Media transport device and image reading device

Abstract

To improve the transportability of the medium while suppressing power consumption. [Solution] A media transport device 1 comprising: a discharge section 31 having a discharge roller 17 capable of discharging a medium 2; a discharge tray 19 having a mounting surface 32 on which the medium 2 discharged from the discharge section 31 is placed; and a stopper 101 provided on the discharge tray 19 that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes relative to the mounting surface 32, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged medium 2 in the discharge direction 18, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the mounting surface 32, thereby allowing the movement of the medium 2 in the discharge direction 18, wherein the discharge section 31 is configured to reduce the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller 17 from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium 2, and the degree of deceleration from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper 101 is in the first state than when the stopper 101 is in the second state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveyance device and an image reading device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various medium conveyance devices capable of conveying a medium have been used. Among these, there is an image reading device that reads an image of the conveyed medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medium conveyance device provided with an imaging device that reads an image of the conveyed medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the medium conveyance device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is configured to be able to discharge media of different sizes, and the medium discharged from the discharge roller is placed on the discharge tray. Conventional medium conveyance devices such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 have concerns regarding conveyance performance, which is the presence or absence of problems associated with the conveyance of the medium, such as the order of the media being switched during the process of discharging the media from the discharge roller toward the discharge tray when conveying a plurality of media continuously. In the medium conveyance device disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to improve the alignment of the media on the discharge tray as an example of the conveyance performance of the media, the discharge speed of the media by the discharge roller can be decelerated from the first conveyance speed to the second conveyance speed. However, if the discharge speed of the media by the discharge roller is significantly decelerated, the power consumption in a motor or the like that drives the discharge roller increases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The media transport device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, comprises: a discharge section having a discharge roller capable of discharging a medium; a discharge tray having a mounting surface on which the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; and a stopper provided on the discharge tray that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the mounting surface to restrict the movement of the discharged medium in the discharge direction, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the mounting surface to allow the movement of the medium in the discharge direction, wherein the discharge section is configured to reduce the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium, and the reduction in speed from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper is in the first state than when the stopper is in the second state.

[0006] Furthermore, another media transport device of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises a supply tray on which a medium is placed, a supply unit for supplying the medium placed on the supply tray, a discharge unit capable of discharging the medium supplied by the supply unit, a discharge tray having a surface for placing the medium discharged from the discharge unit, a shooting unit for photographing the medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the shooting unit to photograph the medium both before discharge from the discharge unit and during or after discharge from the discharge unit, and determines the state of the medium after discharge from the discharge unit based on image data of one side of the medium before discharge from the discharge unit and image data of one side of the medium during or after discharge from the discharge unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A side view of the image reading device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] Block diagram of the image reading device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the area around the output tray of the image reading device shown in Figure 1, illustrating the case when the stopper is in the first state and the case when it is in the second state. [Figure 4]Figure 1 is a plan view showing the area around the discharge tray of the image reading device, and is a diagram for explaining the deployment and storage mechanism of the stopper. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the area around the discharge tray of the image reading device, and is a diagram for explaining the movement mechanism of the edge guide. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a side view showing the area around the output tray of the image reading device, with the stopper in the first state when a large-sized medium is used. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing the area around the output tray of the image reader in Figure 1, representing the state in which multiple larger media are stacked in addition to the state in Figure 6. [Figure 8] A schematic side view of the image reading device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates the process by which the control unit determines whether to set the stopper to the first or second state using the image reading device shown in Figure 1, and then discharges the media to the discharge tray. [Figure 10] This flowchart illustrates the process of determining the width of the medium from the camera's image capture results using the image reading device shown in Figure 1, and then adjusting the position of the edge guide in the control unit. [Figure 11] This is a side view showing the area around the output tray of an image reading device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where the stopper is in the first state when a large-sized medium is used. [Figure 12] This is a side view showing the area around the output tray of the image reading device in Figure 11, and represents the state when multiple larger media are stacked on top of the device in the state shown in Figure 11. [Figure 13] A schematic side view of the image reading device of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 14] A schematic side view of the image reading device of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 15] A schematic side view of the image reading device of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] First, the present invention will be described in general terms. A media transport device according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises: a discharge unit having a discharge roller capable of discharging a medium; a discharge tray having a mounting surface on which the medium discharged from the discharge unit is placed; and a stopper provided on the discharge tray that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the mounting surface, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged medium in the discharge direction, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the mounting surface, thereby allowing the movement of the medium in the discharge direction, wherein the discharge unit is configured to reduce the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium, and the reduction in speed from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper is in the first state than when the stopper is in the second state.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the discharge tray is equipped with a stopper that can be displaced between a first state, which protrudes relative to the mounting surface to restrict the movement of the discharged medium in the discharge direction, and a second state, which tilts toward the mounting surface to allow the movement of the medium in the discharge direction. With this configuration, by setting the stopper to the first state as needed, it is possible to suppress the movement of some of the medium discharged onto the discharge tray too far in the discharge direction when placing medium on the discharge tray continuously. If some of the medium discharged onto the discharge tray moves too far in the discharge direction, there is a risk that the order of the medium will be changed or that the medium will be turned upside down, but such risks can be suppressed. In other words, the transportability of the medium can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the discharge unit is configured to reduce the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium, and the deceleration from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper is in the first state than when the stopper is in the second state. With this configuration, when the medium is discharged, the stopper can prevent it from moving more than expected in the discharge direction (first state), thereby reducing the deceleration and suppressing an increase in power consumption. In other words, it is possible to improve the transportability of the medium while suppressing power consumption.

[0010] The medium conveyance device according to the second aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first aspect, wherein the stopper is configured to be displaceable between the first state and the second state according to the type of the medium.

[0011] According to this aspect, it is configured to be displaceable between the first state and the second state according to the type of the medium. Depending on the type of the medium, there are cases where it is necessary to set the stopper to the first state and cases where it is not necessary to set the stopper to the first state. With such a configuration, the stopper can be preferably displaced between the first state and the second state according to the type of the medium.

[0012] The medium conveyance device according to the third aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first or second aspect, wherein the stopper is configured to be able to change its position in the discharge direction according to the size of the medium.

[0013] According to this aspect, the stopper is configured to be able to change its position in the discharge direction according to the size of the medium. With such a configuration, when the size of the medium is large, the stopper can be arranged on the downstream side in the discharge direction, and when the size of the medium is small, the stopper can be arranged on the upstream side in the discharge direction. That is, for media of various sizes, the alignment of the media on the placement surface can be improved, and the conveyance performance of the media can be preferably improved.

[0014] The medium conveyance device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the stopper is configured to be able to change the protruding amount with respect to the placement surface in the first state according to the amount of the medium placed on the placement surface.

[0015] According to this aspect, the stopper is configured to be able to change the protruding amount with respect to the placement surface in the first state according to the amount of the medium placed on the placement surface. With such a configuration, when the amount of the medium placed is small, the protruding amount of the stopper can be reduced, and as the amount of the medium placed increases, the protruding amount of the stopper can be increased. That is, according to the amount of the medium placed, the alignment of the medium on the placement surface can be improved, and the conveyance performance of the medium can be preferably improved.

[0016] The medium conveyance device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the discharge tray is configured to be able to change the position of the placement surface with respect to the discharge portion in the placement direction of the medium according to the amount of the medium placed on the placement surface.

[0017] According to this aspect, the discharge tray is configured to be able to change the position of the placement surface with respect to the discharge portion in the placement direction of the medium according to the amount of the medium placed on the placement surface. With such a configuration, when the amount of the medium placed is small, the position of the placement surface can be set close to the discharge portion, and as the amount of the medium placed increases, the position of the placement surface can be set far from the discharge portion. That is, according to the amount of the medium placed, the alignment of the medium on the placement surface can be improved, and the conveyance performance of the medium can be preferably improved.

[0018] The medium conveyance device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and includes an imaging unit that images the medium, and a displacement mechanism that displaces the stopper between the first state and the second state. The displacement mechanism is configured to be able to displace the stopper between the first state and the second state based on the image data of the medium imaged by the imaging unit.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the device comprises an imaging unit for photographing a medium and a displacement mechanism for displacing a stopper between a first state and a second state. The displacement mechanism is configured to displace the stopper between the first and second states based on image data of the medium captured by the imaging unit. With this configuration, the stopper can be suitably displaced between the first and second states based on image data of the medium captured by the imaging unit. In other words, the transportability of the medium can be suitably improved based on the image data of the medium.

[0020] A media transport device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a supply tray on which a medium is placed, a supply unit for supplying the medium placed on the supply tray, a discharge unit capable of discharging the medium supplied by the supply unit, a discharge tray having a surface for placing the medium discharged from the discharge unit, a shooting unit for photographing the medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the shooting unit to photograph the medium both before discharge from the discharge unit and during or after discharge from the discharge unit, and determines the state of the medium after discharge from the discharge unit based on image data of one side of the medium before discharge from the discharge unit and image data of one side of the medium during or after discharge from the discharge unit.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the medium is photographed both before and during or after discharge from the discharge unit, and the state of the medium after discharge is determined based on the image data of one side of the medium before discharge and the image data of one side of the medium during or after discharge. With this configuration, the state of the medium after discharge can be suitably determined based on the image data of the medium photographed by the photographing unit. In other words, the transportability of the medium can be suitably improved based on the image data of the medium. Furthermore, with this configuration, it becomes possible to adjust the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller based on the determined state of the medium, and it becomes possible to reduce the opportunity for increased power consumption by significantly slowing down the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller.

[0022] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a media transport device that is dependent on the seventh aspect, wherein the control unit causes the imaging unit to image the media placed on the supply tray and to image the media being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit, and determines the state of the media after being discharged from the discharge unit based on the image data of the media placed on the supply tray and the image data of the media being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the state of the media after discharge from the discharge unit is determined based on image data of the media placed on the feeding tray and image data of the media being discharged or after discharge from the discharge unit. With this configuration, the state of the media after discharge from the discharge unit can be suitably determined by comparing image data of the media placed on the feeding tray with image data of the media being discharged or after discharge from the discharge unit, and changes in the order of the media or turning the media upside down can be suitably detected.

[0024] A media transport device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the seventh aspect, characterized in that the control unit causes the imaging unit to image the media being transported along the transport path from the supply tray to the discharge unit, and to image the media being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit, and determines the state of the media after being discharged from the discharge unit based on the image data of the media being transported along the transport path and the image data of the media being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the state of the medium after it has been discharged from the discharge unit is determined based on image data of the medium being transported along the transport path and image data of the medium being discharged from or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit. With this configuration, the state of the medium after it has been discharged from the discharge unit can be suitably determined by comparing image data of the medium being transported along the transport path with image data of the medium being discharged from or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit, and changes in the order of the media or the media being turned inside out can be suitably detected.

[0026] A media transport device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein the transport tray has an edge guide that is movable in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the media, and the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph the media placed on the transport tray, and moves the edge guide based on the image data of the media photographed by the imaging unit.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the edge guide is moved based on the image data of the medium placed on the feeding tray. With this configuration, the edge guide can be positioned in a suitable location, improving the alignment of the medium on the feeding tray and thus improving the transportability of the medium.

[0028] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a media transport device that is dependent on any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, wherein the discharge tray has an edge guide that is movable in a direction intersecting the discharge direction of the media, and the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph at least one of the media placed on the supply tray and the media placed on the discharge tray, and moves the edge guide based on the image data of the media photographed by the imaging unit.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the edge guide is moved based on image data of the media placed on the feeding tray and image data of the media placed on the discharge tray. With this configuration, the edge guide can be positioned in a suitable location, improving the alignment of the media on the mounting surface and thus improving the transportability of the media.

[0030] A media transport device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, comprising a stopper provided on the discharge tray that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the aforementioned surface, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged media in the discharge direction, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the aforementioned surface, thereby allowing the movement of the media in the discharge direction, wherein the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph the media placed on the transport tray, and displaces the stopper between the first state and the second state based on the image data of the media placed on the transport tray.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the stopper is displaced to a first state and a second state based on image data of the medium placed on the feeding tray. With this configuration, it is possible to suitably determine whether to displace the stopper to the first state or the second state, and by setting the stopper to the first state as needed, it is possible to suppress the excessive movement of some of the medium discharged to the discharge tray when the medium is continuously placed on the discharge tray. In other words, the transportability of the medium can be improved.

[0032] A media transport device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects, characterized in that the control unit causes the imaging unit to image a portion of the media.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the imaging unit is made to photograph a portion of the medium. With this configuration, the amount of image data of the medium generated by being photographed by the imaging unit can be reduced, and the data processing time can be shortened.

[0034] A media transport device according to a 14th aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the 7th to 13th aspects, characterized in that the control unit determines the state of the media after it has been discharged from the discharge unit based on a portion of image data of one side of the media before it has been discharged from the discharge unit and a portion of image data of one side of the media during or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the state of the medium after discharge from the discharge unit is determined based on a portion of the image data of one side of the medium before discharge from the discharge unit and a portion of the image data of one side of the medium during or after discharge from the discharge unit. This configuration makes it possible to shorten the data processing time.

[0036] An image reading device according to the 15th aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a media transport device as described in any one of the 1st to 14th descriptions above, and an image reading unit for reading an image formed on the media.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the system comprises the media transport device and an image reading unit for reading an image formed on the media. Therefore, it is possible to read an image formed on the media while improving the transportability of the media.

[0038] [Example 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the image reading device 1 as an example of a media transport device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. First, the outline of the image reading device 1A of Embodiment 1 of the image reading device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal axes will be referred to as the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, as shown in each figure. The direction indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) is the + direction for each direction, and the opposite is the - direction. The Z axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, that is, the direction in which gravity acts, with the +Z direction indicating vertically upward and the -Z direction indicating vertically downward. The X axis direction and Y axis direction correspond to the horizontal direction, of which the X axis direction corresponds to the width direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the device, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the device. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the device, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the device.

[0039] The image reading device 1A in this embodiment is a document scanner capable of reading an image formed on a medium 2. Here, the image formed on the medium 2 refers to something that is visually recorded on the medium 2, such as characters, figures, tables, pictures, photographs, etc. The medium is not limited to sheets, but also includes cards, booklets, etc. The image reading device 1 of the present invention is not limited to a scanner, but may be a copier, facsimile machine, etc.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the image reading device 1A can be considered a media transport device that transports the medium 2 along the transport path 3 in the transport direction F, and is equipped with a reading unit 5 that reads the image of the transported medium 2. The image reading device 1A is equipped with two reading units 51 and 22 as the reading unit 5 that reads the image of the medium 2. The first reading unit 51 is located on the upper side of the transport path 3 and reads the image of the first surface of the medium 2. The second reading unit 52 is located on the lower side of the transport path 3 and reads the image of the second surface, which is opposite to the first surface. The reading unit 5 is composed of, for example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type sensor.

[0041] The image reading device 1A includes a transport unit 6 that transports the medium 2 along the transport path 3 in the transport direction F. The transport unit 6 of the image reading device 1A includes a first transport roller pair 7 located upstream of the first reading unit 51, a second transport roller pair 8 located upstream of the second reading unit 52 which is located downstream of the first reading unit 51, and a third transport roller pair 9 located downstream of the second reading unit 52. The first transport roller pair 7, the second transport roller pair 8, and the third transport roller pair 9 are composed of pairs of driven rollers and driven rollers that rotate by the power of a drive source such as a motor (not shown).

[0042] Upstream of the first transport roller pair 7 in the transport direction F, a feed roller pair 10 and a separation roller pair 11 are arranged. The feed roller 10 is a drive roller that rotates with power from a drive source such as a motor (not shown), and transports the medium 2 in the transport direction F. The separation roller 11 is a drive roller that rotates with power from a drive source (not shown), and separates multiple sheets of medium 2 into a single sheet. Here, the separation roller 11 rotates in a direction that sends the medium 2 upstream (+Y direction) in the transport direction F by the power of the drive source. The separation roller 11 is equipped with a torque limiter (not shown), and when a torque exceeding a set value is applied to the torque limiter, it rotates in a direction that sends the medium 2 downstream (-Y direction) in the transport direction F. Upstream of the separation roller 11, a pick roller 12 is arranged. The pick roller 12 is a drive roller that rotates with power from a drive source (not shown), and picks up the medium 2 and sends it out in the transport direction F.

[0043] The image reading device 1A is provided with a U-turn path 14 downstream of the straight path 13 from the feed roller 10 to the third transport roller pair 9, that is, downstream of the third transport roller pair 9. The U-turn path 14 contains the transport section 6, consisting of the fourth transport roller pair 15, the fifth transport roller pair 16, and the discharge roller pair 17, arranged in this order along the transport direction F. The fourth transport roller pair 15, the fifth transport roller pair 16, and the discharge roller pair 17 are also composed of pairs of driven rollers and driven rollers that rotate using power from a drive source (not shown). The discharge tray 19, which receives the medium 2 discharged from the discharge roller pair 17 in the discharge direction 18, is positioned above the straight path 13 to achieve a compact design.

[0044] The medium 2 on the feed tray 21 is picked up by the pick roller 12, which acts as the feed unit, and sent in the transport direction F. The feed tray 21 is configured to move up and down by power from a drive source (not shown). When sending the medium 2 set on the feed tray 21 in the transport direction F, the feed tray 21 is first moved upward (+Z direction) by power transmitted from the drive source (not shown), and stops with the medium 2 at the top in contact with the pick roller 12. In this state, the pick roller 12 rotates, sending the medium 2 in the transport direction F, and the leading edge of the medium 2 reaches the nip position of the roller pair of the feed roller 10 and the separation roller 11.

[0045] In the case of a double-feed state where multiple sheets of medium 2 are being fed, the separation roller 11 separates them into one sheet, and that single sheet is transported in the transport direction F by the first transport roller pair 7, and the first reading unit 51 reads the image of the first surface of medium 2. The medium 2 that has been read by the first reading unit 51 is transported by the second transport roller pair 8, and the second reading unit 52 reads the image of the second surface of medium 2, which is opposite to the first surface.

[0046] The control unit 22 controls the driving of each drive source and the reading operation of the reading unit 5 in accordance with the transport of the medium 2. As will be described in detail later, the control unit 22 includes a CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203, as shown in Figure 2. The CPU 201 performs various calculations according to the program stored in the ROM 202 and controls the operation of the entire image reading device 1. As an example of a storage means, the ROM 202 can preferably be a flash ROM, which is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written to. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM 203, which is another example of a storage means.

[0047] The image reading device 1A includes a media discharge device 30. The media discharge device 30 includes a pair of discharge rollers 17 as a discharge section 31 for discharging the media 2, and a discharge tray 19 having a mounting surface 32 on which the media 2 discharged from the discharge section 31 in the discharge direction 18 is placed. The discharge tray 19 is configured to be expandable and contractible in the direction along the mounting surface 32. That is, the discharge tray 19 is configured to extend the length of the mounting surface 32. The media discharge device 30 also includes an expansion / contraction changing section 33 for expanding and contracting the discharge tray 19. The expansion / contraction changing section 33 is configured to expand or contract the discharge tray 19 according to the size of the media 2.

[0048] In this embodiment, the discharge tray 19 is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction with its base end 34 as a pivot point 35. That is, the discharge tray 19 is structured so that it can be rotated by the user lifting its tip 37 upward. The discharge tray 19 comprises a base tray 38 and an auxiliary tray 39 that is movable in the extension and retraction direction relative to the base tray 38. A projection is provided at the base end of the auxiliary tray 39. The projection is a plate-shaped member that protrudes downward from the auxiliary tray 39.

[0049] The extension / retraction section 33 is configured to extend the discharge tray 19 in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge tray 19. When the tip 37 of the discharge tray 19 rotates up and down with the base end 34 as the pivot point 35, the other end 44 slides in the extension / retraction direction, which is along the mounting surface 32, while connected to the base tray 38.

[0050] As described above, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment includes a discharge section 31 having a pair of discharge rollers 17 as discharge rollers capable of discharging a medium 2, a discharge tray 19 having a mounting surface 32 on which the medium 2 discharged from the discharge section 31 is placed, and a reading section 5 (first reading section 51 and second reading section 52) as an image reading section for reading an image formed on the medium 2. Here, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment includes a stopper 101 provided on the discharge tray 19 that can be displaced between a first state in which it protrudes (unfolds) relative to the mounting surface 32, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged medium 2 in the discharge direction 18, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the mounting surface 32 (stored), thereby allowing the movement of the medium 2 in the discharge direction 18.

[0051] The image reading device 1A of this embodiment, by providing such a stopper 101, can prevent a portion of the media 2 discharged onto the discharge tray 19 from moving too far in the discharge direction 18 when the media 2 are continuously placed onto the discharge tray 19, by setting the stopper 101 to the first state as needed. If a portion of the media 2 discharged onto the discharge tray 19 moves too far in the discharge direction 18, there is a risk that the order of the media 2 will be changed or that the media 2 will be turned upside down. However, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can prevent such risks by providing such a stopper 101. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can improve the transportability of the media 2, and consequently, can read the image formed on the media 2 while improving the transportability of the media 2.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image reading device 1A is configured such that the discharge unit 31 can reduce the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 17 from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium 2. In this embodiment, the image reading device 1A is configured such that, under the control of the control unit 22, the deceleration from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper 101 is in the first state than when the stopper 101 is in the second state. With this configuration, in this embodiment, when the stopper 101 can suppress the movement of the medium 2 in the discharge direction 18 beyond what is expected (first state), the deceleration can be reduced and the increase in power consumption can be suppressed. This is because, although the power consumption of the motor driving the discharge roller pair 17 increases when the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 17 is greatly changed, the power consumption of the motor can be reduced by reducing the change in the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 17. Therefore, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can improve the transportability of the medium 2 while suppressing power consumption.

[0053] Here, the first speed refers to the discharge speed immediately after the medium 2 is nipped by the discharge roller pair 17, and the second speed refers to the discharge speed immediately before the medium 2 nipped by the discharge roller pair 17 is discharged. In the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the first speed is the same regardless of the type of medium 2, and the second speed is changed relative to the first speed according to the type of medium 2. The second speed may be configured to be a single speed different from the first speed depending on the type of medium 2, or it may be configured to be a multiple speed different from the first speed depending on the type of medium 2.

[0054] The details of the discharge tray 19, including the detailed configuration of the stopper 101, will be described below. In addition to the stopper 101, the discharge tray 19 of the image reading device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with an edge guide 102, as shown in Figure 5, to improve the alignment of the media 2 discharged into the discharge tray 19 in the width directions D7 and D8. As shown in Figure 3, the stopper 101 is configured to move in directions D1 and D2 corresponding to the discharge direction 18, the discharge tray 19 is configured to move in the downward direction D3 and the upward direction D4, and as shown in Figure 5, the edge guide 102 is configured to move in the width directions D7 and D8. Here, the stopper 101, the discharge tray 19, and the edge guide 102 are configured to move under the control of the control unit 22, which controls the overall drive of the components of the image reading device 1A of this embodiment.

[0055] Therefore, the electrical configuration of the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, with reference to the control unit 22, will be described below with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 22 includes a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, etc. The control unit 22 receives scan settings, etc., from the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 using a setting reception means 205 that can receive instructions and settings from the user, such as the type of medium 2 to be used, and stores this in the RAM 203 as reading setting information and medium setting information.

[0056] Here, the CPU 201 controls the control means 209 for each transport roller pair, the control means 210 for the discharge roller pair 17, the vertical movement means 211 for the discharge tray 19, the deployment and storage means 212 for the stopper 101, and the movement means 213 for the edge guide 102, based on instructions and settings from the user received via the setting reception means 205. As shown in Figure 8, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with two cameras 120, which are the imaging units. One of the cameras 120 is a first imaging unit 120A capable of photographing the upward-facing surface of the medium 2 placed on the feed tray 21, and the other camera 120 is a second imaging unit 120B capable of photographing the upward-facing surface of the medium 2 placed on the discharge tray 19. The CPU 201 causes the first imaging unit 120A and the second imaging unit 120B, as well as the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, to acquire images, and stores the images acquired by them in the RAM 203 as original images. In other words, the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 also serve the role of the imaging unit in this invention. Furthermore, the CPU 201 detects, based on these original document images, the detection of the media 2 being turned over and the change in the order of the media 2 being transported in succession, and stores this information in the RAM 203 as the result of the turn-over detection and the result of the order change detection.

[0057] ROM202 stores a scan setting acceptance program, control programs for each transport roller pair, a control program for the discharge roller pair 17, a program for controlling the vertical movement of the discharge tray 19, a program for deploying and retracting the stopper 101, and a program for moving the edge guide 102. Furthermore, ROM202 stores drive control programs for the first imaging unit 120A and the second imaging unit 120B, drive control programs for the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, a program for detecting when the media 2 is turned over, and a program for detecting when the order of the media 2 is changed.

[0058] The RAM203 stores, as an information storage unit, shooting setting information and captured images from the first shooting unit 120A and the second shooting unit 120B, reading setting information and read images from the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52, inversion detection result information, order change detection result information, and various control parameter tables. The various control parameter tables include control parameters for the transport roller pair, control parameters for the discharge roller pair 17, vertical movement control parameters for the discharge tray 19, deployment and storage control parameters for the stopper 101, and movement control parameters for the edge guide 102.

[0059] The control means 209 for each transport roller pair controls the rotation speed of the first transport roller pair 7, the rotation speed of the second transport roller pair 8, etc., based on acquired control parameters. The control means 210 for the discharge roller pair 17 controls the rotation speed of the discharge roller pair 17 based on acquired control parameters. The vertical movement means 211 for the discharge tray 19 controls the lifting mechanism of the discharge tray 19, which consists of a motor (not shown), etc., based on acquired control parameters. The deployment and storage means 212 for the stopper 101 controls the deployment and storage of the stopper 101, which consists of a motor 212C, etc., based on acquired control parameters. The movement means 213 for the edge guide 102 controls the adjustment mechanism of the edge guide 102, which consists of a motor (not shown), etc., based on acquired control parameters.

[0060] The image reading device 1A of this embodiment, by being equipped with such a control unit 22, can automatically displace the stopper 101 to a first state and a second state according to the type of medium 2 to be used, as instructed by the user via the setting reception means 205, through the control of the control unit 22. Here, the type of medium 2 includes, for example, the material, size, and thickness of the medium. Depending on the type of medium 2, there are cases where it is necessary to put the stopper 101 to the first state and cases where it is not necessary, but by having a configuration like the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the stopper 101 can be suitably displaced to a first state and a second state according to the type of medium 2. Note that the more types of medium 2 that require the stopper 101 to be extended to the first state, the greater the energy saving effect.

[0061] Here, the stopper 101 shown by the solid line in Figure 3 represents the first state, unfolded from the mounting surface 32 of the discharge tray 19, while the stopper 101 shown by the dashed line in Figure 3 represents the second state, stored in the discharge tray 19. In this embodiment, the stopper 101A, as the stopper 101, enters the second state by rotating in rotational direction D5 relative to the mounting surface 32 from the first state, and returns to the first state by rotating in rotational direction D6 relative to the mounting surface 32 from the second state. The deployment and storage means 212 for the stopper 101 is provided on a unit base 212L that is movable in directions D1 and D2 relative to the mounting surface 32, as shown in Figure 4. A rack 212A is fixed to the discharge tray 19, and a pinion 212B that engages with the rack 212A is provided on the unit base 212L.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the unit base 212L is provided with a motor 212C, a pinion 212E attached to the rotating shaft 212D of the motor 212C, a pulley 212G connected to the pinion 212E by an endless belt 212F, a gear 212I connected to a rotating shaft 212H connected to the pulley 212G, a gear 212J that meshes with gear 212I, and a stopper 101A connected to a rotating shaft 212K connected to gear 212J. The control unit 22 can displace the stopper 101A to a first state and a second state by driving the motor 212C, and can move the unit base 212L together with the stopper 101A in directions D1 and D2 by driving a motor (not shown) to rotate the pinion 212B.

[0063] As described above, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can automatically change the position of the stopper 101A in the discharge direction 18 according to the size of the medium 2 by moving the stopper 101A together with the unit base 212L in directions D1 and D2 under the control of the control unit 22. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can position the stopper 101A downstream in the discharge direction 18 when the size of the medium 2 is large, such as the medium 2B shown in Figures 6 and 7, and position the stopper 101A upstream in the discharge direction 18 when the size of the medium 2 is small, such as the medium 2A shown in Figure 3. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can improve the alignment of the medium 2 on the mounting surface 32 for mediums of various sizes, and can suitably improve the transportability of the medium 2.

[0064] Figure 3 shows a small-sized medium 2 placed on the mounting surface 32 of the discharge tray 19, and Figure 6 shows a large-sized medium 2 placed on the mounting surface 32 of the discharge tray 19. In detail, for example, the position of the stopper 101A in directions D1 and D2 can be changed depending on whether an A3-sized medium 2, an A4-sized medium 2, or a postcard-sized medium 2 is used. The size of the medium 2 refers to the length in the transport direction when the medium 2 is placed vertically (with the longer side facing the transport direction) or horizontally (with the longer side facing the width direction). That is, when the medium 2 is placed vertically, the stopper 101A is moved to direction D1, and when the medium 2 is placed horizontally, the stopper 101A is moved to direction D2.

[0065] Furthermore, as described above, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with a means 211 for moving the discharge tray 19 up and down. In the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 22 controls the means 211 for moving the discharge tray 19 up and down, so that the position of the mounting surface 32 relative to the discharge unit 31 in the downward direction D3 and upward direction D4, corresponding to the mounting direction of the medium 2, can be changed according to the amount of medium 2 placed on the mounting surface 32. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can set the position of the mounting surface 32 closer to the discharge unit 31 (upper side) when the amount of medium 2 is small, as shown in Figure 6, and set the position of the mounting surface 32 further away from the discharge unit 31 (lower side) as the amount of medium 2 increases, as shown in Figure 7. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can improve the alignment of the medium 2 on the mounting surface 32 according to the amount of medium 2 placed on it, and can suitably improve the transportability of the medium 2.

[0066] Here, referring to the flowchart in Figure 9, an example of a flow in which the control unit 22 determines whether to set the stopper 101A to the first state or the second state using the image reading device 1A of this embodiment and discharges the medium 2 to the discharge tray 19 will be described. In this flow, first, in step S110, the settings for the medium 2, such as the type of medium 2 to be used and whether it should be placed vertically or horizontally, are received from the user via the setting reception means 205.

[0067] Next, in step S120, the control unit 22 determines whether the medium 2 to be used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the first state, or whether the medium 2 to be used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the second state. If it is determined that the medium 2 to be used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the first state, the process proceeds to step S130. If it is determined that the medium 2 to be used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the second state, the process proceeds to step S140. An example of a medium 2 to be used that should put the stopper 101A into the first state is copy paper, while an example of a medium 2 to be used that should put the stopper 101A into the second state is thin paper with little stiffness.

[0068] In step S130, the stopper 101A is moved to the first state (unfolded from the mounting surface 32 of the discharge tray 19) as shown by the solid line in Figure 3, and in step S140, the stopper 101A is moved to the second state (stored in the discharge tray 19) as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3. After the completion of step S130 or step S140, in step S150, the vertical position of the discharge tray 19 is adjusted. For example, when using cardboard or the like as the medium 2, even for the first placement on the mounting surface 32 of the discharge tray 19, the position of the mounting surface 32 can be set to a position farther away from the discharge unit 31 (lower).

[0069] Next, in step S160, the discharge speed (second speed) of the medium 2 discharged from the discharge unit 31 is adjusted by the control unit 22, and the medium 2 is discharged at the adjusted discharge speed (second speed). For example, when using thin paper as the medium 2, the discharge speed (second speed) can be slowed down. That is, when the medium 2 used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the first state, the normal discharge speed (second speed) is used, and when the medium 2 used is of a type that should put the stopper 101A into the second state, the discharge speed (second speed) can be slower than the normal discharge speed (second speed). Then, with the end of step S160, the flow shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 is terminated.

[0070] Furthermore, as described above, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment includes a camera 120 as an imaging unit for photographing the medium 2, and a stopper 101 deployment and storage means 212 as a displacement mechanism for displacing the stopper 101A between a first state and a second state. In the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the stopper 101 deployment and storage means 212 is configured to be able to displace the stopper 101A between a first state and a second state based on image data of the medium 2 captured by the camera 120, under the control of the control unit 22.

[0071] The image reading device 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can suitably displace the stopper 101A to the first state and the second state based on the image data of the medium 2 captured by the camera 120. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can suitably improve the transportability of the medium 2 based on the image data of the medium 2. Here, the camera 120 as the shooting unit in this embodiment is a high-precision video camera, but instead of such a camera 120, a smartphone with a built-in camera or a portable small camera may also be used.

[0072] From another perspective, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment includes a feeding tray 21 on which the medium 2 is placed, a pick roller 12 for feeding the medium 2 placed on the feeding tray 21, a discharge unit 31 capable of discharging the medium 2 fed by the pick roller 12, a discharge tray 19 having a mounting surface 32 on which the medium 2 discharged from the discharge unit 31 is placed, a camera 120 for photographing the medium 2, and a control unit 22. The control unit 22 can cause the camera 120 to photograph the medium 2 both before discharge from the discharge unit 31 and during or after discharge from the discharge unit 31. Furthermore, the control unit 22 can determine the state of the medium 2 after discharge from the discharge unit 31 based on image data of one side of the medium 2 before discharge from the discharge unit 31 and image data of one side of the medium 2 during or after discharge from the discharge unit 31.

[0073] The image reading device 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can suitably determine the state of the medium 2 after discharge based on the image data of the medium 2 captured by the camera 120. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can suitably improve the transportability of the medium 2 based on the image data of the medium 2, even when, for example, there is no input of information about the medium 2 from the user. The state of the medium 2 corresponds to the front and back of the medium 2, the type of image formed on the medium 2, the size of the medium 2, etc. By determining the state of the medium 2, it is possible to recognize changes in the order of the medium 2 or that the medium 2 has been turned inside out. Furthermore, with this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can adjust the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 17 based on the state of the medium 2 determined by the control unit 22, and it is possible to reduce the opportunity for increased power consumption by significantly slowing down the discharge speed of the medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 17. In addition, if the image reading device 1A of this embodiment recognizes changes in order or that the medium 2 has been turned inside out, it can notify this as an error message via the setting reception means 205 to, for example, an unillustrated display unit or an external computer.

[0074] In detail, as shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the image reading device 1A transports media 2 placed on the supply tray 21 before transport by the pick roller 12 in order from top to bottom when multiple media are stacked. The control unit 22 can then have the first imaging unit 120A of the camera 120 photograph the top media 2 placed on the supply tray 21 from above, and the second imaging unit 120B of the camera 120 photograph the media 2 being discharged from the discharge unit 31 or after it has been discharged from it from above. Based on the image data of the media 2 placed on the supply tray 21 and the image data of the media 2 being discharged from the discharge unit 31 or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit 31, the control unit 22 can determine the state of the media 2 after it has been discharged from the discharge unit 31. The image reading device 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can suitably determine the state of the medium 2 after it has been discharged from the discharge unit 31 by comparing the image data of the medium 2 placed on the feeding tray 21 with the image data of the medium 2 during or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit 31, and can suitably detect changes in the order of the medium 2 or if the medium 2 has been turned inside out. For example, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first imaging unit 120A of the camera 120 and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second imaging unit 120B of the camera 120 are different, it can be determined that the medium 2 has not been turned inside out, and if these image data are the same, it can be determined that the medium 2 has been turned inside out.

[0075] In this embodiment, the image reading device 1A is equipped with a first reading unit 51 and a second reading unit 52 in the transport path 3, which also serve as an imaging unit. The control unit 22 causes the first reading unit 51 and the second reading unit 52 to photograph (read) the medium 2 being transported along the transport path 3 from the supply tray 21 to the discharge unit 31, and also causes the second imaging unit 120B of the camera 120 to photograph the medium 2 being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit 31. Based on the image data of the medium 2 being transported along the transport path 3 and the image data of the medium 2 being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit 31, the control unit 2 can determine the state of the medium 2 after being discharged from the discharge unit 31. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A in this embodiment can suitably determine the state of the medium 2 after being discharged from the discharge unit 31 by comparing the image data of the medium 2 being transported along the transport path 3 with the image data of the medium 2 being discharged from or after being discharged from the discharge unit 31, and can suitably detect changes in the order of the medium 2 or if the medium is turned inside out.

[0076] For example, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second reading unit 52 and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B of the camera 120 are the same, it can be determined that there is no inversion. On the other hand, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first reading unit 51 and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B of the camera 120 are the same, it can be determined that there is an inversion. Furthermore, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first reading unit 51, the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second reading unit 52, and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B of the camera 120 are all different, it can be determined that a change in order has occurred.

[0077] In this embodiment, the image reading device 1A has an edge guide 102 on the discharge tray 19, as shown in Figure 5. The edge guide 102 is configured to be movable in the width directions D7 and D8, which are directions intersecting the discharge direction 18 of the medium 2. In the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 22 causes at least one of the first imaging unit 120A and the second imaging unit 120B of the camera 120 to photograph the medium 2 placed on the discharge tray 19, and moves the edge guide 102 based on the image data of the medium 2 captured by the camera 120. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can position the edge guide 102 in a suitable position, improve the alignment of the medium 2 on the mounting surface 32, and improve the transportability of the medium 2.

[0078] Here, we will describe in detail the means 213 for moving the edge guide 102. As shown in Figure 5, each of the two edge guides 102 is connected to a rack 213A that extends in the width directions D7 and D8. A pinion 213B is provided at a position that engages with the two racks 213A. The pinion 213B is fixed to the discharge tray 19 and connected to a motor (not shown). When the pinion 213B is driven, the edge guide 102 moves in the width directions D7 and D8 together with the rack 213A.

[0079] In this embodiment, the image reading device 1A is also provided with an edge guide on the feeding tray 21, which has the same configuration as the edge guide 102. That is, the feeding tray 21 has an edge guide that can move in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the medium 2, and the control unit 22 can cause the first imaging unit 120A of the camera 120 to photograph the medium 2 placed on the feeding tray 21, and move the edge guide provided on the feeding tray 21 based on the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the first imaging unit 120A. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A in this embodiment can position the edge guide in a suitable position, improve the alignment of the medium 2 on the feeding tray 21, and improve the transportability of the medium 2.

[0080] Here, referring to the flowchart in Figure 10, an example of a flow in which the control unit 22 determines the width of the medium 2 from the shooting results of the camera 120 using the image reading device 1A of this embodiment and adjusts the position of the edge guide 102 will be described. In this flow, first, in step S210, the second shooting unit 120B of the camera 120 photographs the medium 2 placed on the discharge tray 19. Next, in step S220, the control unit 22 controls the movement of the edge guide 102 based on the image data of the medium 2 placed on the discharge tray 19. Note that by replacing the discharge tray 19 with the supply tray 21 and the second shooting unit 120B with the first shooting unit 120A, this can be considered a flow for adjusting the position of the edge guide formed on the supply tray 21.

[0081] Furthermore, in the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 22 causes the first imaging unit 120A of the camera 120 to photograph the medium 2 placed on the supply tray 21, and displaces the stopper 101A to a first state and a second state based on the image data of the medium 2 placed on the supply tray 21. With this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can suitably determine whether to displace the stopper 101A to the first state or the second state, and by setting the stopper 101A to the first state as needed, it is possible to suppress the movement of a portion of the medium 2 discharged to the discharge tray 19 too far in the discharge direction 18 when the medium 2 is continuously placed on the discharge tray 19. In other words, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can improve the transportability of the medium 2.

[0082] Furthermore, in the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 22 can cause the camera 120 to photograph only a part of the medium 2, such as the edges or corners of the medium 2, rather than the entire medium 2. By having this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can reduce the amount of image data of the medium 2 generated by being photographed by the camera 120, thereby shortening the data processing time.

[0083] Furthermore, in the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 22 can determine the state of the medium 2 after it has been discharged from the discharge unit 31 based on a portion of the image data of one side of the medium 2 before it is discharged from the discharge unit 31, for example, the edges and four corners of the image formed on the medium 2, and a portion of the image data of one side of the medium 2 during or after it is discharged from the discharge unit 31, for example, the edges and four corners of the image formed on the medium 2. By having this configuration, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can shorten the data processing time.

[0084] In summary, with the configuration described above, the image reading device 1A of this embodiment can suppress power consumption generated when the media 2 is discharged from the discharge unit 31 (during deceleration) by controlling the raising and lowering of the discharge tray 19 and the deployment and storage of the stopper 101A, while also improving transportability, such as improving the alignment of the media 2 discharged into the discharge tray 19. Furthermore, in conventional image reading devices, even if there is a change in order or inversion (so-called stacking failure) in the stack of media 2 that has finished being discharged, the scanning operation may still be completed normally unless other errors such as jams or overloads occur, making it difficult for the user to notice the stacking failure. On the other hand, even if the user notices the stacking failure, the transport operation of the media 2 will not stop unless an error occurs. Therefore, the user needs to either stop the transport of the media 2 midway or wait until all the media 2 have been transported before searching for the media 2 that has caused the stacking failure. In this case, it is difficult to find the media 2 that has caused the stacking failure unless the media 2 as the original document has a page number written on it, or the correct order of the media 2 can be determined from the preceding and succeeding page numbers. By using the image reading device 1A of this embodiment, the user can notice stacking failures and easily determine which medium 2 caused the stacking failure.

[0085] [Example 2] Next, the image reading device 1B of Example 2 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Here, Figure 11 corresponds to Figure 6 in the image reading device 1A of Example 1, and Figure 12 corresponds to Figure 7 in the image reading device 1A of Example 1. The image reading device 1B of this example is the same as the image reading device 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below, and therefore has the same characteristics as the image reading device 1A of Example 1. Therefore, in Figures 11 and 12, parts common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0086] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the image reading device 1B of this embodiment is configured such that the stopper 101 can expand and contract in accordance with the amount of media 2 placed on the discharge tray 19 in the first state. In other words, the stopper 101B of the image reading device 1B of this embodiment is configured to change the amount of protrusion relative to the mounting surface 32 in the first state, according to the amount of media 2 placed on the mounting surface 32.

[0087] The image reading device 1B of this embodiment has the following configuration: as shown in Figure 11, when the amount of media 2 placed is small, the protrusion amount of the stopper 101B can be reduced, and as shown in Figure 12, the protrusion amount of the stopper 101B can be increased as the amount of media 2 placed increases. In other words, the image reading device 1B of this embodiment can improve the alignment of the media 2 on the placement surface 32 according to the amount of media 2 placed, and can suitably improve the transportability of the media 2.

[0088] [Example 3] Next, the image reading device 1C of Example 3 will be described with reference to Figure 13. Here, Figure 13 corresponds to Figure 8 in the image reading device 1A of Example 1. The image reading device 1C of this example is the same as the image reading device 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below, and therefore has the same characteristics as the image reading device 1A of Example 1. Therefore, in Figure 13, parts common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0089] As described above, in the image reading device 1A of Example 1, when multiple media 2 are placed on the supply tray 21 before transport, they are transported from top to bottom. Therefore, in the image reading device 1A of Example 1, it was possible to determine that there was no inversion if the image data of the media 2 captured by the first shooting unit 120A and the image data of the media 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B were different, and to determine that there was an inversion if these image data were the same. Furthermore, in the image reading device 1A of Example 1, the media 2 was photographed by the second reading unit 52, and it was possible to determine that there was no inversion if the image data of the media 2 captured by the second reading unit 52 and the image data of the media 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B were the same.

[0090] On the other hand, in the image reading device 1C of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, when multiple media 2 are placed on the supply tray 21 before transport, they are transported from the bottom up. Therefore, unlike the image reading device 1A of Embodiment 1, in the image reading device 1C of this embodiment, it is not possible to determine whether the media 2 is upside down or not simply by comparing the image data of the media 2 captured by the first shooting unit 120A with the image data of the media 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B.

[0091] Therefore, in the image reading device 1C of this embodiment, the second reading unit 52 is made to photograph the medium 2, and if the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the second reading unit 52 and the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the second shooting unit 120B are the same, it is determined that there is no inversion. Similar to the image reading device 1A of Embodiment 1, if the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the first reading unit 51, the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the second reading unit 52, and the image data of the medium 2 photographed by the second shooting unit 120B are all different, it can be determined that a change in order has occurred.

[0092] [Example 4] Next, the image reading device 1D of Example 4 will be described with reference to Figure 14. Here, Figure 14 corresponds to Figure 8 in the image reading device 1A of Example 1. The image reading device 1D of this example is the same as the image reading device 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below, and therefore has the same characteristics as the image reading device 1A of Example 1. Therefore, in Figure 14, parts common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0093] As described above, the image reading device 1A of Example 1 has a U-turn path 14, and the feeding tray 21 and the discharge tray 19 are formed on the same side in the Y-axis direction relative to the device body. That is, when the medium 2 is transported from the feeding tray 21 to the discharge tray 19 without being turned over, the medium 2 has different sides facing upward when it is placed on the feeding tray 21 and when it is placed on the discharge tray 19. For this reason, in the image reading device 1A of Example 1, it was possible to determine that there was no turning over if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first imaging unit 120A and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second imaging unit 120B were different, and to determine that there was turning over if these image data were the same.

[0094] On the other hand, in the image reading device 1D of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, there is no U-turn path 14, and the supply tray 21 and the discharge tray 19 are formed on different sides in the Y-axis direction relative to the device body. That is, when the medium 2 is transported from the supply tray 21 to the discharge tray 19 without being turned over, the same side of the medium 2 is facing upward when it is placed on the supply tray 21 and when it is placed on the discharge tray 19. Therefore, unlike the image reading device 1A of Embodiment 1, in the image reading device 1D of this embodiment, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first shooting unit 120A and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B are the same, it can be determined that there is no turning over, and if these image data are different, it can be determined that there is turning over.

[0095] [Example 5] Next, the image reading device 1E of Example 5 will be described with reference to Figure 15. Here, Figure 14 corresponds to Figure 8 in the image reading device 1A of Example 1. The image reading device 1E of this example is the same as the image reading device 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below, and therefore has the same characteristics as the image reading device 1A of Example 1. Therefore, in Figure 15, parts common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0096] In the image reading device 1E of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, similar to the image reading device 1D of Embodiment 4, there is no U-turn path 14, and the feeding tray 21 and the discharge tray 19 are formed on different sides in the Y-axis direction relative to the device body. However, while the image reading device 1D of Embodiment 4 was configured to transport multiple media 2 placed on the feeding tray 21 in order from top to bottom when transported, the image reading device 1E of this embodiment is configured to transport multiple media 2 placed on the feeding tray 21 in order from bottom to top when transported.

[0097] Therefore, unlike the image reading device 1A of Example 1 and the image reading device 1D of Example 4, in the image reading device 1E of this embodiment, it is not possible to determine whether the medium 2 is upside down simply by comparing the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first shooting unit 120A with the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B. Therefore, in the image reading device 1C of this embodiment, the medium 2 is photographed by the first reading unit 51, and if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first reading unit 51 and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B are the same, it is determined that the medium is not upside down. As with the image reading device 1A of Example 1, if the image data of the medium 2 captured by the first reading unit 51, the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second reading unit 52, and the image data of the medium 2 captured by the second shooting unit 120B are all different, it can be determined that the order has been changed.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1...Image reading device (media transport device), 1A...Image reading device, 1B...Image reading device, 1C...Image reading device, 1D...Image reading device, 1E...Image reading device, 2...Media, 2A...Media, 2B...Media, 3...Transportation path, 5...Reading unit, 6...Transportation unit, 7...First transport roller pair, 8...Second transport roller pair, 9...Third transport roller pair, 10...Feed roller, 11...Separation roller, 12...Pick roller, 13...Straight path, 14...U-turn path, 15...Fourth transport roller pair, 16...Fifth transport roller pair, 17...Discharge roller pair (discharge roller), 18...Discharge direction, 19...Discharge tray, 21...Feed tray, 22...Control unit, 30...Media discharge device, 31...Discharge unit, 32...Placement surface, 33...Extendable / Extendable change unit, 34...Base end, 35...Pivot point, 37...Tip, 38...Base tray, 3 9...Auxiliary tray, 44...Other end, 51...First reading unit (imaging unit), 52...Second reading unit (imaging unit), 101...Stopper, 101A...Stopper, 101B...Stopper, 102...Edge guide, 120...Camera (imaging unit), 120A...First imaging unit, 120B...Second imaging unit, 201...CPU, 202...ROM, 203...RAM, 205...Setting reception means, 209...Control means, 21 0...Control means, 211...Vertical movement means, 212...Deployment and storage means, 212A...Rack, 212B...Pinion, 212C...Motor, 212D...Rotating shaft, 212E...Pinion, 212F...Endless belt, 212G...Pulley, 212H...Rotating shaft, 212I...Gear, 212J...Gear, 212K...Rotating shaft, 213...Moving means, 213A...Rack, 213B...Pinion, F...Conveying direction

Claims

1. A discharge section having a discharge roller capable of discharging the medium, A discharge tray having a mounting surface on which the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed, A stopper is provided on the discharge tray and is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the aforementioned surface, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged medium in the discharge direction, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the aforementioned surface, thereby allowing the movement of the medium in the discharge direction. Equipped with, The discharge unit is configured to reduce the discharge speed of the medium by the discharge roller from a first speed to a second speed when discharging the medium. A media transport device characterized in that the deceleration from the first speed to the second speed is smaller when the stopper is in the first state than when the stopper is in the second state.

2. In the media transport device described in claim 1, The media conveying device is characterized in that the stopper is configured to be displaceable between the first state and the second state depending on the type of media.

3. In the media transport device described in claim 1, The media conveying device is characterized in that the stopper is configured to change its position in the discharge direction according to the size of the media.

4. In the media transport device described in claim 1, The media transport device is characterized in that the stopper is configured to change the amount of protrusion from the aforementioned surface in the first state according to the amount of media placed on the aforementioned surface.

5. In the media transport device described in claim 1, The media transport device is characterized in that the discharge tray is configured to change the position of the mounting surface relative to the discharge section in the direction in which the media is mounted, according to the amount of media mounted on the mounting surface described above.

6. In the media transport device described in claim 1, A shooting unit for photographing the aforementioned medium, A displacement mechanism for displacing the stopper between the first state and the second state, Equipped with, The media transport device is characterized in that the displacement mechanism is configured to displace the stopper to the first state and the second state based on the image data of the medium captured by the imaging unit.

7. A feeding tray on which media is placed, A feeding unit that feeds the medium placed on the feeding tray, A discharge unit capable of discharging the medium supplied by the supply unit, A discharge tray having a mounting surface on which the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed, A shooting unit for photographing the aforementioned medium, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit is The imaging unit is instructed to photograph the medium both before it is discharged from the discharge unit and during or after it is discharged from the discharge unit. A media transport device characterized by determining the state of the media after it has been discharged from the discharge unit, based on image data of one side of the media before it is discharged from the discharge unit and image data of one side of the media during or after it is discharged from the discharge unit.

8. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The control unit, The imaging unit is instructed to photograph the medium placed on the supply tray, and to photograph the medium while it is being discharged from the discharge unit or after it has been discharged. A media transport device characterized by determining the state of the media after it has been discharged from the discharge unit, based on image data of the media placed on the supply tray and image data of the media during or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit.

9. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The control unit, The imaging unit is instructed to photograph the medium being transported along the transport path from the supply tray to the discharge unit, and to photograph the medium being discharged from the discharge unit or after it has been discharged. A media transport device characterized by determining the state of the media after it has been discharged from the discharge unit, based on image data of the media being transported along the transport path and image data of the media being discharged from or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit.

10. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The feeding tray has an edge guide that is movable in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the medium, The media transport device is characterized in that the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph the media placed on the transport tray, and moves the edge guide based on the image data of the media photographed by the imaging unit.

11. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The discharge tray has an edge guide that is movable in a direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium, The media transport device is characterized in that the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph at least one of the media placed on the supply tray and the media placed on the discharge tray, and moves the edge guide based on the image data of the media photographed by the imaging unit.

12. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The discharge tray is provided with a stopper that is displaceable between a first state in which it protrudes from the aforementioned mounting surface, thereby restricting the movement of the discharged medium in the discharge direction, and a second state in which it is tilted toward the aforementioned mounting surface, thereby allowing the movement of the medium in the discharge direction. The media transport device is characterized in that the control unit causes the imaging unit to photograph the medium placed on the transport tray, and displaces the stopper to the first state and the second state based on the image data of the medium placed on the transport tray.

13. In the media transport device described in claim 7, The control unit is characterized by causing the imaging unit to image a portion of the medium, thus providing a medium transport device.

14. In the media transport device described in claim 7, A media transport device characterized in that the control unit determines the state of the media after it has been discharged from the discharge unit based on a portion of image data of one side of the media before it has been discharged from the discharge unit and a portion of image data of one side of the media during or after it has been discharged from the discharge unit.

15. A media transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, An image reading unit that reads an image formed on the aforementioned medium, An image reading device characterized by comprising the following:

Images