Media transport device

Abstract

To reduce the load applied to the media being pulled out from the device and reduce production costs.SOLUTION: A image reading device 1 of the invention includes: a transport section 3 that transports a medium 51 along a transport path 6; a medium position sensor 23 that detects whether or not the medium 51 is placed in a position detection area 37 of the transport path 6; and a control unit 43 that controls the transport section 3 so that the medium 51 is transported in a paper discharge direction 32 opposite to a retract direction 31 when the transport section 3 is transporting the medium 51 in the retract direction 31 and when the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51. The control unit 43 further controls the transport section 3 so that the medium 51 is transported in the paper discharge direction 32 when the transport section 3 stops the medium 51 and when the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a medium transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There are known medium transport devices that reduce the load applied to a medium supported by the device when the medium is pulled out of the device (Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-223746 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136745 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-133317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such a medium transport device is provided with a sensor that detects when the medium is being removed from the device, which increases manufacturing costs.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a medium transport device that reduces the load applied to the medium being pulled out of the device and reduces manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A media transport device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a sensor that detects whether the medium is placed in a detection area of the transport path, and a control unit that controls the transport unit so that the medium is transported in an ejection direction opposite to the pull-in direction when the transport unit is transporting the medium in a retraction direction and the sensor no longer detects the medium, and the control unit controls the transport unit so that the medium is transported in the ejection direction when the transport unit has stopped the medium and the sensor no longer detects the medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The disclosed media transport device can reduce the load on the media being pulled from the device, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image reading device provided with a medium conveying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image reading device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device when a medium is inserted into the insertion / ejection slot. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device when the lead-in side end of the medium passes through the position detection area. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device when the ejection side edge of the medium passes through the position detection area. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device when the lead-in side end of the medium passes through the position detection area. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device when the medium is pulled in the paper discharge direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A medium conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description does not limit the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following description, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. [Example]

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the medium transport device of the embodiment is provided in an image reading device 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 1 provided with the medium transport device of the embodiment. The image reading device 1 includes a medium transport device main body 2 and a transport unit 3. The medium transport device main body 2 is formed with an insertion / ejection opening 5 and a transport path 6. The transport path 6 is formed inside the medium transport device main body 2 and is formed to be generally flat. The plane along which the transport path 6 runs is generally parallel to the plane along which the installation surface on which the medium transport device main body 2 is installed runs. The insertion / ejection opening 5 is formed at the upstream end of the medium transport device main body 2 in the retraction direction 31. The retraction direction 31 is parallel to the plane along which the transport path 6 runs. The transport path 6 is connected to the outside of the medium transport device main body 2 via the insertion / ejection opening 5.

[0011] The transport unit 3 is disposed inside the media transport device main body 2. The transport unit 3 includes a discharge-side roller pair 7 and a retraction-side roller pair 8. The discharge-side roller pair 7 is disposed near the discharge-side support area 33 of the transport path 6 and includes a transport roller 11 and a pinch roller 12. The transport roller 11 is disposed below the discharge-side support area 33 and is supported by the media transport device main body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 14. The rotation axis 14 is parallel to the plane along which the transport path 6 extends and perpendicular to the retraction direction 31. The pinch roller 12 is disposed above the discharge-side support area 33 and is supported by the media transport device main body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 15. The rotation axis 15 is parallel to the rotation axis 14. The pinch roller 12 is in contact with the transport roller 11.

[0012] The lead-in side roller pair 8 is disposed near the lead-in side support area 34 of the transport path 6. The lead-in side support area 34 is disposed downstream of the discharge side support area 33 in the lead-in direction 31. In other words, the discharge side support area 33 is disposed between the insertion / discharge opening 5 and the lead-in side support area 34. The lead-in side roller pair 8 includes a transport roller 16 and a pinch roller 17. The transport roller 16 is disposed below the lead-in side support area 34 and is supported by the media transport device main body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 18. The rotation axis 18 is parallel to the rotation axis 14. The pinch roller 17 is disposed above the lead-in side support area 34 and is supported by the media transport device main body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 19. The rotation axis 19 is parallel to the rotation axis 18. The pinch roller 17 is in contact with the transport roller 16.

[0013] The image reading device 1 further includes a reading unit 21, a medium insertion sensor 22, and a medium position sensor 23. The reading unit 21 is disposed near a reading area 35 of the conveying path 6. The reading area 35 is disposed between the paper discharge side support area 33 and the lead-in side support area 34. The reading unit 21 includes a lower reading unit 24 and an upper reading unit 25. The lower reading unit 24 is formed from a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type image sensor. The lower reading unit 24 is disposed below the reading area 35. The lower reading unit 24 captures an image of the lower surface of a portion of a medium conveyed along the conveying path 6 that is disposed in the reading area 35. The upper reading unit 25 is formed from a CIS type image sensor. The upper reading unit 25 is disposed above the reading area 35 so that the upper reading unit 25 and the lower reading unit 24 face each other across the reading area 35. The upper reading unit 25 captures an image of the upper surface of the portion of the medium transported along the transport path 6 that is placed in the reading area 35 .

[0014] The medium insertion sensor 22 is located near an insertion detection area 36 of the transport path 6. The insertion detection area 36 is located between the insertion / ejection slot 5 and the ejection-side support area 33, and is located upstream of the ejection-side support area 33 in the retraction direction 31. The medium insertion sensor 22 projects light into the insertion detection area 36 to optically detect whether or not a medium is placed in the insertion detection area 36. The medium position sensor 23 is located near a position detection area 37 of the transport path 6. The position detection area 37 is located between the retraction-side support area 34 and the reading area 35. In other words, the ejection-side support area 33 is located upstream of the position detection area 37 of the transport path 6 in the retraction direction 31. The retraction-side support area 34 is located downstream of the position detection area 37 of the transport path 6 in the retraction direction 31. The medium position sensor 23 projects light into the position detection area 37 to optically detect whether or not a medium is placed in the position detection area 37.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image reading device 1. The image reading device 1 further includes a transport motor 41, a scan button 42, and a control device 43. The transport motor 41 is disposed inside the medium conveying device main body 2. The transport motor 41 rotates the transport rollers 11 and 16 forward and backward, or stops the rotation of the transport rollers 11 and 16. The scan button 42 is exposed to the outside of the medium conveying device main body 2 and is fixed to the medium conveying device main body 2. The scan button 42 detects whether the scan button 42 has been pressed.

[0016] The control device 43 is a computer, and includes, for example, a storage device 44 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 45. The storage device 44 records the computer programs installed in the control device 43 and records information used by the CPU 45. The CPU 45 processes information by executing the computer programs installed in the control device 43, controls the storage device 44, and controls the reading unit 21, the medium insertion sensor 22, the medium position sensor 23, the transport motor 41, and the scan button 42.

[0017] The control device 43 controls the medium insertion sensor 22 to monitor whether a medium is placed in the insertion detection area 36. The control device 43 controls the medium position sensor 23 to monitor whether a medium is placed in the position detection area 37. The control device 43 controls the transport motor 41 so that the transport rollers 11 and 16 rotate forward (clockwise in FIG. 1) or reverse (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), or so that the rotation of the transport rollers 11 and 16 stops. The control device 43 controls the scan button 42 to monitor whether the scan button 42 has been pressed. The control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 so that an image on the bottom side of a medium transported along the transport path 6 is read, and so that an image on the top side of a medium transported along the transport path 6 is read.

[0018] [Operation of image reading device 1] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image reading device 1. Initially, the control device 43 stops the transport motor 41, thereby stopping the rotation of the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16. The control device 43 further controls the medium insertion sensor 22 to monitor whether a medium is placed in the insertion detection area 36 (step S1). When a user wishes to read an image on a medium 51 using the image reading device 1, the user properly inserts the medium 51 into the insertion and ejection slot 5 so that the lead-in end 52 of the medium 51 contacts the pair of ejection rollers 7, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 1 when the medium 51 is inserted into the insertion and ejection slot 5. A portion of the medium 51 is placed in the insertion detection area 36 when the medium 51 is properly inserted into the insertion and ejection slot 5.

[0019] The medium insertion sensor 22 detects the medium 51 when a portion of the medium 51 is placed in the insertion detection area 36. When the transport unit 3 is not transporting the medium 51 and the medium insertion sensor 22 detects the medium 51 (step S1, Yes), the control device 43 drives the transport motor 41 to rotate the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 in the forward direction (step S2). When the transport roller 11 rotates in the forward direction, the pinch roller 12 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) following the transport roller 11. When the transport roller 16 rotates in the forward direction, the pinch roller 17 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) following the transport roller 16. When the medium insertion sensor 22 detects the medium 51 (step S1, Yes), the control device 43 further controls the medium position sensor 23 to monitor whether the medium 51 is placed in the position detection area 37 (step S3).

[0020] When lead-in end 52 of medium 51 is in contact with pair of discharge-side rollers 7, transport roller 11 rotates forward, causing medium 51 to be sandwiched between transport roller 11 and pinch roller 12 and supported by pair of discharge-side rollers 7. When medium 51 is supported by pair of discharge-side rollers 7, transport roller 11 rotates forward, causing transport unit 3 to transport medium 51 in lead-in direction 31 along transport path 6. As medium 51 is transported in lead-in direction 31, lead-in end 52 of medium 51 passes through reading area 35 and position detection area 37, as shown in FIG. 5, and a portion of medium 51 is positioned in position detection area 37. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing image reading device 1 when lead-in end 52 of medium 51 has passed position detection area 37.

[0021] When a portion of the medium 51 is positioned in the position detection area 37, the medium position sensor 23 changes from an undetected state, in which the medium 51 is not detected, to a detected state, in which the medium 51 is detected, and begins to detect the medium 51. When the transport unit 3 is transporting the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 and the medium position sensor 23 begins to detect the medium 51 (step S3, Yes), the control device 43 stops the transport motor 41 (step S4). When the transport motor 41 stops, the rotation of the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 stops, and the transport unit 3 stops transporting the medium 51 before the retraction side end 52 of the medium 51 contacts the retraction side roller pair 8.

[0022] When the transport unit 3 has stopped transporting the medium 51 and the medium position sensor 23 has detected the medium 51 (No in step S5), the control device 43 controls the scan button 42 to monitor whether the scan button 42 has been pressed (step S6). The user presses the scan button 42 when the medium 51 is supported by the discharge-side roller pair 7 and the transport unit 3 has stopped transporting the medium 51. When the control device 43 detects that the scan button 42 has been pressed (Yes in step S6), it drives the transport motor 41 to rotate the transport rollers 11 and 16 in the forward direction (step S7). When the medium 51 is supported by the discharge-side roller pair 7, the transport unit 3 transports the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 along the transport path 6, and the retraction-side end 52 of the medium 51 contacts the retraction-side roller pair 8. When the transport roller 16 is rotating in the forward direction, the lead-in side end 52 of the medium 51 comes into contact with the lead-in side roller pair 8, so that the medium 51 is sandwiched between the transport roller 16 and the pinch roller 17 and supported by the lead-in side roller pair 8. When the transport roller 16 is rotating in the forward direction while the medium 51 is supported by the lead-in side roller pair 8, the transport unit 3 further transports the medium 51 in the lead-in direction 31 along the transport path 6.

[0023] As the medium 51 is transported in the retraction direction 31, as shown in FIG. 6, the discharge side edge 53 of the medium 51, which is opposite the retraction side edge 52, passes through the position detection area 37, and the medium 51 is no longer located in the position detection area 37. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 1 when the discharge side edge 53 of the medium 51 has passed the position detection area 37. As the medium 51 is no longer located in the position detection area 37, the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detection state to an undetection state and no longer detects the medium 51. When the transport unit 3 is transporting the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 and the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51 (Yes in step S8), the control device 43 uses the transport motor 41 to rotate the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 in the reverse direction (step S9). When the transport roller 11 rotates in the reverse direction, the pinch roller 12 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 6) following the transport roller 11. When the transport roller 16 rotates in the reverse direction, the pinch roller 17 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 6) following the transport roller 16.

[0024] When the medium 51 is supported by the retraction-side roller pair 8, the transport roller 16 rotates in the reverse direction, causing the transport unit 3 to transport the medium 51 in the discharge direction 32, which is opposite to the retraction direction 31. The discharge-side edge 53 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37 and then the reading area 35. When the discharge-side edge 53 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37, the medium position sensor 23 changes from an undetected state to a detected state and begins to detect the medium 51. When the transport unit 3 is transporting the medium 51 in the discharge direction 32 and the medium position sensor 23 begins to detect the medium 51, the control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 to start reading the image of the medium 51 from the reading start timing (step S10). The reading start timing corresponds to the leading edge passing timing, at which the medium position sensor 23 changes from an undetected state to a detected state while the transport roller 16 is rotating in the reverse direction. For example, the time from the leading edge passing timing to the reading start timing is equal to a predetermined reading start wait time.

[0025] As the medium 51 is transported in the paper discharge direction 32, the lead-in end 52 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37, as shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 1 when the lead-in end 52 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37. When the lead-in end 52 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37, the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detection state to an undetection state and no longer detects the medium 51. While the transport unit 3 is transporting the medium 51 in the paper discharge direction 32 and after the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51, the control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 to end reading at the reading end timing (step S11). The reading end timing corresponds to the rear end passing timing at which the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detection state to an undetection state while the transport roller 16 is rotating in the reverse direction. For example, the time from the rear end passing timing to the reading end timing is equal to a predetermined reading end waiting time. By performing reading from the reading start timing to the reading end timing, the image reading device 1 can appropriately read the image of the medium 51 so that the entire image of the medium 51 is captured by the reading unit 21. By performing reading from the reading start timing to the reading end timing, the image reading device 1 can further minimize the time during which reading is performed when part of the medium 51 is not positioned in the reading area 35.

[0026] The control device 43 stops the transport motor 41 at the paper ejection motor stop timing, which is later than the reading end timing, and stops the rotation of the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16, thereby stopping the transport of the medium 51 (step S12). The paper ejection motor stop timing corresponds to the timing at which the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detected state to an undetected state when the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 are rotating in opposite directions and the trailing edge passes. For example, the time from the trailing edge passing timing to the paper ejection motor stop timing is equal to the predetermined paper ejection motor stop wait time. By driving the transport motor 41 until the paper ejection motor stop timing, the image reading device 1 can reliably eject the medium 51. By stopping the transport motor 41 at the paper ejection motor stop timing, the image reading device 1 can minimize the time the transport motor 41 is driven after the medium 51 is ejected, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0027] The image reading device 1 may experience a defect in which the medium 51 is improperly supported by the pair of discharge-side rollers 7. Examples of such defects include the medium 51 being supported by the pair of discharge-side rollers 7 in a state tilted with respect to the lead-in direction 31, or the medium on which the user wishes to read an image being different from the medium 51. When a defect occurs and the transport unit 3 has stopped transporting the medium 51, the user pulls the medium 51 in the discharge direction 32, as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 1 when the medium 51 is pulled in the discharge direction 32. As the medium 51 is pulled in the discharge direction 32, the medium 51 moves in the discharge direction 32 against the frictional force acting between the medium 51 and the transport roller 11, and the lead-in side end 52 of the medium 51 passes through the position detection area 37, and the medium 51 is no longer positioned in the position detection area 37.

[0028] When the medium 51 is no longer positioned in the position detection area 37, the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detection state to an undetection state and no longer detects the medium 51. When the transport unit 3 has stopped transporting the medium 51 and the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51 (step S5, Yes), the control device 43 drives the transport motor 41 to rotate the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 in reverse (step S13).

[0029] As the transport roller 11 rotates in the reverse direction, the medium 51 is transported in the paper discharge direction 32, is no longer supported by the paper discharge roller pair 7, and is discharged from the insertion / discharge slot 5. The control device 43 stops the transport motor 41 at the removal motor stop timing after the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 have rotated in the reverse direction, thereby stopping the rotation of the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 (step S14). The removal motor stop timing corresponds to the removal timing when the medium position sensor 23 changes from a detection state to an undetection state while the transport roller 11 is not rotating. For example, the time from the removal timing to the removal motor stop timing is equal to a predetermined removal motor stop wait time. By driving the transport motor 41 until the removal motor stop timing, the image reading device 1 can reliably discharge the medium 51. By stopping the transport motor 41 at the timing when the motor is stopped during removal, the image reading device 1 can minimize the time that the transport motor 41 is driven after the medium 51 is ejected, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0030] The image reading device of the comparative example is configured so that the processes of steps S5, S13, and S14 of the operations of the image reading device 1 described above are not executed. That is, in the image reading device of the comparative example, when medium 51 is pulled out of medium conveying device main body 2 while transport roller 11 is not rotating, transport roller 11 does not rotate in the reverse direction. Therefore, in the image reading device of the comparative example, when medium 51 is pulled out of medium conveying device main body 2, a large load is applied to medium 51 due to the frictional force between medium 51 and transport roller 11, which may cause problems such as damage to medium 51.

[0031] In the image reading device 1, the medium 51 is discharged when the medium 51 is pulled out from the medium conveying device main body 2, which reduces the load on the medium 51 compared to the image reading device of the comparative example and prevents problems occurring in the medium 51. In the image reading device 1, the medium 51 is discharged when the medium 51 is pulled out from the medium conveying device main body 2, so the user does not need to pull out the medium 51 until it is discharged, which reduces the burden on the user when pulling out the medium 51.

[0032] The image reading device 1 can detect that the medium 51 is being pulled out using the medium position sensor 23, which is used to derive multiple timings. The multiple timings include timing to stop transport of the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 while the medium 51 is supported by the discharge-side roller pair 7, and timing to change the direction of the medium 51 being transported in the retraction direction 31 and transport it in the discharge direction 32. The multiple timings also include timing to start reading, timing to end reading, timing to stop the motor during discharge, and timing to stop the motor during withdrawal. Therefore, the image reading device 1 does not need to provide a sensor dedicated to detecting that the medium 51 is being pulled out, separate from the medium position sensor 23, which prevents an increase in the number of parts and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0033] [Effects of the Medium Conveying Device of the Example] The medium conveying device of the embodiment includes a conveying unit 3, a medium position sensor 23, and a control device 43. The conveying unit 3 conveys a medium 51 along a conveying path 6. The medium position sensor 23 detects whether the medium 51 is positioned in a position detection area 37 of the conveying path 6. The control device 43 controls the conveying unit 3 so that the medium 51 is conveyed in a paper discharge direction 32 opposite to the conveying direction 31 when the conveying unit 3 is conveying the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 and the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51. The control device 43 further controls the conveying unit 3 so that the medium 51 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction 32 when the conveying unit 3 has stopped the medium 51 and the medium position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51.

[0034] The medium conveying device of the embodiment can convey medium 51 in discharge direction 32 when medium 51 is pulled out, thereby reducing the load applied to medium 51 when medium 51 is pulled out. The medium conveying device of the embodiment also detects whether medium 51 has been pulled out using medium position sensor 23, which determines the timing to change the direction of medium 51 being conveyed in pull-in direction 31 and convey it in discharge direction 32. Therefore, the medium conveying device of the embodiment does not need to be provided with a sensor dedicated to detecting whether medium 51 has been pulled out, which prevents an increase in the number of parts and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0035] Furthermore, the control device 43 of the medium conveying device of the embodiment controls the conveying unit 3 to stop conveying the medium 51 when the conveying unit 3 is conveying the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 and the medium position sensor 23 detects the medium 51. In other words, the medium position sensor 23 is used to determine the timing to stop conveying the medium 51 in the retraction direction 31 while the medium 51 is supported by the discharge-side roller pair 7. The medium conveying device of the embodiment does not require a sensor dedicated to detecting whether the medium 51 has been pulled out, separate from the medium position sensor 23 used to determine such timing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0036] The medium conveying device of the embodiment further includes a scan button 42 that detects pressing of the scan button 42. When the conveying unit 3 has stopped the medium 51 and the scan button 42 detects that the scan button 42 has been pressed, the control device 43 controls the conveying unit 3 so that the medium 51 is conveyed in the retracting direction 31. When the medium conveying device of the embodiment is waiting for the scan button 42 to be pressed and the medium 51 is pulled out, the medium conveying device can convey the medium 51 in the paper discharge direction 32, thereby reducing the load applied to the medium 51 when the medium 51 is pulled out.

[0037] Incidentally, the scan button 42 of the image reading device 1 described above detects whether the scan button 42 is pressed, but this may be replaced with another input unit that detects the occurrence of another event. An example of the input unit is a communication device that connects an information processing device external to the image reading device 1 to the control device 43 so that information can be transmitted. In this case, the control device 43 executes the processes of steps S7 to S12 when the input unit receives a predetermined conveyance start instruction from the information processing device. In this case, the image reading device 1 can also reduce the load applied to the medium 51, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0038] Furthermore, the transport unit 3 of the media transport device of the embodiment includes a pair of pull-in rollers 8 that supports a portion of the medium 51 located in the pull-in support area 34, and a pair of discharge-side rollers 7 that supports a portion of the medium 51 located in the discharge-side support area 33. The pull-in support area 34 is located downstream of the position detection area 37 of the transport path 6 in the pull-in direction 31. The discharge-side support area 33 is located upstream of the position detection area 37 of the transport path 6 in the pull-in direction 31. In this case, the media transport device of the embodiment can properly support the medium 51 with the pair of pull-in rollers 8 or the pair of discharge-side rollers 7 even when transporting the medium 51 in the pull-in direction 31 or the discharge direction 32 so that the pull-in side end 52 and the discharge side end 53 pass through the position detection area 37. Therefore, the media transport device of the embodiment can properly transport the medium 51 in the pull-in direction 31 or the discharge direction 32.

[0039] The medium conveying device of the embodiment also includes a medium insertion sensor 22 that detects whether medium 51 is placed in insertion detection area 36 on the upstream side of discharge-side support area 33 in the retraction direction 31 of conveying path 6. When conveying unit 3 is not conveying medium 51 and medium insertion sensor 22 detects medium 51, control device 43 controls conveying unit 3 so that medium 51 is conveyed in retraction direction 31. In this case, the medium conveying device of the embodiment can prevent conveying unit 3 from being driven before medium 51 is inserted into insertion and discharge slot 5, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0040] The media conveying device of the embodiment also includes a conveying motor 41 that rotates the pair of discharge-side rollers 7 and the pair of retraction-side rollers 8. While the conveying unit 3 conveys the medium 51 in the discharge direction 32, the control device 43 stops the conveying motor 41 at the discharge motor stop timing, which corresponds to the timing when the rear end of the medium 51 is no longer detected by the media position sensor 23. In this case, the media conveying device of the embodiment can minimize the time the conveying motor 41 is driven after the medium 51 is discharged, thereby reducing power consumption. The media conveying device of the embodiment can detect when the medium 51 is being pulled out using the media position sensor 23, which is used to determine the discharge motor stop timing. Therefore, the media conveying device of the embodiment can prevent an increase in the number of parts and reduce manufacturing costs by using the media position sensor 23 to also detect when the medium 51 is being pulled out.

[0041] The medium conveying device of the embodiment further includes a reading unit 21 that reads an image of a portion of the medium 51 located in a reading area 35. The reading area 35 is located between a position detection area 37 of the conveying path 6 and the paper discharge-side support area 33. The control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 so that, while the conveying unit 3 is conveying the medium 51 in the paper discharge direction 32, reading begins at a reading start timing corresponding to the timing at which the media position sensor 23 detects the medium 51 and the leading edge passes. The control device 43 also controls the reading unit 21 so that, while the conveying unit 3 is conveying the medium 51 in the paper discharge direction 32, reading ends at a reading end timing corresponding to the timing at which the media position sensor 23 no longer detects the medium 51 and the trailing edge passes. In this case, the medium conveying device of the embodiment can perform reading at the appropriate timing and can properly read the image of the medium 51. The medium conveying device of the embodiment can detect when the medium 51 is being pulled out using the media position sensor 23, which is used to derive the timing at which reading is performed. Therefore, in the embodiment of the media conveying device, the media position sensor 23 is also used to detect when the media 51 is being pulled out, thereby preventing an increase in the number of parts and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0042] Incidentally, the media insertion sensor 22 of the image reading device 1 described above detects the media 51 optically, but may be replaced with another media insertion sensor that detects the media 51 by means other than optical means. For example, such a media insertion sensor may have a movable part that blocks the transport path 6 in the insertion detection area 36, and the media transported along the transport path 6 moves the movable part to detect whether the media is placed in the insertion detection area 36. The media position sensor 23 detects the media 51 optically, but like the media insertion sensor 22, may be replaced with another media position sensor that detects the media 51 by means other than optical means. Even if the media insertion sensor 22 and the media position sensor 23 detect the media 51 by means other than optical means, the image reading device 1 can reduce the load applied to the media 51 and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0043] Incidentally, the image reading device 1 described above uses the medium position sensor 23 to detect whether the medium 51 is placed in the position detection area 37 in steps S3 and S5. However, it may also use the reading unit 21 to detect whether the medium 51 is placed in the reading area 35. For example, in step S3, the control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 to monitor whether the medium 51 is placed in the reading area 35. When the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 are rotating forward and the control device 43 detects that the medium 51 is placed in the reading area 35, the control device 43 executes the processes from step S4 onward. In step S5, the control device 43 controls the reading unit 21 to monitor whether the medium 51 is placed in the reading area 35. When the transport roller 11 and the transport roller 16 are stopped and the control device 43 no longer detects that the medium 51 is placed in the reading area 35, the control device 43 executes the processes from step S13 onward. In this case as well, the image reading device 1 can reduce the load applied to the medium 51, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0044] Incidentally, the medium conveying device of the embodiment described above is used in the image reading device 1, but it may also be used in other devices. An example of such a device is a printer that prints characters and graphics on a medium. In the printer, the reading unit 21 described above is replaced with a printing unit that prints characters and graphics on a medium conveyed along the conveying path 6. In this case, the medium conveying device of the embodiment can reduce the load applied to the medium 51, as in the image reading device 1 described above, and can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0045] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the above content. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Image reader 3: Conveyor section 6: Transport path 7: Paper ejection roller pair 8: Retraction side roller pair 11: Transport roller 16: Transport roller 21: Reading unit 22: Media insertion sensor 23: Media position sensor 31: Retraction direction 32: Paper ejection direction 33: Paper ejection side support area 34: Retraction side support area 35: Reading area 36: Insertion detection area 37: Position detection area 41: Transport motor 42: Scan button 43: Control device

Claims

1. An insertion and ejection port through which a medium is inserted into a conveying path; a transport unit that transports the medium along the transport path; a reading unit that reads an image in a reading area of the transport path and detects whether the medium is placed in the reading area; a control unit that controls the transport unit, The control unit controls the transport unit so that the medium is transported from the reading area toward the insertion and ejection slot when the transport unit stops the medium and the reading unit no longer detects the medium. Media transport device.

2. The control unit controls the transport unit to stop the medium when the transport unit transports the medium from the insertion / ejection slot toward the reading area and when the reading unit detects the medium. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. further comprising an input unit for detecting a transport start instruction; The control unit controls the transport unit so that the medium is transported from the insertion / ejection slot toward the reading area when the transport unit stops the medium and the input unit detects the transport start instruction. The medium transport device of claim 2 .

4. The conveying unit is a pair of pull-in side rollers that support a portion of the medium that is disposed in a pull-in side region; a pair of ejection-side rollers that support a portion of the medium that is disposed in an ejection-side area, the lead-in side area is disposed on the transport path downstream of the reading area from the insertion / discharge opening in the direction of the reading area, The paper discharge side area is disposed on the upstream side of the reading area in the direction from the insertion paper discharge opening to the reading area in the conveyance path. The medium transport device according to claim 1 .

5. a sensor for detecting whether the medium is placed in a detection area upstream of the insertion and ejection opening in the ejection side area of the conveyance path in a direction of the reading area, The control unit controls the transport unit so that the medium is transported from the insertion / ejection slot toward the reading area when the transport unit is not transporting the medium and the sensor detects the medium. The medium transport device of claim 4 .

6. a motor for rotating the discharge-side roller pair and the lead-in-side roller pair; The control unit stops the motor at a motor stop timing corresponding to a rear end passing timing at which the reading unit no longer detects the medium when the transport unit transports the medium from the reading area toward the insertion / ejection slot. The medium transport device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The control unit controlling the reading unit so that, when the transport unit is transporting the medium from the reading area in a direction toward the insertion / ejection port, the reading unit starts reading at a reading start timing corresponding to a timing at which the leading edge of the medium passes when the reading unit detects the medium; When the transport unit transports the medium from the reading area toward the insertion / ejection slot, the reading unit is controlled so that the reading is completed at a reading completion timing corresponding to a rear end passing timing at which the reading unit no longer detects the medium. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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