Image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device capable of preventing a half-closed state of an opening / closing cover from being left unresolved.SOLUTION: An image reading device 105 displays the information urging to open / close an opening / closing cover 22 on an operation display part 904, when an upper limit position detection sensor 20 is not turned on after a document tray 30 starts rising in a state in which a cover opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects a closed state of the opening / closing cover 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image on a document and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image reading device that is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine and that reads an image of an original, there is known an image reading device that reads an image of an original while transporting the original using an auto document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an ADF).

[0003] Among such ADFs, those having an openable / closable cover are known. Patent Document 1 discloses an ADF in which a feed roller is detachably attached to the openable / closable cover, allowing a user to open the openable / closable cover and replace the feed roller. The openable / closable cover of the ADF may also be opened and closed when clearing a jam.

[0004] Also, in the ADF, a configuration is known in which the placement surface on which the document is placed is raised and lowered. In such an ADF, the placement surface is raised to bring the top surface of the document into contact with a feed roller, and the feed roller is rotated in a state in which the document and the feed roller are in contact, thereby feeding the document. Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration in which an ADF that raises and lowers the placement surface on which the document is placed has a sensor that detects when the document reaches a height at which the document can be fed, in order to keep the document feeding position constant. With such a configuration, it is possible to keep the document feeding position constant regardless of the number of documents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-24850 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-93904 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a user applies force to the opening / closing cover or the document tray when closing the opening / closing cover, it may result in only one side of the opening / closing cover being closed in a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction, with the other side not being closed (a one-sided closed state). If the placement surface is raised while the opening / closing cover is in a one-sided closed state, the feed roller will not normally contact the document, which may result in poor feeding. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover is in a one-sided closed state, the user needs to resolve the one-sided closed state by opening and closing the opening / closing cover, but the user may not know the cause of the poor feeding, and the one-sided closed state may remain unresolved.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to prevent the opening / closing cover from remaining in a partially closed state without being resolved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the image reading device of the present invention comprises a mounting section having a mounting surface on which a document is placed, a lifting section for raising and lowering the mounting surface, an opening / closing section arranged to be openable and closable, a feed roller arranged on the opening / closing section for feeding the document placed on the mounting surface, a first detection section for detecting that the document placed on the mounting surface has come into contact with the feed roller when the mounting surface is raised by the lifting section, a second detection section for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing section, and a display section for displaying information to a user, wherein when the second detection section detects the closed state of the opening / closing section, after the lifting section starts to raise the mounting surface, if the first detection section does not detect that the document placed on the mounting surface has come into contact with the feed roller, the display section displays information encouraging the user to open or close the opening / closing section. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover from remaining in a partially closed state without being released. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the ADF according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart showing control of the image reading apparatus when waiting for a job. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing control for lifting up the document tray. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing control of an ADF reading job. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing control of lifting down the document tray. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding section with the opening / closing cover normally closed. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding section with the openable cover in a partially closed state. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding section with the document tray lifted up in a state where the access cover is normally closed. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit with the open-close cover half-closed and the document tray lifted up. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is an example of a screen that prompts a user to check a document and is displayed on the operation display unit. [Figure 14] 13 is an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit to prompt the user to open or close the opening / closing cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

[0012] <Image forming device> First, the schematic configuration of printer 101 as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of printer 101 according to this embodiment. In the following, the position facing operation display unit 904 (described later) where the user performs various inputs / settings for printer 101 is defined as the "front side" of printer 101, and the rear side is defined as the "rear side". In other words, Fig. 1 shows the internal configuration of printer 101 as viewed from the front side.

[0013] 1, the printer 101 includes a printer main body 101A and an image reading device 105. The image reading device 105, which is disposed above the printer main body 101A, includes an image reading unit 200 and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1000, and optically scans an original S to read image information. The image information converted into an electrical signal by the image reading device 105 is transferred to a control unit 132 provided in the printer main body 101A. As a result, the printer 101 forms an image on a recording medium based on the image information read by the image reading device 105.

[0014] The printer main body 101A has an image forming section 133 that forms an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium, and a sheet feeding section 104 that feeds the sheet P to the image forming section 133. The sheet feeding section 104 has sheet storage sections 137a, 137b, 137c, and 137d that can store sheets of different sizes. The sheets stored in each sheet storage section are fed by a pickup roller 102, separated one by one by a feed roller 103a and a retard roller 103b, and delivered to a corresponding conveying roller pair 131. The sheet P is then delivered in order to a plurality of conveying roller pairs 131 arranged along the sheet conveying path, and conveyed to a registration roller pair 136.

[0015] The sheet P placed on the manual feed tray 137e by the user is fed into the printer body 101A by the feed roller 138 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 136. The registration roller pair 136 stops the leading edge of the sheet P to correct the skew, and resumes conveyance of the sheet P in accordance with the progress of the image forming operation, which is the toner image forming process by the image forming unit 133.

[0016] The image forming section 133 that forms an image on the sheet P is an electrophotographic unit that includes a photosensitive drum 121 that is a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 121 is rotatable along the conveying direction of the sheet P, and a charger 118, an exposure device 123, a developing device 124, a transfer charger 125, a separation charger 126, and a cleaner 127 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 121. The charger 118 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The exposure device 123 exposes the photosensitive drum 121 based on image information input from the image reading device 105 or the like, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 121.

[0017] The developing device 124 contains a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying charged toner to the photosensitive drum 121. The toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 121 is transferred to a sheet P conveyed from a pair of registration rollers 136 by a bias electric field formed by a transfer charger 125. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 121 by a bias electric field formed by a separation charger 126, and is conveyed toward a fixing section 129 by a pre-fixing conveying section 128. Note that deposits such as transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 121 without being transferred to the sheet P are removed by a cleaner 127, and the photosensitive drum 121 prepares for the next image forming operation.

[0018] The sheet P conveyed to the fixing section 129 is sandwiched between a pair of rollers and heated while being pressurized, and the image is fixed by melting and fixing the toner. When the image output is completed, the sheet P on which the fixed image is obtained is discharged to a discharge tray 130 protruding outward from the printer body 101A via a pair of discharge rollers 110. When an image is formed on the back side of the sheet P in double-sided printing, the sheet P that has passed through the fixing section 129 is reversed between the front side and the back side by a reversing section 139, and is conveyed to a pair of registration rollers 136 by a double-sided conveying section 140. Then, the sheet P on which an image has been formed again by the image forming section 133 is discharged to the discharge tray 130. The image forming section 133 is an example of an image forming means, and for example, an inkjet type image forming unit or an offset printing type printing mechanism may be used as the image forming means.

[0019] <Image reader> Next, the configuration of the image reading device 105 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading device 105. FIG. 3 is a top view of the ADF 1000. The image reading device 105 includes an image reading unit 200 that reads an image of a document, and the ADF 1000. The ADF 1000 is supported rotatably relative to the image reading unit 200 by a hinge (not shown) provided at the rear side of the device. Furthermore, the image reading device 105 is connected to an image processing controller 400 (see FIG. 4 described later). The image processing controller 400 is included in the control unit 132 of the printer 101 shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] <Image reading section> The image reading unit 200 includes a transparent document placement glass 209 on which a document is placed, a transparent flow-reading glass 201 provided adjacent to the document placement glass 209, and a surface reading unit 202 that reads an image on the surface of the document. The image reading unit 200 is capable of reading image information of the document line by line by scanning the document placed on the document placement glass 209 while moving the surface reading unit 202 at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) (fixed reading). Furthermore, the image reading unit 200 is capable of optically reading an image of the document transported by the ADF 1000 with the surface reading unit 202 fixed below the flow-reading glass 201 (flow reading).

[0021] <adf> The ADF 1000 includes an original tray 30 (placing section) having a placement surface 30a on which an original stack S consisting of one or more originals is placed, and a paper discharge tray 32 provided below the original tray 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the original tray 30 is provided with an original guide plate 31A and an original guide plate 31B, which regulate both ends of the original stack S in the width direction. The ADF 1000 also includes a feed roller 1 that contacts the original stack S placed on the original tray 30 to feed the originals, and an upper separation roller 2 and a lower separation roller 3 that separate the originals fed by the feed roller 1 into individual sheets. The feed roller 1 is supported by an arm section 1a, one end of which is supported by a rotation shaft of the upper separation roller 2, so as to be movable up and down. The ADF 1000 further includes, in order from the upstream side in the transport direction, transport roller pairs 4, 5, and 6, a guide plate upstream roller 7, a guide plate downstream roller 8, a transport roller pair 9, and a paper discharge roller pair 10.

[0022] The feed roller 1 and the upper separation roller 2 are disposed in the openable cover 22. The openable cover 22, which is an openable portion, is provided to open and close in the direction of the arrow B and in the direction opposite to the arrow B, centered on the pivot support portion 33. In the open state, the openable cover 22 is opened so that the upper separation roller 2 and the lower separation roller 3 are separated, and the conveying path is exposed to the outside of the device. If a jam occurs during the conveying of the document, the user can remove the document stuck in the conveying path by opening the openable cover 22. In the closed state, the openable cover 22 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, forming the conveying path. The ADF1000 is capable of conveying the document when the openable cover 22 is in the closed state. The ADF1000 is provided with a cover open / close detection sensor 19 (second detection portion) for detecting the open / close state of the openable cover 22.

[0023] The ADF 1000 is provided with a document presence / absence detection sensor 11 for detecting a document on the document tray 30, and document length detection sensors 17 and 18 for detecting the length of the document on the document tray 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the ADF 1000 is also provided with a separation sensor 12 (third detection unit) for detecting a document in the transport path, a pull-out sensor 13, a lead sensor 15, and a paper discharge sensor 16. The ADF 1000 has a back-side reading unit 302 for reading an image on the back side of the document being transported.

[0024] When the ADF1000 feeds the document, the feed roller 1 and the document stack S need to be in contact with an appropriate pressure. Therefore, before the ADF1000 feeds the document, the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 rises, and the top surface of the document stack S is in a state of being pressed against the feed roller 1. When the feed roller 1 rotates in this state, it feeds from the topmost document of the document stack S. The ADF1000 has an upper limit position detection sensor 20 and an upper limit position flag 21 for detecting that the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 has risen to a height at which feeding is possible. The upper limit position detection sensor 20 and the upper limit position flag 21 are the first detection units in the present embodiment. The upper limit position detection sensor 20 is fixed to the opening / closing cover 22, and the upper limit position flag 21 is provided on the arm portion 1a. FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 has descended, and FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 has risen. Also, in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), the opening / closing cover 22 of the image reading device 105 is in a state of being normally closed. As shown in FIG. 9(A), in a state where the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 has descended, the document stack S and the feed roller 1 are not in contact. At this time, the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is in a state of not detecting the upper limit position flag 21. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(B), when the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 rises, the topmost document of the document stack S and the feed roller 1 come into contact, and the feed roller 1 is lifted by the topmost document of the document stack S. At this time, the arm portion 1a supporting the feed roller 1 rotates about the rotation axis of the separation upper roller 2, and the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is in a state of detecting the upper limit position flag 21. It is possible to detect that the document placed on the document tray 30 has come into contact with the feed roller 1 by the upper limit position detection sensor 20 and the upper limit position flag 21. Thereby, the CPU(A)801 described later determines that the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 has risen to a height at which feeding is possible.

[0025] <ADF Document Feeding Operation> When the feeding of the document starts, the feeding roller 1 rotates in a state of contacting the document stack S loaded on the document tray 30. The document fed by the feeding roller 1 is separated into one sheet by the upper separation roller 2 and the lower separation roller 3. At this time, the lower separation roller 3 receives a drive from the separation motor 805 (see FIG. 4) via a torque limiter (not shown) and rotates in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. As a result, only the top document is conveyed in the conveying direction by the upper separation roller 2, and the second and subsequent documents are returned to the document tray 30 by the lower separation roller 3. The document separated by the upper separation roller 2 and the lower separation roller 3 in this way is conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 4 and 5. The document that has passed through the conveying roller pair 5 is conveyed to the first image reading position by the conveying roller pair 6 and the guide plate upstream roller 7. When the document passes between the running reading glass 201 and the front glass facing member 211, the front surface of the document is illuminated by the front LED 203 (203a, 203b). The light reflected from the surface of the document is guided to a surface image reading sensor 205 while being bent by multiple mirrors 204a, 204b, and 204c, and the surface image reading sensor 205 performs photoelectric conversion on the light from the document. When only the surface image of the document is to be read, the document that has passed the first reading position is transported by the guide plate downstream roller 8 and the transport roller pair 9, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 32 by the paper discharge roller pair 10.

[0026] When the back image of the document is also read, the document that has passed the first reading position is read by the back reading unit 302 when it passes the second image reading position where the back glass facing member 301 is arranged. When the document passes the back glass facing member 301, the back side of the document is irradiated by the back LED 303 (303a, 303b). The light reflected by the back side of the document is guided to the back side image reading sensor 305 while being bent by multiple mirrors 304a, 304b, 304c, and the back side image reading sensor 305 photoelectrically converts the light from the document. After that, the document whose back side image has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 32 by the discharge roller pair 10. The image reading device 105 repeats such a conveying operation for all documents in the document stack S. The document tray 30 is provided rotatably, and when removing the document discharged to the discharge tray 32, the user can lift the document tray 30 by hand and take out the document from the discharge tray 32.

[0027] After completing the reading of the document stack S or after completing the jamming process, the image reading device 105 lowers the document tray 30 in preparation for the next document placement. The ADF 1000 has a lifter home position detection sensor 23, which can detect the lowering of the document tray 30.

[0028] <Control configuration> Next, the control configuration of the image reading device 105 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the image reading device 105. The control unit 132 includes an image processing controller 400 and an original reading / ADF controller 410. The original reading / ADF controller 410 includes a CPU(A) 801 which is a central processing unit, a ROM(A) 802 which is a read-only memory, and a RAM(A) 803 which is a random access memory. A control program is stored in the ROM(A) 802, and input data and working data are stored in the RAM(A) 803.

[0029] To the CPU(A) 801, a separation motor 805, a pull-out motor 806, a lead motor 807, a pickup motor 808, and a lifter motor 809 are connected to realize a document transport function. The separation motor 805 rotates the feed roller 1 and the upper separation roller 2. The pull-out motor 806 rotates the transport roller pairs 4 and 5. The lead motor 807 drives the transport roller pair 6, the guide plate upstream roller 7, the guide plate downstream roller 8, the transport roller pair 9, and the discharge roller pair 10. The separation motor 805, the pull-out motor 806, and the lead motor 807 are transport drive units for transporting documents. The pickup motor 808 is connected to an arm portion 1a that supports the feed roller 1 via an elliptical cam (not shown), and raises and lowers the feed roller 1 by rotating the arm portion 1a. The lifter motor 809 is a lift unit for raising and lowering the document tray 30. The lifter motor 809 raises the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 to a predetermined height, and the feed roller 1 is brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the document stack S loaded on the document tray 30. In addition, an optical motor 804 connected to the CPU(A) 801 is a drive unit for moving the front surface reading unit 202 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0030] When the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 detects a document, the CPU(A) 801 lowers the feed roller 1 by the pickup motor 808 (state of FIG. 9(A)). After that, the CPU(A) 801 raises the document tray 30 by the lifter motor 809. As a result, the top document of the document stack S pushes up the feed roller 1, and the upper limit position detection sensor 20 detects the upper limit position flag 21 (state of FIG. 9(B)). The CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 within a predetermined number of pulses after the upper limit position detection sensor 20 detects the upper limit position flag 21. As a result, the CPU(A) 801 can raise the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 to a height at which the document can be fed. In addition, the CPU(A) 801 can detect, by the lifter home position detection sensor 23, that the document tray 30 has reached the lowered position when the document tray 30 is lowered by the lifter motor 809.

[0031] When a document is placed on the document tray 30, the CPU(A) 801 can determine the standard size of the document using the document length detection sensors 17 and 18 and the tray top width detection sensor 810. The tray top width detection sensor 810 is connected to the document guide plate 31A and the document guide plate 31B on the document tray 30. The tray top width detection sensor 810 is composed of a variable resistor and an A / D converter, and can detect the width of the document by converting a voltage analog value that changes due to the variable resistor into data with a width of 10 bits using the A / D converter. The CPU(A) 801 determines the size of the document on the document tray 30 by combining information on the length of the document detected by the document length detection sensors 17 and 18 and the width of the document detected by the tray top width detection sensor 810.

[0032] Connected to the CPU(A) 801 are an original presence / absence detection sensor 11 that detects an original placed on the original tray 30, a separation sensor 12 that detects an end of an original on a paper transport path, a pull-out sensor 13, a lead sensor 15, and a paper discharge sensor 16. A cover open / close detection sensor 19 is connected to the CPU(A) 801 to detect whether the opening / closing cover 22 is open or closed. In this embodiment, the cover open / close detection sensor 19 is disposed at the rear of the device as shown in FIG.

[0033] The optical motor 804, separation motor 805, extraction motor 806, and lead motor 807 are pulse motors, and the CPU(A) 801 manages the number of rotations of each motor by controlling them while counting the number of drive pulses. The CPU(A) 801 counts the number of drive pulses of the extraction motor 806 from when the extraction sensor 13 turns ON until it turns OFF during document transport. The CPU(A) 801 can detect the transport amount of the document from the number of pulses that drive the extraction motor 806 and the advancement amount per pulse (gear ratio) of the gear that transmits the drive of the extraction motor 806 to the transport roller pair 4. Furthermore, the CPU(A) 801 can also detect the length between documents being transported (paper interval) by counting the number of drive pulses of the extraction motor 806 from when the extraction sensor 13 turns OFF until it turns ON during document transport.

[0034] To the CPU(A) 801, a front LED 203 and a front image reading sensor 205 mounted on the front reading unit 202 are connected in order to realize an image reading function. In addition, a back LED 303 and a back image reading sensor 305 mounted on a back reading unit 302 for back side reading are connected to the CPU(A) 801. The CPU(A) 801 reads image data of the document by the front image reading sensor 205 and the back image reading sensor 305. The data read by the front image reading sensor 205 and the back image reading sensor 305 is subjected to shading processing and various filter processing in the image processing unit (A) 811, and is transmitted to the image processing controller 400 via the image communication unit 402. The image processing unit (A) 811 is equipped with a known technology for correcting the amount of inclination of the document. Furthermore, the CPU(A) 801 notifies the image processing controller 400 via the communication unit 402 of a vertical synchronization signal that is the reference for the leading edge of the original image data and a horizontal synchronization signal that is the reference for the leading edge of pixels in one line, in accordance with the timing of reading the original.

[0035] The image processing controller 400 includes a CPU(B) 901, a ROM(B) 902, and a RAM(B) 903, and transmits and receives data related to image reading control via a command communication unit 401 with the CPU(A) 801. Image data processed by the image processing unit (A) 811 is transferred to an image processing unit (B) 905 in the image processing controller 400 via the image communication unit 402, where it is subjected to predetermined image processing such as color judgment, and then stored in an image memory 906. The image processing controller 400 also includes an operation display unit 904, and interface control with the user is performed by the CPU(B) 901 via the operation display unit 904. The CPU(B) 901 receives information input by the user to the operation display unit 904, and processes the input information such as the start of a reading job.

[0036] <Opening cover closes on one side> Here, the state of the opening / closing cover 22 assumed in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Figs. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of the document tray 30 in Fig. 2, which are viewed from the transport direction, and which are schematic views of the vicinity of the feed roller 1. Fig. 11 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 22 is normally closed and the ADF 1000 can normally feed documents. Fig. 12 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 22 is not normally closed and the ADF 1000 cannot normally feed documents. Specifically, in Fig. 12, the concave portion 36 of the opening / closing cover 22 rides up on the convex portion 35 of the document tray 30, and the front side of the opening / closing cover 22 is lifted and the back side is closed (hereinafter referred to as a one-sided closed state). Such a one-sided closed state occurs when the user applies force to the back side of the opening / closing cover 22 when closing the opening / closing cover 22, or applies force to the front side of the document tray 30. In both the states of Figs. 11 and 12, the cover opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects that the cover is closed. When opening / closing cover 22 is normally closed as shown in Fig. 11, the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is turned ON by the rise of document tray 30. On the other hand, when opening / closing cover 22 is in a one-sided closed state as shown in Fig. 12, the position of upper limit position detection sensor 20 is higher than in the state shown in Fig. 11, so that upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON even when document tray 30 is raised. In this embodiment, in order to resolve the one-sided closed state as shown in Fig. 12, when it is assumed that opening / closing cover 22 is in a one-sided closed state, CPU(A)108 displays a screen on operation display unit 904 to prompt the user to open and close opening / closing cover 22.

[0037] <Control flow> Next, a control flow executed by the CPU(A) 801 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 are flowcharts showing the flow of lift-up control and lift-down control in the job standby state and the flow-reading job of the image reading device 105. In Fig. 10, the opening and closing cover 22 is in a half-closed state, Fig. 10(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 is lowered, and Fig. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the placement surface 30a of the document tray 30 is raised. Note that the processes in the flowcharts of Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 all represent the control by the CPU(A) 801.

[0038] When the power supply of the printer 101 is turned ON, the CPU(A) 801 starts the process of the flowchart in Fig. 5. First, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the cover 22 is closed (S501). Whether the cover 22 is closed is judged by an input signal from the cover open / close detection sensor 19. If the cover is open (S501 No), feeding control cannot be executed normally, so the CPU(A) 801 displays a screen on the operation display unit 904 to prompt the user to close the open / close cover 22 (S502).

[0039] Next, CPU(A) 801 determines whether or not opening / closing cover 22 is closed (S503). While opening / closing cover 22 is open (S503 No), the process returns to S503, and CPU(A) 801 waits until opening / closing cover 22 is closed. When CPU(A) 801 determines that opening / closing cover 22 is closed (S503 Yes), it makes the screen displayed on operation display unit 904, which prompts the user to close opening / closing cover 22, non-display (S504).

[0040] Next, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether or not there is a document on the document tray 30 (S505). When the CPU(A) 801 judges in S501 that the opening / closing cover 22 is closed (S501 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 proceeds to the process of S505. In S505, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether or not there is a document on the document tray 30 by the document presence / absence detection sensor 11. When a document is placed on the document tray 30 (S505 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether or not the document tray 30 has been lifted up (S506). This is to prevent the document tray 30 from being lifted up again when it has already been lifted up, since the CPU(A) 801 may go through this control flow multiple times before receiving a command to start reading from the CPU(B) 901 of the image processing controller 400. The CPU(A) 801 judges that the document tray 30 has been lifted up when the upper limit position detection sensor 20 detects the upper limit position flag 21. Note that the determination in S506 may refer to a history of the lift-up performed in S507, which will be described later, stored in the RAM(A) 803. If the document tray 30 has not been lifted up (S506 No), the CPU(A) 801 executes the lift-up control (S507). Details of the lift-up control will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. If the document tray 30 has been lifted up (S506 Yes), the lift-up control (S507) is not executed.

[0041] Next, the CPU(A) 801 determines whether or not to start a reading job (S510). Whether or not to start a reading job is determined based on whether or not a reading job command has been received from the CPU(B) 901 of the image processing controller 400. If the reading job is not to be started (S510 No), that is, if the reading job command has not been received from the CPU(B) 901 of the image processing controller 400, the process returns to the determination flow of S501.

[0042] Here, when the document is removed from the document tray 30 and the document presence / absence detection sensor 11 detects the absence of the document (S505 No), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the document tray 30 has been lifted up or not (S508). The means for judging whether the document tray 30 has been lifted up or not is the same as S506, and therefore will not be described here. If the document tray 30 has been lifted up (S508 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 executes lift down control (S509). Details of the lift down control will be described later in FIG. 8. If the document tray 30 has not been lifted up (S508 No), the CPU(A) 801 does not execute lift down (S509). Thereafter, the CPU(A) 801 returns to the judgment flow of S501.

[0043] In S510, when the CPU(A) 801 starts a reading job (S510 Yes), that is, when a reading job command is received from the CPU(B) 901 of the image processing controller 400, the CPU(A) 801 executes an ADF reading job (S511). The details of the ADF reading job will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0044] Next, the CPU(A) 801 determines whether the printer 101 has been powered off (S512). Power off is detected when a seesaw switch (not shown) connected to the image processing controller 400 is switched and the CPU(B) 901 sends a shutdown request command to the CPU(A) 801. When the CPU(A) 801 returns a response to the shutdown request command, the CPU(B) 901 turns the power off and stops the power supply to the CPU(A) 801. This ends the job waiting state of the CPU(A) 801. If it is determined that the CPU(A) 801 has not been powered off (S512 No), control returns to the determination flow of S501.

[0045] Next, the control flow of lifting up the document tray 30 controlled by the CPU(A) 801 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When the CPU(A) 801 determines in S506 that the document tray 30 has not been lifted up, it starts the process of the flowchart in FIG. 6. First, the CPU(A) 801 drives the pickup motor 808 to lower the feed roller 1 (S601). When the CPU(A) 801 drives the pickup motor 808 by a predetermined number of pulses, it ends the lowering of the feed roller 1. When the lowering of the feed roller 1 is completed, the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is in a state where it does not detect the upper limit position flag 21, as shown in FIG. 9(A).

[0046] Next, the CPU(A) 801 drives the lifter motor 809 in the upward direction (S602). As the lifter motor 809 is driven, the document tray 30 is raised toward the feed roller 1. Then, the CPU(A) 801 determines whether the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is ON or not (S603). Here, if the opening / closing cover 22 is normally closed, the upper limit position detection sensor 20 detects the upper limit position flag 21, as shown in Figs. 9(B) and 11. On the other hand, if the opening / closing cover 22 is in a one-sided closed state, the upper limit position detection sensor 20 cannot detect the upper limit position flag 21, as shown in Figs. 10(B) and 11.

[0047] When the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is turned ON (S603 Yes), that is, when the upper limit position detection sensor 20 detects the upper limit position flag 21, the CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 (S613). Here, the CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 within a predetermined number of pulses after the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is turned ON. This allows the CPU(A) 801 to raise the document tray 30 to a height where document feeding is possible.

[0048] Next, the CPU(A) 801 sets the abnormality counter to 0 (S614). This abnormality counter is a counter for counting abnormalities during lift-up. Since it was detected in S603 that the upper limit position detection sensor 20 has normally turned ON, the CPU(A) 801 sets the abnormality counter to 0, which indicates that no abnormality has occurred. Then, the CPU(A) 801 completes the lift-up control flow. At this time, the document tray 30 is in the position shown in FIG. 9(B) and is waiting for the start of feeding.

[0049] If the upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON in S603 (S603 No), the CPU(A) 801 determines whether a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed since the document tray 30 started to rise (S604). This predetermined time can be determined from the lift distance when the document tray 30 is loaded with the minimum number of documents, one document, and the lift speed of the document tray 30 by the lifter motor 809. In this embodiment, this predetermined time is one second. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the document tray 30 started to rise (S604 No), the process returns to S603.

[0050] If the upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the document tray 30 started to rise (S604 Yes), that is, if the upper limit position detection sensor 20 cannot detect the upper limit position flag 21, the CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 (S605). A case in which the upper limit position detection sensor 20 cannot detect the upper limit position flag 21 is, for example, the state shown in Fig. 10(B). As described above, in the state shown in Fig. 10(B), even though the document tray 30 is raised by the lifter motor 809, the opening / closing cover 22 is in a half-closed state, so the upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON.

[0051] After stopping the lifter motor 809 in S605, the CPU(A) 801 counts up the abnormality counter (S606). The abnormality counter is a variable that counts the number of abnormalities that occur when the document tray 30 is raised and is stored in the RAM(A) 803, but the CPU(A) 801 may store the count of the abnormality counter in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) as necessary.

[0052] Next, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the setting for immediate notification of a lifter abnormality is enabled (S607). This setting is for selecting whether to notify the abnormality immediately after the lift-up control is executed, or to display the abnormality on the operation display unit 904 when an ADF reading job, which will be described later, is executed. By the CPU(A) 801 notifying the abnormality on the operation display unit 904 immediately at this timing, it is possible to make the user notice the abnormality sooner. However, from the viewpoint of saving resources such as the capacity of the ROM(B) 902, it is also possible to set the CPU(A) 801 not to notify the abnormality at this timing.

[0053] When the immediate notification setting of the lifter abnormality is enabled (S607 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the abnormality counter counted in S606 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined number of times (S608). In this embodiment, the first predetermined number of times is 1. In other words, if the upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON within the predetermined time even once in S604, the process proceeds to S610.

[0054] When the CPU(A) 801 determines that the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number of times (1 time) (S608 Yes), it displays a screen on the operation display unit 904 to prompt the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 (S610). FIG. 14 is an example of a screen that prompts the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22. The screen shown in FIG. 14 prompts the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 by using a video. When the user sees this screen and opens and closes the opening / closing cover 22, the one-sided closed state of the opening / closing cover 22 shown in FIG. 12 can be resolved. The first predetermined number of times may be set to any number of times, such as 2 times or 3 times. In this case, until the abnormality counter reaches the first predetermined number of times, the CPU(A) 801 notifies the operation display unit 904 of a screen that prompts the user to check the document (S609).

[0055] Next, the CPU(A)801 judges whether the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than a second predetermined number (S611). The second predetermined number is a number for judging whether an error indicating that repair by a service engineer is required is notified. The second predetermined number is a value greater than the first predetermined number. In this embodiment, the second predetermined number is three times. If the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the second predetermined number (S611 Yes), the CPU(A)801 notifies an error (S612). This is because if the system is not restored even after opening and closing the openable cover 22 multiple times, a failure such as a broken signal line or damage to the mold is assumed. When the CPU(A)801 notifies an error, the CPU901(A) displays on the operation display unit 904 that a failure that causes the system to not function has occurred, and displays a screen (not shown) that prompts contact with the service department. Through the above control, the CPU(A)801 completes the lift-up control of the document tray 30.

[0056] Next, the control flow of a reading job from the ADF controlled by the CPU(A) 801 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the reading job is started in S510, the CPU(A) 801 starts the control of the flowchart in FIG. 7. First, the CPU(A) 801 drives the conveying motor (S701). Next, the CPU(A) 801 determines whether the separation sensor 12 is turned ON within a predetermined time (first predetermined time) (S702). This predetermined time can be calculated from the conveying distance, the driving speed of the separation motor 805, and the conveying efficiency of the feed roller 1. Here, it is set to 500 ms.

[0057] If the separation sensor 12 does not turn ON within a predetermined time (S702 No), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number of times (S715). If the abnormality counter is counted up in S606 of FIG. 6, the abnormality counter is 1, and the CPU(A) 801 judges in S715 that the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number of times (1 time). If the abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number of times (1 time) (S715 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 stops the conveying motor (S716). Next, the CPU(A) 801 sends a command to the CPU(B) 901 to display a screen (FIG. 14) that prompts the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 on the operation display unit 904 (S717).

[0058] Next, the CPU(A) 801 monitors the cover open / close detection sensor 19 to determine whether the opening / closing cover 22 has been opened or closed (S718). If the opening / closing cover 22 has not been opened or closed (S718No), the CPU(A) 801 waits for the opening / closing cover 22 to be opened or closed, and the process returns to S718. If the opening / closing cover 22 has been opened or closed (S718Yes), the CPU(A) 801 notifies the CPU(B) 901 of a notification to hide the screen prompting the user to open or close the opening / closing cover 22. Thereafter, the CPU(A) 801 performs lift-down control (S709), which will be described later.

[0059] Furthermore, in S715, if the abnormality counter is 0, the CPU(A) 801 determines that the abnormality counter is less than a first predetermined number of times (1 time) (S715 No). At this time, the CPU(A) 801 stops the transport motor (S720). If the abnormality counter is 0, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the feeding of the document, and therefore opening and closing the opening / closing cover 22 is not necessary. Therefore, the CPU(A) 801 displays a screen on the operation display unit 904 to prompt the user to check the document (S721). FIG. 13 is an example of a screen that prompts the user to check the document. This allows the user to recover from the jam without opening and closing the opening / closing cover 22.

[0060] Next, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether or not an original is placed on the original tray 30 by the original presence / absence detection sensor 11 (S722). When an original is placed on the original tray 30 (Yes in S722), that is, when an original which is considered to have had a feeding abnormality continues to be placed on the original tray 30, the CPU(A) 801 waits until the original presence / absence detection sensor 11 detects that the original has been removed, and the process returns to S722.

[0061] When the document is no longer placed on the document tray 30 (S722 No), the CPU(A) 801 issues a notification to the CPU(B) 901 to hide the document confirmation screen (S723). After issuing the notification to hide the document confirmation screen, the CPU(A) 801 performs lift-down control (S709) which will be described later.

[0062] If the CPU(A) 801 detects that the separation sensor 12 is ON within a predetermined time in S702 (Yes in S702), it determines whether the pull-out sensor 13 is ON within a predetermined time (S703). The predetermined time can be calculated from the transport distance, the drive speeds of the separation motor 805 and the pull-out sensor, and the transport efficiency of the feed roller 1. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 1 second. If the pull-out sensor 13 does not turn ON within the predetermined time (No in S703), the CPU(A) 801 stops the transport motor (S710). Thereafter, the CPU(A) 801 displays a screen (FIG. 14) on the operation display unit 904 to prompt the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22.

[0063] Next, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the opening / closing cover 22 has been opened or closed (S712). When the opening / closing cover 22 has not been opened or closed (S712 No), the process returns to S712. When the opening / closing cover 22 has been opened or closed (S712 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether or not an original remains in the conveying path (S713). The presence of an original remaining in the conveying path is judged by at least one of the separation sensor 12, the pull-out sensor 13, the lead sensor 15, and the paper discharge sensor 16 detecting the original. When it is detected that an original remains in the conveying path (S713 Yes), a process is required to remove the original remaining in the conveying path, so the process returns to S712 and the CPU(A) waits for the opening / closing cover 22 to be opened or closed.

[0064] When the CPU(A) 801 detects that no document remains in the transport path (S713 No), it notifies the CPU(B) 901 to turn off the screen prompting the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 (S714). After that, the CPU(A) performs the lift-down control (described later) (S709).

[0065] In S703, when the CPU(A) 801 detects that the pull-out sensor 13 is ON within a predetermined time (S703 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 stops the separation motor 805 (S704). By stopping the separation motor 805, the CPU(A) 801 prevents the following document from being carried along with the document being carried. Even if the separation motor 805 is stopped, the document is continued to be carried by the pull-out motor 806 driving the pull-out roller 1. Next, the CPU(A) 801 determines whether the lead sensor 15 is ON within a predetermined time (S705). The jam detection of the lead sensor 15 is similar to that of the pull-out sensor 13, so details will be omitted. However, if the CPU(A) 801 does not detect ON within the predetermined time (S705 No), the CPU(A) 801 stops the transport motor (S710) and displays a screen prompting the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 (S711).

[0066] Next, if the lead sensor 15 turns ON within the predetermined time (S705 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 executes image reading (S706). Then, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the paper discharge sensor 16 turns ON within the predetermined time (S707). The jam detection of the paper discharge sensor 16 is similar to that of the pull-out sensor 13, so the details are omitted, but if the paper discharge sensor 16 does not detect ON within the predetermined time (S707 No), the CPU(A) 801 stops the transport motor (S710) and displays a screen prompting the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 (S710).

[0067] Next, if the paper discharge sensor 16 turns ON within a predetermined time (S707 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 determines whether or not there is a next document to be transported (S708). The CPU(A) 801 determines whether or not there is a next document using the document presence / absence detection sensor 11. The CPU(A) 801 may determine whether or not there is a next document when the separation sensor detects the trailing edge of the document. If the CPU(A) 801 determines that there is a next document to be fed (S708 Yes), it returns to the process of S701 and executes the transport of the next document. If the CPU(A) 801 determines that there is no next document to be fed (S708 No), it executes the lift down control described later (S709).

[0068] Next, a lift-down control flow of the document tray 30 controlled by the CPU(A) 801 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. When the CPU(A) 801 determines in S508 that the document tray 30 has been lifted up (S508 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 starts the process of the flowchart in Fig. 8. First, the CPU(A) 801 drives the lifter motor 809 in the downward direction (S801).

[0069] Next, the CPU(A) 801 judges whether the lifter home position detection sensor 23 has detected the home position (S802). When the lifter home position detection sensor 23 has detected the home position (S802 Yes), the CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 (S808). When the lifter home position detection sensor 23 detects a flag (not shown) connected to the document tray 30, the CPU(A) 801 judges that the document tray 30 is in the standby position (home position). After that, the CPU(A) 801 sets the descent abnormality counter to 0 (S809). This descent abnormality counter is a counter for counting abnormalities during lift down. Since the CPU(A) 801 was able to normally detect the change in the sensor in S802, the CPU(A) 801 sets the descent abnormality counter to 0, which indicates that no abnormality was present. The descent abnormality counter is held in the RAM(A) 803 at an address different from the abnormality counter in FIG. 6. By storing the drop abnormality counter in an address different from that of the abnormality counter in Fig. 6, the CPU(A) 801 can distinguish between abnormal operation during an increase and abnormal operation during a decrease. The drop abnormality counter may be stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) as necessary.

[0070] Then, the CPU(A) 801 lifts the feed roller 1 (S810). The CPU(A) 801 lifts the feed roller 1 by driving the pickup motor 808. The CPU(A) 801 drives the pickup motor 808 by a predetermined number of pulses, completing the lifting of the feed roller 1. This control flow causes the lift down to end normally.

[0071] Also, if the lifter home position detection sensor 23 does not detect the home position (S802 No), the CPU(A) 801 judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the lifter motor 809 was driven (S803). This time can be determined from the descending distance from the highest position of the document tray 30 until the home position sensor is detected, and the descending speed of the lifter motor 809. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 1 second. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S803 No), the CPU(A) 801 returns to the process of S802 and judges whether the lifter home position detection sensor 23 has detected the home position. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S803 Yes), that is, if the CPU(A) 801 has not detected that the document tray 30 is at the home position, the CPU(A) 801 stops the lifter motor 809 (S804). Then, the CPU(A) 801 counts up the descending abnormality counter (S805). If the document tray 30 falls into an abnormal state in which it cannot be lowered, the CPU(A) 801 executes the processes of S804 and S805.

[0072] Next, the CPU(A)801 judges whether the descent abnormality counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (S806). If the descent abnormality counter is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S806 Yes), the CPU(A)801 notifies an error (S807). This predetermined number is the number of times to judge whether an error indicating that repair by a service engineer is required is notified. For example, if the predetermined number is set to 3, when the descent abnormality counter is 3, that is, when the lifter cannot be lowered three consecutive times, the CPU(A)801 assumes a fault such as a broken signal line or a damaged mold, and notifies an error. Note that it is desirable to provide the ADF1000 with a ratchet mechanism to prevent further faults such as damage to gears even if the ADF1000 is lowered multiple times. When the CPU(A)801 notifies an error, the CPU901(A) displays on the operation display unit 904 that a fault has occurred that causes the system to not function, and displays a screen (not shown) that prompts the user to contact the service department. Thereafter, the CPU(A) 801 completes this lift-down control.

[0073] Furthermore, if the lowering abnormality counter is less than the predetermined number of times (S806 No), the CPU(A) 801 ends this lift-down control. Through the above control, the lowering control of the document tray 30 ends.

[0074] As described above, in a state where the cover open / close detection sensor 19 detects that the opening / closing cover 22 is closed, if the upper limit position detection sensor 20 does not turn ON (the abnormality counter is 1 or more) after the document tray 30 starts to rise, the image reading device 105 displays information prompting the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 22 on the operation display unit 904 (S610). This makes it possible for the user to open and close the opening / closing cover 22 when the opening / closing cover 22 is in a one-sided closed state, thereby resolving the one-sided closed state of the opening / closing cover 22.

[0075] Furthermore, after the document tray 30 starts to rise, if the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is not ON (the abnormality counter is 1 or more) and the separation sensor 12 does not turn ON within a predetermined time after the start of paper feeding, the image reading device 105 notifies the operation display unit 904 of information prompting the opening and closing of the opening and closing cover 22 (S610). This makes it possible to accurately notify the user of how to resolve the paper feeding failure.

[0076] Furthermore, when the upper limit position detection sensor 20 is normally ON (the abnormality counter is 0) and the separation sensor 12 does not turn ON within a predetermined time after the start of paper feeding, the image reading device 105 notifies the operation display unit 904 of information prompting the user to check the document. This allows the user to clear the jam without opening and closing the opening and closing cover 22 if the opening and closing cover 22 is normally closed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Feeding roller 12 Separate sensor 19 Cover open / close detection sensor 20 Upper limit position detection sensor 21 Upper limit position flag 22 Opening and closing cover 30 Document Tray 101 Printer 105 Image reading device 809 Lifter motor 904 Operation display section< / adf>

Claims

1. a placement section having a placement surface on which a document is placed; A lifting unit that lifts and lowers the placement surface; An opening / closing part that is openable and closable; a feed roller provided in the opening / closing section for feeding a document placed on the placement surface; a first detection unit that detects that the document placed on the placement surface has come into contact with the feed roller as a result of the placement surface being elevated by the lift unit; A second detection unit that detects the open / close state of the opening / closing unit; A display unit that displays information to a user; Equipped with In a state in which the second detection unit detects the closed state of the opening / closing unit, When the first detection unit does not detect that the document placed on the placement surface has come into contact with the feed roller after the lift unit starts to raise the placement surface, the display unit displays information that prompts the user to open or close the opening / closing unit.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

2. a third detection unit that detects the document fed by the feeding roller; In a state in which the second detection unit detects the closed state of the opening / closing unit, when the first detection unit does not detect that the document placed on the placement surface has come into contact with the feed roller after the lift unit starts to raise the placement surface, and when the third detection unit does not detect the document within a first predetermined time after the feed roller starts to feed the document, the display unit displays information that prompts the user to open and close the opening / closing unit.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

3. In a state in which the second detection unit detects the closed state of the opening / closing unit, after the lifting unit starts to raise the placement surface, the first detection unit detects that the document placed on the placement surface has come into contact with the feed roller, and when the third detection unit does not detect the document within the first predetermined time after the feed roller starts to feed the document, the display unit displays information prompting the user to check the document.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

4. In a state in which the second detection unit detects the closed state of the opening / closing unit, When the first detection unit does not detect that the document placed on the document placement surface has come into contact with the feed roller within a second predetermined time after the lift unit starts to raise the document placement surface, the display unit displays information that prompts the user to open or close the opening / closing unit.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

5. an arm portion that supports the feeding roller so as to be liftable and lowerable; The first detection unit includes a flag provided on the arm unit and a sensor that detects the flag.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises: a first scanning unit;

6. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images