SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND SHEET CONVEYING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a sheet conveying device, an image processing apparatus, and a sheet conveying method that can switch a conveyance path for every sheet included in a sheet bundle to be conveyed based on information input by a user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises: a reception processing unit that receives an operation to input conveyance path information indicating whether a conveyance path of each of sheets included in a sheet bundle loaded on a sheet loading unit 21 is a first conveyance path passing through a first conveyance passage 22A and reaching a first ejection unit 29 or a second conveyance path passing through a second conveyance passage 22D and reaching a second ejection unit 33; and a conveyance control unit that, according to the conveyance path information input through the input operation, sequentially conveys the sheets included in the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet loading unit 21 along any one of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet transport device, an image processing apparatus including the sheet transport device, and a sheet transport method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image processing apparatus equipped with a sheet transport device that transports a document to be read. Also, an image reading apparatus equipped with a first transport path that proceeds straight from a sheet placement section on which a sheet to be transported is placed to a first discharge section to which the sheet is discharged, and a second transport path that includes a curved section that branches off from the first transport path and curves to a second discharge section different from the first discharge section (see Patent Document 1) is known as a related art. This image reading apparatus switches the sheet transport path from the branching section that branches off to the second transport path in the first transport path based on type information on the type of sheet input by a user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-198359 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image reading device according to the related art described above, when the object to be transported is a sheet bundle, only one type information corresponding to the sheet bundle can be input, and the type information cannot be input for each sheet included in the sheet bundle. Therefore, when the object to be transported is a sheet bundle that includes multiple types of sheets, the transport path cannot be switched for each sheet included in the sheet bundle based on the information input by the user.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet transport device, an image processing device, and a sheet transport method that are capable of switching the transport path for each sheet included in a sheet stack to be transported based on information input by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sheet transport device includes a reception processing unit and a transport control unit. The reception processing unit receives an input operation of transport path information indicating whether a transport path of each sheet included in a sheet bundle placed on a sheet placement unit is a first transport path that goes straight from the sheet placement unit to a first discharge unit, or a second transport path that goes through a second transport path including a curved portion that branches off from the first transport path and curves to a second discharge unit different from the first discharge unit. The transport control unit sequentially transports each of the sheets included in the sheet bundle placed on the sheet placement unit along either the first transport path or the second transport path in accordance with the transport path information input by the input operation.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including the sheet transporting device and an image reading section configured to read an image on the sheet transported by the sheet transporting device.

[0008] A sheet transport method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the following receiving step and transport control step. In the receiving step, an input operation of transport path information indicating whether a transport path of each sheet included in a sheet stack placed on a sheet placement section is a first transport path that leads to a first discharge section via a first transport path that proceeds straight from the sheet placement section, or a second transport path that leads to a second discharge section different from the first discharge section via a second transport path that branches off from the first transport path and includes a curved section that curves. In the transport control step, each of the sheets included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement section is transported sequentially along either the first transport path or the second transport path in accordance with the transport path information input by the input operation. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to switch the transport path for each sheet included in the sheet bundle to be transported, based on information input by a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ADF and an image reading unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document type setting screen displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a document reading process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the first reading process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the second reading process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 100] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a scanning function for reading an image from an original, a printing function for forming an image based on image data, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of an image processing apparatus of the present invention. The image processing apparatus of the present invention may be a scanner, a facsimile machine, a copy machine, or the like.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a control unit .

[0015] The ADF 1 conveys an original (an example of a sheet of the present invention) to be read by the scanning function.

[0016] The image reading unit 2 realizes the scanning function. Specifically, the image reading unit 2 reads an image from a document conveyed by the ADF 1. The image reading unit 2 also reads an image from a document placed on a document table 41 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] The image forming unit 3 realizes the printing function. For example, the image forming unit 3 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the paper feed unit 4 by an electrophotographic method. For example, the image forming unit 3 includes a photoconductor drum, a charging roller, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and a paper output tray.

[0018] The paper feed unit 4 supplies sheets to the image forming unit 3. For example, the paper feed unit 4 includes a paper feed cassette, a manual feed tray, a sheet transport path, and a plurality of transport rollers.

[0019] The operation display unit 5 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the operation display unit 5 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 7, and an operation unit such as operation keys or a touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 7 in response to user operations.

[0020] The storage unit 6 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 6 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (registered trademark), a solid state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0021] The control unit 7 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 7 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM 13. The CPU 11 is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 11 to execute various types of processing is stored in advance. The RAM 13 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various types of processing executed by the CPU 11. In the control unit 7, the CPU 11 executes various control programs previously stored in the ROM 12. In this way, the control unit 7 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] [Configuration of ADF 1 and image reading unit 2] Next, the configurations of the ADF 1 and the image reading unit 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configurations of the ADF 1 and the image reading unit 2.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 1 includes a document placement section 21, a housing 22, a pickup roller 23, a paper feed belt 24, a separation roller 25, a registration roller 26, a switching section 27, a first discharge roller 28, a first discharge section 29, a first conveying roller 30, a second conveying roller 31, a second discharge roller 32, and a second discharge section 33.

[0024] A document to be transported is placed on the document placement section 21. In the ADF 1, the document placed on the document placement section 21 is transported in a transport direction D1 shown in Fig. 2. The document placement section 21 is an example of a sheet placement section of the present invention.

[0025] 1 is provided in the document placement unit 21. The first detection unit 21A detects whether or not a document is present on the document placement unit 21. For example, the first detection unit 21A is a reflective optical sensor provided on the document placement surface of the document placement unit 21.

[0026] Further, a lift plate (not shown) is provided on the document placement unit 21. The lift plate lifts the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 up to a contact position with the pickup roller 23.

[0027] The housing 22 contains rollers and the like used to transport the document. As shown in Fig. 2, a first transport path 22A and a second transport path 22D for guiding the document are formed inside the housing 22. The first transport path 22A advances straight from the document placement unit 21 to the first discharge unit 29. The second transport path 22D includes a curved portion 22C (see Fig. 2) that branches off from a branching portion 22B (see Fig. 2) in the first transport path 22A and curves, and reaches the second discharge unit 33. The curved portion 22C is curved with a curvature that allows the document to make a U-turn inside the housing 22.

[0028] In ADF1, the document placed on the document placement section 21 is transported along either a first transport path that leads to the first discharge section 29 via the first transport path 22A, or a second transport path that leads to the second discharge section 33 via the second transport path 22D.

[0029] 2, an opening 22E is provided at the bottom of the housing 22. The opening 22E exposes a part of the second transport path 22D to the outside. In the opening 22E, the first imaging unit 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the image reading unit 2 reads an image of the document transported by the ADF 1.

[0030] Pickup roller 23 is provided above document placement unit 21. Pickup roller 23 comes into contact with the surface (top surface) of the uppermost document in the document stack lifted by the lift plate, and transports the document in transport direction D1.

[0031] The paper feed belt 24 is provided in the first transport path 22A. The paper feed belt 24 comes into contact with the surface of the document transported in the transport direction D1 by the pickup roller 23, and transports the document downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0032] Separation roller 25 is provided below paper feed belt 24 in contact with paper feed belt 24. Separation roller 25 separates, of multiple documents transported to a contact position with paper feed belt 24, a document in contact with paper feed belt 24 from documents below it.

[0033] The registration rollers 26 are provided on the first transport path 22A downstream in the transport direction D1 from the paper feed belt 24. The registration rollers 26 come into contact with the document transported by the paper feed belt 24 and transport the document downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0034] The switching unit 27 is provided at the branching portion 22B downstream of the registration roller 26 in the conveying direction D1 in the first conveying path 22A. The switching unit 27 is a guide member that comes into contact with the document conveyed by the registration roller 26 and guides the document to either the downstream side of the branching portion 22B in the first conveying path 22A or the second conveying path 22D. Specifically, the switching unit 27 is provided so as to be able to change its position between a first position that guides the document to the downstream side of the branching portion 22B in the first conveying path 22A and a second position that guides the document to the second conveying path 22D. The switching unit 27 changes its position by receiving a driving force supplied from the driving unit 27A shown in FIG. 1. For example, the driving unit 27A is a motor.

[0035] The first discharge roller 28 is provided downstream of the branching portion 22B in the first transport path 22A in the transport direction D1. The first discharge roller 28 comes into contact with the document guided by the switching portion 27 to the downstream side of the branching portion 22B in the first transport path 22A, and discharges the document to the first discharge portion 29. The document discharged by the first discharge roller 28 is stacked in the first discharge portion 29.

[0036] The first transport roller 30 is provided at the curved portion 22C of the second transport path 22D. The first transport roller 30 comes into contact with the document guided to the second transport path 22D by the switching unit 27, and transports the document downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0037] An opening 22E is formed in the second transport path 22D downstream in the transport direction D1 from the first transport roller 30. In the opening 22E, an image of a document passing through the opening 22E is read by the first imaging unit 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the image reading unit 2.

[0038] The second transport roller 31 is provided downstream of the opening 22E in the transport direction D1 in the second transport path 22D. The second transport roller 31 comes into contact with the document transported by the first transport roller 30, and transports the document downstream in the transport direction D1.

[0039] The second discharge roller 32 is provided on the second transport path 22D downstream of the second transport roller 31 in the transport direction D1. The second discharge roller 32 comes into contact with the document transported by the second transport roller 31 and discharges the document to the second discharge section 33. The document discharged by the second discharge roller 32 is stacked in the second discharge section 33.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading unit 2 includes a document table 41, a first imaging unit 42, a second imaging unit 43, and a third imaging unit 44.

[0041] A document to be read is placed on document table 41. Document table 41 is provided on the upper part of the housing of image forming apparatus 100. ADF 1 is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to document table 41, and also serves as a document cover that supports one side of a document placed on first contact glass 411 of document table 41.

[0042] 2, the document table 41 includes a first contact glass 411, a second contact glass 412, and a guide member 413. A document whose image is to be read by the first imaging unit 42 is placed on the first contact glass 411. The second contact glass 412 and the guide member 413 face the opening 22E of the housing 22 and form a part of the second transport path 22D when the ADF 1 is closed relative to the document table 41. The second contact glass 412 transmits light emitted from the first imaging unit 42 toward the opening 22E and light reflected by the document. The guide member 413 guides the document to the second transport roller 31 downstream of the second contact glass 412 in the transport direction D1.

[0043] The first imaging unit 42 is provided below the first contact glass 411 and the second contact glass 412. The first imaging unit 42 is elongated in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 2 and is provided movably along the left-right direction of the paper in FIG. 2. The first imaging unit 42 reads an image of the surface of a document conveyed by the ADF 1 while being disposed below the second contact glass 412. Specifically, the first imaging unit 42 includes a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) and a housing that houses the CIS. The first imaging unit 42 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the image read from the surface of the document. The analog signal output from the first imaging unit 42 is converted into a digital signal (image data) by an analog front-end circuit (not shown) and input to the control unit 7.

[0044] The second imaging unit 43 is provided downstream of the branching portion 22B in the first transport path 22A in the transport direction D1 and upstream of the first discharge roller 28 in the transport direction D1. The second imaging unit 43 reads an image of the front side of the document guided by the switching unit 27 to the downstream side of the branching portion 22B in the first transport path 22A. Specifically, the second imaging unit 43 is a CIS. The second imaging unit 43 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the image read from the front side of the document. The analog signal output from the second imaging unit 43 is converted into a digital signal (image data) by the analog front-end circuit and input to the control unit 7.

[0045] The third imaging unit 44 is provided on the first transport path 22A upstream of the branching portion 22B in the transport direction D1 and downstream of the registration rollers 26 in the transport direction D1. The third imaging unit 44 reads an image of the back side of the document transported by the registration rollers 26. Specifically, the third imaging unit 44 is a CIS. The third imaging unit 44 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the image read from the back side of the document. The analog signal output from the third imaging unit 44 is converted into a digital signal (image data) by the analog front-end circuit and input to the control unit 7.

[0046] Incidentally, there is known an image reading device that switches the transport path of the document from the branching portion 22B in the first transport path 22A based on type information relating to the type of document input by a user.

[0047] However, in the above-mentioned image reading device, when the object to be transported is a stack of documents, only one type information corresponding to the stack of documents can be input, and the type information cannot be input for each document included in the stack of documents. Therefore, when the stack of documents to be transported includes multiple types of documents, the transport path cannot be switched for each document included in the stack of documents based on the information input by the user.

[0048] In contrast, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to switch the transport path for each document included in the document stack to be transported based on information input by the user, as described below.

[0049] [Configuration of control unit 7] Next, the configuration of the control unit 7 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 7 includes a reception processing unit 51, a transport control unit 52, and a notification processing unit 53.

[0051] Specifically, a document reading program for causing the CPU 11 to execute a document reading process (see FIG. 5) described below is stored in advance in the ROM 12. The control unit 7 executes the document reading program stored in the ROM 12, thereby functioning as a reception processing unit 51, a transport control unit 52, and a notification processing unit 53. Here, an apparatus including the ADF 1 and the control unit 7 is an example of a sheet transport device of the present invention.

[0052] The document reading program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in a storage device such as the memory unit 6. The reception processing unit 51, the transport control unit 52, and the notification processing unit 53 may be configured with electronic circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0053] The reception processing unit 51 accepts an input operation to input transport path information indicating whether the transport path of each document contained in the document stack (an example of a sheet stack of the present invention) placed on the document loading unit 21 is the first transport path or the second transport path.

[0054] For example, the transport path information is information that indicates the transport order of each of the documents transported along the first transport path.

[0055] Moreover, the reception processing unit 51 receives the input operation and a predetermined specific operation.

[0056] For example, the reception processing unit 51 causes the operation display unit 5 to display a reception screen G10 shown in FIG.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the reception screen G10 includes a message for the user, a destination input field G11, a document type setting key G12, and a book mode key G13.

[0058] In the destination input field G11, destination information indicating the output destination of the document read by the scanning function is input.

[0059] The document type setting key G12 is an operation key provided for accepting a display operation for displaying a document type setting screen G20 shown in FIG.

[0060] Here, the document type setting screen G20 is a screen used to set the document type of each document included in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21. In the image forming apparatus 100, the document type of each document included in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 can be set to either "plain paper" or "thick paper." A document whose document type is set to "plain paper" is transported along the second transport path. A document whose document type is set to "thick paper" is transported along the first transport path. By setting in advance the document type of each document included in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21, the user can avoid problems such as jams that occur when a thick document or a stiff document is transported along the second transport path.

[0061] The reception processing unit 51 displays an original type setting screen G20 on the operation display unit 5 in response to an operation on the original type setting key G12.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the document type setting screen G20 includes a message for the user, a page number input field G21, and a back key G22.

[0063] In the page number input field G21, the page number of the document set to "thick paper" among the documents included in the document stack placed on the document stacking unit 21 is input. Here, the page number is a number indicating the reading order of the documents set to "thick paper" in the document stack placed on the document stacking unit 21. As shown in the message on the document type setting screen G20, in the image forming apparatus 100, the page number of each document set to "thick paper" is input, thereby setting the document type of each document included in the document stack placed on the document stacking unit 21. As described above, the document whose document type is set to "thick paper" is transported along the first transport path. In other words, the page number input in the page number input field G21 is the transport path information.

[0064] The back key G22 is an operation key provided for accepting the input operation.

[0065] The reception processing unit 51 stores the page number input in the page number input field G21, that is, the transport path information, in a first storage area in the storage unit 6 that is determined in advance, in response to the operation of the back key G22.

[0066] The book mode key G13 is an operation key provided for accepting a setting operation for setting the document reading mode to the book mode. In the book mode, the topmost document and the bottommost document included in the document stack to be transported are treated as "thick paper", and the other documents are treated as "plain paper". The setting operation is an example of the specific operation.

[0067] In response to operation of the book mode key G13, the reception processing unit 51 stores mode setting information indicating that the manuscript reading mode has been set to the book mode in a second memory area in the memory unit 6 that is different from the first memory area.

[0068] It is not necessary for the reception processing unit 51 to receive the specific operation. The transport path information may be information indicating the transport order of each of the documents transported along the second transport path.

[0069] When the specific operation is not accepted, the transport control unit 52 sequentially transports each of the documents included in the document stack placed on the document loading unit 21 along either the first transport path or the second transport path in accordance with the transport path information input by the input operation.

[0070] Furthermore, when the specific operation is accepted, the transport control unit 52 transports the first document in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 along the first transport path, transports each document in sequence along the second transport path until it is determined that the document transported from the document placement unit 21 is the last document in the document stack based on the detection result by the first detection unit 21A, and transports the last document along the first transport path. Note that the transport control unit 52 may determine that the last document in the document stack has been transported from the document placement unit 21 when the detection signal output from the first detection unit 21A switches from a first signal indicating the presence of a document to a second signal indicating the absence of a document as a result of the transport of the document from the document placement unit 21 by the pickup roller 23 and the paper feed belt 24.

[0071] The notification processing unit 53 notifies a user when the number of documents transported by the transport control unit 52 until the document transported from the document loading unit 21 is determined to be the last document in the stack of documents loaded on the document loading unit 21 based on the detection result by the first detection unit 21A is less than the transport order included in the transport path information.

[0072] For example, the notification processing unit 53 causes the operation display unit 5 to display a message indicating that the number of original documents transported by the transport control unit 52 is less than the transport order included in the transport path information, and that there is a possibility that duplicate feeding of original documents has occurred.

[0073] The control unit 7 does not necessarily have to include the notification processing unit 53.

[0074] [Document reading process] 5, an example of the procedure of the document reading process executed by the control unit 7 in the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet conveying method of the present invention will be described. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 7. The document reading process is executed when the calling operation is performed on the operation display unit 5.

[0075] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 7 causes a reception screen G10 to be displayed on the operation display unit 5. Here, the process of step S11 is an example of a reception step of the present invention, and is executed by the reception processing unit 51 of the control unit 7.

[0076] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the input operation has been accepted.

[0077] Specifically, the control unit 7 determines that the input operation has been accepted when an operation is performed on the document type setting key G12 on the reception screen G10, and when an operation is performed on the back key G22 on the document type setting screen G20 that is displayed in response to the operation and the page number is entered in the page number input field G21.

[0078] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the input operation has been accepted (Yes side of S12), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S13. If the input operation has not been accepted (No side of S12), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S14.

[0079] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 7 stores the transport path information input by the input operation in the first storage area of ​​the storage unit 6.

[0080] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the setting operation has been accepted.

[0081] Specifically, when the book mode key G13 is operated on the reception screen G10, the control unit 7 determines that the setting operation has been accepted.

[0082] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the setting operation has been accepted (Yes side of S14), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S15. On the other hand, if the setting operation has not been accepted (No side of S14), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S16.

[0083] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 7 stores the mode setting information in the second storage area of ​​the storage unit 6.

[0084] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 7 determines whether or not an operation for executing a process for reading an image of each document included in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 has been performed.

[0085] For example, the control unit 7 determines that the execution operation has been performed when a predetermined operation key on the operation display unit 5 is operated. Note that the reception screen G10 may include an operation key provided for receiving the execution operation.

[0086] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the execution operation has been performed (Yes side of S16), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S17. On the other hand, if the execution operation has not been performed (No side of S16), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S12.

[0087] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the document reading mode is set to the book mode.

[0088] Specifically, when the mode setting information is stored in the second storage area of ​​the storage unit 6, the control unit 7 determines that the document reading mode is set to the book mode.

[0089] Here, when the control unit 7 determines that the document reading mode is set to the book mode (Yes side of S17), it shifts the process to step S19. On the other hand, when the document reading mode is not set to the book mode (No side of S17), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S18.

[0090] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 7 executes a first reading process, which will be described later. Here, the process in step S18 is an example of a transport control step of the present invention, and is executed by the transport control unit 52 of the control unit 7.

[0091] In the first reading process, an image of each document included in the document stack placed on the document stacking section 21 is read, and multiple image data corresponding to the multiple documents included in the document stack are stored in a predetermined third memory area in the memory section 6.

[0092] <Step S19> In step S19, the control unit 7 executes a second reading process, which will be described later. Here, the process of step S19 is executed by the transport control unit 52 of the control unit 7.

[0093] In the second reading process, an image of each document included in the document stack placed on the document stacking section 21 is read, and multiple image data corresponding to the multiple documents included in the document stack are stored in the third memory area in the memory section 6.

[0094] <Step S20> In step S20, the control section 7 determines whether or not an operation to end the document reading process has been performed.

[0095] For example, after the first reading process or the second reading process is completed, the control unit 7 causes a selection screen for selecting whether to continue or end the document reading process to be displayed on the operation display unit 5. Then, when an operation for selecting the end of the document reading process is performed on the selection screen, the control unit 7 determines that the end operation has been performed.

[0096] Here, when the control unit 7 determines that the end operation has been performed (Yes side of S20), it shifts the process to step S21. On the other hand, when the end operation has not been performed (No side of S20), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S11. In this case, the user can place a new stack of documents on the document placement unit 21 and have the images of each document included in the new stack of documents read.

[0097] The process of step S20 may be omitted. Also, the process of step S20 may be executed only when the document reading mode has been set in advance to the continuous reading mode.

[0098] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 7 outputs document stack data, which is an integrated set of image data corresponding to multiple documents stored in the third memory area of ​​the memory unit 6, to the output destination input on the reception screen G10.

[0099] [First reading process] Next, the first reading process executed in step S18 of the document reading process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0100] <Step S31> First, in step S31, the control unit 7 initializes the number of transported originals, that is, the control unit 7 sets the number of transported originals to zero.

[0101] <Step S32> In step S32, the control section 7 counts up the number of conveyed originals.

[0102] <Step S33> In step S33, the control unit 7 determines whether the current number of transported originals is included in the transport path information stored in the first storage area of ​​the storage unit 6 or not.

[0103] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the current number of transported originals is included in the transport path information (Yes side of S33), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S34. On the other hand, if the current number of transported originals is not included in the transport path information (No side of S33), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S35.

[0104] <Step S34> In step S34, the control section 7 sets the transport path of the document to the first transport path.

[0105] Specifically, the control unit 7 drives the drive unit 27A to set the attitude of the switching unit 27 to the first attitude.

[0106] <Step S35> In step S35, the control section 7 sets the transport path of the document to the second transport path.

[0107] Specifically, the control unit 7 drives the drive unit 27A to set the attitude of the switching unit 27 to the second attitude.

[0108] <Step S36> In step S36, the control unit 7 conveys one of the documents placed on the document placement unit 21 along the conveyance path set in step S34 or step S35.

[0109] Specifically, the control unit 7 drives a motor (not shown) to rotate a roller in the housing 22.

[0110] <Step S37> In step S37, the control unit 7 reads the image of the document conveyed in the process of step S36.

[0111] Specifically, when the transport path is set to the first transport path, the control unit 7 reads an image of the front side of the document using the second imaging unit 43. When the transport path is set to the second transport path, the control unit 7 reads an image of the front side of the document using the first imaging unit 42. When the document reading mode is set in advance to a double-sided reading mode, the control unit 7 may read an image of the back side of the document using the third imaging unit 44.

[0112] <Step S38> In step S38, the control unit 7 determines whether or not a document is present on the document placement unit 21, using the first detection unit 21A.

[0113] Here, when the control unit 7 determines that a document is present on the document placement unit 21 (Yes side of S38), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S32. On the other hand, when a document is not present (No side of S38), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S39.

[0114] <Step S39> In step S39, the control unit 7 determines whether the current number of transported originals is equal to or greater than the maximum transport order included in the transport path information stored in the first storage area of ​​the storage unit 6.

[0115] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the current number of transported originals is equal to or greater than the maximum transport order included in the transport path information (Yes in S39), it ends the first reading process. If the current number of transported originals is not equal to or greater than the maximum transport order included in the transport path information (No in S39), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S40.

[0116] <Step S40> In step S40, the control unit 7 executes a notification process to notify the effect that the number of transported documents in the first reading process is less than the maximum transport order included in the transport path information.

[0117] Specifically, the control unit 7 causes the operation display unit 5 to display a message including a message that the number of documents transported by the transport control unit 52 is less than the transport order included in the transport path information and that a multi-feed of documents may have occurred. This allows the user to recognize the possibility that a multi-feed has occurred and to take measures such as redoing the document reading process.

[0118] [Second reading process] Next, the second reading process executed in step S19 of the document reading process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0119] <Step S41> First, in step S41, the control section 7 sets the transport path of the document to the first transport path.

[0120] <Step S42> In step S42, the control unit 7 transports one of the documents placed on the document placement unit 21 along the first transport path. As a result, the first document of the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 is transported.

[0121] <Step S43> In step S43, the control unit 7 reads the image of the document conveyed in the process of step S42.

[0122] <Step S44> In step S44, the control section 7 sets the transport path of the document to the second transport path.

[0123] <Step S45> In step S45, the control unit 7 transports one of the documents placed on the document placement unit 21 along the second transport path. As a result, the second and subsequent documents in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 are transported.

[0124] <Step S46> In step S46, the control unit 7 determines whether the document conveyed in the process of step S45 is the last document in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 or not.

[0125] Specifically, when the detection signal output from the first detection unit 21A switches from the first signal to the second signal due to the transport of a document from the document loading unit 21, the control unit 7 determines that the document being transported by the processing of step S45 is the last document in the document stack.

[0126] Here, when the control unit 7 determines that the document conveyed by the process of step S45 is the last document in the document stack placed on the document placement unit 21 (Yes side of S46), it shifts the process to step S48. On the other hand, if it is not the last document (No side of S46), the control unit 7 shifts the process to step S47.

[0127] <Step S47> In step S47, the control unit 7 reads the image of the document conveyed in the process of step S45.

[0128] <Step S48> In step S48, the control section 7 sets the transport path of the document to the first transport path.

[0129] When the transport path cannot be switched before the document being transported reaches the branching portion 22B, the control portion 7 may temporarily stop transport of the document until the transport path switching is completed.

[0130] <Step S49> In step S49, the control section 7 reads an image of the document transported along the first transport path.

[0131] In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 accepts the input operation for inputting the transport path information indicating whether the transport path of each document included in the document stack placed on the document stacking unit 21 is the first transport path or the second transport path. Then, in accordance with the transport path information input by the input operation, each document included in the document stack placed on the document stacking unit 21 is transported sequentially along either the first transport path or the second transport path. This makes it possible to switch the transport path for each document included in the document stack to be transported, based on the information input by the user.

[0132] Furthermore, in image forming apparatus 100, when the specific operation is accepted, the first document in the document stack placed on document stacking unit 21 is transported along the first transport path, and each document is transported sequentially along the second transport path until it is determined that the document transported from document stacking unit 21 is the last document in the document stack based on the detection result by first detection unit 21A, and the last document is transported along the first transport path. This makes it possible to eliminate the user's effort to check the transport order of the last document in the document stack (the number of documents in the document stack), which occurs when inputting the transport path information, in a case where the document stack to be transported is a document stack in which only the top and bottom documents are thicker than the other documents.

[0133] [Other embodiments] The image forming apparatus 100 may include a second detection unit 34 shown in FIG.

[0134] The second detection unit 34 is a sensor that detects the thickness of a document passing through a detection position P1 (see FIG. 2) on the first transport path 22A closer to the document placement unit 21 than the branching portion 22B. For example, the second detection unit 34 is a transmissive optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor provided at the detection position P1.

[0135] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a double feed detection unit 54 shown in FIG.

[0136] The multi-feed detection section 54 detects multi-feeding of the original documents when the thickness of the original documents detected by the second detection section 34 exceeds a threshold value corresponding to the transport path of the original documents.

[0137] The threshold values ​​include a first threshold value corresponding to the first transport path and a second threshold value corresponding to the second transport path. The first threshold value is set based on the thickness of the original document which is "thick paper". For example, the first threshold value is a value obtained by multiplying the thickness of the original document which is "thick paper" by a predetermined coefficient such as 1.2. The second threshold value is set based on the thickness of the original document which is "plain paper". For example, the second threshold value is a value obtained by multiplying the thickness of the original document which is "plain paper" by the coefficient.

[0138] For example, when detecting a multi-feed of documents, the multi-feed detection unit 54 stops the transport of the documents by the transport control unit 52 and notifies the user that a multi-feed of documents has been detected. For example, the multi-feed detection unit 54 causes the operation display unit 5 to display a message including a message that a multi-feed of documents has occurred.

[0139] This makes it possible to switch the transport path for each document included in the document stack to be transported and to detect duplicate document feeds, compared to a configuration in which the transport path for the document is switched based on the detection results by the second detection unit 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 ADF 2 Image reading section 3. Image forming section 4 Paper feed section 5 Operation display section 6 Memory section 7 Control section 21 Document placement section 21A First detection section 22 Case 22A First conveying path 22B Branch 22C Curved section 22D Second conveyor 27 Switching section 27A Drive unit 29 1st discharge section 33 Second discharge section 34 Second detection section 51 Reception department 52 Transport control section 53 Notification processing section 54 Double feed detector 100 Image forming device

Claims

1. a reception processing unit that receives an input operation of transport path information indicating whether a transport path of each sheet included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement unit is a first transport path that passes through a first transport path that goes straight from the sheet placement unit to a first discharge unit, or a second transport path that passes through a second transport path that branches off from the first transport path and includes a curved portion that curves to a second discharge unit different from the first discharge unit; and a conveyance control unit configured to sequentially convey each of the sheets included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement unit along either the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path in accordance with the conveyance path information input by the input operation; A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: The transport path information is information indicating a transport order of each of the sheets transported along the first transport path or the second transport path, The sheet conveying device includes: a first detection unit that detects whether the sheet is present on the sheet placement unit; a notification processing unit that notifies a user when a number of sheets conveyed by the conveyance control unit until the sheet conveyed from the sheet placement unit is determined to be the last sheet in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement unit based on a detection result by the first detection unit is less than a conveyance order included in the conveyance path information, Sheet transport device.

2. The transport path information is information indicating a transport order of each of the sheets transported along the first transport path, the reception processing unit receives the input operation and a predetermined specific operation; when the specific operation is accepted, the transport control unit transports a first sheet of the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement unit along the first transport path, transports each of the sheets sequentially along the second transport path until it is determined that the sheet transported from the sheet placement unit is the last sheet of the sheet stack based on a detection result by the first detection unit, and transports the last sheet along the first transport path. The sheet transport device according to claim 1 .

3. a second detection unit that detects a thickness of the sheet passing through a detection position on the sheet placement unit side of a branching portion of the first transport path that branches into the second transport path; a double feed detection unit that detects double feed of the sheets when the thickness of the sheets detected by the second detection unit exceeds a threshold value corresponding to the transport path of the sheets; The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an image reading unit that reads an image of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device; An image processing device comprising:

5. A sheet conveying method performed by a sheet conveying device, comprising: The sheet conveying method includes: a receiving step of receiving an input operation of transport path information indicating whether a transport path of each sheet included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement section is a first transport path that passes through a first transport path going straight from the sheet placement section to a first discharge section, or a second transport path that passes through a second transport path including a curved section that branches off from the first transport path and curves to a second discharge section different from the first discharge section; a transport control step of transporting each of the sheets included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement unit sequentially along either the first transport path or the second transport path according to the transport path information input by the input operation; Including, The transport path information is information indicating a transport order of each of the sheets transported along the first transport path or the second transport path, The sheet conveying device includes: a first detection unit that detects whether the sheet is present on the sheet placement unit, The sheet conveying method includes: a notification step of notifying a user when a number of the sheets transported by the transport control step until it is determined based on a detection result by the first detection unit that the sheet transported from the sheet loading unit is the last sheet in the sheet stack loaded on the sheet loading unit is less than a transport order included in the transport path information; Sheet transport method.

Images