Image reading device, recording device

Abstract

To meet a user's need to perform various types of operations of an image reading device without contact with the device.SOLUTION: The image reading device comprises: an original platen for placing an original; a reading part which reads the original placed on the original platen; an opening and closing part capable of opening and closing the original platen; a power source which gives power of opening and closing to the opening and closing part; a proximity sensor which outputs a detection signal corresponding to the approach of a detection object; and a control part for controlling the power source on the basis of the detection signal of the proximity sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image of a document, and a recording device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] An image reading device is provided with a document table cover that opens and closes the document table or a document feeding device. The document feeding device may be referred to as an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a flatbed scanner, which is an example of an image reading device, at the upper part of the apparatus main body, and an ADF is provided on the flatbed scanner so as to be openable and closable. This image forming apparatus is provided with a foot switch, and is configured such that the ADF can be opened and closed by operating the foot switch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, user needs to avoid contact infection with bacteria and viruses have been increasing even more. According to the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, although the ADF can be opened and closed by the foot switch, since the foot switch is touched, it is not sufficient for the above user needs. In addition, since the operation by the user involving contact in the image reading device is not limited to the opening and closing of the ADF, it is desired to meet the above user needs for operations other than the opening and closing of the ADF.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image reading apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, an opening / closing unit that can open and close the document table, a power source that applies power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, a non-contact sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, and a control unit that controls the power source based on the detection signal of the non-contact sensor.

[0006] Further, the image reading apparatus of the present invention is a device that can open and close a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, a document feeding device that feeds the document set on a feeding tray on which the document is placed to a reading position by the reading unit, an edge guide that guides a side edge of the document set on the feeding tray and is displaceable in a direction of advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, a power source that applies power for displacement to the side edge, a non-contact sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, and a control unit that controls the power source based on the detection signal of the non-contact sensor.

[0007] Further, the image reading apparatus of the present invention includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, an opening / closing unit that can open and close the document table, a power source that applies power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, and a control unit that controls the power source based on a signal received from an external terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The image reading apparatus according to the first aspect includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, an opening / closing unit that can open and close the document table, a power source that applies power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, a proximity sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, and a control unit that controls the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor.

[0010] According to this aspect, since the opening / closing unit that can open and close the document table is configured to be opened and closed by the control unit controlling the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, the user can open and close the opening / closing unit without contacting the opening / closing unit, and it is possible to meet the user's needs of avoiding contact with the apparatus.

[0011] A second aspect is, in the first aspect, provided with opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening / closing part, when the control unit determines, based on the detection signal of the opening / closing detection means, that the opening / closing part has been opened or closed without driving the power source, it is characterized by issuing an alert. According to this aspect, since it is provided with opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening / closing part, and when the control unit determines, based on the detection signal of the opening / closing detection means, that the opening / closing part has been opened or closed without driving the power source, it issues an alert, it is possible to alert the user when the user inadvertently touches the opening / closing part.

[0012] A third aspect is, in the first or second aspect, characterized in that the opening / closing part is a document feeding device that feeds a document set on a feeding tray on which the document is placed to a reading position by the reading unit. According to this aspect, in the configuration where the opening / closing part is a document feeding device that feeds a document set on a feeding tray on which the document is placed to a reading position by the reading unit, the operational effects of the first or second aspect described above can be obtained.

[0013] An image reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, a device that can open and close the document table, a document feeding device that feeds a document set on a feeding tray on which the document is placed to a reading position by the reading unit, an edge guide that guides a side edge of the document set on the feeding tray, the edge guide being displaceable in a direction advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, a power source that applies power for displacing with respect to the side edge, a proximity sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, and a control unit that controls the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor.

[0014] According to this aspect, since the edge guide that guides the side edge of the document is configured to be displaced by the control unit controlling the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of the object to be detected, the user can guide the side edge of the document without contacting the edge guide, and can meet the user's need to avoid contact with the device.

[0015] The image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, a device that can open and close the document table, a document feeding device that feeds the document set on the document feeding tray to the reading position by the reading unit, an edge guide that guides the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray, the edge guide being displaceable in a direction advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, a power source that applies power for displacement with respect to the side edge, a document detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a document on the feeding tray, and a control unit that controls the power source, the control unit receiving the detection signal from the document detection sensor, and when there is no document on the feeding tray, retreating the edge guide in the retreat direction, and when a document is set on the feeding tray, controlling the power source so as to advance the edge guide in the advance direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, since the edge guide that guides the side edge of the document is configured to be displaced by the control unit controlling the power source based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a document on the feeding tray, the user can guide the side edge of the document without contacting the edge guide, and can meet the user's need to avoid contact with the device.

[0017] In the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit checks the presence or absence of a document on the document table after a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of the reading operation by the reading unit, and when there is a document on the document table, issues an alert. According to this aspect, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the reading operation by the reading unit, the control unit checks for the presence or absence of a document on the document table. If there is a document on the document table, an alert is issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user other than the user who placed the document on the document table from viewing the document placed on the document table, and it is possible to improve information security.

[0018] A seventh aspect is the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the document feeding device includes a discharge tray that supports a document that has been read and discharged, and a cover member that can be opened and closed. When the cover member is open, it is possible to take out the document from the discharge tray, and when the cover member is closed, it is impossible to take out the document from the discharge tray. The cover member is provided with locking means that can switch between a locked state in which the cover member is closed and an unlocked state in which the lock is released. When the control unit performs the reading by the reading unit based on an instruction from an external terminal, the control unit does not perform unlocking of the locking means based on an instruction from outside the external terminal.

[0019] According to this aspect, in a configuration including a cover member that prevents the removal of a document from the discharge tray in a closed state, when the control unit performs the reading by the reading unit based on an instruction from an external terminal, the control unit does not perform unlocking of the locking means based on an instruction from outside the external terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user other than the user who performed the reading from viewing the document placed on the discharge tray, and it is possible to improve information security.

[0020] An image reading apparatus according to an eighth aspect includes a document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit that reads the document placed on the document table, an opening / closing unit that can open and close the document table, a power source that applies power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, and a control unit that controls the power source based on a signal received from an external terminal.

[0021] According to this aspect, since the opening / closing part capable of opening and closing the platen is configured to be opened and closed by the control unit controlling the power source based on a signal received from an external terminal, the user can open and close the opening / closing part without contacting the opening / closing part, and can meet the user's need to avoid contact with the device.

[0022] The recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect includes a device main body having a recording unit for performing recording on a medium, and an image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects provided above the device main body. According to this aspect, in the recording apparatus, any of the operational effects of the first to eighth aspects described above can be obtained.

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described. Hereinafter, as an example of the image reading apparatus, the scanner unit 10 will be taken as an example. Further, as an example of the recording apparatus, the multifunction machine 1 will be taken as an example. The X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is a rectangular coordinate system. The Y - axis direction is the device width direction as viewed from the user of the multifunction machine 1, the +Y direction is the left direction as viewed from the user of the multifunction machine 1, and the -Y direction is the right direction. It is assumed that the user of the multifunction machine 1 is at a position facing the operation unit 6. The X - axis direction is the device depth direction as viewed from the user of the multifunction machine 1, the +X direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front of the device, and the -X direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back of the device. The Z - axis direction is the vertical direction, which is the device height direction, the +Z direction is the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction is the vertically downward direction.

[0024] The multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a recording unit 2 constituting the device main body, and a scanner unit 10 provided above the recording unit 2, and has both a recording function and an image reading function. An operation unit 6 is provided at the upper front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 6 is provided with a display unit 6a composed of a liquid crystal panel as an example, and various operation buttons. By operating the operation unit 6, various instructions such as a recording operation for the recording unit 2 and an image reading operation for the scanner unit 10 can be input to the multifunction machine 1.

[0025] In the multifunction machine 1, the recording unit 2 has a media storage cassette 3 for storing a medium represented by recording paper at the lower part. A recording unit 4 is provided inside the recording unit 2, and recording is executed on the medium sent out from the media storage cassette 3 by the recording unit 4. The recording unit 4 is configured to include an ink ejection head that ejects ink onto the medium as an example. The medium after recording is discharged from the discharge unit 7 and placed on the medium discharge tray 5.

[0026] Subsequently, the scanner unit 10 includes a scanner main body 11 that reads a document placed on the document table 14 (see FIG. 2), and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 12 that can automatically convey and read a document placed on the document feeding tray 20. The ADF 12 is an example of a document feeding device.

[0027] The ADF 12 is rotatably provided around a rotation axis 13 parallel to the Y-axis direction. The ADF 12 is an example of an opening / closing part, and by rotating, it switches between a closed posture as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and an open posture as shown by the dashed line and reference numeral 12-1 in FIG. 1. When the ADF 12 rotates, the +X-direction end of the ADF 12 becomes a free end during rotation. When the ADF 12 is in the closed state, a document mat 15 (see FIG. 2) provided on the -Z-direction surface of the ADF 12 presses the document placed on the document table 14 toward the document table 14. And when the ADF 12 is in the open state, the document placed on the document table 14 (see FIG. 2) can be taken out.

[0028] ADF12 is provided with a document feed tray 20 on which the document before feeding is placed. On the document feed tray 20, a first edge guide 30 and a second edge guide 31 for guiding the side edges of the placed document are provided. The first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 are provided so as to be displaceable along the X-axis direction, and receive the power of an edge guide displacement motor 58 (see FIG. 3) described later and displace in a direction approaching each other or displace in a direction away from each other.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a drive mechanism for driving the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31. The first edge guide 30 includes a guide portion 30a and a rack portion 30b extending in the +X direction from the guide portion 30a. The second edge guide 31 includes a guide portion 31a and a rack portion 31b extending in the -X direction from the guide portion 31a. A pinion gear 32 is provided between the rack portion 30b and the rack portion 31b, and the pinion gear 32 meshes with both the rack portion 30b and the rack portion 31b. The pinion gear 32 receives power from an edge guide displacement motor 58 (see FIG. 3) and rotates. Thereby, the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 displace in a direction approaching each other or displace in a direction away from each other.

[0030] In addition, a friction clutch 34 is provided between the rotation shaft 33 of the pinion gear 32 and the pinion gear 32. Thereby, when the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 contact the side edge of the document, it is suppressed that each edge guide applies an excessive pressing force to the side edge of the document and the document is deformed. In addition, it is not necessary to strictly manage the displacement amount of each edge guide, and the positioning control of each edge guide becomes easy.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, a document discharge tray 29 for receiving the document that has been read and discharged is provided below the document feed tray 20. The discharged document is supported by the document discharge tray 29.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the scanner unit 10 will be further described. The scanner main body 11 is provided with a first reading unit 16 which is an example of a reading unit. The first reading unit 16 is provided below the platen 14, extends in the X-axis direction, and moves in the Y-axis direction receiving power from a sensor motor 55 (see FIG. 3). The platen 14 is a colorless and transparent member, for example, made of glass. An optical reading unit such as a CIS method or a CCD method is used for the first reading unit 16. The first reading unit 16 can read not only the document placed on the platen 14 but also the document conveyed by the ADF 12.

[0033] In FIG. 2, the chain line T indicates the conveyance path of the document P in the ADF 12. Also, the symbol P indicates the document placed on the document feed tray 20. The conveyance path T is the path from the document P picked up from the document feed tray 20 by the pick-up roller 21 until it is discharged to the document discharge tray 29. By using the ADF 12, the first reading unit 16 and the second reading unit 18 described later can read both sides of the document P.

[0034] The document P before feeding in the ADF 12 is placed on the document feed tray 20. Above the vicinity of the tip in the +Y direction of the document P placed on the document feed tray 20, that is, in the document feeding direction, a pick-up roller 21 is provided. The pick-up roller 21 is configured to be able to switch between a separated state separated from the document P on the document feed tray 20 and a contact state in contact with the document P on the document feed tray 20. The pick-up roller 21 picks up the document P placed on the document feed tray 20 in the contact state and sends it to the downstream feed roller 22.

[0035] At a position facing the feed roller 22, a separation roller 23 is provided to nip and separate the document P with the feed roller 22. Downstream of the feed roller 22 and the separation roller 23, a first conveyance roller pair 24 is provided. The conveyance path T has a curved inversion path that curves and inverts the document P in the section from the first conveyance roller pair 24 to the fourth conveyance roller pair 27, and in this curved inversion path, the orientation of the document P is inverted.

[0036] Then, downstream of the third conveyance roller pair 26, the document P is read by the first reading unit 16, and downstream of the fourth conveyance roller pair 27, the document P is read by the second reading unit 18. The second reading unit 18 uses an optical reading unit such as a CIS method or a CCD method. The first reading unit 16 reads the upper surface of the document P placed on the document feed tray 20, and the second reading unit 18 reads the lower surface of the document P placed on the document feed tray 20.

[0037] A discharge roller pair 28 is provided downstream of the second reading unit 18. The document P after being read by the first reading unit 16 or the second reading unit 18 is discharged to the document discharge tray 29 by the discharge roller pair 28.

[0038] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 3, the control system in the scanner unit 10 will be described. The control unit 50 controls various operations in the multifunction machine 1, such as the feeding, conveyance, recording, and discharging of the medium in the recording unit 2, and the feeding, conveyance, reading, and discharging of the document in the scanner unit 10. Note that FIG. 3 shows the control system from the perspective of controlling the scanner unit 10, and hereinafter, the control system in the recording unit 2 will be omitted from the illustration and its description.

[0039] A signal from the operation unit 6 is input to the control unit 50, and a signal for realizing the UI on the display unit 6a provided in the operation unit 6 is transmitted from the control unit 50 to the operation unit 6. The control unit 50 controls these controlled objects, namely, the first reading unit 16, the second reading unit 18, the sensor motor 55, the feeding motor 56, the ADF opening / closing motor 57, the edge guide displacement motor 58, and the solenoid 59. Detection signals from these sensors, namely, the feeding original document sensor 60, the discharged original document sensor 61, the proximity sensor 62, and the ADF open / close sensor 63, are input to the control unit 50. Further, reading signals are input to the control unit 50 from the first reading unit 16 and the second reading unit 18.

[0040] The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51 and a memory 52. The CPU 51 performs various processes according to a program ("SP" in FIG. 3) 53 stored in the memory 52. The memory 52 is a non-volatile memory capable of reading and writing, and stores the above program 53, various parameters, etc. Also, various setting information input by the user via the operation unit 6 is stored in the memory 52.

[0041] The control unit 50 includes a communication unit 64. The communication unit 64 is a communication module for performing wireless communication with an external terminal, for example, a portable information terminal. The communication unit 64 is a communication module for performing wireless communication according to, for example, the Wi-Fi method. Wi-Fi is a method for performing wireless communication according to the standard of IEEE802.11, which is an international standard. Note that the name "Wi-Fi" is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. However, the communication unit 64 is not limited to this, and may be a communication module that performs wireless communication by the Bluetooth method according to the standard of IEEE802.15.1, which is an international standard, or may be infrared communication or other wireless communication methods. Also, the communication unit 64 may be configured to include a plurality of the above various communication modules.

[0042] The sensor motor 55 is a power source for moving the first reading unit 16 in the Y-axis direction. The feeding motor 56 is a power source for driving each roller provided on the conveyance path T shown in FIG. 2. The ADF open / close motor 57 is a power source for rotating, that is, opening and closing the ADF 12. Power is transmitted from the ADF open / close motor 57 to the ADF 12 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). The edge guide displacement motor 58 is a power source for displacing the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 as described above. The solenoid 59 will be described later.

[0043] The document feeding sensor 60 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the document feeding tray 20 (see also FIG. 1), and the discharged document sensor 61 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the document discharge tray 29. As an example, a reflective optical sensor can be used for the document feeding sensor 60 and the discharged document sensor 61, or a contact sensor can also be used.

[0044] The proximity sensor 62 is an example of a non-contact sensor, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided at a position close to the rotation axis 13 on the -Y direction side surface of the ADF 12. The proximity sensor 62 is a sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the approach of the detection target, and in this embodiment, the detection target is assumed to be the user's hand. When the user approaches the proximity sensor 62 with a hand, the proximity sensor 62 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the approach to the control unit 50. As the proximity sensor 62, a known sensor of a capacitance method, an ultrasonic method, an infrared method, or the like can be used.

[0045] The ADF open / close sensor 63 is an example of an open / close detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the ADF 12. For example, it can be composed of a first open / close sensor (not shown) whose detection signal changes when the ADF 12 is in a fully closed state, and a second open / close sensor (not shown) whose detection signal changes when the ADF 12 is in a fully open state. According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect whether the ADF 12 is in a fully closed state, or in a fully open state, or in a state between the fully closed state and the fully open state. In addition, as the open / close detection means, a rotary encoder for detecting the rotation of the ADF 12 can be used. Also, when the user operates and rotates the ADF 12, the current value of the ADF open / close motor 57 changes, so the opening and closing of the ADF 12 may be detected by detecting such a change in the current value. In this case, the control unit 50 constitutes the open / close detection means.

[0046] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 5 and later, various controls performed by the control unit 50 will be described. In FIG. 5, when a signal change occurs in the proximity sensor 62 because the user holds a hand over the proximity sensor 62 (Yes in step S101), the control unit 50 determines whether the ADF 12 is open or closed based on the detection signal of the ADF open / close sensor 63 (step S102). As a result, if the ADF 12 is closed, the ADF open / close motor 57 is driven in the direction to open the ADF 12 (step S103), and if the ADF 12 is open, the ADF open / close motor 57 is driven in the direction to close the ADF 12 (step S104).

[0047] In this way, since the scanner unit 10 is configured such that the control unit 50 controls the ADF open / close motor 57 based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor 62 to open and close the ADF 12, the user can open and close the ADF 12 without contacting the ADF 12, and it is possible to meet the user's needs of avoiding contact with the device.

[0048] In addition, when the ADF 12 is opened and closed by the user's hand, the control unit 50 causes the display unit 6a to display an alert. Specifically, in FIG. 6, when the detection signal of the ADF open / close sensor 63 changes (Yes in step S201), that is, when the opening and closing of the ADF 12 is detected, the control unit 50 determines whether the ADF 12 is opened and closed by the power of the ADF open / close motor 57 (step S202). If the ADF 12 is not opened and closed by the power of the ADF open / close motor 57 (No in step S202), the control unit 50 causes the display unit 6a to display an alert (step S203). If the ADF 12 is opened and closed by the power of the ADF open / close motor 57 (Yes in step S202), no alert is displayed. In this way, when the control unit 50 detects the opening and closing of the ADF 12 without driving the ADF open / close motor 57, the control unit 50 issues an alert, so that it is possible to alert the user when the user inadvertently contacts the ADF 12.

[0049] In addition, the alert display in step S203 can be a message display such as "Please avoid contact with the device" or "Please disinfect the part of the device and fingers that have come into contact".

[0050] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the displacement operation of the edge guide using the non-contact sensor will be described. In this embodiment, the detection signal of the proximity sensor 62 is used for the displacement operation of the edge guide, and the detection signal of the proximity sensor 62 is not used for the opening / closing operation of the ADF 12. However, it goes without saying that a proximity sensor may be further provided and configured to perform the opening / closing operation of the ADF 12 and the displacement operation of the edge guide using a separate proximity sensor. In FIG. 7, when a signal change of the proximity sensor 62 occurs because the user holds a hand over the proximity sensor 62 (Yes in step S301), the control unit 50 controls the edge guide displacement motor 58 to perform a closing operation of the edge guide (step S302). Note that the closing operation of the edge guide is an operation of displacing the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 in a direction approaching each other. Conversely, the opening operation of the edge guide is an operation of displacing the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 in a direction separating from each other. In particular, in this embodiment, the displacement amounts of the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 in the opening and closing operations of the edge guide are set to the maximum displaceable amounts.

[0051] Next, the control unit 50 starts a document feeding operation (step S303). When all document feeding operations are completed (Yes in step S304), more specifically, when there is no document on the document feeding tray 20 based on the detection signal of the document feeding sensor 60, an edge guide opening operation is performed (step S305). Thereby, when the user sets the next document on the document feeding tray 20, since the interval between the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 is the maximum interval, the user can set the document on the document feeding tray 20 without operating the first edge guide 30 or the second edge guide 31.

[0052] In the scanner unit 10, the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 that guide the side edges of the document are configured to be displaced by the control unit 50 controlling the edge guide displacement motor based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor 62, which is a non-contact sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the approach of the object to be detected. Therefore, the user can guide the side edge of the document without contacting the first edge guide 30 or the second edge guide 31, and can meet the user's need to avoid contact with the device.

[0053] The displacement operation of the edge guide can also be based on the detection signal of the document feeding sensor 60 instead of the proximity sensor 62. In FIG. 8, when the control unit 50 detects that the document on the document feeding tray 20 has changed from a state of being absent to a state of being present based on the detection signal of the document feeding sensor 60 (Yes in step S401), the control unit 50 performs an edge guide closing operation (step S402). Next, the control unit 50 starts the document feeding operation (step S403). When the document on the document feeding tray 20 has disappeared based on the detection signal of the document feeding sensor 60 (Yes in step S404), that is, when all the document feeding operations have been completed, the control unit 50 performs an edge guide opening operation (step S405). As a result, when the user sets the next document on the document feeding tray 20, the interval between the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 is the maximum interval, so the user can set the document on the document feeding tray 20 without operating the first edge guide 30 or the second edge guide 31.

[0054] In the scanner unit 10, the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31 that guide the side edges of the document are configured to be displaced by the control unit 50 controlling the edge guide displacement motor based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of the document on the document feeding tray 20, that is, the document feeding sensor 60. Therefore, the user can guide the side edge of the document without contacting the first edge guide 30 or the second edge guide 31, and can meet the user's need to avoid contact with the device.

[0055] Next, a control example when reading by placing a document on the document table 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. When the reading of the document on the document table 14 by the first reading unit 16 is completed (Yes in step S501), the control unit 50 starts time counting (step S502). Then, when a predetermined time elapses (Yes in step S503), it is detected whether there is a document on the document table 14 using the first reading unit 16 (step S504). If there is a document on the document table 14 as a result (Yes in step S504), an alert is displayed on the display unit 6a (step S505).

[0056] In this way, after the lapse of a predetermined time after the end of the reading operation by the first reading unit 16, the control unit 50 confirms the presence or absence of the document on the document table 14 by the first reading unit 16. If there is a document on the document table 14, an alert is issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user other than the user who placed the document on the document table 14 from viewing the document placed on the document table 14, and it is possible to improve information security. Note that the alert display in step S505 can be, for example, a message display such as "Please remove the document" or "There is a document remaining on the document table". Note that instead of or in addition to the alert display in step S505, a warning sound may be emitted. Also, instead of the first reading unit 16, another sensor may be provided to detect the presence or absence of the document on the document table 14.

[0057] Next, the control of the scanner unit 10 using an external terminal will be described. The multifunction peripheral 1 is configured to be able to execute various operations from a portable information terminal which is an example of an external terminal. An example of the portable information terminal is a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 10, the portable information terminal 100 includes a control unit 101 and a display unit 105. In this embodiment, the display unit 105 is configured as a touch panel, which not only displays various information but also realizes a UI for receiving various setting operations by the user. The user performs various setting operations and execution operations according to the UI displayed on the display unit 105.

[0058] A signal from the display unit 105 is input to the control unit 101, and a signal for realizing the UI on the display unit 105 is transmitted from the control unit 101 to the display unit 105. The control unit 101 includes a CPU 102 and a memory 103. The CPU 102 performs various processes according to the programs stored in the memory 103 and controls the display unit 105. The memory 103 is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written, and stores programs (referred to as "AP" in FIG. 10) 110 executed by the CPU 102, various parameters, and the like.

[0059] The control unit 101 includes a communication unit 104. The communication unit 104 includes, in addition to a communication module for performing mobile communication, a communication module for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi method. Note that the communication unit 104 may include a communication module for performing wireless communication by the Bluetooth method, or a communication module for performing infrared communication or other wireless communication methods. However, the communication unit 104 must be able to establish communication with at least the control unit 50 of the multifunction device 1.

[0060] The control unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 can perform various controls based on the signals received from the portable information terminal 100, and the controls include the opening and closing operations of the ADF 12. Therefore, the user can open and close the ADF 12 without touching the ADF 12, which can meet the user's needs of avoiding contact with the device. Furthermore, by using the portable information terminal 100, in addition to the opening and closing operation of the ADF 12, it is also possible to execute the displacement operation and the reading operation of the first edge guide 30 and the second edge guide 31. It is also preferable that all the operation settings executable via the operation unit 6 provided in the multifunction device 1 can be executed by the portable information terminal 100. Also, it is preferable that the display on the display unit 6a provided in the operation unit 6 is the same as the display on the display unit 105 provided in the portable information terminal 100.

[0061] In addition, the alert display in step S505 in FIG. 9 can also be displayed on the display unit 105 provided in the portable information terminal 100 when a read execution instruction is issued from the portable information terminal 100. Also, when a read operation execution instruction is issued from the portable information terminal 100, a message indicating that the read operation has ended can also be displayed on the display unit 105 provided in the portable information terminal 100.

[0062] Also, based on the detection signal of the discharged document sensor 61, when a document remains placed on the document discharge tray 29, an alert display may be performed to warn that the document remains placed on the display unit of the portable information terminal that issued the read operation execution instruction. Also, based on the detection signal of the discharged document sensor 61, when a document is placed on the document discharge tray 29, a guidance display may be performed to notify that the device is in use on the display unit of a portable information terminal other than the portable information terminal that issued the read operation execution instruction.

[0063] Also, when there is a document remaining on the document table 14 and the reading operation of the document is based on an instruction from an external terminal, if an opening / closing instruction for the ADF 12 is given from an external terminal other than the external terminal that instructed the reading operation, the request may not be accepted.

[0064] Next, the tray cover 35 as a cover member covering the original document discharge tray 29 will be described. Note that the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an embodiment without the tray cover 35, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the original document feeding tray 20 from above for explaining another embodiment in which the tray cover 35 is provided on the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the entire original document discharge tray 29 is in a state of being hidden by the original document feeding tray 20.

[0065] In FIG. 11, the user is positioned in the +X direction with respect to the original document feeding tray 20 and the original document discharge tray 29, and takes out the original document Pb discharged onto the original document discharge tray 29 by inserting a hand between the original document feeding tray 20 and the original document discharge tray 29. The tray cover 35 is for inhibiting the user from taking out the original document Pb as described above, and is formed in an L shape so as to be positioned in the +X direction and the -Y direction with respect to the gap between the original document feeding tray 20 and the original document discharge tray 29. However, the shape of the tray cover 35 is not limited to this, and any shape may be used as long as it is a shape that makes the original document Pb discharged onto the original document discharge tray 29 invisible and non-removable to the user positioned in the +X direction with respect to the original document discharge tray 29.

[0066] The tray cover 35 is rotatably provided in the X-Y plane about the rotation axis 35a. By rotating, it switches between the closed state shown in FIG. 11, that is, the state in which the original document Pb discharged onto the original document discharge tray 29 is made invisible and non-removable to the user, and the open state shown in FIG. 12, that is, the state in which the original document Pb discharged onto the original document discharge tray 29 is made visible and removable to the user.

[0067] A recess 35b is formed on the free end side when the tray cover 35 rotates. A solenoid 59 is provided at a position facing the recess 35b as shown in FIG. 11 when the tray cover 35 is in the closed state, and the plunger 59a of the solenoid 59 is configured to be able to enter the recess 35b. When the plunger 59a of the solenoid 59 enters the recess 35b, the tray cover 35 becomes non-rotatable, that is, it is in a locked state. When the plunger 59a of the solenoid 59 comes out of the recess 35b, the tray cover 35 becomes rotatable, that is, it is in an unlocked state. In this way, the solenoid 59 constitutes a locking means capable of switching between a locked state in which the tray cover 35 is locked in a closed state and an unlocked state in which the lock is released.

[0068] When a reading operation is performed according to an instruction from the portable information terminal 100, the control unit 50 acquires the unique identification information of the portable information terminal 100, for example, the physical address of the communication unit 104. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the control unit 50 receives an unlock instruction for the tray cover 35 from an external terminal such as a portable information terminal (step S601), it determines whether the unique identification information of the external terminal matches the unique identification information of the external terminal that issued the instruction for the reading operation, that is, whether the external terminal that issued the unlock instruction for the tray cover 35 is the external terminal that issued the instruction for the reading operation (step S602). As a result, when the external terminal that issued the unlock instruction for the tray cover 35 matches the external terminal that issued the instruction for the reading operation (Yes in step S602), the solenoid 59 releases the lock of the tray cover 35 (step S603).

[0069] On the other hand, when the external terminal that issued the unlock instruction for the tray cover 35 does not match the external terminal that issued the instruction for the reading operation (No in step S602), the solenoid 59 does not release the lock of the tray cover 35, and the tray cover 35 transmits an alert indicating that it cannot be opened to the external terminal that issued the unlock instruction (step S604). The external terminal receives this and displays the alert on the display unit. This alert display can be, for example, a message display such as "Since there is a manuscript that has been read by another user remaining, the tray cover cannot be opened." Note that the instruction from the external terminal in step S601 may be an instruction for the reading operation instead of the unlock instruction.

[0070] In a configuration including a tray cover 35 that makes it impossible to take out the document from the document discharge tray 29 in a closed state as described above, when the control unit 50 performs document reading based on an instruction from an external terminal, it does not release the lock of the tray cover 35 based on an instruction from outside the external terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user other than the user who has performed the reading from viewing the document placed on the document discharge tray 29, and it is possible to improve information security.

[0071] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that those are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, although the ADF 12 has been cited as an example of an opening / closing unit that opens and closes the document table 14 in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cover that opens and closes the document table 14 may be used. In addition, each control described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 and FIG. 13 may be configured to be able to be switched between valid and invalid via the operation unit 6.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1... Multifunction device, 2... Recording unit, 3... Media storage cassette, 4... Recording section, 5... Media discharge tray, 6... Operation section, 6a... Display section, 7... Discharge section, 10... Scanner unit (image reading device), 11... Scanner main body, 12... ADF, 13... Rotation axis, 14... Document table, 15... Document mat, 16... First reading section, 18... Second reading section, 20... Document feed tray, 21... Pickup roller, 22... Feed roller, 23... Separation roller, 24... First pair of conveyance rollers, 25... Second pair of conveyance rollers, 26... Third pair of conveyance rollers, 27... Fourth pair of conveyance rollers, 28... Discharge roller pair, 29... Document discharge tray, 30... First edge guide, 30a... Guide section, 30b... Rack section, 31... Second edge guide, 31a... Guide section, 31b... Rack section, 32... Pinion gear, 33... Rotation axis, 34... Friction clutch, 35... Tray cover, 35a... Rotation axis, 35b... Recess, 50... Control section, 51... CPU, 52... Memory, 53... Program (SP), 55... Sensor motor, 56... Feed motor, 57... ADF open / close motor, 58... Edge guide displacement motor, 59... Solenoid, 59a... Plunger, 60... Feed document sensor, 61... Discharge document sensor, 62... Proximity sensor, 63... ADF open / close sensor, 64... Communication section, 100... Portable information terminal, 101... Control section, 102... CPU, 103... Memory, 104... Communication section, 105... Display section, 110... Program (AP)

Claims

1. A document table for placing a document, A reading unit for reading the document placed on the document table, An opening / closing unit for opening and closing the document table, A power source for applying power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, A proximity sensor for outputting a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, When the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target, the power source is controlled, and the A control unit for opening and closing the opening / closing unit, An image reading apparatus comprising the above.

2. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 1, an opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit is provided, When the control unit determines that the opening / closing unit has been opened and closed without driving the power source based on the detection signal of the opening / closing detection means, an alert is issued. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

3. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 1, an opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit is provided, When the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target, if the opening / closing unit is closed, the power source is driven in the direction in which the opening / closing unit opens, if the opening / closing unit is open, the power source is driven in the direction in which the opening / closing unit closes. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

4. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the opening / closing unit is A document feeding device for feeding the document set on the document feeding tray on which the document is placed to the reading position by the reading unit. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

5. A document table for placing a document, A reading unit for reading the document placed on the document table, A device for opening and closing the document table, which is a document feeding device for feeding the document set on the document feeding tray on which the document is placed to the reading position by the reading unit, An edge guide for guiding the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray, which is An edge guide displaceable in the direction of advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, A power source for applying power for displacement with respect to the side edge, A proximity sensor for outputting a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, A control unit for controlling the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor, An image reading apparatus comprising the above.

6. A document table for placing a document, A reading unit for reading the document placed on the document table, A device for opening and closing the document table, which is a document feeding device for feeding the document set on the document feeding tray on which the document is placed to the reading position by the reading unit, A document feeding device for feeding the document set on the document feeding tray on which the document is placed to the reading position by the reading unit, An edge guide for guiding the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray, which is An edge guide displaceable in the direction of advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, A power source for applying power for displacement with respect to the side edge, A proximity sensor for outputting a detection signal in response to the approach of a detection target, A control unit for controlling the power source based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor, An image reading apparatus comprising the above.

7. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 and 6, the control unit is When the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target, if the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray is not in contact with the edge guide, the power source is controlled to displace the edge guide in the direction of approaching the side edge. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

8. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, the control unit is When the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target, if the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray is in contact with the edge guide, the power source is controlled to displace the edge guide in the direction of separating from the side edge. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

9. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, the control unit is When the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target, if the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray is not in contact with the edge guide, the power source is controlled to displace the edge guide in the direction of approaching the side edge, and when the proximity sensor detects the approach of the detection target again after the side edge of the document set on the feeding tray is in contact with the edge guide, the power source is controlled to displace the edge guide in the direction of separating from the side edge. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

10. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 9, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document table. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

11. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 10, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document feeding device. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

12. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 11, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the edge guide. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

13. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 12, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document table and the side of the document feeding device. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

14. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 13, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document table and the side of the edge guide. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

15. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 14, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document feeding device and the side of the edge guide. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

16. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 15, the proximity sensor is A proximity sensor provided on the side of the document table, the side of the document feeding device, and the side of the edge guide. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

17. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 16, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

18. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 17, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document and a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

19. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 18, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, and a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

20. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 19, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, and a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

21. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 20, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

22. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 21, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

23. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 22, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the movement state of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

24. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 23, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the movement state of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the speed of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

25. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 24, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the movement state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the speed of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the acceleration of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

26. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 25, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the movement state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the speed of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the acceleration of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the direction of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

27. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 26, the edge guide is An edge guide provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the non-contact state of the side edge of the document, a sensor for detecting the approaching state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the separating state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the position of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the movement state of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the speed of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the acceleration of the detection target, a sensor for detecting the direction of the detection target, and a sensor for detecting the distance of the detection target. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above. [[ID=13 An edge guide for guiding a side edge of a document set on the feeding tray, the edge guide being displaceable in a direction advancing and retreating with respect to the side edge, a power source for applying power for displacement with respect to the side edge, a friction clutch for cutting off the power from the power source when the edge guide abuts against the side edge, a document detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the feeding tray, a control unit for controlling the power source, receiving a detection signal from the document detection sensor, and controlling the power source so as to retract the edge guide in the retracting direction when there is no document on the feeding tray and to advance the edge guide in the advancing direction when a document is set on the feeding tray, An image reading apparatus comprising:

7. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, the control unit checks the presence or absence of a document on the document table after a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the reading operation by the reading unit, and issues an alert when there is a document on the document table. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

8. In the image reading apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, the document feeding device includes a discharge tray for supporting a document that has been read and discharged, a cover member that can be opened and closed, and can take out a document from the discharge tray when opened, and cannot take out a document from the discharge tray when closed, and locking means that can switch between a locked state of closing the cover member and an unlocked state of releasing the lock. The control unit does not release the lock of the locking means based on an instruction from outside the external terminal when the reading is performed by the reading unit based on an instruction from the external terminal. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

9. A document table on which a document is placed, a reading unit for reading a document placed on the document table, an opening / closing unit for opening and closing the document table, a power source for applying power for opening and closing to the opening / closing unit, and a control unit for controlling the reading unit and the power source based on a signal received from an external terminal. The control unit does not control the power source based on an instruction from outside the external terminal when the reading operation by the reading unit is performed based on an instruction from the external terminal. An image reading apparatus characterized by this.

10. A recording unit having a recording unit for recording on a medium, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, provided above the recording unit and a recording device comprising the same.

Images