time required from the start of feeding of the medium until the leading edge of the medium passes the nip area between the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. In this case, the second medium sensor 114 may be omitted. Furthermore, if the second medium sensor 114 is omitted, a third medium sensor 115 may be placed in the position of the second medium sensor 114.

[0102] Furthermore, in step S221, the control unit 152 may execute the processes from step S222 onwards even if transmission of the input image has not been completed. In this case, in step S222, the control unit 152 may temporarily stop feeding of the subsequent medium if the free space in the storage device 140 is less than a predetermined amount when the leading edge of the subsequent medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115. The control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to stop the feed roller 112 until the free space in the storage device 140 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to efficiently convey the medium while reliably transmitting the input image.

[0103] The technical significance of controlling the transport of a medium according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described below.

[0104] As described in step S216, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 causes the feed roller 112 to start rotating earlier than when the imaging mode is set. Also, as described in step S218, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 causes the rotation speed of the feed roller 112 during medium feeding to be higher than when the imaging mode is set. In this way, the control unit 152 controls the feed roller 112 so that the distance between media fed sequentially when the counting mode is set is shorter than the distance between media fed sequentially when the imaging mode is set. In this way, the control unit 152 controls the feed roller 112 so that the total transport time for multiple media placed together on the mounting table 103 when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total transport time when the imaging mode is set.

[0105] Furthermore, as described in steps S210 and S219, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 does not capture an image of the medium and does not send the input image to the information processing device. As described above, the control unit 152 performs predetermined image processing on the input image. Furthermore, when the imaging mode is set, the control unit 152 may temporarily stop feeding of the medium if there is insufficient free space in the storage device 140 when the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115. Therefore, by not capturing an image of the medium and not sending the input image to the information processing device when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 can shorten the total transport time when the counting mode is set compared to the total transport time when the imaging mode is set.

[0106] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a medium fed in the counting mode, showing the lower guide 101a of the lower housing 101 as viewed from above.

[0107] In FIG. 11, the continuously fed media M1 and M2 are fed in a tilted state. As shown in FIG. 11, if the continuously fed media M1 and M2 are tilted and partially overlap, the overlapping portion is not captured by the imaging device 119, and the control unit 152 cannot obtain an appropriate input image. Therefore, in the imaging mode, the control unit 152 must feed the media so that the distance between the continuously fed media M1 and M2 is sufficiently large. On the other hand, even if the continuously fed media M1 and M2 are tilted and partially overlapping, if the media M1 and M2 do not overlap at the positions where they pass through the media sensors, the control unit 152 can correctly identify the media M1 and M2 and correctly count the number of media. Therefore, in the counting mode, the control unit 152 can shorten the distance between the continuously fed media M1 and M2, thereby reducing the total media transport time.

[0108] For example, when medium conveying device 100 conveys A4-sized paper with its short edge aligned with the medium conveying direction A1, the distance between successively fed media needs to be approximately 100 mm to prevent overlapping between the successively fed media. Therefore, in imaging mode, medium conveying device 100 needs to rotate each roller by 310 mm, which is the size of an A4 sheet in the short edge direction (210 mm) plus 100 mm, for each sheet of paper. On the other hand, in order to convey successively fed media so that they can be reliably identified, medium conveying device 100 only needs to leave a distance of approximately 30 mm between successively fed media. Therefore, in counting mode, medium conveying device 100 only needs to rotate each roller by 240 mm, which is the size of an A4 sheet in the short edge direction (210 mm) plus 30 mm, for each sheet of paper. Therefore, medium conveying device 100 can reduce the total medium conveying time in the counting mode to approximately 77% (=240 mm / 310 mm) of the total medium conveying time in the imaging mode.

[0109] Generally, the coefficient of friction between the feed roller 112 and the medium, and the coefficient of friction between successively fed media, tend to increase as the initial velocity of the feed roller 112 increases. Therefore, increasing the initial velocity of the feed roller 112 increases the likelihood of media double feeding. Furthermore, increasing the initial velocity of the feed roller 112 causes the feed roller 112 to vibrate, increasing the likelihood of media jamming. In the counting mode, the control unit 152 shortens the distance between each medium by accelerating the timing at which the feed roller 112 starts to rotate or by increasing the speed of the feed roller 112 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of rotation, rather than increasing the initial velocity of the feed roller 112. This allows the control unit 152 to reduce the total media transport time while suppressing media double feeding or jamming in the counting mode.

[0110] Furthermore, as described in steps S204 and S215, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the initial speed of the feed roller 112 to be lower than the initial speed of the feed roller 112 when the imaging mode is set. As a result, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the medium transport speed so that the frequency of double feeding of media decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set. Double feeding of media is an example of a medium transport abnormality. By lowering the initial speed of the feed roller 112, the control unit 152 can prevent double feeding of media.

[0111] As described above in detail, when operating in counting mode, medium conveying device 100 controls medium conveyance so as to prevent medium conveyance abnormalities while shortening the medium conveyance time compared to when operating in imaging mode. This allows medium conveying device 100 to convey media stably and in a short time when counting the number of conveyed media, making it possible to convey media satisfactorily.

[0112] In addition, the user can easily check whether all media have been photographed by counting the number of media in counting mode before or after photographing the media in imaging mode, and the media conveying device 100 can thereby improve user convenience.

[0113] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a portion of the operation of a medium conveyance process of a medium conveyance device according to another embodiment.

[0114] The flowchart shown in Fig. 12 is executed in place of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. The processes of steps S314 to S318, S322 to S326, and S330 to S336 in Fig. 12 are the same as the processes of steps S214 to S218, S219 to S223, and S224 to S230 in Fig. 8, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted. Only steps S319 to S321 and S327 to S329 will be described below.

[0115] After changing the speed of the feed roller 112 in step S318, the control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the discharge roller 120 (step S319). The control unit 152 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the discharge roller 120 when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed the position of the fourth medium sensor 118.

[0116] Next, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S320). If the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 proceeds to step S322.

[0117] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 controls the second motor 132 to reduce the speed of the discharge rollers 120 for a certain period of time (step S321).

[0118] FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining the change in speed of the discharge roller 120 in this embodiment.

[0119] 13, graph G31 shows an example of the speed change of the feed roller 112, and graph G32 shows an example of the speed change of the transport roller 116 and the discharge roller 120. The horizontal axis of each graph G31 and G32 represents time, and the vertical axis represents speed. Graphs G13 and G14 show changes in the signal values ​​of the third medium sensor 115 and the fourth medium sensor 118, which change in the same way as graphs G13 and G14 shown in FIG. 9. Times T1 to T6 represent the same times as times T1 to T6 shown in FIG. 9.

[0120] As shown in graph G32, after time T4, when the leading edge of the medium passes the discharge rollers 120, the control unit 152 reduces the speed of the discharge rollers 120. This allows the control unit 152 to prevent the medium from being forcefully discharged and flying out of the discharge tray 104 (medium flying out), and to prevent the position of the leading or trailing edge of the medium from varying on the discharge tray 104 (medium misalignment). The control unit 152 can also prevent the leading edge of the discharged medium from colliding with the discharge tray 104 and bending, causing a medium jam.

[0121] In this way, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 changes the rotation speed of the discharge rollers 120 while the medium is passing through the imaging device 119. As a result, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the medium transport speed so that the frequency of occurrence of medium protrusion, misalignment, or jamming decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set. Protrusion, misalignment, or jamming of the medium are examples of medium transport abnormalities.

[0122] Note that when the imaging mode is set, changing the speed of the discharge rollers 120 while the medium is passing through the imaging device 119 may cause variations in the intervals between the positions of the medium imaged by the imaging device 119, which may result in distortion of the input image. However, when the counting mode is set, no imaging of the medium is being performed, so there is no problem with changing the speed of the discharge rollers 120 while the medium is passing through the imaging device 119.

[0123] Furthermore, if no media remain on the mounting table 103 in step S314, the control unit 152 waits until the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the discharge rollers 120, similar to the process in step S319 (step S327).

[0124] Next, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S328). If the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 proceeds to step S330.

[0125] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 controls the second motor 132 to reduce the speed of the discharge rollers 120 for a certain period of time, similar to the process of step S321 (step S329).

[0126] In this embodiment, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 may set the initial speed of the feed roller 112 to a speed that is the same as or higher than the initial speed of the feed roller 112 when the imaging mode is set.

[0127] As described above in detail, when the counting mode is set, the media conveying device is able to smoothly convey media when counting the number of conveyed media, even when the rotation speed of the discharge roller 120 is changed while the media is passing through the imaging device 119.

[0128] 14(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining a movement mechanism 222 of an imaging device 119 in a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 14(A) shows the imaging device 119 when the imaging mode is set, and Fig. 14(B) shows the imaging device 119 when the counting mode is set.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the medium transport device according to this embodiment further includes a moving mechanism 222 and a moving mechanism sensor 223.

[0130] As described above, the second imaging device 119b is disposed so as to be pushed up by the thickness of the medium being transported and move in a direction away from the first imaging device 119a. The second imaging device 119b is provided with an imaging device guide 119c so as to cover the top and side surfaces of the second imaging device 119b. The imaging device guide 119c has a protrusion that protrudes upstream in the medium transport direction and guides the leading edge of the medium transported by the transport roller 116 between the first imaging device 119a and the second imaging device 119b. The other end of a spring 119d, one end of which is supported by the upper housing 102, is attached to the top surface of the imaging device guide 119c, and the imaging device guide 119c and the second imaging device 119b are urged by the spring 119d in a direction (downward) toward the first imaging device 119a.

[0131] The moving mechanism 222 is disposed at one or both ends of the imaging device 119 in the width direction perpendicular to the medium conveying direction A1, and is provided to move the second imaging device 119b upward. The moving mechanism 222 has a cam member 222a, a shaft 222b, and an opening 222c. The cam member 222a abuts against the lower surface of the second imaging device 119b (or imaging device guide 119c) and supports the second imaging device 119b, which is biased downward by a spring 119d, from below. The shaft 222b is the rotation axis of the cam member 222a and is connected to a motor (not shown) so as to rotate in the direction of arrow A10 according to the driving force from the motor. The opening 222c is formed to penetrate a predetermined portion of the cam member 222a.

[0132] The movement mechanism sensor 223 includes a light emitter and a light receiver arranged to face each other across the cam member 222a. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the light receiver. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter. When an opening 222c is present in a position facing the movement mechanism sensor 223, the light receiver receives the light emitted from the light emitter. On the other hand, when an opening 222c is not present in a position facing the movement mechanism sensor 223, the light emitted from the light emitter is blocked by the cam member 222a, and the light receiver does not detect the light emitted from the light emitter. The movement mechanism sensor 223 generates and outputs a movement mechanism signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not the opening 222c is present in a position facing the movement mechanism sensor 223, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver.

[0133] When the imaging mode is set, the cam member 222a is placed in the initial position shown in Fig. 14(A). The opening 222c is provided so as to be located at a position facing the movement mechanism sensor 223 when the cam member 222a is placed at the initial position. On the other hand, when the counting mode is set, the shaft 222b is rotated by a predetermined amount, and the cam member 222a is placed at the movement position shown in Fig. 14(B). The opening 222c is provided so as to be located at a position not facing the movement mechanism sensor 223 when the cam member 222a is placed at the movement position.

[0134] The cam member 222a is positioned so that, when positioned in the initial position, the second imaging device 119b is spaced a first predetermined distance from the first imaging device 119a. The first predetermined distance is set to a sufficiently small distance, for example, a distance greater than the thickness of PPC (Plain Paper Copier) paper but less than the thickness of a passport. This allows the medium conveying device to prevent the medium from floating (fluttering in the vertical direction) when a thin medium such as PPC paper is conveyed, thereby suppressing distortion of the medium in the input image. Furthermore, the medium conveying device can position the conveyed medium so that it does not deviate from the depth of field of the imaging sensor of the second imaging device 119b, thereby enabling good imaging. On the other hand, when a thick medium such as a passport is conveyed, the protruding portion of the imaging device guide 119c is pushed up by the leading edge of the medium, causing the second imaging device 119b to move away from the first imaging device 119a. This allows the medium conveying device to properly convey the thick medium and capture good images.

[0135] On the other hand, the cam member 222a is arranged so that, when the cam member 222a is disposed in the moving position, the second image capturing device 119b is spaced a second predetermined distance from the first image capturing device 119a. The second predetermined distance is set to a distance greater than the first predetermined distance, for example, a distance greater than the thickness of a passport. That is, when the cam member 222a is disposed in the moving position, the second image capturing device 119b is spaced further from the first image capturing device 119a than when the cam member 222a is disposed in the initial position. As a result, when the counting mode is set, even if a medium with a bent end is transported, the bent portion of the medium is less likely to come into contact with and become caught on the second image capturing device 119b, and the medium transport device can prevent media jams from occurring.

[0136] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a portion of the operation of the medium conveying process of the medium conveying device according to this embodiment.

[0137] The flowchart shown in Fig. 15 is executed in place of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. The processes of steps S401 to S403 and S407 to S416 in Fig. 15 are similar to the processes of steps S201 to S203 and S204 to S213 in Fig. 7, so their explanation will be omitted and only steps S404 to S406 will be explained below.

[0138] After determining whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode in step S403, the control unit 152 determines whether the operation mode is set to the imaging mode or the counting mode (step S404).

[0139] If the operation mode is set to the imaging mode, the control unit 152 controls the motor to place the cam member 222a of the moving mechanism 222 at the initial position (step S405). The control unit 152 acquires a moving mechanism signal from the moving mechanism sensor 223, and places the cam member 222a at the initial position based on the acquired moving mechanism signal. As a result, the second imaging device 119b is placed at the position shown in FIG. 14(A).

[0140] On the other hand, if the operation mode is set to the counting mode, the control unit 152 controls the motor to place the cam member 222a of the movement mechanism 222 at the movement position (step S406). The control unit 152 drives the motor by a predetermined amount from the state in which the cam member 222a is placed at the initial position, and places the cam member 222a at the movement position. As a result, the second imaging device 119b is placed at the position shown in FIG. 14(B).

[0141] In this way, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 controls the movement mechanism 222 so that the second imaging device 119b moves away from the first imaging device 119a. As a result, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 sets the medium transport path so that the frequency of medium jams decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set. Medium jams are an example of a medium transport abnormality.

[0142] In this embodiment, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 may set the initial speed of the feed roller 112 to a speed that is the same as or higher than the initial speed of the feed roller 112 when the imaging mode is set. Also, in this embodiment, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 may not need to change the rotation speed of the discharge roller 120 while the medium is passing through the imaging device 119.

[0143] As described above in detail, the media transport device is now able to transport media efficiently when counting the number of transported media, even when the media transport path is set using the moving mechanism 222.

[0144] FIG. 16 is a graph for explaining the speed changes of the feed roller 112, the conveyance roller 116, the first opposing roller 117, the discharge roller 120, and the second opposing roller 121 in the counting mode in a medium conveying device according to yet another embodiment.

[0145] 16, graph G41 shows an example of the change in speed of feed roller 112, and graph G42 shows an example of the change in speed of transport roller 116. The horizontal axis of each of graphs G41 and G42 represents time, and the vertical axis represents speed. Graphs G13 and G14 show changes in the signal values ​​of third medium sensor 115 and fourth medium sensor 118, which change in the same way as graphs G13 and G14 shown in FIG. 9. Times T1 to T6 represent the same times as times T1 to T6 shown in FIG. 9.

[0146] The medium conveying device according to this embodiment executes the medium conveying process shown in Fig. 7 or 15, and Fig. 8 or 12. However, in step S209 in Fig. 7 or step S412 in Fig. 15, after waiting until the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the conveying roller 116, the control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to reduce the speed of the feed roller 112 without stopping the feed roller 112. In other words, when the leading edge of the medium passes the conveying roller 116, the control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to reduce the rotation speed of the feed roller 112 while continuing to rotate the feed roller 112.

[0147] As shown in graph G41 in FIG. 16 , after time T3, the control unit 152 reduces the speed of the feed roller 112 after the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the fourth medium sensor 118. However, between time T3 and time T4, when the leading edge of the medium passes the conveyance roller 116, the speed of the feed roller 112 is reduced but does not become zero. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the speed of the feed roller 112 is changed to the first intermediate speed V2a′. Note that the speed of the feed roller 112 may be changed to a speed different from the first intermediate speed V2a′. This allows the control unit 152 to control the feed roller 112 so that the distance between media fed sequentially when the counting mode is set is shorter than the distance between media fed sequentially when the imaging mode is set.

[0148] Furthermore, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 controls the first motor 131 to change the speed of the feed roller 112 depending on the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium. In step S213 of FIG. 7 or step S416 of FIG. 15, the control unit 152 stores the time when the trailing edge of the preceding medium passed the position of the third medium sensor 115. The control unit 152 then monitors whether the leading edge of the following medium has passed the position of the third medium sensor 115, and when the leading edge of the following medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115, calculates the elapsed time since the trailing edge of the preceding medium passed the position of the third medium sensor 115. The control unit 152 multiplies the calculated elapsed time by the final speed W3' of the transport roller 116 to calculate the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium.

[0149] 16, the control unit 152 changes the speed of the feed roller 112 for a certain period after time T4, when the leading edge of the subsequent medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115. The control unit 152 decreases the speed of the feed roller 112 as the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the subsequent medium decreases, and increases the speed of the feed roller 112 as the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the subsequent medium increases. This allows the control unit 152 to feed sequentially fed media at more appropriate intervals when the counting mode is set.

[0150] Furthermore, when the counting mode is set, the control unit 152 may control the first motor 131 to change the first intermediate speed V2a' of the feed roller 112 depending on the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium. The control unit 152 decreases the first intermediate speed V2a' of the feed roller 112 the shorter the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium, and increases the first intermediate speed V2a' of the feed roller 112 the longer the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium. The control unit 152 may also control the first motor 131 to change the predetermined time from when the trailing edge of the medium passes the position of the third medium sensor 115 until the feed roller 112 starts to rotate depending on the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding medium and the leading edge of the following medium. The control unit 152 increases the predetermined time as the distance between the rear end of the preceding medium and the front end of the following medium decreases, and decreases the predetermined time as the distance between the rear end of the preceding medium and the front end of the following medium increases. This also allows the control unit 152 to feed sequentially fed media at more appropriate intervals when the counting mode is set.

[0151] As described above in detail, the media conveying device is now able to properly convey media when counting the number of conveyed media, even when the feed roller 112 is not stopped or the speed of the feed roller 112 is changed depending on the distance between the media.

[0152] 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 350 in a medium conveying device according to another embodiment. The processing circuit 350 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 of the medium conveying device 100, and performs medium conveyance processing and the like in place of the processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 350 includes a setting circuit 351 and a control circuit 352. Note that each of these components may be configured as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

[0153] The setting circuit 351 is an example of a setting unit, and has the same function as the setting unit 151. The setting circuit 351 receives a setting signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133, and stores in the storage device 140 the operation mode specified by the received setting signal.

[0154] The control circuit 352 is an example of a control unit and has the same functions as the control unit 152. The control circuit 352 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133. The control circuit 352 also receives a first medium signal, a second medium signal, a third medium signal, and a fourth medium signal from the first medium sensor 111, the second medium sensor 114, the third medium sensor 115, and the fourth medium sensor 118, respectively. The control circuit 352 also reads out an operation mode from the storage device 140. The control circuit 352 controls the first motor 131 and the second motor 132 based on the received signals and the read out operation mode, and also acquires an input image from the imaging device 119 and outputs it to the interface device 133.

[0155] As described above in detail, even when the processing circuit 350 is used, the medium conveying device is able to convey the medium well when counting the number of conveyed media.

[0156] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the medium conveying device may further determine whether a double feed of media has occurred. In this case, the medium conveying device further includes an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor is disposed downstream of the feed roller 112 and upstream of the conveying roller 116. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver disposed near the medium conveying path, facing each other across the conveying path. The ultrasonic transmitter emits ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the ultrasonic receiver receives the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter and transmitted through the medium, and generates and outputs an ultrasonic signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic waves. When multiple media are conveyed overlapping, the ultrasonic waves transmitted through the media are attenuated by the air layer between the overlapping media. Therefore, the medium conveying device can determine whether a double feed of media has occurred based on whether the ultrasonic signal is equal to or below a threshold.

[0157] In the imaging mode, if a double feed of media occurs, the control unit 152 stops the transport of the media and / or notifies the user as an abnormality process. On the other hand, in the counting mode, if a double feed of media occurs, the control unit 152 may continue the transport of the media without stopping it. In that case, when the transport of all the media is completed, the control unit 152 outputs the number of double feeds along with the counter on the display device 106 or by transmitting them to the information processing device via the interface device 133.

[0158] This allows the control unit 152 to reduce the hassle for the user when a duplicated medium feed occurs in the counting mode, thereby improving user convenience.

[0159] The medium conveying device may further determine whether a medium jam or skew has occurred. The medium conveying device determines that a medium jam has occurred if the leading or trailing edge of the medium does not pass the position of second medium sensor 114, third medium sensor 115, fourth medium sensor 118, or any other media sensor located at any other position within a predetermined time after starting to feed the medium. Alternatively, the medium conveying device determines that a medium jam has occurred if the leading or trailing edge of the medium does not pass the position of another media sensor within a predetermined time after passing the position of a specific media sensor. The medium conveying device also determines that a medium skew has occurred if the difference in the time it takes for the leading edge of the medium to pass multiple media sensors arranged at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction A1 is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0160] If a media jam or skew occurs, the control unit 152 stops the media transport and / or notifies the user as an abnormality process. Furthermore, if a media jam or skew occurs in the counting mode, the control unit 152 receives an instruction from the user as to whether to continue or end the media counting. The user inputs an instruction as to whether to continue or end the media counting using the operation device 105 or an information processing device, and the control unit 152 receives the instruction from the operation device 105 or the interface device 133. If the user instructs the control unit 152 to end the media counting, the control unit 152 ends the media transport process. On the other hand, if the user instructs the control unit 152 to continue the media counting, the control unit 152 stores the counter in the storage device 140. Thereafter, when the media transport process is re-executed and transport of all media is completed, the control unit 152 calculates and outputs the sum of the counter values ​​counted before and after the media jam occurred. Alternatively, the control unit 152 may output the number of jam occurrences or the number of skew occurrences together with the counter values ​​stored in the storage device 140 and the counter value that was last counted.

[0161] As a result, when a medium jam or skew occurs in the counting mode, the control unit 152 can reduce the hassle for the user, thereby improving user convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 100 medium conveying device, 103 placing table, 112 feeding roller, 113 separation roller, 116 conveying roller, 119 imaging device, 119a first imaging device, 119b second imaging device, 120 discharge roller, 151 setting unit, 152 control unit, 222 movement mechanism

Claims

1. A mounting table; a roller for conveying a plurality of media placed on the placement table; an imaging unit that images the transported medium; a setting unit that sets either an imaging mode in which images are captured while the transported media are being moved, or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without capturing images of the media; a control unit that controls the rollers so that a total medium transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total medium transport time when the imaging mode is set, the control unit sets a medium transport speed when the counting mode is set so that the frequency of occurrence of medium transport abnormalities decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set. A medium transport device characterized by:

2. The rollers include a feed roller that separates and sequentially feeds a plurality of media, 2. The media conveying device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the feed roller so that the distance between media fed sequentially when the counting mode is set is shorter than the distance between media fed sequentially when the imaging mode is set, thereby controlling the feed roller so that the total conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total conveying time when the imaging mode is set.

3. The rollers include a feed roller that separates and sequentially feeds a plurality of media, 3. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the initial speed of the feed roller when the counting mode is set lower than the initial speed of the feed roller when the imaging mode is set, thereby setting the medium conveying speed so that the frequency of medium conveying abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set.

4. The rollers include an ejection roller that ejects the medium, A medium conveying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the counting mode is set, the control unit sets the medium conveying speed by changing the rotation speed of the discharge roller while the medium is passing through the imaging unit so that the frequency of medium conveying abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set.

5. A mounting table; a roller for conveying a plurality of media placed on the placement table; an imaging unit that is movably provided and captures an image of the transported medium; a setting unit that sets either an imaging mode in which an image of the transported medium is captured or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without capturing an image of the medium; a control unit that controls the rollers so that a total medium transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than the total medium transport time when the imaging mode is set, When the counting mode is set, the control unit moves the imaging unit so that the frequency of occurrence of medium transport abnormalities decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set. A medium transport device characterized by:

6. the imaging unit includes a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit that faces the first imaging unit and is arranged to be movable in a direction away from the first imaging unit, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the second imaging unit, The medium conveying device described in claim 5, wherein when the counting mode is set, the control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the second imaging unit moves away from the first imaging unit, thereby moving the imaging unit so that the frequency of media conveying abnormalities decreases compared to when the imaging mode is set.

7. A method for controlling a medium transport device having a mounting table, comprising: a roller conveying the plurality of media placed on the table; The imaging unit captures an image of the transported medium, setting either an imaging mode in which the transported media are imaged while being moved, or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without imaging the media; controlling the rollers so that a total medium transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than a total medium transport time when the imaging mode is set; In the control, when the counting mode is set, the medium conveying speed is set so that the frequency of occurrence of medium conveyance abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. A control method comprising:

8. A method for controlling a medium transport device having a mounting table, comprising: a roller conveying the plurality of media placed on the table; An image of the transported medium is captured by a movable imaging unit, setting either an imaging mode in which an image of the transported media is captured or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without capturing an image of the media; controlling the rollers so that a total medium transport time when the counting mode is set is shorter than a total medium transport time when the imaging mode is set; In the control, when the counting mode is set, the imaging unit is moved so that the frequency of occurrence of medium transport abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. A control method comprising:

9. A control program for a medium transport device having a mounting table, a roller for transporting a plurality of media placed on the mounting table, and an imaging unit for imaging the transported media, the program comprising: setting either an imaging mode in which the transported media are imaged while being moved, or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without imaging the media; causing the medium conveying device to control the rollers so that a total medium conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than a total medium conveying time when the imaging mode is set; In the control, when the counting mode is set, the medium conveying speed is set so that the frequency of occurrence of medium conveyance abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. A control program comprising:

10. A control program for a medium transport device having a mounting table, a roller for transporting a plurality of media placed on the mounting table, and an imaging unit that is movably provided and captures images of the transported media, the control program comprising: setting either an imaging mode in which an image of the transported media is captured or a counting mode in which the number of transported media is counted without capturing an image of the media; causing the medium conveying device to control the rollers so that a total medium conveying time when the counting mode is set is shorter than a total medium conveying time when the imaging mode is set; In the control, when the counting mode is set, the imaging unit is moved so that the frequency of occurrence of medium transport abnormalities is reduced compared to when the imaging mode is set. A control program comprising:

Images