Media conveying device and image reading device

Abstract

To suppress breakage of a medium when a discharge stacker which can be stored in a device is stored.SOLUTION: A medium conveyance device 1 includes: a medium support part 3 having a first placement surface 3a inclined with respect to a horizontal surface; a conveyance passage 10 having a curve path 10a where a medium M is conveyed in a curved state; and a discharge stacker 4 which can switch between a stretched state for forming a second placement surface 4a inclined with respect to the horizontal surface and for receiving the medium M discharged from the conveyance passage 10 by including the position opposing to the first placement surface 3a, and a storage state being stored in the medium conveyance device 1. The medium conveyance device can execute: first control for, after the medium M is discharged to the second placement surface 4a, switching the discharge stacker 4 from the stretched state to the storage state; and second control for not switching the discharge stacker 4 from the stretched state to the storage state so that the state where the medium M is placed on the second placement surface 4a is maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A media conveying device is used that conveys a medium placed on a placement surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane by curving the medium in a media conveying path and conveying the medium to a discharge stacker formed in a position opposite the placement surface. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device that conveys a document placed on a chute placement surface by curving the medium in a conveying path and conveys the document to a stacker placement surface of a stacker that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and formed in a position opposite the chute placement surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2017 / 187488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image reading device of Patent Document 1, the stacker is stored inside the image reading device as the document whose image has been read is placed on the chute placement surface. By storing the stacker inside the image reading device, the device becomes more compact. However, storing the stacker inside the image reading device may cause the document placed on the stacker placement surface to be entangled in the stacker and damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a medium transport device of the present invention is a medium transport device that transports a medium, the medium transport device comprising: a medium support unit having a first loading surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the first loading surface on which the medium is loaded; a transport path for the medium loaded on the first loading surface, the transport path having a curved path along which the medium is transported in a curved state; and a paper discharge stacker having a second loading surface that receives the medium discharged from the transport path, the second loading surface being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane including a position facing the first loading surface; and a storage state in which the second loading surface is stored in the medium transport device. The device is equipped with a switchable discharge stacker and a control unit that switches the discharge stacker between the extended state and the stored state, and the control unit is capable of executing a first control in which after the medium discharged from the transport path is discharged to the second loading surface, the discharge stacker is switched from the extended state to the stored state, so that a portion of the medium placed on the second loading surface is placed on the first loading surface, and a second control in which the discharge stacker is not switched from the extended state to the stored state so that the medium discharged from the transport path remains placed on the second loading surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, with an output stacker and a media support in an extended state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the scanner of FIG. 1 with the output stacker in a retracted state and the medium support section in an extended state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the scanner in FIG. 1 with the discharge stacker and the medium support unit in a retracted state. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the scanner in Figure 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the scanner of FIG. 1 with the output stacker and media support in an extended state; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the scanner in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an example of a medium presence detection unit. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic side view showing an example of a medium presence detection unit different from the medium presence detection unit in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an example of a waist attachment portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of a medium placement amount detection unit. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of execution of a first control for automatically storing the discharge stacker upon completion of the document reading process. [Figure 12] 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a stiff document is used and the discharge stacker is automatically stored upon completion of the document reading process. [Figure 13] 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a weak original is used and the ejection stacker is automatically stored upon completion of the original reading process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control that can be executed in which the discharge stacker is not automatically stored upon completion of the document reading process. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control that can be executed, in which a plurality of documents are successively read. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control that can be executed, in which the discharge stacker is put into a stored state in response to a user instruction. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart for a case in which the first control or the second control is selected and executed depending on the length of the document. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will now be briefly described. A medium transport device according to a first aspect is a medium transport device for transporting a medium, the medium transport device comprising: a medium support unit having a first loading surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the first loading surface on which the medium is loaded; a transport path for the medium loaded on the first loading surface, the transport path having a curved path along which the medium is transported in a curved state; and a paper discharge stacker having a second loading surface for receiving the medium discharged from the transport path, the medium transport device being switchable between an extended state in which the second loading surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane including a position opposite the first loading surface, and a stored state in which the second loading surface is stored in the medium transport device. the control unit is capable of executing a first control of switching the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state after the medium discharged from the transport path is discharged to the second loading surface, so that a portion of the medium placed on the second loading surface is placed on the first loading surface, and a second control of not switching the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state so that the medium discharged from the transport path remains placed on the second loading surface.

[0008] According to this aspect, it is possible to execute a first control in which the discharge stacker is switched from the extended state to the stored state so that a portion of the media placed on the second placement surface is placed on the first placement surface, and a second control in which the discharge stacker is not switched from the extended state to the stored state so that the media discharged from the transport path is maintained on the second placement surface. That is, in addition to the first control in which the discharge stacker is stored in the media transport device, it is possible to execute a second control in which the discharge stacker is not stored in the media transport device. This makes it possible to suppress damage to media that would otherwise occur if a discharge stacker that can be stored in the device is stored.

[0009] The second aspect of the media transport device is characterized in that in the first aspect, it has a replenishment mode in which new media is added to the first loading surface after the media is discharged to the second loading surface and the new media is transported, and the control unit executes the second control in the replenishment mode.

[0010] According to this aspect, since the refill mode is provided, the media can be transported while being refilled one sheet at a time. In addition, by executing the second control in the refill mode, the media transported along the transport path and discharged to the discharge stacker when adding new media can be prevented from reaching the first placement surface, and the media can be prevented from becoming an obstacle when adding new media.

[0011] A third aspect of the media conveying device is characterized in that, in the second aspect, when in the replenishment mode, the control unit displaces the discharge stacker so that the inclination angle of the second loading surface relative to the horizontal plane becomes larger after the medium is discharged onto the second loading surface.

[0012] According to this aspect, in the top-up mode, after the medium is discharged onto the second loading surface, the discharge stacker is displaced so that the inclination angle of the second loading surface with respect to the horizontal plane becomes larger. Therefore, when new medium is to be topped up, the gap between the first loading surface and the second loading surface becomes wider, making it easier to top up the new medium.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the medium conveying device is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit performs either the first control or the second control depending on the length of the medium in the conveying direction.

[0014] If the length of the medium in the transport direction is long, the medium is more likely to be damaged when the discharge stacker is stored. However, according to this embodiment, by executing either the first control or the second control depending on the length of the medium, for example, by executing the second control for long media and the first control for short media, damage to the medium can be effectively suppressed.

[0015] The media conveying device of the fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, it is provided with a length detection unit that detects the length of the medium in the conveying direction, and the control unit executes the second control when the length of the medium in the conveying direction detected by the length detection unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

[0016] According to this aspect, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the second control is executed. Therefore, when using a long medium that is easily damaged, the second control is executed to prevent the medium from being entangled in the ejection stacker and being damaged by not switching the ejection stacker from the extended state to the stored state.

[0017] The sixth aspect of the medium conveying device is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, it is provided with a length detection unit that detects the length of the medium in the conveying direction, and the control unit executes the first control when the length of the medium in the conveying direction detected by the length detection unit is equal to or less than a second threshold value.

[0018] According to this aspect, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is equal to or less than the second threshold, the first control is executed. Therefore, when a short medium that is not easily damaged is used, the device can be made compact. In addition, when a short medium is used, for example, in the refill mode, when a new medium is refilled, the medium that is transported along the transport path and discharged to the discharge stacker can be prevented from reaching the first placement surface, and the medium can be prevented from becoming an obstacle when the new medium is refilled.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the media conveying device is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the discharge stacker has an adjustable extension length in the extended state, and the control unit changes the extension length of the discharge stacker in the extended state depending on the length of the medium in the conveying direction.

[0020] According to this aspect, the extension length of the ejection stacker in the extended state is changed according to the length of the medium, so that the medium can be placed on the second placement surface in an appropriate state according to the length of the medium.

[0021] The eighth aspect of the media conveying device is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, it is provided with a media presence detection unit that detects whether the media is present on the second loading surface, and the control unit executes the second control while the media presence detection unit detects that the media is present on the second loading surface, and executes the first control when the media presence detection unit detects that the media has been removed from the second loading surface.

[0022] According to this aspect, the second control is executed while the media presence / absence detection unit detects that the media is present on the second loading surface, and the first control is executed when the media presence / absence detection unit detects that the media has disappeared from the second loading surface. This makes it possible to automatically displace the discharge stacker to an appropriate state.

[0023] A ninth aspect of the media conveying device is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, it is provided with a media loading amount detection unit that detects the number or weight of the media discharged to the second loading surface, and the control unit executes the second control while the media loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface is not loaded with an upper limit value or more of the media, and executes the first control when the media loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface is loaded with an upper limit value or more of the media.

[0024] According to this aspect, the second control is executed while the medium loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface does not have the upper limit amount or more of media loaded, and the first control is executed when the medium loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface has the upper limit amount or more of media loaded. In other words, as the upper limit amount or more of media is loaded on the second loading surface, it becomes difficult to load new media on the first loading surface, and thus it is possible to suppress the transport of new media, and it is possible to suppress the loading of media on the second loading surface that exceeds the durability limit of the discharge stacker, causing damage to the discharge stacker, etc.

[0025] A media conveying device of a 10th aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the 1st to 9th aspects, the control unit outputs an alert when the media loading amount detection unit detects that an upper limit value or more of the media is loaded on the second loading surface.

[0026] According to this aspect, an alert is output when it is detected that the second loading surface contains more than the upper limit of media. Therefore, when the second loading surface contains more than the upper limit of media, it is possible to prevent new media from being loaded onto the first loading surface, and it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the ejection stacker.

[0027] The media transport device of the 11th aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the discharge section where the media is discharged from the transport path toward the discharge stacker has a stiffening member that stiffens the media as the media is discharged, and the central portion of the media discharged to the second loading surface is curved convexly toward the second loading surface when viewed from the discharge direction of the media.

[0028] According to this aspect, the medium can be stiffened so that the center of the medium placed on the second loading surface when viewed from the medium ejection direction is curved convexly toward the second loading surface as the medium is ejected. By stiffening the medium and ejecting it onto the second loading surface, ejection problems of the medium can be suppressed.

[0029] The image reading device of a twelfth aspect is characterized in that it includes a reading unit that reads an image of the medium in the transport path, and any one of the first to eleventh medium transport devices.

[0030] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the medium from being damaged when the ejection stacker stores the medium after the image has been read from it.

[0031] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, as an example of a medium conveying device and an image reading device, a scanner 1 capable of reading at least one of the front and back sides of an original M, which is an example of a medium, is taken as an example. The scanner 1 is a so-called document scanner that reads the original M while moving it relative to a reading unit 7.

[0032] In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure, the X-axis direction is the device width direction and the document width direction. It also runs along the horizontal direction. The Y-axis direction is the device depth direction and runs along the horizontal direction. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the +Y direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back. Also, when viewed from the front of the device, the left is the +X direction and the right is the -X direction. The vertically upward direction is the +Z direction, and the vertically downward direction is the -Z direction.

[0033] First, an overview of the scanner 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 5, the scanner 1 includes a housing 2, a medium support section 3 arranged along a supply port 15 provided in the housing 2, and a discharge stacker 4 arranged along a discharge port 11 provided in the housing 2. The medium support section 3 has a rotation shaft 31, a first support section 32, and a second support section 33, and the second support section 33 can be extended and retracted relative to the first support section 32. The medium support section 3 can be rotated in a rotation direction C based on the rotation shaft 31. The medium support section 3 can be displaced between an extended state in which the second support section 33 is extended relative to the first support section 32 to position the medium support section 3 at a position that opens the supply port 15 provided in the housing 2 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and a stored state in which the second support section 33 is contracted relative to the first support section 32 to position the medium support section 3 at a position that covers the supply port 15 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0034] 1 and 2, in the extended state of the medium support unit 3, the first placement surface 3a, which is one surface of the first support unit 32 and the second support unit 33, is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The document M placed on the first placement surface 3a is sent in the supply direction A through the supply port 15. Note that the medium support unit 3 of this embodiment is configured to be able to extend and retract the second support unit 33 relative to the first support unit 32, but is not limited to this configuration. Also, the medium support unit 3 of this embodiment has a rotation shaft 31 and is configured to be able to be displaced between an extended state and a stored state, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0035] Here, the inside of the housing 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The original M placed on the first placement surface 3a is transported into the housing 2 by a feed section 5 composed of a drive roller 51 and a double-feed prevention roller 52. Inside the housing 2, a roller pair 6 composed of a drive roller 62 and a driven roller 61, and a roller pair 8 composed of a drive roller 82 and a driven roller 81 are provided. The original M is transported in a transport direction B by the roller pair 6 and the roller pair 8 in a transport path 10 inside the housing 2.

[0036] Between the roller pair 6 and the roller pair 8, there is provided a reading section 7 having a first reading unit 71 for reading an image on one side of the document M and a second reading unit 72 for reading an image on the other side of the document M. In addition, downstream of the roller pair 8 in the transport direction B, there is provided a curved path 10a along which the document M is transported in a curved state. In addition, at the most downstream portion of the curved path 10a in the transport direction B, there is provided a roller pair 9 for discharging the document M, whose image has been read by the reading section 7, from a discharge port 11. The roller pair 9 is composed of a drive roller 92 and a driven roller 91. As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, in the vicinity of the discharge port 11, there are provided a medium presence / absence detection section 12, a stiffening member 13, and a medium placement amount detection section 14, each of which will be described in detail later.

[0037] Next, the details of the discharge stacker 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The discharge stacker 4 has a rotation shaft 41, a first stacker 42, and a second stacker 43, and the second stacker 43 can be extended and retracted relative to the first stacker 42. The discharge stacker 4 can be rotated in a rotation direction C based on the rotation shaft 41. The discharge stacker 4 can be displaced between an extended state in which the second stacker 43 is extended relative to the first stacker 42 and the discharge stacker 4 is positioned at a position where the discharge outlet 11 provided in the housing unit 2 is opened, as shown in FIG. 1, and a storage state in which the second stacker 43 is contracted relative to the first stacker 42 and the discharge stacker 4 is positioned in a storage space 44 provided in the housing unit 2, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Here, in the extended state, as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge stacker 4 includes a position facing the first placement surface 3a.

[0038] Furthermore, the discharge stacker 4 can change its angle with respect to the horizontal plane in the extended state, not only to the position represented by the solid line in Fig. 1 but also to the position represented by the dashed line in Fig. 1. Compared to the state represented by the solid line in Fig. 1, in the state represented by the dashed line in Fig. 1, the distance between the discharge stacker 4 and the medium support unit 3 is wider, making it easier to place the document M on the first placement surface 3a, i.e., to set the document M on the medium support unit 3.

[0039] 1, in the extended state, the discharge stacker 4 has a second placement surface 4a, which is one surface of the first stacker 42 and the second stacker 43, inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The document M discharged by the roller pair 9 through the discharge port 11 is discharged in the discharge direction D and placed on the second placement surface 4a. Note that, although the discharge stacker 4 of this embodiment is configured so that the second stacker 43 can be extended and retracted with respect to the first stacker 42, the configuration is not limited to this.

[0040] Next, the electrical configuration of the scanner 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The control unit 100 performs various controls of the scanner 1, including feeding, conveying, discharging and reading of the document M. Among these controls, for example, the control unit 100 also executes control to switch the discharge stacker 4 between an extended state and a stored state, and control to change the angle of the discharge stacker 4 with respect to the horizontal plane when in the extended state.

[0041] Signals are input to the control unit 100 from an operation panel 201, and signals for realizing the display of the operation panel 201, particularly the user interface, are sent from the control unit 100 to the operation panel 201. Note that while the scanner 1 of this embodiment is configured to include an operation panel 201, it may also be configured to have only simple buttons that can input only limited instructions, such as transporting a document, instead of the operation panel 201, and detailed instructions are given to the scanner 1 mainly from an external computer 200.

[0042] The control unit 100 controls the motors, namely, the feed motor 110 that drives the drive roller 51, the transport motor 111 that drives the drive roller 62 and the drive roller 82, the discharge motor 112 that drives the drive roller 92, and the displacement motor 113 that displaces the length and angle of the discharge stacker 4. In this embodiment, each motor is a DC motor. The control unit 100 receives read data from the reading unit 7, and also transmits a signal to the reading unit 7 from the control unit 100 to control the reading unit 7. The control unit 100 also receives signals from the detection units, namely, the medium presence / absence detection unit 12, the medium loading amount detection unit 14, and the medium length detection unit 16 (not shown in Figs. 1 to 5). The control unit 100 also receives detection values ​​from rotary encoders (not shown) provided for the feed motor 110, the transport motor 111, the discharge motor 112, and the displacement motor 113, which allows the control unit 100 to grasp the amount of rotation of each motor, and thus the amount of operation of the driven object.

[0043] The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a flash ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the flash ROM 102, and controls the operation of the entire scanner 1. The flash ROM 102, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various setting information input by the user via the external computer 200 or the operation panel 201 is also stored in the flash ROM 102. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM 103, which is an example of a storage means. The control unit 100 includes an interface 104, and is capable of communicating with the external computer 200 via this interface 104.

[0044] Next, a configuration example of the medium presence detection unit 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the medium presence detection unit 12 is provided near each end of the discharge outlet 11 in the X-axis direction. However, there is no particular limit to the number or arrangement of the medium presence detection units 12. There is also no limit to the configuration of the medium presence detection unit 12.

[0045] The medium presence / absence detection unit 12A shown in FIG. 7 will be described below as a medium presence / absence detection unit 12 applicable to the scanner 1 of this embodiment. The medium presence / absence detection unit 12A has a rotation shaft 121 that can rotate in a rotation direction C, and a rod-shaped member 122 that extends from the rotation shaft 121 toward the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4. When the document M is discharged from the discharge port 11 and placed on the second placement surface 4a, the rod-shaped member 122 moves from the position represented by the solid line in FIG. 7 to the position represented by the dashed line in FIG. 7. Here, the medium presence / absence detection unit 12A is electrically connected to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 can determine whether the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a based on the displacement of the rod-shaped member 122.

[0046] In addition, the medium presence / absence detection unit 12B shown in FIG. 8 will be described below as a medium presence / absence detection unit 12 applicable to the scanner 1 of this embodiment. The medium presence / absence detection unit 12B has a light emitting unit 123 and a light receiving unit 124 of the light. Here, the area between the light emitting unit 123 and the light receiving unit 124 forms part of the transport path 10 for the document M. The medium presence / absence detection unit 12B is electrically connected to the control unit 100. With this configuration, the control unit 100 can determine whether the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a based on whether the light receiving unit 124 blocks light by the document M.

[0047] Next, a configuration example of the stiffening members 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, two stiffening members 13 are provided on the end side in the X-axis direction of the discharge outlet 11, closer to the center than the medium presence / absence detection unit 12. However, there is no particular limit to the number or arrangement of the stiffening members 13. There is also no limit to the configuration of the stiffening members 13.

[0048] The stiffening member 13 of this embodiment has a rib forming member 131 on the second placement surface 4a side of the transport path 10 of the document M, and a document pressing member 132 on the side of the transport path 10 facing the rib forming member 131. Here, the document pressing member 132 is provided on the central side in the X-axis direction with respect to the rib forming member 131. Therefore, the document M discharged from the discharge port 11 is discharged to the second placement surface 4a while contacting each of the two document pressing members 132 and the rib forming member 131, and is discharged while forming a U-shape with the central part protruding toward the second placement surface 4a side as viewed from the discharge direction D. By discharging the document M in this manner, even for a document M that is weak in stiffness and prone to discharge failure, the document M can be discharged to the second placement surface 4a without causing discharge failure.

[0049] Next, a configuration example of the medium loading amount detection unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the medium loading amount detection unit 14 is provided on the end side of the discharge port 11 in the X-axis direction, closer to the end side than the medium presence / absence detection unit 12. However, there is no particular limit to the number or arrangement of the medium loading amount detection units 14. There is also no limit to the configuration of the medium loading amount detection unit 14.

[0050] The medium placement amount detection unit 14 has a rotating shaft 141 that can rotate in a rotation direction C, a rod-shaped member 142 that extends from the rotating shaft 141 toward the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4, and a spring member 140 that is connected at one end to the rod-shaped member 142 and at the other end to the housing unit 2. The force applied to the spring member 140 changes depending on the amount of documents M placed on the second placement surface 4a. Here, the medium placement amount detection unit 14 is electrically connected to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 can determine whether or not an upper limit value or more of documents M are placed on the second placement surface 4a based on the displacement of the force applied to the spring member 140. The medium placement amount detection unit 14 of this embodiment is configured to determine the number of documents M placed on the second placement surface 4a from the thickness of the documents M placed on the second placement surface 4a and determine whether or not the upper limit value that can be placed on the second placement surface 4a has been reached. However, the configuration may also be such that the number of originals M placed on the second loading surface 4a is counted and whether or not the counted number has reached the upper limit of the number of originals that can be placed on the second loading surface 4a is determined from the weight of the originals M placed on the second loading surface 4a or whether or not the upper limit of the number of originals M that can be placed on the second loading surface 4a has been determined from the weight of the originals M placed on the second loading surface 4a.

[0051] Next, an embodiment of a movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process that can be executed by the scanner 1 of this embodiment will be described. The control unit 100 of this embodiment can execute a first control in which, after the document M discharged from the transport path 10 is discharged onto the second loading surface 4a, the discharge stacker 4 is automatically switched from the extended state to the stored state, and a part of the document placed on the second loading surface 4a is placed on the first loading surface 3a. The control unit 100 can also execute a second control in which the discharge stacker 4 is not switched from the extended state to the stored state so that the document discharged from the transport path 10 is maintained in a state placed on the second loading surface 4a. Here, first, an execution example of the first control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0052] 11, when the method for controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process is started, the reading process is started first in step S110. The reading process refers to the operation of transporting the document M placed on the first placement surface 3a, reading the image with the reading unit 7, and discharging the document M onto the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4.

[0053] After the reading process is started in step S110, next, in step S130, the discharge stacker 4 is extended to a desired length. Since the scanner 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a medium length detection unit 16 capable of detecting the length of the original M in the transport direction B, the amount of extension of the discharge stacker 4 can be determined based on the length of the original M detected by the medium length detection unit 16. However, the length of the original M may also be input from an external computer 200 or the like.

[0054] Then, in step S140, the document M, whose image has been read by the reading unit 7, is discharged onto the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4.

[0055] Then, when the control unit 100 determines that the original M has disappeared from the first placement surface 3a and the reading process is to be ended, the reading process is ended in step S170. The control unit 100 may determine whether the original M has disappeared from the first placement surface 3a based on the detection result of a sensor that detects whether the original M is present on the first placement surface 3a, or may determine the number of sheets to be read based on the number designated by the user via the external computer 200 or the like.

[0056] Then, in step S270, the discharge stacker 4 is put into the stored state, and the method for controlling the movement of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process is completed.

[0057] Here, if the document M to be read is stiff, even if the discharge stacker 4 is displaced from the state in which the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4 in the extended state as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 12 to the stored state as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 12, the document M will be placed on the first placement surface 3a of the medium support unit 3 without any problems. However, if the document M to be read is weak, if the discharge stacker 4 is displaced from the state in which the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4 in the extended state as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 13 to the stored state as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 13, the part of the document M hanging down from the discharge stacker 4 may get caught in the discharge stacker 4, causing problems such as damage to the document M.

[0058] Therefore, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can execute the second control that does not switch the discharge stacker 4 from the extended state to the stored state as described above. Here, the second control will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of Figs. 14 to 17. Note that the same steps in Fig. 11 and the flowcharts of Figs. 14 to 17 are given the same step numbers. Therefore, the explanation of the step numbers that have already been explained will be omitted. In the scanner 1 of this embodiment, the mode selection regarding the movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with each reading process shown in the flowcharts of Figs. 11 and 14 to 17 can be executed from either the external computer 200 or the operation panel 201. However, the mode selection may be executed only from either the external computer 200 or the operation panel 201.

[0059] The movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process, which is shown in the flow chart of Fig. 14, will be described below. After step S140 is completed, in step S150, skew detection is performed to determine whether the original M has been conveyed obliquely along the conveying path 10. Since the scanner 1 of this embodiment has two medium presence / absence detection units 12 in the X-axis direction, skew detection can be performed from the difference in detection time of the original M. If the control unit 100 determines that skew has occurred, the process proceeds to step S260, where the reading process is stopped, and the movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process is terminated. If the control unit 100 determines that skew has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0060] In step S160, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a of the discharge stacker 4 to an upper limit or more. This determination is based on the detection result of the medium placement amount detection unit 14. If the control unit 100 determines that the document M is placed on the second placement surface 4a to an upper limit or more, the process proceeds to step S260, where the reading process is stopped, and the method for controlling the movement of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process is terminated. If the control unit 100 determines that the document M is not placed on the second placement surface 4a to an upper limit or more, the process proceeds to step S170.

[0061] After step S170 is completed, the document M is held in the discharge stacker 4 in step S200.

[0062] Then, the process proceeds to step S220, where the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is an original M in the discharge stacker 4. This determination is based on the detection result of the medium presence / absence detection unit 12. Here, if it is determined that there is an original M in the discharge stacker 4, the process proceeds to step S240, and if it is determined that there is no original M in the discharge stacker 4, the process proceeds to step S270. In other words, if there is an original M in the discharge stacker 4, the discharge stacker 4 is not put into a stored state, and the discharge stacker 4 is put into a stored state only after all the originals M have been removed from the discharge stacker 4.

[0063] In step S240, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a document in the medium support unit 3. If it is determined that there is a document M in the medium support unit 3, the process returns to step S140 to perform the reading process of the next document M, and if it is determined that there is no document in the medium support unit 3, the process returns to step S200. Note that this step is executed after it is determined in step S220 that there is a document M in the discharge stacker 4, i.e., that the document M has been discharged to the discharge stacker 4. Therefore, after the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 detects that there is a document M in the discharge stacker 4, if there is a new document M in the medium support unit 3, the reading process of the new document M will be started.

[0064] Next, a description will be given of a movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 15. The movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 15 corresponds to a top-up mode in which the user adds one original M to the medium support unit 3 each time a reading process of one original M is performed, and the reading process is performed while adding the original M one by one. Note that in the movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process in which only the first control can be performed as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14, the top-up mode cannot be performed because the supply port 15 is blocked by the original M discharged from the discharge port 11 as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 12 as the discharge stacker 4 is displaced to the storage state.

[0065] In the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 15, in comparison with the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14, after step S170 is completed, the discharge stacker 4 is moved to a replenishment position in step S180. The replenishment position corresponds to the position of the discharge stacker 4 shown by the dashed dotted line in Fig. 1. By moving the discharge stacker 4 to the replenishment position, it becomes easier for the user to set the document M on the medium support section 3. Then, after step S180 is completed, the process proceeds to step S200.

[0066] In addition, in the method for controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 in the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 15, after step S240 is completed, the process proceeds to step S250. In step S250, the discharge stacker 4 is moved to the discharge position. The discharge position corresponds to the position of the discharge stacker 4 shown by the solid line in Fig. 1. Then, after step S250 is completed, the process returns to step S140.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of a movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16. The movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16 corresponds to a user instruction waiting mode in which the discharge stacker 4 is not put into a stored state until a user instruction is received.

[0068] In the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16, after step S170 is completed, the extended state of the discharge stacker 4 is maintained in step S210, in comparison with the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14. Then, the process proceeds to step S230.

[0069] In step S230, the control unit 100 judges whether or not a storage instruction has been given by the user. If it is judged that a storage instruction has not been given by the user, the process proceeds to step S240, and if it is judged that a storage instruction has been given by the user, the process proceeds to step S270. In other words, if there is no storage instruction from the user, the discharge stacker 4 is not put into the stored state, and the discharge stacker 4 is put into the stored state after a storage instruction has been given by the user. A storage instruction from the user can be input from the external computer 200, the operation panel 201, etc.

[0070] Next, a description will be given of a movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 17. The movement control method of the discharge stacker 4 associated with the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 17 is executed only when the length of the original M in the transport direction B is equal to or greater than the first threshold. In other words, when the length of the original M is less than the first threshold, the first control is executed.

[0071] In the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 17, after step S110 is completed, the length of the original M is detected in step S120, compared to the method of controlling movement of the discharge stacker 4 accompanying the reading process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14. Then, in step S130, the extension amount of the discharge stacker 4 is optimized based on the length of the original M detected in step S120.

[0072] After step S170 is completed, in step S190, it is determined whether or not the length of the original M detected in step S120 is less than the first threshold. If the control unit 100 determines that the length of the original M is less than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S270, and if the control unit 100 determines that the length of the original M is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S200. That is, in the case of a short medium whose length is less than the first threshold, a first control is executed in step S270 to place the discharge stacker 4 in a storage state regardless of whether or not there is an original M in the discharge stacker 4. On the other hand, in the case of a long medium whose length is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a second control is executed in step S270 to place the discharge stacker 4 in a storage state after the original M is no longer in the discharge stacker 4.

[0073] As described above, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can execute a first control in which the discharge stacker 4 is switched from the extended state to the stored state so that a part of the document M placed on the second placement surface 4a is placed on the first placement surface 3a, and a second control in which the discharge stacker 4 is not switched from the extended state to the stored state so that the document M discharged from the transport path 10 is maintained in a state placed on the second placement surface 4a. That is, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can execute a second control in which the discharge stacker 4 is not stored in the scanner 1, in addition to the first control in which the discharge stacker 4 is stored in the scanner 1. Therefore, damage to the document M caused by storing the discharge stacker 4 that can be stored in the scanner 1 can be suppressed.

[0074] From the viewpoint of an image reading device, the scanner 1 of this embodiment includes a reading unit 7 that reads an image of the document M in the conveying path 10, and a medium conveying device that conveys the document M. This makes it possible to prevent the document M, whose image has been read, from being damaged when the document M is stored in the discharge stacker 4.

[0075] As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15, the scanner 1 of this embodiment has an add-on mode in which a new document M is added to the first placement surface 3a after the document M is discharged to the second placement surface 4a, and the new document M is transported. The control unit 100 executes the second control in the add-on mode. In this way, by having the add-on mode, the document M can be transported while being added one sheet at a time. In addition, by executing the second control in the add-on mode, the document M whose image has been read is maintained in a state placed on the second placement surface 4a, so that when a new document M is added, the document M that has been transported along the transport path 10 and discharged to the discharge stacker 4 can be prevented from reaching the first placement surface 3a, and can be prevented from becoming an obstacle when adding the new document M.

[0076] As described above, in the topping-up mode, after the document M is discharged onto the second placement surface 4a, the control unit 100 can displace the discharge stacker 4 so that the inclination angle of the second placement surface 4a with respect to the horizontal plane increases as indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 1. Therefore, when the scanner 1 of this embodiment tops up a new document M, the gap between the first placement surface 3a and the second placement surface 4a increases, making it easier to top up the new document M.

[0077] 17, the control unit 100 can execute either the first control or the second control depending on the length of the document M. Here, if the document M is long, the document M is more likely to be damaged as it is stored in the discharge stacker 4. However, the scanner 1 of this embodiment executes either the first control or the second control depending on the length of the document M, and executes the second control for a long document M and executes the first control for a short document M, thereby effectively suppressing damage to the document M.

[0078] The scanner 1 of this embodiment includes a medium length detection unit 16 that detects the length of the original document M, and the control unit 100 can execute the second control when the length of the original document M detected by the medium length detection unit 16 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 17. Therefore, when a long original document M that is easily damaged is used, the scanner 1 of this embodiment executes the second control that does not switch the discharge stacker 4 from the extended state to the stored state, thereby preventing the original document M from being entangled in the discharge stacker 4 and being damaged.

[0079] Here, to express the above in another way, the control unit 100 can execute the first control when the length of the document M detected by the medium length detection unit 16 is equal to or less than the second threshold. Therefore, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can make the device compact when a short document M that is not easily damaged is used. In addition, when a short document M is used, for example, in the addition mode, when a new medium is added, the document M conveyed along the conveying path 10 and discharged to the discharge stacker 4 can be prevented from reaching the first placement surface 3a, and can be prevented from becoming an obstacle when adding a new document M. Note that, since there is only one threshold in this embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are the same value, but the first threshold and the second threshold may be different values. In that case, a different control may be performed when the length of the document M is less than the first threshold and exceeds the second threshold.

[0080] In the scanner 1 of this embodiment, the extension length of the discharge stacker 4 in the extended state is variable, and the control unit 100 can change the extension length of the discharge stacker 4 in the extended state according to the length of the document M. Therefore, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can place the document M on the second placement surface 4a in an appropriate state according to the length of the document M.

[0081] As described above, the scanner 1 of this embodiment includes the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 that detects whether or not the document M is present on the second placement surface 4a, and as shown in the flowcharts of Figs. 14, 15, and 17, the control unit 100 does not put the discharge stacker 4 in a storage state while the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 detects that the document M is present on the second placement surface 4a, and can put the discharge stacker 4 in a storage state when the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 detects that the document M has disappeared from the second placement surface 4a. In other words, the scanner 1 of this embodiment executes the second control while the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 detects that the document M is present on the second placement surface 4a, and executes the first control when the medium presence / absence detection unit 12 detects that the document M has disappeared from the second placement surface 4a. Therefore, the scanner 1 of this embodiment can automatically displace the discharge stacker 4 to an appropriate state.

[0082] As described above, the scanner 1 of this embodiment includes the medium placement amount detection unit 14 that detects the number or weight of the documents M discharged onto the second placement surface 4a, and as shown in the flowcharts of Fig. 14 to Fig. 17, the control unit 100 does not put the discharge stacker 4 into a storage state while the medium placement amount detection unit 14 detects that the documents M are not placed on the second placement surface 4a in an amount equal to or more than the upper limit, and can put the discharge stacker 4 into a storage state when the medium placement amount detection unit 14 detects that the documents M are placed on the second placement surface 4a in an amount equal to or more than the upper limit. In other words, the scanner 1 of this embodiment executes the second control while the medium placement amount detection unit 14 detects that the documents M are not placed on the second placement surface 4a in an amount equal to or more than the upper limit, and executes the first control when the medium placement amount detection unit 14 detects that the documents M are placed on the second placement surface 4a in an amount equal to or more than the upper limit. In other words, the scanner 1 of this embodiment makes it difficult to place new documents M on the first loading surface 3a when an upper limit or more of documents M is placed on the second loading surface 4a, thereby preventing new documents M from being transported, and prevents damage to the discharge stacker 4 caused by documents M being placed on the second loading surface 4a beyond the durability limit of the discharge stacker 4, which exceeds the upper limit.

[0083] Here, the control unit 100 can output an alert to the operation panel 201, the external computer 200, etc. when the medium placement amount detection unit 14 detects that an upper limit or more of the originals M is placed on the second placement surface 4a. Therefore, when an upper limit or more of the originals M is placed on the second placement surface 4a, the user can be prevented from placing new originals M on the first placement surface 3a, and damage to the discharge stacker 4 can be effectively prevented.

[0084] As described above, the scanner 1 of this embodiment has a stiffening member 13 for stiffening the document M in the vicinity of the discharge port 11, which is a discharge section through which the document M is discharged from the transport path 10 toward the discharge stacker 4, so that the central portion of the document M placed on the second placement surface 4a as viewed from the discharge direction D of the document M as the document M is discharged is curved in a convex shape toward the second placement surface 4a. By stiffening the document M in this way and discharging it onto the second placement surface 4a, it is possible to prevent poor discharge of the document M.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the medium transport device is applied to a scanner, but it is also possible to apply the device to a recording device, such as a printer, that has a recording head that records on recording paper, which is an example of a medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...scanner (media transport device, image reading device), 2...casing, 3...media support section, 3a...first loading surface, 4...output stacker, 4a...second loading surface, 5...feed section, 6...roller pair, 7...reading section, 8...roller pair, 9...roller pair, 10...transport path, 10a...curved path, 11...output port, 12...media presence / absence detection section, 12A...media presence / absence detection section, 12B...media presence / absence detection section, 13...stiffening member, 14...media loading amount detection section, 15...supply port, 16...media length detection section, 31...rotating shaft, 32...first support section, 33...second support section, 41...rotating shaft, 42...first stacker, 43...second stacker, 44...storage space, 51...drive roller, 52...double feed prevention roller, 61...following moving roller, 62...driving roller, 71...first reading unit, 72...second reading unit, 81...driven roller, 82...driving roller, 91...driven roller, 92...driving roller, 100...control unit, 101...CPU, 102...flash ROM, 103...RAM, 104...interface, 110...feed motor, 111...transport motor, 112...ejection motor, 113...displacement motor, 121...rotating shaft, 122...rod-shaped member, 123...irradiation unit, 124...light receiving unit, 131...rib forming member, 132...original pressing member, 140...spring member, 141...rotating shaft, 142...rod-shaped member, 200...external computer, 201...operation panel, M...original (medium)

Claims

1. A medium conveying device that conveys a medium, a medium support section having a first placement surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the first placement surface on which the medium is placed; a transport path for the medium placed on the first placement surface, the transport path having a curved path along which the medium is transported in a curved state; a paper ejection stacker having a second loading surface for receiving the medium ejected from the transport path, the paper ejection stacker being switchable between an extended state in which the second loading surface is inclined relative to a horizontal plane including a position facing the first loading surface, and a stored state in which the second loading surface is stored in the medium transport device; a length detection unit that detects the length of the medium in a transport direction; a control unit that switches the ejection stacker between the extended state and the stored state, The control unit is a first control for switching the ejection stacker from the extended state to the stored state after the medium ejected from the transport path is ejected onto the second loading surface, so that a portion of the medium loaded on the second loading surface is loaded onto the first loading surface; a second control that does not switch the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state so that the medium discharged from the conveying path remains placed on the second placement surface when the length of the medium in the conveying direction detected by the length detection unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; A medium conveying device capable of executing the above.

2. 2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The medium conveying device, wherein the control unit executes the first control when the length of the medium in the conveying direction detected by the length detection unit is equal to or less than a second threshold value.

3. A medium conveying device that conveys a medium, a medium support section having a first placement surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the first placement surface on which the medium is placed; a transport path for the medium placed on the first placement surface, the transport path having a curved path along which the medium is transported in a curved state; a paper ejection stacker having a second loading surface for receiving the medium ejected from the transport path, the paper ejection stacker being switchable between an extended state in which the second loading surface is inclined relative to a horizontal plane including a position facing the first loading surface, and a stored state in which the second loading surface is stored in the medium transport device; a medium presence / absence detection unit that detects whether the medium is present on the second placement surface; a control unit that switches the ejection stacker between the extended state and the stored state, The control unit is a first control for switching the ejection stacker from the extended state to the stored state when the medium presence / absence detection unit detects that the medium has disappeared from the second loading surface after the medium has been ejected from the transport path onto the second loading surface, so that a portion of the medium placed on the second loading surface is placed on the first loading surface; a second control that does not switch the discharge stacker from the extended state to the stored state so that the medium discharged from the transport path remains placed on the second loading surface while the medium presence / absence detection unit detects that the medium is present on the second loading surface; and A medium conveying device capable of executing the above.

4. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 1, a top-up mode in which new media is topped up on the first placement surface after the medium is discharged onto the second placement surface, and the new media is transported; The medium conveying device, wherein the control unit executes the second control in the replenishment mode.

5. 5. The medium transport device according to claim 4, The control unit, in the replenishment mode, displaces the ejection stacker so that the inclination angle of the second loading surface relative to the horizontal plane becomes larger after the medium is ejected onto the second loading surface.

6. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The discharge stacker is capable of varying an extension length in the extension state, The medium transport device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes an extension length of the ejection stacker in the extended state in accordance with a length of the medium in a transport direction.

7. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 1, a medium placement amount detection unit that detects the number or weight of the media discharged to the second placement surface; The control unit executes the second control while the media loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface is not loaded with an upper limit value or more of the media, and executes the first control when the media loading amount detection unit detects that the second loading surface is loaded with an upper limit value or more of the media.

8. 8. The medium transport device according to claim 7, The control unit outputs an alert when the media loading amount detection unit detects that an upper limit value or more of the media is loaded on the second loading surface.

9. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 1, a stiffening member for stiffening the medium as the medium is discharged from the transport path to the discharge stacker, the stiffening member being disposed at the discharge section; A medium transport device, characterized in that a central portion of the medium discharged onto the second loading surface is curved convexly toward the second loading surface when viewed from a direction in which the medium is discharged.

10. a reading unit that reads an image of the medium in the transport path; A medium conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; An image reading device comprising:

Images