Media discharge device

Abstract

Provided is a media ejection device with which it is possible to suitably classify ejected media while suppressing any increase in device size. This media ejection device has: an ejection roller for ejecting media; a first ejection platform provided below the ejection roller; a second ejection platform provided above the ejection roller; a guide member capable of moving between a first position, at which the media ejected by the ejection roller is ejected toward the first ejection platform, and a second position, at which the media ejected by the ejection roller is ejected toward the second ejection platform; a driving mechanism that moves the guide member between the first and second positions; and a control unit for controlling the driving mechanism. The guide member is disposed in the surroundings of the ejection roller so as to be capable of rotating about the rotational axis of the ejection roller. When positioned at the second position, the guide member guides the media between the surface of the ejection roller and the guide member, and ejects the media toward the second ejection platform.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media ejection device, and more particularly to a media ejection device having multiple ejection stages. [Background technology]

[0002] A media ejection device such as a scanner captures images of media as it is transported and ejects them onto an ejection tray. In general, it is desirable for such media ejection devices to be able to sort ejected media by type, etc., so that users can easily classify them.

[0003] A paper discharge device is disclosed that includes a first paper discharge section having a first paper discharge path and a second paper discharge section having a second paper discharge path branched off from the first paper discharge path, the second paper discharge path being formed from a bow-shaped guide section that reverses the paper being transported and guided (see Patent Document 1). This paper discharge device is provided with a paper discharge direction switching mechanism that can selectively position and hold the inner guide of the guide section at either a first paper discharge position where the paper guide surface is retracted away from the first paper discharge path, or a second paper discharge position where the first paper discharge path is blocked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H06-305622 Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is desirable for a medium ejection device to be able to appropriately sort ejected media while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0006] The purpose of the medium ejection device is to be able to appropriately sort ejected media while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0007] A media discharge device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a discharge roller that discharges media, a first discharge tray provided below the discharge roller, a second discharge tray provided above the discharge roller, a guide member that is movable between a first position where the media discharged by the discharge roller is discharged toward the first discharge tray and a second position where the media discharged by the discharge roller is discharged toward the second discharge tray, a drive mechanism that moves the guide member between the first position and the second position, and a control unit that controls the drive mechanism. The guide member is arranged around the discharge roller so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the discharge roller, and when positioned at the second position, guides the media between the surface of the discharge roller and the guide member to discharge it toward the second discharge tray.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the medium ejection device can appropriately sort ejected media while suppressing an increase in device size.

[0009] The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium ejection device 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the medium ejection device 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement positions of a second medium sensor 116 and the like. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining the guide member 124. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a drive mechanism 130. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the guide member 124 and the like. [Figure 7]10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the guide member 124 and the like. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the guide member 124 and the like. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium ejection device 100. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage device 150 and a processing circuit 160. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a medium reading process. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a separator medium C. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an auxiliary roller 228. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 360 in another medium ejection device. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another medium ejection device 400. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram illustrating a transport path inside the medium ejection device 400. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes a medium ejection device, a control method, and a control program according to one aspect of the present disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medium ejection device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium ejection device 100 transports, captures, and ejects a medium, which is an original document. The medium may be paper, cardboard, or card. The medium includes a separator medium for changing the operating mode of the medium ejection device 100. The operating mode is a function included in a profile set for each user in the medium ejection device 100. The operating mode is setting information for specifying the operation of the medium ejection device 100 when capturing a medium or the image processing performed by the medium ejection device 100 on the captured image. The operating mode includes settings related to image resolution, tonal range, image color, hue, saturation, brightness, or noise reduction. The medium ejection device 100 may be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP), or the like. Note that the transported medium may be a print object rather than an original document, and the medium ejection device 100 may be a printer or the like.

[0013] In FIG. 1, arrow A1 indicates the approximately vertical direction (height direction). Arrow A2 indicates the medium transport direction. Arrow A3 indicates the first medium ejection direction of the medium ejected to the first ejection tray 104. Arrow A4 indicates the second medium ejection direction of the medium ejected to the second ejection tray 105. Arrow A5 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction A2, the first medium ejection direction A3, or the second medium ejection direction A4. Hereinafter, upstream refers to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A2, the first medium ejection direction A3, or the second medium ejection direction A4, and downstream refers to the downstream side of the medium transport direction A2, the first medium ejection direction A3, or the second medium ejection direction A4.

[0014] The medium ejection device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a mounting table 103, a first ejection table 104, a second ejection table 105, an operation device 106, a display device 107, and the like.

[0015] The second housing 102 is disposed inside the first housing 101 and is rotatably engaged with the first housing 101 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when a medium is jammed or when the inside of the medium ejection device 100 is cleaned.

[0016] The mounting table 103 engages with the first housing 101 so that the medium to be transported can be placed on it. The mounting table 103 is provided on the side surface of the first housing 101 on the medium supply side so that it can move in the height direction A1. When the medium is not being transported, the mounting table 103 is located at the bottom so that the medium can be easily placed on it, and when the medium is being transported, the mounting table 103 rises to approximately the same height as the medium transport path so that the placed medium can be fed.

[0017] The first discharge tray 104 is provided on the second housing 102 below the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, and places media discharged from the discharge ports on it. The second discharge tray 105 is provided on the first housing 101 above the discharge ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, and places media discharged from the discharge ports on it.

[0018] The operation device 106 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input device, accepts input operations by a user, and outputs operation signals in response to the user's input operations. The display device 107 has a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transport path inside the medium ejection device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0020] The transport path inside the media discharge device 100 includes a first media sensor 111, a pick roller 112, a feed roller 113, a separation roller 114, an ultrasonic sensor 115, a second media sensor 116, a third media sensor 117, a fourth media sensor 118, first to seventh transport rollers 119a-g, first to eighth driven rollers 120a-h, an imaging device 121, a fifth media sensor 122, a discharge roller 123, and a guide member 124.

[0021] The number of each of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to seventh conveying rollers 119a-g, the first to eighth driven rollers 120a-h, and / or the discharge roller 123 is not limited to one, and may be more than one. In this case, the multiple feed rollers 113, the separation roller 114, the first to seventh conveying rollers 119a-g, the first to eighth driven rollers 120a-h, and / or the discharge roller 123 are arranged at intervals in the width direction A5.

[0022] The surface of first housing 101 facing second housing 102 forms first guide 101a of the medium transport path, and the surface of second housing 102 facing first housing 101 forms second guide 102a of the medium transport path. As shown in Figure 2, medium ejection device 100 has a so-called U-turn path, and transports media placed on a mounting table 103 located below and ejects them onto a first ejection table 104 located above.

[0023] The first medium sensor 111 is disposed on the mounting table 103, i.e., upstream of the feed roller 113 and separation roller 114, and detects the state of the medium on the mounting table 103. The first medium sensor 111 determines whether or not a medium is placed on the mounting table 103 by using a contact detection sensor that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact with the mounting table 103 or when the medium is not in contact with the mounting table 103. The first medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a first medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the mounting table 103. Note that the first medium sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as an optical detection sensor, may be used as the first medium sensor 111.

[0024] Pick roller 112 is provided in second housing 102, and comes into contact with a medium placed on mounting table 103 raised to approximately the same height as the medium transport path, to feed the medium downstream.

[0025] The feed roller 113 is provided inside the second housing 102 downstream of the pick roller 112, and feeds the media fed by the pick roller 112 further downstream. The separation roller 114 is provided inside the first housing 101 opposite the feed roller 113. The feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 perform a media separation operation, separating the media and feeding them one by one. The feed roller 113 is provided above the separation roller 114, and the medium discharge device 100 feeds the media using a so-called top-down method.

[0026] The ultrasonic sensor 115 is an example of a sensor. The ultrasonic sensor 115 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 113 and upstream of the first conveyor roller 119a, i.e., upstream of the imaging device 121. The ultrasonic sensor 115 includes an ultrasonic transmitter 115a and an ultrasonic receiver 115b. The ultrasonic transmitter 115a and the ultrasonic receiver 115b are disposed near the medium conveyance path and facing each other across the conveyance path. The ultrasonic transmitter 115a emits ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the ultrasonic receiver 115b receives the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 115a and transmitted through the medium, and generates and outputs an ultrasonic signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic signal is an example of an output signal.

[0027] The first to seventh transport rollers 119a-g and the first to seventh driven rollers 120a-g are provided downstream of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114, and transport the medium fed by the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 downstream.

[0028] Imaging device 121 is an example of an imaging section. Imaging device 121 is arranged downstream of first and second transport rollers 119a-b in medium transport direction A2, and captures images of the medium transported by first and second transport rollers 119a-b and first and second driven rollers 120a-b. Imaging device 121 includes first imaging device 121a and second imaging device 121b arranged opposite each other with the medium transport path in between.

[0029] The first imaging device 121a has an imaging sensor (line sensor) based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a 1:1 optical system type having imaging elements based on CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 121a also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The first imaging device 121a captures an image of the surface of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0030] Similarly, the second imaging device 121b has a CIS imaging sensor (line sensor) of a 1x1 optical system type with CMOS imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 121b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and A / D converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 121b captures an image of the back side of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0031] Note that medium ejection device 100 may have only one of first imaging device 121a and second imaging device 121b disposed, and may read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor with a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0032] The discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h are provided facing each other downstream of the first to seventh conveyance rollers 119a to 119g. The discharge roller 123 is disposed above the eighth driven roller 120h. The discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h discharge the medium conveyed by the first to seventh conveyance rollers 119a to 119g and the first to seventh driven rollers 120a to 120g onto the first discharge tray 104 or the second discharge tray 105. The discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h are disposed between the first discharge tray 104 and the second discharge tray 105. In other words, the first discharge tray 104 is provided below the discharge roller 123, particularly below the nip portion between the discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h. The second discharge table 105 is provided above the discharge roller 123, particularly above the nip portion between the discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h.

[0033] The media placed on the mounting table 103 are transported between the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a in the media transport direction A2 by the rotation of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 113 in the media feed directions A11 and A12, respectively. The medium ejection device 100 has two feeding modes: a separation mode in which the media are separated while being fed, and a non-separation mode in which the media are fed without being separated. The feeding mode is set by the user using the operation device 106 or an information processing device that is communicatively connected to the medium ejection device 100. When the feeding mode is set to the separation mode, the separation roller 114 rotates or stops in the direction of arrow A13, i.e., in the opposite direction to the media feed direction. This restricts the feeding of media other than the separated media (preventing double feeding). On the other hand, when the feeding mode is set to the non-separation mode, the separation roller 114 rotates in the opposite direction of arrow A13, i.e., in the media feed direction.

[0034] The medium is guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a and fed to the imaging position of the imaging device 121 by the rotation of the first and second transport rollers 119a-b in the directions of arrows A14-A15, and is imaged by the imaging device 121. Furthermore, the medium is discharged onto the first discharge tray 104 or the second discharge tray 105 by the rotation of the third to seventh transport rollers 119c-g and the discharge roller 123 in the directions of arrows A16-A21, respectively. The first discharge tray 104 or the second discharge tray 105 places the medium discharged by the discharge roller 123 on it.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positions of second medium sensor 116, third medium sensor 117, fourth medium sensor 118, fifth medium sensor 122, etc. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of first housing 101 when second housing 102 is open, as viewed from the transport path side.

[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the medium discharge device 100 has two each of the feed roller 113, first to seventh transport rollers 119a to 119g, and discharge rollers 123.

[0037] The second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, and the fourth medium sensor 118 are examples of sensors. The second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, and the fourth medium sensor 118 are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A5. The second medium sensor 116 is arranged in the center of the medium transport path in the width direction A5. The third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118 are arranged outside the second medium sensor 116 (toward the sidewall of the medium transport path) in the width direction A5. The distance between the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118 is set to a distance equal to or less than the minimum medium width supported by the medium ejection device 100.

[0038] The second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, and the fourth medium sensor 118 are disposed downstream of the feed roller 113 and upstream of the first transport roller 119a, i.e., upstream of the imaging device 121, in the medium transport direction A2. The second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, and the fourth medium sensor 118 are disposed in approximately the same position in the medium transport direction A2. The second medium sensor 116 may be disposed upstream of the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118. The second medium sensor 116 may also be disposed downstream of the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118, particularly downstream of the second transport roller 119b. The second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, and the fourth medium sensor 118 detect media transported to their respective positions.

[0039] The fifth medium sensor 122 is disposed in the center of the medium transport path in the width direction A5. The fifth medium sensor 122 is disposed downstream of the seventh transport roller 119g in the medium transport direction A2, i.e., downstream of the imaging device 121 and upstream of the discharge roller 123. The fifth medium sensor 122 detects the medium transported to its position.

[0040] The second medium sensor 116 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a light guide tube provided opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the medium transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the medium transport path. The light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The second medium sensor 116 generates and outputs a second medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second medium sensor 116, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The second medium signal is an example of an output signal.

[0041] The third medium sensor 117 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a light guide tube provided opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the medium transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the medium transport path. The light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The third medium sensor 117 generates and outputs a third medium signal, the signal value of which changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the third medium sensor 117, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The third medium signal is an example of an output signal.

[0042] The fourth medium sensor 118 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a light guide tube provided opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the medium transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the medium transport path. The light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The fourth medium sensor 118 generates and outputs a fourth medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the fourth medium sensor 118, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The fourth medium signal is an example of an output signal.

[0043] The fifth medium sensor 122 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a light guide tube provided opposite the light emitter and light receiver across the medium transport path. The light emitter is an LED or the like and emits light toward the medium transport path. The light receiver is a photodiode or the like and receives the light emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. The fifth medium sensor 122 generates and outputs a fifth medium signal based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the fifth medium sensor 122.

[0044] Note that a reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of a light guide tube in second medium sensor 116, third medium sensor 117, fourth medium sensor 118, and / or fifth medium sensor 122. Also, in second medium sensor 116, third medium sensor 117, fourth medium sensor 118, and / or fifth medium sensor 122, the light emitter and light receiver may be disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path. Also, second medium sensor 116, third medium sensor 117, fourth medium sensor 118, and / or fifth medium sensor 122 may detect the presence of a medium using a contact detection sensor or the like that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact or when the medium is not in contact.

[0045] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are schematic diagrams for explaining the guide member 124. Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are schematic diagrams of the discharge roller 123 and the periphery of the eighth driven roller 120h as viewed from the side.

[0046] 4(A) and 4(B), the guide member 124 is arranged around the discharge roller 123 to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the discharge roller 123 and to cover a portion of the surface of the discharge roller 123. That is, the shaft 124a, which is the rotation axis of the guide member 124, is arranged coaxially with the shaft 123a, which is the rotation axis of the discharge roller 123. A space is provided between the guide member 124 and the discharge roller 123 to allow the discharged medium to pass through. The guide member 124 is arranged to be movable between a first position where the guide member 124 discharges the medium discharged by the discharge roller 123 toward the first discharge tray 104 and a second position where the guide member 124 discharges the medium discharged by the discharge roller 123 toward the second discharge tray 105.

[0047] The guide member 124 is provided with an elastic member 124b that applies a biasing force to the guide member 124 to rotate the guide member 124 in a direction A31 opposite to the rotation direction A21 of the discharge roller 123. The elastic member 124b is, for example, a spring member such as a torsion coil spring, and is provided on the shaft 124a that is the rotation axis of the guide member 124. The elastic member 124b may be a spring member, a rubber member, or the like, and may be provided on an end of the guide member 124. The elastic member 124b may also be omitted. In this case, the guide member 124 is provided so that a biasing force is applied to the guide member 124 by its own weight to rotate the guide member 124 in the direction A31 opposite to the rotation direction A21 of the discharge roller 123.

[0048] 4(A), when the guide member 124 is disposed in the first position, it is disposed above the discharge rollers 123 so as not to overlap with the extension plane of the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a extending in the first medium discharge direction A3. As a result, the guide member 124 does not block the progress of the medium discharged by the discharge rollers 123, and the medium is discharged onto the first discharge table 104 disposed below the discharge rollers 123.

[0049] 4(B), when the guide member 124 is disposed in the second position, it is disposed downstream of the discharge rollers 123 in the first medium discharge direction A3 so as to overlap with the extension surfaces of the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a that extend in the first medium discharge direction A3. This allows the guide member 124 to block the medium discharged by the discharge rollers 123 from proceeding to the first discharge tray 104. The medium is guided by the inner surface of the guide member 124 (the surface on the discharge roller 123 side), travels through the space between the guide member 124 and the discharge rollers 123, and is discharged to the second discharge tray 105 that is disposed above the discharge rollers 123.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the drive mechanism 130 of the guide member 124. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the discharge roller 123, the guide member 124, and the surrounding area as viewed from above.

[0051] 5, the medium ejection device 100 further includes a drive mechanism 130 for the guide member 124. The drive mechanism 130 includes a first motor 131, a first gear 132, a second gear 133, a third gear 134, a fourth gear 135, a fifth gear 136, a one-way clutch 137, a torque limiter 138, and the like.

[0052] The first motor 131 generates a driving force for driving the discharge roller 123 and the guide member 124 in response to a control signal from the processing circuit. The first gear 132 is attached to the rotation shaft of the first motor 131 and meshes with the second gear 133. The second gear 133 meshes with the third gear 134. The third gear 134 is attached to one end of the shaft 123a, which is the rotation shaft of the discharge roller 123. A fourth gear 135 is attached to the shaft 133a, which is the rotation shaft of the second gear 133, so as to rotate together with the second gear 133. The fourth gear 135 meshes with the fifth gear 136. The fifth gear 136 is attached to one end of the shaft 124a, which is the rotation shaft of the guide member 124.

[0053] The one-way clutch 137 is disposed between the first motor 131 and the discharge roller 123, and prevents the discharge roller 123 from rotating in the direction opposite to the medium discharge direction A21. The torque limiter 138 is disposed between the first motor 131 and the guide member 124, and cuts off the transmission of driving force from the first motor 131 to the guide member 124 when the torque applied to the guide member 124 is equal to or greater than a certain amount.

[0054] When the first motor 131 rotates forward, the rotation shaft of the first motor 131 and the first gear 132 rotate in the direction of arrow A32, and the second gear 133 rotates in the direction of arrow A33. As a result, the third gear 134 and the discharge roller 123 rotate in the direction of arrow A21 (the medium discharge direction). Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation of the second gear 133, the fourth gear 135 rotates in the direction of arrow A33. As a result, the fifth gear 136 and the guide member 124 rotate in the direction of arrow A21 (the opposite direction to the direction A31 in which the biasing force is applied by the elastic member 124b).

[0055] On the other hand, when the first motor 131 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotary shaft of the first motor 131 and the first gear 132 rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A32, and the second gear 133 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A33. At this time, the third gear 134 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A21, but the discharge roller 123 does not rotate due to the action of the one-way clutch 137. In addition, in conjunction with the rotation of the second gear 133, the fourth gear 135 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A33. As a result, the fifth gear 136 and the guide member 124 rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A21 (the direction A31 in which the biasing force is applied by the elastic member 124b).

[0056] In this way, the drive mechanism 130 is configured to move the guide member 124 between the first position and the second position, and also to drive the discharge roller 123. That is, in the medium discharge device 100, a common motor is used as both the motor for moving the guide member 124 and the motor for moving the discharge roller 123. This allows the medium discharge device 100 to have a smaller number of motors, thereby reducing the cost and weight of the device.

[0057] Figures 6(A), 6(B), 7(A), 7(B), 8(A), and 8(B) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the discharge roller 123 and the guide member 124 when the separator medium C is transported as the medium. Figures 6(A), 6(B), 7(A), 7(B), 8(A), and 8(B) are schematic diagrams of the periphery of the discharge roller 123 and the guide member 124 as viewed from the side.

[0058] 6(A) shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 when the leading edge of the separator medium C has not yet passed the position of the fifth medium sensor 122. As shown in FIG. 6(A), a protrusion 124c that protrudes radially is provided at the end in the width direction A5 of a shaft 124a, which is the rotation axis of the guide member 124.

[0059] The medium ejection device 100 also includes a blocking mechanism 125. The blocking mechanism 125 includes a cam member 125a. The cam member 125a is a plate-shaped member extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction A5 and is fixed to an end of the guide member 124 in the width direction A5. The cam member 125a includes a space 125b in which the protrusion 124c can rotate, and a first abutment portion 125c and a second abutment portion 125d provided within the space 125b. The space 125b is formed at a position facing the protrusion 124c so that the protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a can rotate within the space 125b. The first abutment portion 125c and the second abutment portion 125d are provided at both ends of the space 125b in the circumferential direction so as to abut against the protrusion 124c located at both ends of the space 125b in the circumferential direction. The first abutment portion 125c is an example of an abutment portion.

[0060] Furthermore, the medium ejection device 100 has a first stopper 126 and a second stopper 127 that come into contact with the guide member 124 to stop the rotation of the guide member 124.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6A, when the leading edge of separator medium C has not yet passed the position of fifth medium sensor 122, medium discharge device 100 rotates first motor 131 in the forward direction. This causes discharge roller 123 to rotate in medium discharge direction A21, and shaft 124a of guide member 124 to rotate in the opposite direction of arrow A31. Protrusion 124c of shaft 124a abuts first abutment portion 125c in space 125b, causing guide member 124 to rotate in the opposite direction of arrow A31. Guide member 124 rotates in the opposite direction of arrow A31 against the biasing force of elastic member 124b, stopping at a position where it abuts first stopper 126 and being placed in the first position. In addition, when the protrusion 124c abuts against the first abutment portion 125c and the guide member 124 abuts against the first stopper 126, the transmission of the driving force from the first motor 131 is limited by the torque limiter 138. Therefore, the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 stops at the position shown in FIG.

[0062] 6B shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 when the leading edge of the separator medium C passes the position of the fifth medium sensor 122. When the leading edge of the separator medium C passes the position of the fifth medium sensor 122, the medium discharge device 100 reverses the rotation of the first motor 131. This stops the discharge roller 123 and causes the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 to rotate in the direction of arrow A31. As the protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a rotates in the direction of arrow A31, the engagement by the protrusion 124c of the first abutment portion 125c is released. The guide member 124 rotates in the direction of arrow A31 due to the biasing force of the elastic member 124b, stops at a position where it abuts against the second stopper 127, and is placed in the second position.

[0063] FIG. 7A shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 after some time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 6B. Even after the guide member 124 is positioned in the second position, the medium discharge device 100 continues to rotate the first motor 131 in reverse for a certain period of time. This causes the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 to rotate in the direction of arrow A31. The protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a abuts against the second abutment portion 125d provided on the opposite side of the space 125b from the first abutment portion 125c. Note that when the protrusion 124c abuts against the second abutment portion 125d and the guide member 124 abuts against the second stopper 127, the transmission of the driving force from the first motor 131 is limited by the torque limiter 138. Therefore, the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 stops at the position shown in FIG. 7A.

[0064] FIG. 7B shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 after further time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 7A. The medium discharge device 100 rotates the first motor 131 forward before the leading edge of the separator medium C reaches the nip between the discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h. This causes the discharge roller 123 to rotate in the medium discharge direction A21, and the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 to rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A31. The protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a begins to rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A31, but it is moving within the space 125b and has not yet come into contact with the first abutment portion 125c. Therefore, the guide member 124 does not move from the second position due to the biasing force of the elastic member 124b. The separator medium C is guided by the discharge roller 123, which rotates in the medium discharge direction A21, into the space between the discharge roller 123 and the guide member 124, which is disposed at the second position.

[0065] 8(A) shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 after further time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 7(B). The medium discharge device 100 continues to rotate the first motor 131 in the forward direction. As a result, the discharge roller 123 continues to rotate in the medium discharge direction A21, the shaft 124a of the guide member 124 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow A31, and the protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a comes into contact with the first contact portion 125c.

[0066] FIG. 8(B) shows the discharge roller 123 and guide member 124 after further time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 8(A). The medium discharge device 100 continues to rotate the first motor 131 in the forward direction. As a result, the protrusion 124c of the shaft 124a abuts against the first abutment portion 125c, causing the guide member 124 to rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow A31. The guide member 124 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A31 against the biasing force of the elastic member 124b, stops at a position where it abuts against the first stopper 126, and is positioned at the first position. The separator medium C is discharged to the second discharge tray 105 by the discharge roller 123 rotating in the medium discharge direction A21, while being guided by the guide member 124 positioned at the first position.

[0067] In this way, when the guide member 124 is located in the second position, it guides the media between the surface of the discharge roller 123 and the guide member 124, and discharges the media toward the second discharge tray 105. As described above, the guide member 124 is disposed around the discharge roller 123 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the discharge roller 123. Therefore, the medium discharge device 100 can appropriately sort the discharged media while suppressing an increase in device size due to the provision of the guide member 124. Furthermore, the guide member 124 is configured to move by rotating. Therefore, the medium discharge device 100 can move the guide member 124 in a shorter time than when it moves parallel to the guide member 124, and can more appropriately sort the discharged media.

[0068] Furthermore, the blocking mechanism 125 (cam member 125a) is provided between the guide member 124 and the shaft 124a (protrusion 124c), which is the rotation axis of the guide member 124. The blocking mechanism 125 blocks the driving force transmitted from the first motor 131 to the shaft 124a from being transmitted to the guide member 124 for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period is the period from when the protrusion 124c abuts against the second abutment 125d to when it rotates within the space 125b and abuts against the first abutment 125c. As a result, the medium ejection device 100 can rotate the ejection roller 123 while stopping the guide member 124, of the ejection roller 123 and guide member 124 driven by the single first motor 131. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can appropriately switch the ejection destination of the medium while driving the ejection roller 123 and guide member 124 with the single first motor 131. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can appropriately switch the ejection destination of the medium while suppressing increases in device cost and device weight.

[0069] The blocking mechanism 125 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the blocking mechanism 125 may include an electromagnetic clutch that can be controlled by a control signal from the processing circuit, and by controlling the electromagnetic clutch, the driving force transmitted from the first motor 131 to the shaft 124a may be blocked from being transmitted to the guide member 124 for a predetermined period of time. Even in this case, the medium ejection device 100 can appropriately switch the ejection destination of the medium while driving the ejection roller 123 and the guide member 124 with the single first motor 131. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can appropriately switch the ejection destination of the medium while suppressing increases in device cost and weight.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medium ejection device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0071] In addition to the above-described components, the medium ejection device 100 further includes a second motor 141, an interface device 142, a storage device 150, a processing circuit 160, and the like.

[0072] The second motor 141 includes one or more motors, and rotates the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, and the first to seventh conveyance rollers 119a-g to convey and discharge the medium in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 160. The first to seventh driven rollers 120a-g may be rotated by a driving force from the second motor 141, rather than being rotated in accordance with the rotation of the first to seventh conveyance rollers 119a-g. Similarly, the eighth driven roller 120h may be rotated by a driving force from the first motor 131, rather than being rotated in accordance with the rotation of the discharge roller 123. The second motor 141 also includes a motor for moving the mounting table 103.

[0073] The interface device 142 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, etc.) to transmit and receive scanned images and various information. Instead of the interface device 142, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0074] Storage device 150 includes a memory device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or optical disk. Storage device 150 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of medium ejection device 100. Computer programs may be installed into storage device 150 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. Portable recording media include, for example, CD-ROMs (compact disc read only memory) and DVD-ROMs (digital versatile disc read only memory).

[0075] The processing circuit 160 operates based on a program stored in advance in the storage device 150. The processing circuit 160 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 160 may be a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0076] The processing circuit 160 is connected to the operation device 106, the display device 107, the first medium sensor 111, the ultrasonic sensor 115, the second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, the fourth medium sensor 118, the imaging device 121, the fifth medium sensor 122, the first motor 131, the second motor 141, the interface device 142, the storage device 150, etc., and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 160 controls the first motor 131 and the second motor 141 to drive the drive mechanism 130 and transport the medium, and controls the imaging device 121 to acquire an input image and transmit it to the information processing device via the interface device 142.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 150 and the processing circuit 160. As shown in FIG.

[0078] 10, the storage device 150 stores various programs such as a control program 151 and a determination program 152. These programs are functional modules implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuit 160 reads the programs stored in the storage device 150 and operates in accordance with the read programs, thereby functioning as a control unit 161 and a determination unit 162.

[0079] 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the medium reading process.

[0080] 11 and 12, an example of the operation of the medium reading process of medium ejection device 100 will be described. Note that the flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by processing circuit 160 in cooperation with each element of medium ejection device 100 based on a program stored in memory device 150 in advance.

[0081] First, the control unit 161 waits until the user inputs an instruction to read a medium using the operation device 106 or the information processing device, and an operation signal instructing the reading of a medium is received from the operation device 106 or the interface device 142 (step S101).

[0082] Next, control unit 161 acquires a first medium signal from first medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on mounting table 103 based on the acquired first medium signal (step S102). If no medium is placed on mounting table 103, control unit 161 ends the series of steps.

[0083] On the other hand, if a medium is placed on the placement table 103, the control unit 161 identifies the operation mode set by the user (step S103). The operation mode is set in advance by the user using the operation device 106 or an information processing device, and is stored in the storage device 150. The control unit 161 identifies the operation mode set by the user by reading it from the storage device 150. Furthermore, multiple operation modes may be set together with the order in which they are to be executed. In this case, the control unit 161 identifies the operation mode to be executed first.

[0084] Next, the control unit 161 drives the first motor 131 and the second motor 141 to start feeding and transporting the medium (step S104). The control unit 161 drives the second motor 141 to move the mounting table 103 to a position where the medium can be fed. Next, the control unit 161 drives the second motor 141 to rotate the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to seventh transport rollers 119a-g, and the first to seventh driven rollers 120a-g to feed and transport the medium. The control unit 161 also rotates the first motor 131 in the forward direction, thereby rotating the separation roller 114 in the medium discharge direction A21 and the eighth driven roller 120h in the medium discharge direction, and positions the guide member 124 at the first position as shown in FIG. 6(A). The control unit 161 controls the rotation speed of each motor so that the medium is imaged according to the resolution specified in the identified operation mode.

[0085] Furthermore, the control unit 161 causes the imaging device 121 to start capturing an image of the medium. The control unit 161 controls the imaging device 121 so that the medium is captured according to the resolution specified in the specified operation mode, and an input image is generated according to the gradation range specified in the specified operation mode.

[0086] Next, determination unit 162 receives a second medium signal from second medium sensor 116, a third medium signal from third medium sensor 117, and a fourth medium signal from fourth medium sensor 118. Determination unit 162 associates the signal value of each received medium signal with the time at which each medium signal was received, and stores them in storage device 150 (step S105).

[0087] Next, the determining unit 162 determines whether the medium being conveyed is a separator medium based on the signal values ​​of each received medium signal (step S106).

[0088] FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the separator medium C. As shown in FIG.

[0089] 13A, the leading edge of the separator medium C has a shape in which the outer portions in the width direction A5 protrude further in the medium conveyance direction A2 than the center portion. As a result, the time when the leading edge of the separator medium C passes the second medium sensor 116 located in the center in the width direction A5 is sufficiently later than the time when the leading edge passes the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118 located on the outer sides in the width direction A5.

[0090] Based on the signal values ​​of each medium signal stored in storage device 150 and the time at which each medium signal was received, determination unit 162 determines the passage time at which the leading edge of the medium passed each of second medium sensor 116, third medium sensor 117, and fourth medium sensor 118. Determination unit 162 determines the time at which the second medium signal, whose signal value changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, is received as the passage time of second medium sensor 116. Determination unit 162 also determines the time at which the third medium signal, whose signal value changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, is received as the passage time of third medium sensor 117. Determination unit 162 also determines the time at which the fourth medium sensor 118 is received as the passage time of fourth medium sensor 118.

[0091] The determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a separator medium if a first time has elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed both the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118, but the medium has not yet passed the second medium sensor 116. The first time is set to the time required for the separator medium to move a distance equal to the size of the outer portion of the leading edge protruding from the center portion. On the other hand, if the leading edge of the medium passes the second medium sensor 116 before the first time has elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed both the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118, the determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a normal medium other than a separator medium. Note that if the first time has not elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed both the third medium sensor 117 and the fourth medium sensor 118, and the leading edge of the medium has not yet passed the second medium sensor 116, the determination unit 162 does not yet identify the type of medium.

[0092] FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the separator medium C.

[0093] 13(B), the leading edge of separator medium C has a shape in which the central portion in the width direction A5 protrudes further in the medium conveyance direction A2 than the outer portions. As a result, the time at which the leading edge of separator medium C passes the positions of third medium sensor 117 and fourth medium sensor 118, which are located on the outer sides in the width direction A5, is sufficiently later than the time at which the leading edge passes the position of second medium sensor 116, which is located in the center in the width direction A5.

[0094] The determination unit 162 determines whether the leading edge of the medium passes either the position of the third medium sensor 117 or the position of the fourth medium sensor within one hour after passing the position of the second medium sensor 116. The first time is set to the time required for the separator medium to move a distance equivalent to the size of the outer portion of the leading edge protruding from the center portion, minus a margin. The determination unit 162 also determines whether the leading edge of the medium passes both the position of the third medium sensor 117 and the position of the fourth medium sensor within a second hour after passing the position of the second medium sensor 116. The second time is set to the time required for the separator medium to move a distance equivalent to the size of the outer portion of the leading edge protruding from the center portion, plus a margin.

[0095] The determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a separator medium if the leading edge of the medium has not passed either the third medium sensor 117 position or the fourth medium sensor position within the first hour and has passed both the third medium sensor 117 position and the fourth medium sensor position within the second hour. On the other hand, the determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a regular medium if the leading edge of the medium has passed either the third medium sensor 117 position or the fourth medium sensor 118 position within the first hour. The determination unit 162 also determines that the medium is a regular medium if the leading edge of the medium has not passed either the third medium sensor 117 position or the fourth medium sensor 118 position within the second hour. Note that if the second hour has not elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed the second medium sensor 116 position and the leading edge of the medium has not passed either the third medium sensor 117 position or the fourth medium sensor 118 position, the determination unit 162 does not yet identify the type of medium.

[0096] In this way, the determination unit 162 determines whether the transported medium is a separator medium based on the second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, the third medium signal from the third medium sensor 117, or the fourth medium signal from the fourth medium sensor 118. That is, the determination unit 162 determines whether the medium is a separator medium using the second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, or the fourth medium sensor 118, which are arranged upstream of the imaging device 121. This allows the control unit 161 to move the guide member 124, which is arranged near the medium outlet, with ample room to move, allowing the media to be sorted appropriately.

[0097] If the determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a separator medium, the control unit 161 reverses the rotation of the first motor 131. As a result, the control unit 161 stops the discharge roller 123 and the eighth driven roller 120h, and places the guide member 124 in the second position as shown in FIGS. 6(B) and 7(A) (step S107).

[0098] On the other hand, if the determination unit 162 does not determine that the medium is a separator medium, the control unit 161 determines whether the determination unit 162 has determined that the medium is a regular medium (step S108). If the determination unit 162 has not determined that the medium is a regular medium, that is, if the type of medium has not yet been identified, the control unit 161 returns the process to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination unit 162 determines that the medium is a regular medium, the control unit 161 proceeds to step S109 without performing any particular process.

[0099] Next, the control unit 161 waits until the leading edge of the medium passes the first nip position, which is the nip position between the first conveyance roller 119a and the first driven roller 120a (step S109). The control unit 161 periodically receives a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, and when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, the control unit 161 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The control unit 161 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the first nip position when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the medium passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The first predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to travel the distance between the second medium sensor 116 and the first nip position. Note that the control unit 161 may also determine that the leading edge of the medium has passed the first nip position when a predetermined time has elapsed since feeding of the medium began.

[0100] Next, the control unit 161 stops the motors that rotate the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, and the separation roller 114, and stops feeding of the medium (step S110). This prevents the next medium from being fed while the current medium is being transported. The currently transported medium will then be transported by the first to seventh transport rollers 119a-g and the discharge roller 123.

[0101] Next, the control unit 161 determines whether the first motor 131 is currently rotating in reverse (step S111). If the first motor 131 was rotated in reverse in step S107 and has not been rotated in the forward direction since then, the control unit 161 determines that the first motor 131 is currently rotating in reverse. If the first motor 131 is not currently rotating in reverse, the control unit 161 does not perform any particular process and proceeds to step S114.

[0102] On the other hand, if first motor 131 is currently rotating in reverse, control unit 161 determines whether the leading edge of the medium has reached a position in front of discharge rollers 123 (step S112). Control unit 161 periodically receives a fifth medium signal from fifth medium sensor 122, and if the signal value of the fifth medium signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium, determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of fifth medium sensor 122. Control unit 161 determines that the leading edge of the medium has reached a position in front of discharge rollers 123 when the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of fifth medium sensor 122. Note that control unit 161 may also determine that the leading edge of the medium has reached a position in front of discharge rollers 123 when a predetermined time has elapsed since feeding of the medium began. If the leading edge of the medium has not reached a position in front of discharge rollers 123, control unit 161 proceeds to step S114 without performing any particular processing.

[0103] On the other hand, when the leading edge of the medium reaches a position just before the discharge roller 123, the control unit 161 rotates the first motor 131 in the forward direction. As a result, the control unit 161 rotates the discharge roller 123 in the medium discharge direction A21 while rotating the eighth driven roller 120h in the medium discharge direction, as shown in Figures 7(B) and 8(A), and positions the guide member 124 at the first position as shown in Figure 8(B) (step S113). If the medium being transported is a separator medium, the guide member 124 guides the medium discharged by the discharge roller 123 rotating in the medium discharge direction A21 to the second discharge tray 105 while moving from the second position to the first position.

[0104] In this way, the control unit 161 controls the drive mechanism 130. In particular, the control unit 161 controls the drive mechanism 130 to change the position of the guide member 124 depending on whether the determination unit 162 determines that the medium being transported is a separator medium or not. This allows the medium ejection device 100 to appropriately sort separator media and regular media.

[0105] Next, the control unit 161 determines whether the trailing edge of the medium has passed the imaging position of the imaging device 121 (step S114). The control unit 161 periodically receives a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, and when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating the presence of the medium to a value indicating the absence of the medium, the control unit 161 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The control unit 161 determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the imaging position when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The second predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to travel the distance between the second medium sensor 116 and the imaging position. Note that the control unit 161 may also determine that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the imaging position of the imaging device 121 when a predetermined time has elapsed since feeding of the medium began.

[0106] When the rear end of the medium has passed the imaging position, the control unit 161 determines whether the determining unit 162 determined in step S106 that the medium being conveyed is a separator medium (step S115).

[0107] If the determination unit 162 determines that the transported medium is a normal medium, the control unit 161 acquires an input image from the imaging device 121. The control unit 161 also executes image processing on the input image in the specified operation mode to correct the input image. The control unit 161 outputs the corrected input image by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 142 (step S116).

[0108] On the other hand, if the determination unit 162 determines that the medium being conveyed is a separator medium, the control unit 161 changes the operation mode (step S117). The control unit 161 reads out the multiple operation modes set by the user from the storage device 150 and identifies the operation mode to be executed next after the currently set operation mode. The control unit 161 changes the operation mode from the currently set operation mode to the identified operation mode.

[0109] It should be noted that if the input image has already been acquired, or if the operation mode has already been changed, the processes of steps S114 to S116 are omitted.

[0110] Next, the control unit 161 determines whether ejection of the medium is complete (step S118). The control unit 161 periodically receives a fifth medium signal from the fifth medium sensor 122, and when the signal value of the fifth medium signal changes from a value indicating the presence of the medium to a value indicating the absence of the medium, the control unit 161 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of the fifth medium sensor 122. The control unit 161 determines that ejection of the medium is complete when a third predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of the fifth medium sensor 122. The third predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to travel the distance between the fifth medium sensor 122 and the ejection slot. Note that the control unit 161 may also determine that ejection of the medium is complete when a predetermined time has elapsed since feeding of the medium began. If ejection of the medium is not complete, the control unit 161 returns to step S111 and repeats the processes of steps S111 to S118.

[0111] On the other hand, when the medium has been ejected, control unit 161 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the first medium signal received from first medium sensor 111 (step S119). If a medium remains on mounting table 103, control unit 161 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the processes of steps S104 to S119.

[0112] In this case, the first to seventh conveyance rollers 119a-g, the first to eighth driven rollers 120a-h, and the discharge roller 123 are already rotating. Therefore, in step S104, the control unit 161 drives the second motor 141 to rotate the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, and the separation roller 114 again, thereby feeding the medium. The control unit 161 also controls the rotation speed of each motor so that the medium is imaged according to the resolution specified in the last specified operation mode. The control unit 161 also controls the imaging device 121 so that the medium is imaged according to the resolution specified in the last specified operation mode and an input image is generated according to the gradation range specified in the last specified imaging mode. In step S116, the control unit 161 also performs image processing on the input image in the last specified operation mode, thereby correcting the input image.

[0113] On the other hand, if there are no media remaining on the mounting table 103, the control unit 161 stops the first motor 131 and the second motor 141, and stops the first to seventh conveying rollers 119a-g and the discharge roller 123 (step S120), and ends the series of steps.

[0114] In addition, when the medium is a separator medium, the control unit 161 may place the guide member 124 at a first position and discharge the medium to the first discharge tray 104, and when the medium is a normal medium, the control unit 161 may place the guide member 124 at a second position and discharge the medium to the second discharge tray 105.

[0115] The determination unit 162 may also determine whether the transported medium is a separator medium based on the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic sensor 115. In this case, in step S105, the determination unit 162 receives an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic sensor 115 instead of receiving a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116. The determination unit 162 associates the signal value of the received ultrasonic signal with the time at which the ultrasonic signal was received and stores them in the storage device 150. In step S106, the determination unit 162 determines whether the medium is a separator medium or a regular medium using the passage time at which the leading edge of the medium passed the ultrasonic sensor 115 instead of the passage time at which the leading edge of the medium passed the second medium sensor 116. If a medium is present in a position opposite the ultrasonic sensor 115, the ultrasonic waves output by the ultrasonic sensor 115 are attenuated by the medium. The determination unit 162 determines the passage time of the ultrasonic sensor 115 as the time at which the ultrasonic signal whose signal value changes from a value less than the first threshold to a value equal to or greater than the first threshold is received. The first threshold value is set to a value between the signal value of the ultrasonic signal when, for example, a sheet of PPC (Plain Paper Copier) paper is present at the position of the ultrasonic sensor 115 and the signal value of the ultrasonic signal when no medium is present.

[0116] The control unit 161 may also sort the media by switching the ejection tray onto which the media are ejected depending on whether a multifeed of media has occurred. In this case, in step S105, the determination unit 162 receives an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic sensor 115. In step S106, the determination unit 162 determines whether a multifeed of media has occurred based on the received ultrasonic signal. When multiple media are transported in an overlapping state, ultrasonic waves that pass through the media are attenuated by the air gap between the overlapping media. The determination unit 162 determines that a multifeed of media has not occurred if the signal value of the ultrasonic signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and determines that a multifeed of media has occurred if the signal value of the ultrasonic signal is less than the second threshold. The second threshold is set, for example, to a value between the signal value of the ultrasonic signal when one PPC sheet is present at the position of the ultrasonic sensor 115 and the signal value of the ultrasonic signal when two PPC sheets are present. If the determination unit 162 determines that a multifeed of media has not occurred, the control unit 161 does not perform any particular processing. On the other hand, if the determination unit 162 determines that a double feed of media has occurred, the control unit 161 reverses the rotation of the first motor 131 to place the guide member 124 in the second position in step S107. This allows the medium ejection device 100 to properly sort media that have been transported with a double feed from media that have been transported without a double feed.

[0117] Furthermore, the discharge roller 123 and / or the eighth driven roller 120h may be driven by the second motor 141 instead of the first motor 131. In this case, the second motor 141 is an example of a second drive mechanism and drives the discharge roller 123 and / or the eighth driven roller 120h. In step S104, the control unit 161 drives the second motor 141 to rotate the discharge roller 123 in the medium discharge direction A21 and the eighth driven roller 120h in the medium discharge direction. In addition, the control unit 161 rotates the first motor 131 forward to place the guide member 124 in the first position. In step S107, the control unit 161 rotates the second motor 141 reversely to place the guide member 124 in the second position. At this time, the discharge roller 123 continues to rotate in the medium discharge direction A21, and the eighth driven roller 120h continues to rotate in the medium discharge direction. Therefore, the processing of steps S111 to S113 is omitted. Also, the blocking mechanism 125 is omitted from the medium ejection device 100. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can reduce the number of device design steps required by the developer, and can also reduce design costs.

[0118] As described above in detail, the medium discharge device 100 changes the discharge destination of the medium using the guide member 124 that is disposed around the discharge roller 123 and is rotatable around the shaft 123a that is the rotation axis of the discharge roller 123. This enables the medium discharge device 100 to appropriately sort the discharged media while suppressing an increase in the device size.

[0119] This allows the user to easily remove the separator medium from the transported media. Alternatively, the user can easily extract the media that were transported due to a double feed from the transported media and re-transport the media that were transported due to a double feed. Therefore, the medium ejection device 100 can improve user convenience.

[0120] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining an auxiliary roller 228 of a medium ejection device according to another embodiment.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 14 , the auxiliary roller 228 is disposed above the discharge roller 123 and faces the discharge roller 123. The guide member 124 is disposed so as not to come into contact with the auxiliary roller 228 so that the movement of the guide member 124 is not hindered by the auxiliary roller 228. The auxiliary roller 228 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the discharge roller 123, and assists the discharge roller 123 in discharging the media onto the second discharge tray 105. The auxiliary roller 228 may be configured to rotate by a driving force from the first motor 131, the second motor 141, or a motor other than the first motor 131 and the second motor 141. The auxiliary roller 228 enables the medium discharge device to prevent media being discharged onto the second discharge tray 105 from floating up, thereby preventing media jams on the second discharge tray 105.

[0122] As described above in detail, even when the medium discharge device includes the auxiliary roller 228, it is possible to appropriately sort discharged media while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0123] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 360 of a medium ejection device according to yet another embodiment.

[0124] Processing circuit 360 is used in place of processing circuit 160 of medium ejection device 100, and executes media reading processing and the like in place of processing circuit 160. Processing circuit 360 includes control circuit 361 and determination circuit 362. Note that each of these components may be configured as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

[0125] The control circuit 361 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 161. The control circuit 361 receives an operation signal from the operation device 106 or the interface device 142, a first medium signal from the first medium sensor 111, a fifth medium signal from the fifth medium sensor 122, and a determination result from the determination circuit 362. The control circuit 361 controls the first motor 131 and the second motor 141 to control the transport of the medium based on the received information. The control circuit 361 also receives an input image from the imaging device 121 and outputs it to the interface device 142.

[0126] The determination circuit 362 is an example of a determination unit, and has the same function as the determination unit 162. The determination circuit 362 receives an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic sensor 115, a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, a third medium signal from the third medium sensor 117, and a fourth medium signal from the fourth medium sensor 118. Based on each of the received signals, the determination circuit 362 determines whether the medium being transported is a separator medium or whether a double feed of media has occurred, and outputs the determination result to the control circuit 361.

[0127] As described above in detail, even when the processing circuit 360 is used, the medium ejection device is able to appropriately sort ejected media while suppressing an increase in device size.

[0128] 16 is a perspective view showing a medium ejection device 400 according to yet another embodiment. Medium ejection device 400 is a device similar to medium ejection device 100. However, medium ejection device 400 has a so-called straight path, and transports media placed on a placement table 403 located above and ejects them onto a first ejection table 404 located below. Furthermore, medium ejection device 400 feeds media using a so-called trade-in method.

[0129] The medium ejection device 400 includes a first housing 401, a second housing 402, a mounting table 403, a first ejection table 404, a second ejection table 405, an operation device 406, and a display device 407. The first housing 401, the second housing 402, the mounting table 403, the first ejection table 404, the second ejection table 405, the operation device 406, and the display device 407 have the same functions as the first housing 101, the second housing 102, the mounting table 103, the first ejection table 104, the second ejection table 105, the operation device 106, and the display device 107 of the medium ejection device 100, respectively.

[0130] However, second housing 402 is disposed above first housing 401. Mounting table 403 is fixedly engaged with first housing 401. First ejection table 404 is provided on first housing 401 below the ejection ports of first housing 401 and second housing 402. Second ejection table 405 is provided on second housing 402 above the ejection ports of first housing 401 and second housing 402. Display device 407 has an LED and an interface circuit for turning the LED on and off.

[0131] 16, arrow A41 indicates the medium transport direction. Arrow A42 indicates the first medium ejection direction of the medium ejected to the first ejection tray 404. Arrow A43 indicates the second medium ejection direction of the medium ejected to the second ejection tray 405. Arrow A44 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction A41, the first medium ejection direction A42, or the second medium ejection direction A43.

[0132] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the transport path inside the medium ejection device 400. As shown in FIG.

[0133] The transport path inside medium discharge device 400 includes a first medium sensor 411, a feed roller 413, a separation roller 414, an ultrasonic sensor 415, a second medium sensor 416, a third medium sensor 417, a fourth medium sensor 418, a transport roller 419, first and second driven rollers 420a-b, an imaging device 421, a fifth medium sensor 422, a discharge roller 423, and a guide member 424. The number of each roller is not limited to one, and there may be multiple rollers of each type. In this case, the rollers are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A44.

[0134] The surface of first housing 401 facing second housing 402 forms first guide 401a of the medium transport path, and the surface of second housing 402 facing first housing 401 forms second guide 402a of the medium transport path. As shown in Fig. 17, medium ejection device 400 has a so-called straight path, and transports media placed on a placement table 403 located above and ejects them onto a first ejection table 404 located below.

[0135] The first medium sensor 411 has the same configuration and function as the first medium sensor 111 .

[0136] The feed roller 413 is provided in the first housing 401, and the separation roller 414 is disposed opposite the feed roller 413 in the second housing 402. The feed roller 413 and the separation roller 414 perform a media separation operation, separating the media and feeding them one by one. The feed roller 413 is disposed below the separation roller 414, and the medium discharge device 400 feeds the media using a so-called trade-in method.

[0137] The ultrasonic sensor 415 is an example of a sensor. The ultrasonic sensor 415 includes an ultrasonic transmitter 415a and an ultrasonic receiver 415b having the same configuration and function as the ultrasonic transmitter 115a and the ultrasonic receiver 115b, and has the same configuration and function as the ultrasonic sensor 115.

[0138] The second medium sensor 416, the third medium sensor 417, and the fourth medium sensor 418 are examples of sensors. The second medium sensor 416, the third medium sensor 417, the fourth medium sensor 418, and the fifth medium sensor 422 have the same configurations and functions as the second medium sensor 116, the third medium sensor 117, the fourth medium sensor 118, and the fifth medium sensor 122, respectively.

[0139] The transport roller 419 and the first driven roller 420a are provided downstream of the feed roller 413 and the separation roller 414, and transport the medium fed by the feed roller 413 and the separation roller 414 downstream. Note that the first driven roller 420a does not necessarily have to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 419, but may be configured to rotate by the driving force from a motor.

[0140] The imaging device 421 is an example of an imaging unit. The imaging device 421 includes a first imaging device 421a and a second imaging device 421b having the same configuration and function as the first imaging device 121a and the second imaging device 121b, and has the same configuration and function as the imaging device 121.

[0141] The discharge roller 423 and the second driven roller 420b are provided downstream of the transport roller 419 and the first driven roller 420a, and discharge the medium transported by the transport roller 419 and the first driven roller 420a to the first discharge tray 404 or the second discharge tray 405. The second driven roller 420b may be provided so as to rotate by a driving force from a motor, rather than being driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the discharge roller 423. The first discharge tray 404 is provided above the discharge roller 423, particularly above the nip portion between the discharge roller 423 and the second driven roller 420b. The second discharge tray 405 is provided below the discharge roller 423, particularly below the nip portion between the discharge roller 423 and the second driven roller 420b.

[0142] The media placed on the mounting table 403 is transported between the first guide 401a and the second guide 402a in the media transport direction A41 by the rotation of the feed roller 413 in the media feed direction A51. When the feed mode is set to the separation mode, the separation roller 414 rotates or stops in the direction of the arrow A52, i.e., the opposite direction to the media feed direction. This restricts the feeding of media other than the separated media (preventing double feeding). On the other hand, when the feed mode is set to the non-separation mode, the separation roller 414 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow A52, i.e., the media feed direction.

[0143] The medium is guided by the first guide 401a and the second guide 402a and fed to the imaging position of the imaging device 421 by the rotation of the transport roller 419 in the direction of arrow A53, and is imaged by the imaging device 421. Furthermore, the medium is discharged onto the first discharge tray 404 or the second discharge tray 405 by the rotation of the discharge roller 423 in the direction of arrow A54. The first discharge tray 404 or the second discharge tray 405 places the medium discharged by the discharge roller 423.

[0144] The guide member 424 has the same configuration and function as the guide member 124. The guide member 424 is provided to be movable between a first position where the medium discharged by the discharge roller 423 is discharged toward the first discharge tray 404, and a second position where the medium discharged by the discharge roller 423 is discharged toward the second discharge tray 405. The guide member 424 is disposed around the discharge roller 423 to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the discharge roller 423, and when located at the second position, the guide member 424 guides the medium between the surface of the discharge roller 423 and the guide member 424, discharging the medium toward the second discharge tray 405.

[0145] The medium ejection device 400 has a drive mechanism similar to the drive mechanism 130. The drive mechanism moves the guide member 424 between a first position and a second position and drives the ejection rollers 423. Note that the medium ejection device 400 may have a second drive mechanism that drives the ejection rollers 423, separate from the drive mechanism that moves the guide member 424. The medium ejection device 400 may also have a blocking mechanism similar to the blocking mechanism 125. The blocking mechanism is provided between the guide member 424 and the rotation shaft of the guide member 424, and blocks the driving force transmitted to the rotation shaft of the guide member 424 from being transmitted to the guide member 424 for a predetermined period of time.

[0146] The medium discharge device 400 may also have an auxiliary roller similar to the auxiliary roller 228. The auxiliary roller is disposed above the discharge roller 423 and facing the discharge roller 423, and assists the discharge roller 423 in discharging the medium onto the second discharge tray 405.

[0147] The medium ejection device 400 has a processing circuit similar to the processing circuit 160 or 360. The processing circuit executes the medium reading process shown in Figures 11 and 12 and controls the drive mechanism.

[0148] As described above in detail, even when the medium ejection device 400 has a straight path, it is possible to appropriately sort ejected media while suppressing an increase in the device size. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 100, 400 medium discharge device, 104, 404 first discharge table, 105, 405 second discharge table, 115 ultrasonic sensor, 116 second medium sensor, 117 third medium sensor, 118 fourth medium sensor, 121 imaging device, 123, 423 discharge roller, 124, 424 guide member, 125 blocking mechanism, 125a cam member, 125b space, 130 drive mechanism, 131 first motor, 141 second motor, 161 control unit, 162 determination unit, 228 auxiliary roller

Claims

1. an ejection roller for ejecting the medium; a first discharge table provided below the discharge roller; a second discharge table provided above the discharge roller; a guide member movable between a first position at which the medium discharged by the discharge roller is discharged toward the first discharge table and a second position at which the medium discharged by the discharge roller is discharged toward the second discharge table; a drive mechanism that moves the guide member between the first position and the second position; a control unit that controls the drive mechanism, the guide member is disposed around the discharge roller so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the discharge roller, and when located at the second position, guides the medium between the surface of the discharge roller and the guide member and discharges the medium toward the second discharge tray. A medium ejection device characterized by:

2. The medium ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second drive mechanism that drives the ejection roller.

3. The drive mechanism further drives the discharge roller, 2. The medium ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking mechanism provided between the guide member and the rotation shaft of the guide member, which blocks the driving force transmitted to the rotation shaft of the guide member from being transmitted to the guide member for a predetermined period of time.

4. the blocking mechanism includes a space in which a protrusion provided on a rotation shaft of the guide member can rotate and a contact portion provided in the space, and a cam member fixed to the guide member; The medium ejection device according to claim 3 , wherein the blocking mechanism blocks the driving force transmitted to the rotating shaft of the ejection roller from being transmitted to the ejection roller until the protrusion rotates within the space and abuts against the abutment portion.

5. A media ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an auxiliary roller arranged above the ejection roller, opposite the ejection roller, to assist the ejection roller in ejecting the media onto the second ejection tray.

6. An imaging unit; a sensor disposed upstream of the imaging unit in a medium conveyance direction; a determination unit that determines whether the medium being conveyed is a separator medium based on an output signal from the sensor, A media ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit controls the drive mechanism to change the position of the guide member depending on whether the media being transported is determined to be a separator media or not.

Images