Image reader

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, in the case where a straight path is utilized which is largely inclined with respect to a horizontal surface in a scanner, a large-sized document with high rigidity is difficult to discharge, and also in which, when a thick sheet which is difficult to deflect is conveyed in a state where a conveyance passage is set at a U-turn path, document jam and device breakage occur.SOLUTION: A posture of a device body of an image reading device includes: a first posture when discharging a first document; and a second posture when discharging a second document whose rigidity is higher than that of the first document, and which is the posture in which an angle formed by a reading conveyance passage and a placement surface of the device is smaller than the first posture. In the case where detection information corresponding to the second document is acquired from rigidity detection means in a state where the device body is in the first posture, control means of the device executes a first step for stopping the conveyance of the document, and a second step for switching the device body from the first posture to the second posture by controlling a driving source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] One example of an image reading device is a sheet-fed type scanner. Hereinafter, when simply referring to a scanner, this refers to a sheet-fed type scanner. In order to reduce the footprint of a scanner, a configuration may be adopted in which the transport path along which the sheet is transported is greatly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the sheet is further made to make a U-turn and discharged diagonally upward, as in the scanner shown in Patent Document 1.

[0003] In addition, in the scanner described in Patent Document 1, by opening a part of the U-shaped transport path, the transport path can be switched from a U-turn path to a straight path. By switching the transport path from a U-turn path to a straight path, it is said that, for example, thick sheets that are difficult to bend can be discharged well. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-246098 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the scanner described in Patent Document 1, the transport path can be switched from a U-turn path to a straight path, but the straight path is significantly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and the space below the U-shaped transport path is small. For this reason, when using the straight path, a sheet with higher rigidity can be discharged compared to when using the U-turn path, but it is difficult to discharge a large document that is high in rigidity. In addition, if a thick sheet that is not easily bent is conveyed while the conveying path is set to a U-turn path, there is a risk of document jamming or damage to the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the image reading device of the present invention comprises a body support section placed on a placement surface of the device, and a device body supported by the body support section, the device body comprising an original transport path for transporting an original, the original being a reading transport path facing a reading section that reads the original, a rigidity detection means for detecting information related to the rigidity of the original, and a control means for controlling the device based on detection information from the rigidity detection means, the device body being rotatably attached to the body support section and capable of switching its posture by rotating with the power of a drive source, the device body being switchable between a first posture when discharging a first original and a second posture when discharging a second original having a higher rigidity than the first original, in which an angle formed by the reading transport path with the placement surface is smaller than the first posture, and the control means, when detection information corresponding to the second original is obtained from the rigidity detection means while the device body is in the first posture, executes a first step of stopping transport of the original, and a second step of controlling the drive source to switch the device body from the first posture to the second posture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the scanner with the main body in a normal reading position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scanner when the main body is in a normal reading position, as viewed from the rear. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the scanner with the device body in the normal reading position and the third unit open. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the scanner viewed from above with the device body in the normal reading position and the second unit open. [Diagram 5]4 is a cross-sectional view of the document transport path of the scanner when the device body is in the normal reading position, as viewed from the width direction. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a document transport path of the scanner when the device body is in a booklet reading position, as viewed from the width direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scanner from the rear with the rear cover of the first unit removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a position-switching motor and a rotation conversion unit. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the position-switching motor and the rotation conversion means when the device body is in the normal reading position, as viewed from the width direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the position switching motor and the rotation conversion unit when the device body is in the booklet reading position, as viewed from the width direction. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second attitude detection sensor. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the scanner. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a double feed detection unit. [Figure 14] 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed depending on the attitude of the device main body. [Figure 15] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the detection strength of the double feed detector and a threshold value. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the stiffness detection means. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will now be briefly described. The image reading device according to a first aspect comprises a body support section placed on a placement surface of the device, and a device body supported by the body support section, the device body comprising a document transport path for transporting a document, the document transport path being opposed to a reading section that reads the document, a rigidity detection means for detecting information related to the rigidity of the document, and a control means for controlling the device based on detection information from the rigidity detection means, the device body being rotatably attached to the body support section and capable of switching its posture by rotating with the power of a drive source, the device body being switchable between a first posture when discharging a first document and a second posture when discharging a second document having a higher rigidity than the first document, in which an angle formed by the reading transport path with respect to the placement surface is smaller than the first posture, the control means executing a first step of stopping transport of the document when detection information corresponding to the second document is obtained from the rigidity detection means while the device body is in the first posture, and a second step of controlling the drive source to switch the device body from the first posture to the second posture.

[0009] According to this aspect, by setting the device body in the second position, the angle between the reading transport path and the placement surface becomes smaller than in the first position, and the document discharge direction can be made to be more parallel to the placement surface than in the first position. As a result, documents that are difficult to bend in the second position can be appropriately discharged. Note that, by setting the device body in the first position, the angle between the reading transport path and the placement surface can be made larger than in the second position, and the footprint of the device body can be reduced.

[0010] When the control means acquires detection information corresponding to the second original from the rigidity detection means while the device main body is in the first position, the control means executes a first step of stopping the transport of the original and a second step of controlling the drive source to switch the device main body from the first position to the second position, thereby preventing original jams and damage to the device that may occur when the second original, which is not suitable for transport in the first position, is transported in the first position. In addition, since the orientation of the device body is automatically switched to an appropriate orientation, usability can be improved.

[0011] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the device main body includes an original transport path downstream of the reading transport path, which is an inversion transport path for inverting a read original document upward and discharging it, and an original transport path downstream of the reading transport path, which is a non-inversion transport path for discharging a read original document without inverting it, and the reading transport path is connected to the inversion transport path when the device main body is in the first position, and is connected to the non-inversion transport path when the device main body is in the second position.

[0012] According to this aspect, the reversing conveying path is configured as a conveying path that reverses the read document upward and discharges it, so that the space required for discharging the document can be reduced. Also, the non-reversing conveying path is configured as a conveying path that discharges the read document without reversing it, so that the second document, i.e., the document that is less likely to bend, can be appropriately discharged.

[0013] A third aspect is the first or second aspect, characterized in that the control means performs a return operation for returning the document upstream after executing the first step. When the transport of the document is stopped, if the transport of the document is resumed from that state, the document transport speed may not reach an appropriate speed at the reading position, and as a result, the reading quality may be degraded. However, according to this aspect, the control means performs a return operation to return the document upstream after executing the first step, so that it becomes easier to ensure an appropriate document transport speed at the reading position.

[0014] A fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the device main body is provided with a document detection means for detecting a document upstream of a detection position by the detection means in the document transport path, and the control means returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the document detection means during the return operation. According to this aspect, the control means returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the document detection means during the returning operation, so that the document can be reliably returned to an appropriate position.

[0015] A fifth aspect is the third or fourth aspect, characterized in that the control means executes the second step and the returning operation in parallel. According to this aspect, the control means executes the second step and the returning operation in parallel, so that the time required to resume transport of the document can be shortened.

[0016] A sixth aspect is the first or second aspect, characterized in that the control means performs a re-feeding operation of the document after executing the second step. According to this aspect, the control means performs the document re-feeding operation after executing the second step, so that the user is not required to reset the document, and usability can be improved.

[0017] A seventh aspect is the first or second aspect, characterized in that the control means performs an operation of discharging the document after executing the second step. When returning the original document upstream, there is a risk of a jam occurring, but according to this embodiment, the control means performs the second step and then performs an operation to discharge the original document, thereby making it possible to avoid a jam occurring when returning the original document upstream.

[0018] An eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, characterized in that the control means does not use detection information from the rigidity detection means when the device body is in the second position. According to this aspect, when the device body is in the second position, the control means does not use the detection information from the rigidity detection means, and therefore control can be simplified.

[0019] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth aspects, a display unit is provided for displaying various information, and the control means displays on the display unit an indication that the posture of the device body will be switched before executing the second step.

[0020] According to this aspect, the device is provided with a display unit that displays various information, and the control means displays on the display unit an indication that the posture of the device body will be switched before executing the second step, thereby alerting the user that the posture of the device body will be switched.

[0021] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, as an example of an image reading device, a scanner 1 capable of reading at least one of a first side and an opposite second side of a document is taken as an example. The scanner 1 is a so-called sheet-fed type scanner that reads a document while moving it relative to a reading unit described later. In this specification, the document includes not only sheet-shaped documents, but also card-shaped documents and booklet-shaped documents.

[0022] In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X-axis direction is the width direction of the device and the width direction of the document, the Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device, and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the +Y direction is the direction from the rear to the front of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front to the rear of the device. Also, the left direction as viewed from the front of the device is the +X direction, and the right direction is the -X direction. In the following description, the direction in which the document is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream."

[0023] 1 and 2, a scanner 1 includes a device body 2 and a body support part 6 that supports the device body 2 rotatably. The device main body 2 is configured to include a first unit 3, a second unit 4, and a third unit 5.

[0024] The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 are provided rotatably about a frame rotation shaft 64a (see FIG. 3). The frame rotation shaft 64a is a rotation shaft having a rotation axis center parallel to the X-axis direction, and is supported by a bearing portion 63f formed in the first frame 63. The first frame 63 is a frame that constitutes the base of the first unit 3. The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 can rotate integrally with respect to the first unit 3 around the frame rotation axis 64a (see FIG. 4). Reference symbol 8a denotes an unlocking portion, and the user can unlock the second unit 4 and the third unit 5 from the first unit 3 by sliding the unlocking portion 8a in the -X direction. By rotating the second unit 4 and the third unit 5 with respect to the first unit 3, a part of the document transport path can be exposed as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the document feed path R1 and the reading transport path R2, which will be described later, can be exposed.

[0025] Furthermore, the third unit 5 can rotate about a frame rotation axis 64a relative to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4 (see FIG. 3). By rotating the third unit 5 relative to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4, a part of the document transport path can be exposed as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the reverse transport path R3, which will be described later, can be exposed.

[0026] The device body 2 is rotatable about a body rotation axis 6c (see Figs. 7 and 8) relative to the body support part 6, and in this embodiment, the device body 2 can hold two postures by rotating. The two postures of the device body 2 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and hereinafter the posture in Fig. 5 will be referred to as the normal reading posture, and the posture in Fig. 6 will be referred to as the booklet reading posture. The normal reading posture is an example of a first posture of the device body 2, and the booklet reading posture is an example of a second posture of the device body 2. Although the details will be described later, the first position of the device body 2 is a position in which the reading conveyance path R2 is connected to the reverse conveyance path R3 by the flap 35 (conveyance path switching means). The second position of the device body 2 is a position in which the reading conveyance path R2 is connected to the non-reverse conveyance path R4 by the flap 35 (conveyance path switching means).

[0027] Angle α1 shown in Fig. 5 and angle α2 shown in Fig. 6 are angles formed between a reading conveyance path R2 (described later) and a placement surface G of the device. The angle α2 in the booklet reading position is smaller than the angle α1 in the normal reading position. In the normal reading position, the projection area of ​​the device body 2 onto the placement surface G on which the scanner 1 is placed is the smallest, that is, this is the position in which the footprint of the device body 2 is the smallest. In this specification, the footprint refers to the area that the device body 2 occupies in the XY plane when the device body 2 is viewed from above. The normal reading position is suitable for reading a sheet-like document, that is, a document that has low rigidity and is easily bent, whereas the booklet reading position is suitable for reading a document that has high rigidity and is not easily bent, such as a plastic card or booklet.

[0028] An operation unit 7 consisting of a number of operation buttons including a power button is provided on the front surface of the device. 2, a first connection part 71, a second connection part 72, and a third connection part 73 are provided on the side face in the +X direction among the side faces constituting the periphery of the device. The first connection part 71 is a connection part to which a USB Type-A plug (not shown), which is an example of a connection object, is connected. The second connection part 72 is a connection part to which a USB Type-C plug (not shown), which is an example of a connection object, is connected. The third connection part 73 is a connection part to which a power plug (not shown) for supplying power to the device main body 2 is connected. Incidentally, USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus, and Type-A and Type-C are each one of several types defined in the USB standard.

[0029] An external device can be connected via a USB cable (not shown) to the first connection unit 71, and a storage medium, such as a USB memory (not shown), can also be connected to the first connection unit 71. The control unit 80 (see FIG. 12) can then read and store data in the storage medium connected to the first connection unit 71. Furthermore, an external device can be connected to the second connection portion 72 via a USB cable (not shown). The first connection portion 71, the second connection portion 72, and the third connection portion 73 are provided on a circuit board 79 (see FIG. 7) located on the rear side of the device. In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 is configured so as to be able to receive power from an external device connected to the second connection portion 72.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the document transport path in the scanner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The document to be fed is supported in an inclined position by the document support section 11. The symbol P indicates the document to be supported. When multiple documents are supported on the document support section 11, the topmost document is sent downstream by the feed roller 14. The document support section 11 is formed in an upper opening / closing section 10. The upper opening / closing section 10 is rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown), and opens and closes the feed port 13 by rotating. Figure 1 shows the upper opening / closing section 10 in a closed state, and Figure 2 shows the upper opening / closing section 10 in an open state. The upper opening / closing section 10 constitutes a first unit 3.

[0031] The document support section 11 is provided with a pair of edge guides 12a, 12b that guide the side edges of the document as shown in Fig. 3. The pair of edge guides 12a, 12b are provided so as to be slidable in the document width direction (X-axis direction). The pair of edge guides 12a, 12b are provided so as to be interlocked by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown) so as to be spaced apart from each other or approach each other across the center position in the document width direction. That is, the scanner 1 employs a so-called center feeding method.

[0032] Returning to Figs. 5 and 6, the feed roller 14 is provided in the second unit 4. The feed roller 14 rotates by receiving power from a transport motor 50 (see Fig. 7). A separation roller 15 is provided in the first unit 3 at a position facing the feed roller 14. A rotational torque is imparted to the separation roller 15 by a torque limiter (not shown) to prevent double feeding of documents. The feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 are provided at the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4).

[0033] The separation roller 15 and a torque limiter (not shown) are configured to be connectable via a gear (not shown), and the gear (not shown) is displaced by a second solenoid 95 (see FIG. 12), thereby making it possible to switch between a state in which the separation roller 15 and the torque limiter are connected, i.e., a separation state in which the document is separated, and a state in which the separation roller 15 and the torque limiter are not connected, i.e., a non-separation state in which the document is not separated. The control unit 80 (see FIG. 12), which controls the second solenoid 95, controls the second solenoid 95 so that the separation state is set when the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, and the non-separation state is set when the device body 2 is in the booklet reading position.

[0034] A first transport roller pair 16 is provided downstream of the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15. The first transport roller pair 16 is composed of a first lower roller 17 provided in the first unit 3 and a first upper roller 18 provided in the second unit 4. The first upper roller 18 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the first lower roller 17, and is pressed against the first lower roller 17 by a pressing member (not shown), for example a coil spring. Both the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 rotate by receiving power from a transport motor 50 described later. Two first lower rollers 17 and two first upper rollers 18 are provided, one on each side of the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3, the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 come into contact with each other. When the second unit 4 is opened relative to the first unit 3, the first upper roller 18 moves away from the first lower roller 17.

[0035] A first reading unit 32 and a second reading unit 33 are disposed facing each other downstream of the first transport roller pair 16. The first reading unit 32 is provided in the first unit 3, and the second reading unit 33 is provided in the second unit 4. The first reading unit 32 reads the bottom surface (first surface) of the document supported by the document support unit 11, and the second reading unit 33 reads the top surface (second surface) of the document supported by the document support unit 11. The second reading unit 33 is provided so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the first reading unit 32, and is pressed toward the first reading unit 32 by a pressing member (not shown), such as a coil spring. In this embodiment, the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33 are configured by a contact image sensor module (CISM). Reference numeral 32a denotes a contact glass that constitutes the first reading unit 32, and reference numeral 33a denotes a contact glass that constitutes the second reading unit 33.

[0036] A second transport roller pair 20 is provided downstream of the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33. The second transport roller pair 20 is composed of a second lower roller 21 provided in the first unit 3 and a second upper roller 22 provided in the second unit 4. The second upper roller 22 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the second lower roller 21, and is pressed against the second lower roller 21 by a pressing member (not shown), for example a coil spring. Both the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 rotate by receiving power from a transport motor 50 described later. The second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 are provided in pairs so as to sandwich the center position in the document width direction (see FIG. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed relative to the first unit 3, the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 come into contact with each other. When the second unit 4 is opened relative to the first unit 3, the second upper roller 22 moves away from the second lower roller 21.

[0037] 5 and 6, the dashed line indicated by the symbol R1 is the document feed path, and the document feed path R1 is from the nip position between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15 to the nip position of the first transport roller pair 16. Also, the dashed line indicated by the symbol R2 in Figures 5 and 6 is the reading transport path, and the reading transport path R2 is from the nip position of the first transport roller pair 16 to the nip position of the second transport roller pair 20. The reading transport path R2 is a document transport path that faces the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33.

[0038] When the device body 2 is in the normal reading position shown in Fig. 5, a reversing conveying path R3 is formed downstream of the reading conveying path R2, along which the read document is turned upside down and discharged. The reversing conveying path R3 is a document conveying path downstream of the nip position of the second conveying roller pair 20, and is a document conveying path for curving and reversing a document conveyed diagonally downward as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, and discharging the document diagonally upward from the first discharge opening 37. When the device body 2 is in the booklet reading position shown in Fig. 6, a non-reversing conveying path R4 is formed downstream of the reading conveying path R2 for discharging a read document without reversing it. The non-reversing conveying path R4 is a document conveying path downstream of the nip position of the second conveying roller pair 20, and is a document conveying path for discharging a document conveyed diagonally downward on the reading conveying path R2 from the second discharge opening 38 in a diagonal downward direction without curving and reversing the document as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 6. The second transport roller pair 20 functions as a discharge roller pair that discharges the document from the non-reverse transport path R4.

[0039] The reversing conveying path R3 and the non-reversing conveying path R4 are switched by a flap 35 serving as a flap member constituting a conveying path switching means. The flap 35 can rotate around a flap rotation axis 35a, and by rotating, the reversing conveying path R3 is connected to the reading conveying path R2, or the non-reversing conveying path R4 is connected to the reading conveying path R2. Connecting the reversing conveying path R3 to the reading conveying path R2 means that the reversing conveying path R3 is made available, and the non-reversing conveying path R4 is made unavailable. Similarly, connecting the non-reversing conveying path R4 to the reading conveying path R2 means that the non-reversing conveying path R4 is made available, and the reversing conveying path R3 is made unavailable. The flap 35 covers the non-reverse conveying path R4 and opens the reverse conveying path R3 when the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, i.e., the first position, and covers the reverse conveying path R3 and opens the non-reverse conveying path R4 when the device main body 2 is in the booklet reading position, i.e., the second position.

[0040] In this embodiment, the flap 35 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the change in the position of the device body 2. In this embodiment, a first solenoid 86 (see FIG. 12) is used as a configuration for rotating the flap 35 in conjunction with the change in the position of the device body 2. The control unit 80 (see FIG. 12) that performs various controls detects the position of the device body 2 based on a detection signal from a first position detection sensor 87 or a second position detection sensor 88 (described later), and drives the first solenoid 86 based on the detection signal to rotate the flap 35. Note that the means for rotating the flap 35 is not limited to the first solenoid 86, and may be another actuator such as a motor. Alternatively, the flap 35 may be configured to rotate mechanically in conjunction with the position of the device body 2. Further, the transport path switching means corresponding to the flap 35 may be provided in the main body support part 6 instead of in the apparatus main body 2.

[0041] A third conveying roller pair 24 and a fourth conveying roller pair 28 are provided on the reverse conveying path R3. The third transport roller pair 24 is composed of a third drive roller 25 provided in the third unit 5 and a third driven roller 26 provided in the second unit 4. The third driven roller 26 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the third drive roller 25, and is pressed toward the third drive roller 25 by a pressing member (not shown), for example a coil spring. The third drive roller 25 is driven by the transport motor 50. The third driven roller 26 is a roller that is driven to rotate.

[0042] The fourth transport roller pair 28 is composed of a fourth drive roller 29 provided in the third unit 5 and a fourth driven roller 30 provided in the second unit 4. The fourth driven roller 30 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the fourth drive roller 29, and is pressed toward the fourth drive roller 29 by a pressing member (not shown), for example a coil spring. The fourth drive roller 29 is driven by the transport motor 50. The fourth driven roller 30 is a roller that is driven to rotate.

[0043] The third driving roller 25, the third driven roller 26, the fourth driving roller 29, and the fourth driven roller 30 are each provided in pairs on either side of the center position in the document width direction (see FIGS. 3 and 18). When the third unit 5 is closed relative to the second unit 4, the third driving roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 come into contact, and the fourth driving roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 also come into contact. When the third unit 5 is opened relative to the second unit 4, the third driving roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 move apart, and the fourth driving roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 also move apart.

[0044] The document conveyed along the reverse conveying path R3 is discharged obliquely upward including the -Y direction component by the fourth conveying roller pair 28, and is supported by the upper surface 4a of the second unit 4 in an inclined posture.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of a configuration for rotating the device body 2. In this embodiment, the device body 2 rotates by the power of a position-switching motor 40 (see Figs. 7 to 10) under the control of the control unit 80, and switches its position. The control unit 80 controls the attitude switching motor 40 based on input information from the external device 100 connected to the scanner 1, specifically the type (rigidity) of the document. Alternatively, the control unit 80 controls the attitude switching motor 40 based on input information from the operation unit 7. For example, if the operation unit 7 is provided with a attitude switching button, the attitude switching motor 40 is driven to rotate the device body 2 when the attitude switching button is pressed.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows the state with the rear cover 66 (see Fig. 2) that configures the exterior of the rear of the device removed. Reference numeral 41 denotes a rotation conversion means that converts the rotation of the attitude-changing motor 40 into the rotation of the device main body 2. The attitude-changing motor 40 and the rotation conversion means 41 are provided closer to the side in the -X direction in the device width direction. Closer to the side in the -X direction in the device width direction means being located in the -X direction from the center position of the device in the X-axis direction.

[0047] The first frame 63 constituting the base of the first unit 3 is provided with two supported parts 63b spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The main body support part 6 is provided with two main body rotation shafts 6c spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The first frame 63, i.e., the device main body 2, is rotatable about the main body rotation shaft 6c as the main body rotation shaft 6c penetrates the supported parts 63b. The main body rotation shaft 6c is a rotation shaft that forms a rotation axis center parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0048] The attitude-changing motor 40 is provided on the first frame 63. The attitude-changing motor 40 is provided on the rear side of the first frame 63 that is provided in an inclined attitude. In Figure 8, the rotation conversion means 41 is a gear rotatably arranged in the first unit 3, and has a gear 47b that rotates by the power of the posture changing motor 40, and a toothed portion 6b that is fixed to the main body support portion 6 and meshes with the gear 47b. The tooth portion 6b is a tooth portion formed around the main body rotation axis 6c on the standing wall portion 6a. The standing wall portion 6a is a member that constitutes the main body support portion 6.

[0049] More specifically, a worm gear 42 is provided on the rotation shaft of the attitude-switching motor 40, and power is transmitted from the worm gear 42 to a gear 43. The gear 43 is configured integrally with a gear 45 via a shaft 44. The gear 45 transmits power to a first compound gear 46, and the first compound gear 46 transmits power to a second compound gear 47. The gear 47b forms a part of the second compound gear 47.

[0050] The position-changing motor 40 and the components of the rotation conversion means 41 described above, excluding the teeth portion 6b, are provided in the first unit 3, i.e., the device body 2. Therefore, when the gear 47b rotates by the power of the position-changing motor 40, the device body 2 rotates and the position is switched as shown by the change from Figure 9 to Figure 10 or the change from Figure 10 to Figure 9. In this embodiment, the posture switching motor 40 and the components of the above-mentioned rotation conversion means 41 except for the teeth portion 6b are provided in the first unit 3, i.e., the device main body 2, and the teeth portion 6b is provided in the device main body support part 6. However, instead, the posture switching motor 40 and the components of the above-mentioned rotation conversion means 41 except for the teeth portion 6b may be provided in the device main body support part 6, and the teeth portion 6b may be provided in the device main body 2.

[0051] In addition, the vertical wall portion 6a is formed with a first contact portion 6e as a first rotation restricting means and a second contact portion 6f as a second rotation restricting means. A boss 63a provided on the first frame 63 is inserted between the first contact portion 6e and the second contact portion 6f. When the device body 2 rotates from the booklet reading position shown in FIG. 10 to the normal reading position shown in FIG. 9, the boss 63a abuts against the first contact portion 6e, thereby defining the normal reading position of the device body 2. When the device body 2 rotates from the normal reading position shown in FIG. 9 to the booklet reading position shown in FIG. 10, the boss 63a abuts against the second contact portion 6f, thereby defining the booklet reading position of the device body 2.

[0052] When the boss 63a comes into contact with the first contact portion 6e, or when the boss 63a comes into contact with the second contact portion 6f, the drive current value of the attitude-changing motor 40 increases. Therefore, the control unit 80 (see FIG. 12) can detect the attitude of the device body 2 based on the rotation direction of the attitude-changing motor 40 and the increase in the drive current value. However, in this embodiment, a first attitude detection sensor 87 and a second attitude detection sensor 88, which will be described later, are provided, and the control unit 80 can also detect the attitude of the device body 2 based on the detection signals of these sensors. The normal reading position and the booklet reading position of the device main body 2 are maintained by supplying power to the stopped position switching motor 40 and putting it into a hold state.

[0053] The first position detection sensor 87 is an optical sensor and is provided on the first frame 63, i.e., the device body 2. When the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, a protrusion 6d provided on the body support part 6 blocks the optical axis of the first position detection sensor 87, as shown in Fig. 8. When the device body 2 rotates from this state toward the booklet reading position, the protrusion 6d moves out of the optical axis of the first position detection sensor 87.

[0054] 11, the second position detection sensor 88 is provided in the second unit 4. A detection target portion 35b is formed in the flap 35, and when the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, the detection target portion 35b is out of the optical axis of the second position detection sensor 88 as shown in Fig. 11(a). When the device body 2 rotates from this state toward the booklet reading position, the detection target portion 35b blocks the optical axis of the second position detection sensor 88 as shown in Fig. 11(b). As a result, the control unit 80 can detect the attitude of the device body 2 based on the detection signal of the first attitude detection sensor 87 and the detection signal of the second attitude detection sensor 88.

[0055] Next, a control system in the scanner 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 80 as a control means performs various controls of the scanner 1, including feeding, conveying, and discharging control of the document and reading control.

[0056] The control unit 80 controls the transport motor 50 and the attitude switching motor 40. In this embodiment, each motor is a DC motor. The control unit 80 receives the read data from the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33, and also transmits signals for controlling each reading unit from the control unit 80 to each reading unit. The control unit 80 also receives signals from these detection means, namely, the placement detection unit 92, the double feed detection unit 91, the first document detection unit 93, the second document detection unit 94, the first posture detection sensor 87, the second posture detection sensor 88, the first rotation detection unit 89, and the second rotation detection unit 90.

[0057] The first rotation detection unit 89 is a detection unit provided at the end of the device main body 2 in the -X direction as shown in Figure 7, and the control unit 80 can grasp the amount of rotation of each roller provided in the document transport path by detecting the amount of rotation of the transport motor 50 using the first rotation detection unit 89. The first rotation detection unit 89 is a rotary encoder including a rotating disk 89a and a detection unit 89b. 7, reference numeral 51 denotes a drive pulley provided on the rotation shaft of the conveyance motor 50, reference numeral 53 denotes a driven pulley, and reference numeral 52 denotes an endless belt wound around the drive pulley 51 and the driven pulley 53. The rotating disk 89a is provided on a rotating body (not shown) that is driven via the driven pulley 53.

[0058] 8, the second rotation detection unit 90 is a rotary encoder equipped with a detection unit 89b and a rotating disk 90a provided on the rotating shaft 40a of the posture-changing motor 40. The control unit 80 can grasp the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the posture-changing motor 40 by detecting the amount of rotation of the posture-changing motor 40 using the second rotation detection unit 90.

[0059] Returning to Fig. 12, the control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a flash ROM 82, and a RAM 83. The CPU 81 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the flash ROM 82, and controls the operation of the entire scanner 1. The flash ROM 82, which is an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various pieces of information are temporarily stored in the RAM 83, which is an example of a storage means. The interface 84 included in the control unit 80 is composed of the first connection unit 71 and the second connection unit 72 described with reference to Fig. 2. The control unit 80 transmits and receives data to and from the external device 100 via this interface 84.

[0060] Next, the other detection units will be described. The placement detection unit 92 is a detection unit provided upstream of the feed roller 14. The control unit 80 can detect the presence or absence of a document on the document support unit 11 based on a signal transmitted from the placement detection unit 92. The first document detection unit 93 is a detection unit provided between the feed roller 14 and the first transport roller pair 16. The control unit 80 can detect the passage of the leading edge or trailing edge of the document at the detection position by a signal transmitted from the first document detection unit 93.

[0061] The multi-feed detection unit 91 is a detection unit provided between the feed roller 14 and the first transport roller pair 16, and includes an ultrasonic transmitter 91a and an ultrasonic receiver 91b disposed opposite each other across the document feed path R1. The control unit 80 can detect a multi-feed of documents by a signal transmitted from the multi-feed detection unit 91. The second original detection unit 94 is a detection unit provided between the first conveying roller pair 16 and the first reading unit 32 and second reading unit 33, and the control unit 80 can detect the passage of the leading or trailing end of the original at the detection position based on a signal transmitted from the second original detection unit 94. In addition, in Figs. 5 and 6, the detection position of each detection unit is indicated by a triangle, and the reference numeral of each detection unit is given.

[0062] The double feed detector 91 will be further described below with reference to FIG. A transmission circuit 91c is connected to the ultrasonic transmitter 91a, and the transmission circuit 91c amplifies the pulse signal supplied from the control unit 80 and supplies the ultrasonic pulse signal to the ultrasonic transmitter 91a. As a result, the ultrasonic transmitter 91a transmits ultrasonic waves of a predetermined frequency based on the amplified ultrasonic pulse signal. The intensity of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 91a can be changed under the control of the control unit 80. The control unit 80 changes the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves output from the ultrasonic transmitter 91a by changing the voltage applied to the ultrasonic transmitter 91a, for example, to change the intensity of the ultrasonic waves. Alternatively, the control unit 80 changes the number of times the ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 91a by changing the number of drive pulses of the ultrasonic transmitter 91a, thereby changing the intensity of the ultrasonic waves.

[0063] A receiving circuit 91d is connected to the ultrasonic receiver 91b. The receiving circuit 91d is an amplifier circuit, and amplifies the detection signal output by the ultrasonic receiver 91b. An AD converter 91e is connected to the receiving circuit 91d, and converts the ultrasonic detection signal (analog signal) amplified by the receiving circuit 91d into a digital signal and outputs it to the control unit 80 as a voltage value. The digital signal output from the receiving circuit 91d to the control unit 80 is an example of a detection signal output in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver 91b. Hereinafter, the strength of this detection signal will be referred to as "detection strength S."

[0064] Incidentally, the receiving circuit 91d has a multi-stage amplifier configuration in which multiple amplifiers are connected in series to amplify the detection signal of the ultrasonic receiving unit 91b, and in this embodiment, four amplifiers A1, A2, A3, and A4 are connected in series. Furthermore, in addition to the final stage amplifier A4 being connected to the AD converter 91e, the outputs of the amplifiers of each stage (A1, A2, A3) are also configured to be input to the AD converter 91e, so that the control unit 80 can also acquire the amplifier outputs of each stage as necessary.

[0065] The detection strength S decreases as the thickness of the document increases or as the density of the document increases. That is, the higher the rigidity of the document, the lower the detection strength S. Thus, the detection strength S is an example of information related to the rigidity of the document, and the multifeed detection unit 91 is an example of a rigidity detection means for detecting information related to the rigidity of the document.

[0066] Next, the control performed by the control unit 80 based on the detection information of the double feed detection unit 91 will be described with reference to FIG. When the control unit 80 starts feeding the document (step S101), it detects the posture of the device body 2. If the posture of the device body 2 is the booklet reading posture (No in step S102), the process proceeds to step S106 without performing steps S103 and onward, which will be described later, and the document is read. In this way, when the device body 2 is in the booklet reading posture, the control unit 80 does not use the detection information of the double feed detection unit 91, and control can be simplified.

[0067] On the other hand, if the posture of the device body 2 is the normal reading posture (Yes in step S102), the following process is performed. That is, if the passage of the leading edge of the document is detected based on the detection information of the first document detection unit 93 (Yes in step S103), it is determined whether the detection strength S of the double feed detection unit is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S104). The first threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether or not a document has been multi-fed, and is shown as an example by the symbol Sh1 in FIG. 15. The detection strength S1 is an example of a case where it is below the first threshold value Sh1, and indicates that a document has been multi-fed. In this case (Yes in step S104), the control unit 80 performs a predetermined process as a multi-feed error. This predetermined process may include, for example, stopping feeding of the document and notifying the user that an error has occurred.

[0068] Next, the control unit 80 judges whether the detection strength S is equal to or less than a second threshold value (step S105). The second threshold value is shown as symbol Sh2 in FIG. 15 as an example. The detection strength S2 is an example of a case where the detection strength S2 is less than the second threshold value Sh2, and indicates that the document is highly rigid and does not easily bend. In this embodiment, a document having a detection intensity S greater than the first threshold Sh1 and equal to or less than the second threshold Sh2 is defined as a second document. A detection intensity S greater than the first threshold Sh1 and equal to or less than the second threshold Sh2 is detection information corresponding to the second document. The second document is a document that is not suitable for transport on the reversing transport path R3 and is suitable for transport using the non-reversing transport path R4. In this embodiment, the second document is a sheet of paper having a basis weight of more than 127 (g / m2).

[0069] In contrast, when the detection strength S exceeds the second threshold Sh2, an example is shown by symbol S3 in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, a document with a detection strength S exceeding the second threshold Sh2 is defined as a first document. The detection strength S exceeding the second threshold Sh2 is detection information corresponding to the first document. The first document is a document suitable for transport on the reverse transport path R3 and is easily bent. In this embodiment, the first document is a sheet of paper having a basis weight of 127 (g / m2) or less. If the detection intensity S exceeds the second threshold Sh2 in step S105 (No in step S105), that is, if the document is the first document, the process proceeds to step S106, where document reading is performed.

[0070] In step S105, if the detection intensity S is equal to or less than the second threshold Sh2 (Yes in step S105), that is, if the document is the second document, the control unit 80 performs the following process. First, the transport of the document is stopped (step S107). Specifically, in this embodiment, the drive of the transport motor 50 (see FIG. 12) is stopped. As a result, all rollers provided in the apparatus main body 2 are stopped. Next, the control unit 80 performs the document return operation (step S108). Specifically, in this embodiment, the conveying motor 50 (see FIG. 12) is driven in the reverse direction. This causes all rollers provided in the device main body 2 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the document is returned upstream. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the first document detection unit 93. As a result, the document stops with its leading edge positioned between the feed roller 14 and the first document detection unit 93.

[0071] Next, the control unit 80 drives the position switching motor 40 (see FIG. 12) to switch the position of the device main body 2 from the normal reading position (FIG. 5) to the booklet reading position (FIG. 6) (step S109). Next, the control unit 80 drives the first solenoid 86 (see FIG. 12) to rotate the flap 35, and switches the conveyance path connected to the reading conveyance path R2 from the reversing conveyance path R3 to the non-reversing conveyance path R4 (step S110). Then, the control unit 80 resumes feeding of the document (step S111). Note that when feeding of the document is resumed, since the document type has already been determined using the double feed detection unit 91, the determination of the document type using the double feed detection unit 91 may be skipped.

[0072] As described above, when the control unit 80 acquires detection information corresponding to the second original from the double feed detection unit 91 while the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, it executes a first step of stopping the transport of the original (step S107 in FIG. 14) and a second step of controlling the position switching motor 40 to switch the device main body 2 from the normal reading position to the booklet reading position (step S109 in FIG. 14).

[0073] By placing the device body 2 in the booklet reading position, the angle that the reading transport path R2 forms with the placement surface G (angle α2 in FIG. 6) becomes smaller than in the normal reading position (angle α1 in FIG. 5), and this makes it possible to set the document discharge direction to be along the placement surface G. As a result, the document that is less likely to bend in the booklet reading position, i.e., the second document, can be properly discharged. When the control unit 80 acquires detection information corresponding to the second original from the double feed detection unit 91 while the device main body 2 is in the normal reading position, it executes a first step of stopping the transport of the original and a second step of controlling the position switching motor 40 to switch the device main body 2 from the normal reading position to the booklet reading position, thereby preventing original jams and damage to the device that may occur when the second original, which is not suitable for transport in the normal reading position, is transported in the normal reading position. In addition, since the posture of the device main body 2 automatically switches to an appropriate posture, usability can be improved.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 80 switches the posture of the device main body 2 based on the document type set by the user. Even if the document type set by the user differs from the document type actually fed, the posture of the device main body 2 is automatically switched to an appropriate posture as described above, thereby preventing document jams and damage to the device.

[0075] The reading conveyance path R2 is connected to the reversing conveyance path R3 when the device body 2 is in the normal reading position, and is connected to the non-reversing conveyance path R4 when the device body 2 is in the booklet reading position. This allows documents that are difficult to bend to be properly discharged in the booklet reading position.

[0076] Furthermore, after executing the first step (step S107 in FIG. 14), the control unit 80 performs a return operation (step S108 in FIG. 14) to return the document upstream. This provides the following advantageous effects. That is, when the document transport is stopped, if the document transport is resumed from that state, the document transport speed may not reach an appropriate speed at the reading position, and as a result, the reading quality may deteriorate. However, according to this embodiment, the control unit 80 performs a return operation to return the document upstream after executing the first step, so that the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed.

[0077] Furthermore, the device body 2 includes a first document detection unit 93 as a document detection means for detecting documents, upstream of the detection position by the double feed detection unit 91 in the document feeding path R1, and the control unit 80 returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the first document detection unit 93 in the return operation (step S108 in FIG. 14). This makes it possible to reliably return the document to an appropriate position.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the control unit 80 performs the second step (step S109 in FIG. 14) and then performs the document re-feeding operation (step S111 in FIG. 14). This eliminates the need for the user to reset the document, improving usability.

[0079] The above-described embodiment may be modified or supplemented as necessary, as will be described below. <<About stiffness detection means>> In the above embodiment, the stiffness detection means is constituted by the double feed detection unit 91 which is an ultrasonic sensor, but it may be constituted as follows. For example, the rigidity detection means may be configured by an optical sensor having a light-emitting section that emits detection light toward the document and a light-receiving section that receives the detection light that passes through the document. The intensity of the detection light detected by the light-receiving section decreases as the thickness of the document increases or as the density of the document increases. Therefore, information related to the intensity of the detection light detected by the light-receiving section is an example of information related to the rigidity of the document.

[0080] Also, for example, the thicker the document is, the greater the distance the first upper roller 18, the second upper roller 22, and the second reading unit 33 are retracted from the document transport path. Information relating to the amount of retraction in this case is an example of information relating to the rigidity of the document. Therefore, the rigidity detection unit may be constituted by a means for detecting the amount of retraction, for example, a distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the first upper roller 18, the second upper roller 22, or the second reading unit 33.

[0081] Also, for example, the more the second reading unit 33 is retracted from the document transport path, the lower the luminance of the background area outside the document area in the read image. The information related to the luminance is an example of information related to the stiffness of the document. Therefore, the stiffness detection means may be configured by the first reading unit 32 or the second reading unit 33.

[0082] Also, for example, if the flap 35 is provided so as to be able to rotate to a certain extent in the state shown in Fig. 5 and to maintain the reverse transport path R3 by a pressing member such as a spring, the higher the rigidity of the document, the greater the force that the flap 35 receives from the document, and the greater the amount of rotation of the flap 35. Therefore, the information related to the amount of rotation is an example of information related to the rigidity of the document. Therefore, the rigidity detection means can also be constituted by a means for detecting the amount of rotation. In this case, for example, the rigidity detection means can be constituted by a switch or a sensor that turns on and off in accordance with the rotation of the flap 35, or an encoder sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the flap 35.

[0083] Similarly, in a configuration as shown in Fig. 16, the rigidity of a document can be detected by utilizing the difference in the difficulty of the document to bend. In Fig. 16, reference numeral 96 denotes a detection member provided so that its lower end projects into the document feed path, and is provided rotatably about a rotation shaft 96a. Reference numeral 97 denotes a sensor or switch that detects the rotation of the detection member 96. The detection member 96 maintains the position shown in Fig. 16 by a spring force. Reference numeral V1 denotes a common tangent at the nip position between the feed roller 14 and the separation roller 15, and when the document is not being fed, the detection member 96 intersects with the common tangent V1. In such a configuration, the first original, i.e., an original with low rigidity, advances along the original feeding path due to its own weight without contacting the detection member 96, but the second original, i.e., an original with high rigidity, comes into contact with the detection member 96 and rotates the detection member 96. Therefore, the detection information of the sensor 97 is an example of information related to the rigidity of the original, and the detection member 96 and the sensor 97 constitute a rigidity detection means.

[0084] <<About calibration of the double feed detection unit>> The detection strength S of the ultrasonic sensor constituting the double feed detection unit 91 varies depending on environmental factors such as temperature and air pressure, and there is a risk that the rigidity of the document cannot be detected appropriately. For this reason, it is preferable to perform calibration. As an example, the calibration can be performed as follows. First, calibration can be performed when the power supply of the apparatus is turned on in the user's environment, or when feeding starts with the power supply on.

[0085] Specifically, the calibration is performed as follows, for example. First, default thresholds (first threshold Sh1 and second threshold Sh2 in FIG. 15) are determined from the detection intensity difference between the first document and the second document, and are stored in the flash ROM (see FIG. 12). Next, the detection strength S of the first document or the second document when the above threshold values ​​are determined is stored as a reference value in the flash ROM (see FIG. 12). In the following description, it is assumed that the detection strength S of the second document is stored as the reference value. Also, the correlation between the detection intensity S when there is no document and the detection intensity S of the second document is acquired by sequentially switching the intensity of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 91a, and the relational equation is calculated and stored in the flash ROM (see FIG. 12). The above is the procedure executed in the manufacturing process of the device.

[0086] Next, in the user's environment, the detection strength S in a state where no original is present is measured during calibration, and the detection strength S of the second original is estimated from the above relational expression. Next, a ratio between a reference value stored in the flash ROM (see FIG. 12), that is, the detection intensity S of the second document acquired in the manufacturing process, and the estimated detection intensity S of the second document is calculated. The default threshold is then multiplied by the ratio to determine the threshold that is actually applied. The calibration method is not limited to this, and other known calibration methods may be used.

[0087] <<Adjusting the detection sensitivity of the double feed detector>> When the difference in detection strength S between the first document and the second document is small, there is a risk that the first document and the second document cannot be appropriately distinguished from each other using the second threshold Sh2. This occurs particularly when the sensitivity is adjusted so that there is a large difference in detection strength S between cases where there is a double feed and cases where there is no double feed in order to reliably detect double feed of documents. In this case, for example, in FIG. 13, it is preferable to provide a means for attenuating the reception level between the ultrasonic receiving unit 91b and the receiving circuit 91d, or to use the output signal of the amplifier A3 or amplifier A2 in the preceding stage rather than the final stage amplifier A4 among the amplifiers provided in the receiving circuit 91d, or to weaken the intensity of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitting unit 91a.

[0088] <<Regarding the modified example of the control shown in FIG. 14>> 14, ie, the document returning operation, and step S109, ie, the attitude switching operation of the apparatus main body 2. This can shorten the time until document feeding is resumed.

[0089] Furthermore, if the scanner 1 is equipped with a display unit 7a (see FIG. 12) that displays various information, the control unit 80 may display on the display unit 7a a message indicating that the attitude of the device body 2 will be switched before executing step S109. A similar message may also be displayed on the display unit 100a of the external device 100 (FIG. 12). The message indicating that the attitude of the device body 2 will be switched may be, for example, a message such as "The attitude of the device will be switched. Are you sure? (OK / Cancel)". Then, if the OK button is pressed in response to this, steps S109 and S110 may be executed. In this way, it is possible to alert the user that the attitude of the device main body 2 will be changed. Incidentally, if cancel is selected in the above example, it is also preferable to display an alert to the effect that the document type is not suitable and to eject the document. Furthermore, the above display is basically performed before the attitude of the device main body 2 is changed, but a display indicating that the attitude of the device is being changed may be performed while the attitude is being changed.

[0090] Furthermore, the control unit 80 may not perform the document return operation (step S108) and the document feeding restart (step S111), but may instead carry out steps S107, S109, and S110 and then transport the document being fed downstream to perform the discharge operation. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of jams that would otherwise occur when the document is returned upstream. In this case, the display unit 7a or the display unit 100a may display an alert to the user that the document type is inappropriate, or a message urging the user to reset the document. In this case, the posture of the device body 2 may be returned from the booklet reading posture to the normal reading posture by a user operation. In this case, the processes from step S102 onwards may be omitted, and the reading of the document (step S106) may be performed when the feeding of the document starts.

[0091] Furthermore, although in the above embodiment the re-feeding of the original is performed automatically (step S111), the re-feeding of the original may be triggered by a user instruction. For example, before the execution of step S111, a message such as "The original will be re-fed. Are you sure? (OK / Cancel)" may be displayed on the above-mentioned display unit 7a or display unit 100a. Then, if OK is selected in response to this, step S111 may be executed. Note that in this case, if Cancel is selected, it is also preferable to discharge the original.

[0092] Also, for example, step S109, i.e., switching the posture of the device body 2, may be omitted. That is, when the control unit 80 acquires detection information corresponding to the second document while the transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 is the transport path suitable for the first document (reversing transport path R3), the control unit 80 switches the transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 to the transport path suitable for the second document (non-reversing transport path R4). This makes it possible to prevent document jams and damage to the device. In this case, the posture of the device body 2 may be either the normal reading posture or the booklet reading posture, and further, the device body 2 does not have to be configured to be posture-switchable. In addition, when the control unit 80 acquires detection information corresponding to the first original when the transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 is a transport path suitable for the second original (non-reverse transport path R4), it may switch the transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 to a transport path suitable for the first original (reverse transport path R3), or it may leave the transport path as it is without switching.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the control unit 80 returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the first document detection unit 93 in the document returning operation (step S108), but the present invention is not limited to this and the document may be returned to another position. For example, the document may be returned upstream by reversing the conveyance motor 50 by a predetermined amount.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the control unit 80 switches the posture of the device body 2 (step S109) after performing the document return operation (step S108), but the document return operation may be performed after the posture of the device body 2 is switched.

[0095] <<Configuration without conveyance path switching means>> The scanner 1 is configured to switch the document transport path connected to the reading transport path R2 by the flap 35 (transport path switching means), but may be configured without the transport path switching means. FIG. 17 shows a scanner 1A as an example of such a configuration, in which the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be avoided. The document transport path is fixed inside the scanner 1A, and the non-reversing transport path R4 is connected to the reading transport path R2. The document discharged from the non-reversing transport path R4 is supported on a discharge tray 99.

[0096] The device body 2A is configured to be able to change its posture relative to the body support part 6, but the posture (angle) of the discharge tray 99 relative to the placement surface G does not change, or the rotation angle of the discharge tray 99 is smaller than the rotation angle of the device body 2A. FIG. 17(a) shows the normal reading posture, in which the document discharge direction intersects with the discharge tray 99. FIG. 17(b) shows the booklet reading posture, in which the document discharge direction is substantially parallel to the discharge tray 99, or, even if it intersects with the discharge tray 99, it intersects at a gentler angle than in the normal reading posture. That is, the device body 2 is able to switch between the normal reading posture when discharging the first document and the booklet reading posture when discharging the second document, which is a posture in which the angle that the reading transport path R2 makes with the placement surface G is smaller than that of the first posture and which is higher in rigidity than the first document.

[0097] In this configuration, when the control unit 80 acquires detection information corresponding to the second document from the rigidity detection means while the device body 2A is in the normal reading position, it executes a first step of stopping the transport of the document and a second step of controlling the position switching motor 40 to switch the device body 2A from the normal reading position to the booklet reading position. This makes it possible to prevent document jams and damage to the device.

[0098] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, but various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1...scanner, 2...device body, 3...first unit, 4...second unit, 4a...top surface, 5...third unit, 6...main body support section, 6a, 6a-1...standing wall section, 6b...tooth section, 6c...main body rotation shaft, 6d...projection, 6e...first contact section, 6f...second contact section, 7...operation section, 8a...lock release section, 10...upper opening / closing section, 11...original support section, 12a, 12b...edge guide, 13...feed port, 14...feed roller, 15...separation roller, 16...first transport roller pair, 17...first lower roller, 18...first upper roller, 20...second transport roller pair, 21...second lower roller, 22...second upper roller, 24...third transport roller pair, 25...third drive roller, 26...third driven roller, 28...fourth transport roller pair, 29... Fourth driving roller, 30...fourth driven roller, 32...first reading unit, 32a...contact glass, 33...second reading unit, 33a...contact glass, 35...flap, 35a...flap rotation shaft, 35b...detected unit, 37...first discharge port, 38...second discharge port, 40...position switching motor, 41...rotation conversion means, 42...worm gear, 43...gear, 44...shaft, 45...gear, 46...first compound gear, 47...second compound gear, 50...conveyor motor, 51...driving pulley, 52...belt, 53...driven pulley, 63...first frame, 63a...boss, 63b...supported unit, 63f...bearing unit, 64...second frame, 64a...frame rotation shaft, 65...third frame, 66...rear cover, 71...first connection unit (USB Type-A), 72...second connection unit (USB Type-C), 73...third connection section (DC jack), 79...circuit board, 80...control section, 81...CPU, 82...flash ROM, 83...RAM, 84...interface, 86...first solenoid, 87...first attitude detection sensor, 88...second attitude detection sensor, 89...first rotation detection section, 89a...rotating disk, 89b...detection section, 90...second rotation detection section, 90a...rotating disk, 90b...detection section, 91...multiple feed detection section, 91a...ultrasonic transmission section, 91b...ultrasonic reception section, 91c...transmission circuit, 91d...reception circuit, 91e...AD converter, 92...placement detection section, 93...first document detection section, 94...second document detection section, 95...second solenoid, 96...detection member, 96a...rotation shaft, 99...ejection tray, 100...external device, 100a...display section, R1: Document feed path, R2: Scanning path, R3: Reversing path, R4: Non-reversing path

Claims

1. a main body support portion to be placed on a placement surface of the device; An apparatus main body supported by the main body support portion, The device body includes a document transport path for transporting a document, the document transport path facing a reading unit for reading the document; a stiffness detection means for detecting information relating to stiffness of the document; a control means for controlling the device based on the detection information of the stiffness detection means, the device body is rotatably attached to the body support portion, and is capable of switching its posture by rotating using power from a drive source; the apparatus body has a first posture when discharging a first document; a second posture for discharging a second document having higher rigidity than the first document, the second posture being a posture in which an angle between the reading conveyance path and the placement surface is smaller than the first posture, a first step of stopping conveyance of the document when the control means acquires detection information corresponding to the second document from the rigidity detection means while the device body is in the first position; a second step of controlling the driving source to switch the apparatus body from the first position to the second position; An image reading apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus body includes a document transport path downstream of the reading transport path, the document transport path being a reversing transport path for reversing a document that has been read and discharging it facing upward; a non-reversing conveying path that is a document conveying path downstream of the reading conveying path and that is used when discharging a document that has been read without reversing the document; the reading conveying path is connected to the inverting conveying path when the device body is in the first position, and is connected to the non-inverting conveying path when the device body is in the second position.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

3. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs a return operation for returning the document upstream after executing the first step.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

4. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus body further comprises a document detection means for detecting a document, the document detection means being disposed upstream of a detection position of the stiffness detection means in the document transport path, the control means returns the document to a position where the document is not detected by the document detection means during the returning operation.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

5. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means executes the second step and the returning operation in parallel.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

6. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs a re-feeding operation of the document after executing the second step.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

7. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs an operation of discharging the document after executing the second step.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

8. 8. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not use the detection information of the rigidity detection unit when the device body is in the second position.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

9. 9. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays various information, The control means displays, on the display unit, a message indicating that the posture of the device body is to be switched before executing the second step.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images