Multifunction device and control method for multifunction device

Abstract

To smoothly eject a recording medium in a composite device.SOLUTION: A composite device comprises: a reading mechanism having a script ejection port from which a script is ejected; a recording mechanism having a medium ejection port from which the recorded recording medium is ejected; and a control part. The script ejection port is arranged on an upper side of a vertical direction of the medium ejection port, and a route where a tip end of the recording medium ejected from the medium ejection port passes and a script ejected from the script ejection port are in a positional relation that they cross at a cross position each other. The composite device can execute reading of the script by the reading mechanism and recording to the recording medium by the recording mechanism at the same time. The control part executes a predetermined operation for cancelling a stop state before the tip of the recording medium reaches the cross position in the case where the tip end of the recording medium is ejected from the medium ejection port in a stop state where the ejection of the script is stopped at a position where the script ejected from the script ejection port blocks the route of the tip end of the recording medium ejected from the recording medium ejection port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunction device and a control method for the multifunction device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a document reading device that has a reading function for reading an image of a document and a printing function for printing the image on a print medium, as shown in Patent Document 1. This document reading device has a reading outlet through which the read document is discharged, and a printing outlet through which the printed print medium is discharged, and the reading outlet is located vertically above the printing outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-29002 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the document reading device described in Patent Document 1, the rear end of the scanned document is held in the reading outlet, and while the document is held, the printing function is stopped. Note that while the document is held, the document hanging down from the reading outlet blocks the printing outlet. Here, in a configuration in which the reading function and the printing function are performed simultaneously, if the printing medium is discharged while the rear end of the document is held, the leading edge of the printing medium will collide with the document, causing the document to obstruct the discharge operation of the printing medium and resulting in a transport jam. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The multifunction device comprises a reading mechanism having a reading unit that reads information from a document and a document discharge outlet from which the read document is discharged, a recording mechanism having a recording unit that records information on a recording medium and a medium discharge outlet from which the recorded information is discharged, and a control unit, wherein the document discharge outlet is disposed vertically above the medium discharge outlet, and a positional relationship in which a path along which the tip of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge outlet passes and the document discharged from the document discharge outlet intersect each other at an intersecting position, and the reading of the document by the reading mechanism and recording on the recording medium by the recording mechanism can be performed simultaneously, and the control unit executes a predetermined operation to resolve the stopped state when the document discharged from the document discharge outlet is stopped at a position where the document discharged from the document discharge outlet blocks the path of the tip of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge outlet and the control unit executes a predetermined operation to resolve the stopped state before the tip of the recording medium reaches the intersecting position.

[0006] A control method for a multifunction device includes a reading mechanism having a reading unit that reads information from a document and a document discharge outlet from which the read document is discharged, and a recording mechanism having a recording unit that records information on a recording medium and a medium discharge outlet from which the recorded information is discharged, wherein the document discharge outlet is positioned vertically above the medium discharge outlet, and a path along which the tip of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge outlet passes and the document discharged from the document discharge outlet are in a positional relationship where they intersect each other at an intersecting position, and the control method for a multifunction device is capable of simultaneously reading the document by the reading mechanism and recording on the recording medium by the recording mechanism, wherein when the tip of the recording medium is discharged from the media discharge outlet in a stopped state where the document discharged from the document discharge outlet has stopped discharging at a position where the document discharged from the document discharge outlet blocks the path of the tip of the recording medium discharged from the media discharge outlet, a predetermined operation is performed to cancel the stopped state before the tip of the recording medium reaches the intersecting position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a multifunction device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a composite apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a reading mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of a reading mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing a control method for a document holding operation of the reading mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a control method for a document holding operation of the reading mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the composite apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a control method for the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 1. First embodiment First, the configuration of the multifunction device 10 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multifunction device 10 includes a reading mechanism 11 having a reading unit 63 that reads information from an original S and an original discharge port 64 through which the read original S is discharged, and a recording mechanism 12 having a recording unit 50 that records information on a recording medium M and a medium discharge port 58 through which the recorded recording medium M is discharged. The multifunction device 10 also includes a control unit 100 (Figure 5) that controls the reading mechanism 11 and the recording mechanism 12. The multifunction device 10 of this embodiment can simultaneously read the original S using the reading mechanism 11 and record the information on the recording medium M using the recording mechanism 12. It should be noted that, assuming that the composite device 10 is placed on a horizontal surface, the front-to-rear direction of the composite device 10 is the direction along the Y axis, and the left-to-right direction (or width direction) perpendicular to the Y axis is the direction along the X axis. The direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface (up-down direction) is the direction along the Z axis.

[0009] The multifunction device 10 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 20. A base frame 26 that supports each component of the multifunction device 10 is provided at the bottom of the housing 20. The housing 20 houses a recording unit 50, a reading unit 63, and the like.

[0010] A plurality of legs 28 are provided on the bottom of the compound device 10. The legs 28 are connected to the base frame 26 and support the housing 20. The legs 28 are, for example, casters.

[0011] A rectangular opening 31 is provided on the front surface of the housing 20 in the +Y direction, and has a space extending in the -Y direction. A feeding unit 30 is disposed in this space, in which the roll R is detachably installed. The roll R has a cylindrical shape in which a recording medium M (e.g., paper) is wound in a roll shape around a core member 22. The recording medium M unwound from the roll R is fed toward the recording unit 50. The feeding unit 30 of this embodiment accommodates two rolls R lined up in the height direction. Both ends of the roll R are supported by holding members 24 that rotatably hold the roll R.

[0012] The multifunction device 10 includes a medium transport unit 40 within the housing 20. The medium transport unit 40 transports the recording medium M unwound from the roll R along a transport path 41. The medium transport unit 40 includes a transport path forming unit 43 and transport rollers 44 (44a, 44b). The transport path forming unit 43 is located in the -Y direction relative to the installed roll R. The transport path forming unit 43 forms a roll paper supply path 42 that guides the recording medium M unwound from the roll R toward the -Y direction side of the housing 20. The transport rollers 44 transport the recording medium M on the transport path 41. The transport rollers 44 are a pair of rollers supported rotatably around an axis extending along the width direction, and are composed of a drive roller and a driven roller. The drive roller and the driven roller sandwich and support the front and back surfaces of the recording medium M. By driving the drive motor in the forward direction to rotate the drive roller, the recording medium M is transported through the transport path 41 to the support unit 54 and from the support unit 54 to the medium outlet 58. The medium outlet 58 is provided on the front surface of the housing 20 in the +Y direction.

[0013] Also provided is a medium position detection unit 45 that can detect the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M. The medium position detection unit 45 includes, for example, a rotary encoder. The rotary encoder is provided on a drive motor that is connected to the drive roller of the transport roller 44a. The rotary encoder is connected to the control unit 100. The rotary encoder converts the amount of mechanical displacement of rotation into an electrical signal, and can process the signal to detect the position, speed, etc.

[0014] The rotary encoder is composed of a slit disk fixed to the rotating shaft of a drive motor and a position detector located at a position through which the periphery of the slit disk passes. The slit disk has multiple position detection slits formed at equal intervals around its entire periphery. The position detector has a light-emitting unit made of a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving unit made of a phototransistor, facing each other across the periphery of the slit disk. When light from the light-emitting unit passes through the position-detection slits in the slit disk and is received by the light-receiving unit, an electrical signal is output from the light-receiving unit.

[0015] The recording unit 50 records (prints) an image on the recording medium M being transported on the transport path 41. The recording unit 50 includes a head 51 that ejects ink toward the recording medium M, a carriage 52 that mounts the head 51, and a guide rail 53 that is arranged along the width direction. The recording unit 50 also includes a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the carriage 52 back and forth along the guide rail 53. A support unit 54 that supports the recording medium M is provided at a position opposite the head 51. The head 51 ejects ink while moving back and forth in the width direction of the recording medium M together with the carriage 52, thereby recording information such as an image on the recording medium M supported by the support unit 54.

[0016] Furthermore, a medium detection sensor 46 is disposed between the transport roller 44a and the head 51 on the transport path 41. The medium detection sensor 46 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording medium M. The medium detection sensor 46 is connected to the control unit 100, and a drive motor connected to the drive roller of the transport roller 44a is controlled based on detection data from the medium detection sensor 46. After the recording medium M cut by the cutting unit 55 (described below) is discharged from the medium discharge port 58, the control unit 100 controls the medium transport unit 40 to move the leading edge of the recording medium M upstream of the head 51 and move the carriage 52 to the standby position based on the detection data from the medium detection sensor 46. The medium detection sensor 46 is, for example, a photointerrupter, and includes a light-emitting element that emits light and a light-receiving element that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element of the light-emitting element may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser light-emitting element. The light-receiving element is composed of a phototransistor or a photo IC. The change in the amount of light received between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element is converted into an electrical signal and output as detection data. The control unit 100 determines the presence or absence of the recording medium M based on the detection data and controls the drive motor that drives the transport roller 44a. Furthermore, the control unit 100 detects the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M using a medium position detection unit 45 (rotary encoder).

[0017] A cutting unit 55 is disposed downstream in the transport direction of the recording unit 50. The cutting unit 55 cuts the recording medium M after recording has been completed. The cutting unit 55 has a cutting blade 56, which moves back and forth in the width direction (left and right direction) to cut the long recording medium M at a predetermined position.

[0018] The cut single-sheet recording medium M is discharged in the +Y direction from the discharge section 57. The discharge section 57 is located downstream in the transport direction from the cutting section 55. The discharge section 57 includes a medium discharge outlet 58 and a discharge outlet member 59. The discharge outlet member 59 is located in the +Y direction relative to the support section 54, and supports the recording medium M that has passed through the support section 54, and guides the recording medium M to the medium discharge outlet 58. The medium discharge outlet 58 is formed to open above the discharge outlet member 59. The recording medium M cut by the cutting section 55 is discharged to the outside of the multifunction device 10 via the medium discharge outlet 58.

[0019] A stacker 35 is installed between the discharge outlet member 59 and the feeding unit 30 in the vertical direction. The stacker 35 has a length in the left-right direction equal to that of the discharge outlet member 59 and is configured in a sheet shape. The stacker 35 is housed inside the housing 20 and is movable in the +Y direction. When using the stacker 35, the stacker 35 is pulled out in the +Y direction and used in a bent state. In this state, the cut recording media M are discharged from the medium discharge outlet 58, whereby the recording media M are stacked on the stacker 35.

[0020] An ink cartridge 39 is installed inside the housing 20. The ink cartridge 39 contains ink. The ink cartridge 39 is detachably installed in the cartridge holder 38. The user can replace the ink cartridge 39 from the front side of the multifunction device 10. The ink contained in the ink cartridge 39 is supplied to the head 51 through a tube.

[0021] A reading mechanism 11 is disposed above the front side of the housing 20. A document feed opening 61 is provided at the front of the +Z direction end face (top face) of the housing 20. The document feed opening 61 is an opening formed to extend in a direction along the X axis. The document S is transported into the reading mechanism 11 through the document feed opening 61, and a reading process is executed by a reading unit 63 to read information on the document S. The document S that has undergone the reading process is discharged to the outside of the housing 20 from a document discharge opening 64. The configuration of the reading mechanism 11 will be described later.

[0022] An operation unit 15 that can be used to give operating instructions to the multifunction device 10 is installed on the top surface of the housing 20. The operation unit 15 has a display panel such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 15 also has a tilt mechanism, so that the operation unit 15 can be tilted to a position that is easy to operate.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the reading mechanism 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the reading mechanism 11 has a document feed port 61 into which a document S is inserted, a document transport unit 62 that transports the document S inserted from the document feed port 61 along the transport path FR, a reading unit 63 that reads information such as an image of the document S transported by the document transport unit 62, a pressing mechanism 85 that presses the document S toward the reading unit 63, a document discharge port 64 for reading from which the document S is discharged after being read, and a sensor unit 65 that can detect the document S.

[0024] The transport path FR extending from the document feed slot 61 to the document discharge slot 64 is inclined in the -Z direction along the +Y direction. A first discharge direction D1, which is the discharge direction of the document S at the document discharge slot 64, is a direction that includes a component in the +Y direction. Specifically, the transport path FR is inclined at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the -Z direction. This allows the document S discharged from the document discharge slot 64 to be moved away from the document discharge slot 64. In particular, if the leading edge of the document S discharged from the document discharge slot 64 is curled, there is a risk that the leading edge will enter the interior of the multifunction device 10 from the medium discharge slot 58 if the leading edge approaches the medium discharge slot 58. Since the first discharge direction D1 includes a component in the +Y direction, the risk of the document S entering the interior of the multifunction device 10 from the medium discharge slot 58 is reduced.

[0025] The document transport unit 62 includes an upstream drive roller pair 71, a first drive roller pair 72 disposed downstream of the upstream drive roller pair 71 on the transport path FR, and a second drive roller pair 73 disposed downstream of the first drive roller pair 72 on the transport path FR. The upstream drive roller pair 71, the first drive roller pair 72, and the second drive roller pair 73 all sandwich and transport the document S. The reading unit 63 is disposed between the upstream drive roller pair 71 and the first drive roller pair 72 on the transport path FR. The document transport unit 62 also includes a reading transport motor 62M as a drive motor that drives the upstream drive roller pair 71, the first drive roller pair 72, and the second drive roller pair 73 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, "upstream" on the transport path FR refers to the upstream in the transport direction from the document feed slot 61 to the document discharge slot 64. Similarly, "downstream" on the transport path FR refers to the downstream in the transport direction from the document feed slot 61 to the document discharge slot 64.

[0026] The upstream drive roller pair 71 is located upstream of the readable position SP of the reading unit 63 on the transport path FR, and includes an upstream drive roller 74 and an upstream driven roller 75. The upstream drive roller 74 is supported rotatably about the axis of an upstream drive shaft 741 extending along the X-axis. The outer circumferential surface of the upstream drive roller 74 is covered with an elastically deformable member. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the upstream drive roller 74 is covered with synthetic rubber. The upstream drive roller 74 is driven by the transport motor 62M. The upstream driven roller 75 is supported rotatably about the axis of an upstream driven shaft 751 extending along the X-axis. The axis of the upstream drive shaft 741 and the axis of the upstream driven shaft 751 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0027] The first drive roller pair 72 is located downstream of the readable position SP of the reading unit 63 on the transport path FR, and includes a first drive roller 76 and a first driven roller 77. The first drive roller 76 is supported rotatably about the axis of a first drive shaft 761 extending along the X axis. The first drive roller 76 is driven by the transport motor 62M. The first driven roller 77 is supported rotatably about the axis of a first driven shaft 771 extending along the X axis. The axis of the first drive shaft 761 and the axis of the first driven shaft 771 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0028] The second drive roller pair 73 is located downstream of the readable position SP of the reading unit 63 on the transport path FR, and includes a second drive roller 78 and a second driven roller 79. The second drive roller 78 is supported rotatably about the axis of a second drive shaft 781 extending along the X axis. The second drive roller 78 is driven by the transport motor 62M. The second driven roller 79 is supported rotatably about the axis of a second driven shaft 791 extending along the X axis. The axis of the second drive shaft 781 and the axis of the second driven shaft 791 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0029] The reading unit 63 of this embodiment has a first CIS module 80A and a second CIS module 80B as contact image sensor (CIS) modules 80. The CIS module 80 has a light source 801 such as an LED that irradiates light onto the original S, a light receiving element 802 such as a CMOS sensor that receives light reflected from the original S during transport, and a contact glass 803 that comes into contact with the original S. The original S is transported while in contact with a transparent surface 804 of the contact glass 803. The light source 801 irradiates light onto the original S through the contact glass 803, and the light receiving element 802 reads the light reflected from the original S.

[0030] The light source 801 and the light receiving element 802 of the CIS module 80 may be controlled by the control unit 100, or may be controlled by a dedicated control unit such as a microprocessor provided in the CIS module 80. The results of reading by the light receiving element 802 of the CIS module 80 are combined by the control unit 100 to generate image data.

[0031] In the CIS module 80 of this embodiment, the light receiving elements 802 are arranged along the X axis. The CIS module 80 collectively reads opposing portions of the document S within a range corresponding to the dimension along the X axis. In this embodiment, the first CIS module 80A and the second CIS module 80B partially overlap each other along the X axis.

[0032] The reading mechanism 11 of this embodiment includes, as the pressing mechanism 85, a pressing mechanism 85A that urges the document S in a direction pressing it against the contact glass 803 of the first CIS module 80A, and a pressing mechanism 85B that urges the document S in a direction pressing it against the contact glass 803 of the second CIS module 80B. The pressing mechanism 85 is provided at a position where it can press the document S between the upstream drive roller pair 71 and the first drive roller pair 72 in the transport direction of the document S.

[0033] The pressure mechanism 85 has a pressure plate 86 that can come into contact with the document S, and a pressure spring 87 that urges the pressure plate 86 in a direction approaching the transmission surface 804. The pressure plate 86 of the pressure mechanism 85A faces the transmission surface 804 of the first CIS module 80A across the transport path FR. The pressure plate 86 of the pressure mechanism 85B faces the transmission surface 804 of the second CIS module 80B across the transport path FR.

[0034] The document discharge opening 64 is a space sandwiched between the discharge guide portion 88 and a wall portion 681 that faces the discharge guide portion 88 across the transport path FR.

[0035] The sensor unit 65 has a first sensor 651 capable of detecting the original S and a second sensor 652 capable of detecting the original S at a position different from the first sensor 651. A first detection position DP1, which is the detection position of the first sensor 651, is located upstream of the transmitting surface 804 of the first CIS module 80A in the transport direction of the original S. When the original S is located at the first detection position DP1, the first sensor 651 detects the original S, and when the original S is not located at the first detection position DP1, the first sensor 651 does not detect the original S. A second detection position DP2, which is the detection position of the second sensor 652, is located downstream of the second drive roller pair 73 in the transport direction of the original S. When the original S is located at the second detection position DP2, the second sensor 652 detects the original S, and when the original S is not located at the second detection position DP2, the second sensor 652 does not detect the original S.

[0036] The discharge guide portion 88 is provided on the -Z direction side of the second drive roller pair 73. The discharge guide portion 88 is a plate-shaped member extending along the X axis. The discharge guide portion 88 has a guide surface 881 facing the +Z direction. The guide surface 881 is inclined so as to descend in the -Z direction as it approaches the +Y direction. The document S to be discharged is discharged along the guide surface 881. In other words, the first discharge direction D1 in which the document S is discharged is a direction that descends in the -Z direction as it approaches the +Y direction.

[0037] 4, the first transport direction FD1, which is the transport direction of the document S at the clamping position N1 of the first drive roller pair 72, is a direction that includes a vertically downward -Z component more than a +Y component. Note that in this embodiment, the first transport direction FD1 is a direction along a tangent to the first drive roller 76 that passes through the clamping position N1. In this embodiment, the intersection of the line connecting the center of the first drive shaft 761 and the center of the first driven shaft 771 with the outer circumferential surface of the first drive roller 76 is regarded as the clamping position N1.

[0038] The second transport direction FD2, which is the transport direction of the document S at the clamping position N2 of the second drive roller pair 73, is a direction that includes a larger vertical downward -Z component than a +Y component. Furthermore, the ratio of the +Y component to the vertical downward -Z component of the second transport direction FD2 is greater than the ratio of the +Y component to the vertical downward -Z component of the first transport direction FD1. In this embodiment, the second transport direction FD2 is a direction along a tangent to the second drive roller 78 that passes through the clamping position N2. In this embodiment, the intersection of the line connecting the center of the second drive shaft 781 and the center of the second driven shaft 791 and the outer circumferential surface of the second drive roller 78 is regarded as the clamping position N2.

[0039] The first unit feed amount by which the first drive roller 76 can feed the document S in one rotation is greater than the second unit feed amount by which the second drive roller 78 can feed the document S in one rotation. In other words, the circumferential speed of the second drive roller 78 is smaller than the circumferential speed of the first drive roller 76. In this embodiment, the difference in circumferential speed between the first drive roller 76 and the second drive roller 78 is determined by the difference in roller diameter. In other words, in this embodiment, the diameter of the second drive roller 78 is smaller than the diameter of the first drive roller 76, and the first drive roller 76 and the second drive roller 78 are driven at the same rotational speed by the transport motor 62M. Therefore, the circumferential speed of the second drive roller 78 is smaller than the circumferential speed of the first drive roller 76. In this embodiment, the roller diameter of the first drive roller 76 and the roller diameter of the second drive roller 78 are different, but it is sufficient that the first unit feed amount of the first drive roller 76 is greater than the second unit feed amount of the second drive roller 78. For example, the first drive roller 76 and the second drive roller 78 may have the same roller diameter, and the rotation speed of the first drive roller 76 may be greater than the rotation speed of the second drive roller 78. Alternatively, the rollers may have different diameters and rotation speeds.

[0040] Because the second unit feed amount of the second drive roller 78 is smaller than the first unit feed amount of the first drive roller 76, the second drive roller pair 73 does not pull the document S downstream. This reduces variations in the transport speed at the readable position SP of the document S, which are caused by the transport force when the second drive roller pair 73 transports the document S.

[0041] Furthermore, the clamping force between the second drive roller 78 and the second driven roller 79 that make up the second drive roller pair 73 is smaller than the clamping force between the first drive roller 76 and the first driven roller 77 that make up the first drive roller pair 72.

[0042] The first driven roller 77 of the first drive roller pair 72 is biased in a direction toward the first drive roller 76 by a first spring 831. Therefore, the clamping force with which the first drive roller pair 72 clamps the document S is determined by the biasing force of the first spring 831. The first spring 831 is a compression spring. Note that the first spring 831 is not limited to a compression spring, and may be any other spring, such as a rod spring, as long as it can apply a biasing force to the first driven roller 77.

[0043] The second driven roller 79 that constitutes the second drive roller pair 73 is biased in a direction toward the second drive roller 78 by the second spring 841. Therefore, the clamping force with which the second drive roller pair 73 clamps the document S is determined by the biasing force of the second spring 841. The second spring 841 is a rod spring. Note that the second spring 841 is not limited to a rod spring, and may be any other spring, such as a compression spring, as long as it can apply a biasing force to the second driven roller 79.

[0044] The spring constant of second spring 841 is smaller than the spring constant of first spring 831. In other words, second spring 841 has a smaller biasing force than first spring 831. Therefore, the clamping force of second drive roller pair 73 is weaker than the clamping force of first drive roller pair 72.

[0045] Next, the control configuration of the multifunction peripheral 10 will be described. 5, the multifunction peripheral 10 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a control circuit 103, and an I / F (interface) 104. The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit. The memory 102 is a device that ensures an area for storing programs for the CPU 101, a working area, etc., and includes storage elements such as RAM and EEPROM.

[0046] The control unit 100 is connected to the operation unit 15. An operation signal output when the operation unit 15 is operated is input to the control unit 100. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 15, the operation unit 15 outputs a reading request signal, and when the reading request signal is input to the control unit 100, the control unit 100 accepts the reading request. Upon accepting the reading request, the control unit 100 controls the reading mechanism 11 and the recording mechanism 12 to read an image of the document S using the reading unit 63 of the reading mechanism 11 to generate image data, and to record an image based on the generated image data on the recording medium M using the recording mechanism 12.

[0047] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 65. The control unit 100 determines the state of the document S based on a change in the output of the sensor unit 65.

[0048] As part of the sensor unit 65 electrically connected to the control unit 100, a first sensor 651 is electrically connected to the control unit 100. When the first sensor 651 detects the original S, it outputs a first output. When the first sensor 651 does not detect the original S, it outputs a second output. When the output of the first sensor 651 changes from the second output to the first output, the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the original S has passed the first detection position DP1. When the leading edge of the original S passes the first detection position DP1, the control unit 100 starts counting the number of rotations of the transport motor 62M using a counter (not shown). The control unit 100 combines the results of reading by the light receiving element 802 of the reading unit 63 based on the position of the original S estimated from the count value.

[0049] Furthermore, when the output of the first sensor 651 changes from the first output to the second output, the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the document S has passed the first detection position DP1. When the trailing edge of the document S has passed the first detection position DP1, the control unit 100 starts counting on the counter. The control unit 100 executes a holding operation for the document S, which will be described later, based on the position of the trailing edge of the document S estimated from the count value.

[0050] As part of the sensor unit 65 electrically connected to the control unit 100, the second sensor 652 is electrically connected to the control unit 100. When the second sensor 652 detects the document S, the output by the second sensor 652 is a third output, and when the second sensor 652 does not detect the document S, the output by the second sensor 652 is a fourth output. The second sensor 652 detects the document S in a state where it is held between the second drive roller pair 73 during a holding operation of the document S, which will be described later. When the output by the second sensor 652 changes from the third output to the fourth output during the holding operation of the document S, the control unit 100 determines that the document S in a state where it is held between the second drive roller pair 73 has been removed from the multifunction apparatus 10.

[0051] The control unit 100 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with an external device (for example, a personal computer) via the I / F 104. The control unit 100 can input a recording request signal, a reading request signal, and a read request signal output by an external device connected to the I / F 104. The I / F 104 may be configured to allow a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of a control method for the holding operation of the document S by the reading mechanism 11. In detail, if the document S discharged from the document discharge port 64 suddenly falls downward, there is a risk that the document S will be deformed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reading mechanism 11 performs a holding operation to hold the document S discharged from the document discharge port 64. The specific details will be explained below.

[0053] 6, first, in step S11, the control unit 100 executes a reading process and a recording process. Specifically, when a reading request is received, the control unit 100 controls the transport motor 62M to rotate the upstream drive roller pair 71, the first drive roller pair 72, and the second drive roller pair 73, and starts transporting the document S inserted into the document feed port 61. After starting transport of the document S, the control unit 100 controls the reading unit 63 to read the image (information) of the document S when the document S passes through the readable position SP.

[0054] In step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the trailing edge of the document S has passed through the first detection position DP1 since the conveyance of the document S began in step S11. More specifically, the control unit 100 monitors whether the output of the first sensor 651 changes from a first output indicating that the document S is detected to a second output indicating that the document S is not detected. When the output of the first sensor 651 changes from the first output to the second output (YES), the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the document S has passed through the first detection position DP1.

[0055] The control unit 100 controls the light source 801 of each CIS module 80 to irradiate the document S with white light. The control unit 100 receives detection results from the multiple light receiving elements 802 via red, blue, and green filters. As described above, when the leading edge of the document S passes the first detection position DP1, the counter starts counting the number of rotations of the transport motor 62M (step S13). The control unit 100 generates image data, such as characters and images recorded on the document S, by combining the detection results from the light receiving elements 802 of the multiple CIS modules 80 based on the count value of the counter. The control unit 100 stores the generated image data in the memory 102.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 100 causes the recording mechanism 12 to record on the recording medium M based on the image data stored in the memory 102. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the medium transport unit 40 to transport the recording medium M. The control unit 100 then controls the recording unit 50 to eject ink onto the recording medium M when the recording medium M passes a recording position for the recording unit 50. This causes the image data to be recorded on the recording medium M. The control unit 100 then ejects the recording medium M on which the image data has been recorded toward the medium ejection port 58.

[0057] In step S14, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the count value of the counter has exceeded a predetermined value (step S14).

[0058] Here, the predetermined value used in the determination in step S14 is a value corresponding to the length on the transport path FR between the first detection position DP1 detected by the first sensor 651 and the clamping position N1. More specifically, the predetermined value is set based on the length on the transport path FR between the first detection position DP1 and the clamping position N1 and the peripheral speed of the first drive roller 76. Therefore, the predetermined value is set to a value such that the rear end of the document S is located at the clamping position N1 when the count value reaches a predetermined value after the rear end of the document S passes the first detection position DP1. Therefore, the determination by the control unit 100 in step S14 is regarded as a determination of whether or not the rear end of the document S has passed the clamping position N1.

[0059] When the control unit 100 determines that the count value of the counter has exceeded the predetermined value (YES), it stops counting the count value of the counter (step S15) and controls the transport motor 62M to stop transport of the document S (step S16). Therefore, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the upstream drive roller pair 71, the first drive roller pair 72, and the second drive roller pair 73 when the document S is not positioned at the position SP where it can be read by the reading unit 63 and is not positioned at the clamping position N1. In step S16, the control unit 100 stops the transport of the document S before the trailing edge of the document S passes through the clamping position N2 of the second drive roller pair 73. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 executes step S16 after executing step S15, but it is sufficient that step S16 is executed before the rear end of the document S passes through the clamping position N2, and it is also possible to configure step S16 to be executed before step S15, or to configure step S15 and step S16 to be executed in parallel.

[0060] 7, the document S is held in the multifunction device 10 without falling from the document discharge port 64. More specifically, the document S is held in the reading mechanism 11 (multifunction device 10) in a state where the vicinity of the rear end of the document S is pinched between the second drive roller pair 73 and the document S hangs down from the document discharge port 64 with the leading end of the document S facing downward. This prevents the document S, whose image has been read by the reading unit 63, from accidentally falling from the document discharge port 64.

[0061] Here, the positional relationship between the document outlet 64 of the reading mechanism 11 and the medium outlet 58 of the recording mechanism 12 will be described. 8, the document discharge outlet 64 is disposed vertically above the medium discharge outlet 58. A second path MD2, which is the path along which the leading edge of the recording medium M discharged from the medium discharge outlet 58 passes, and the document S discharged from the document discharge outlet 64 intersect with each other at an intersection point CP. The first path MD1 along which the leading edge of the document S discharged from the document discharge port 64 passes is the first discharge direction D1, which is the -Z direction including a component in the +Y direction, when the document S is transported with its leading edge supported on the discharge guide portion 88. After that, when the leading edge of the document S is discharged to the outside from the document discharge port 64, it becomes the -Z direction. On the other hand, the second path MD2 along which the leading edge of the recording medium M discharged from the media discharge outlet 58 passes is the second discharge direction D2, which is approximately the +Y direction (horizontal direction) when the leading edge of the recording medium M is transported while supported on the discharge outlet member 59, and then becomes the -Z direction when the leading edge of the recording medium M is discharged to the outside from the media discharge outlet 58. The intersection position CP where the original S and the recording medium M intersect is the position where the first path MD1 through which the leading edge of the original S passes and the second path MD2 through which the leading edge of the recording medium M passes intersect, and is a position that is approximately along the top surface of the discharge outlet member 59 and is a position in the +Y direction of the discharge outlet member 59. Therefore, when the recording medium M is discharged along the second discharge direction D2 after the leading edge of the document S is positioned at the crossing position CP, the document S will block the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M. In other words, when the leading edge of the document S is positioned at the crossing position CP or below the crossing position CP, the document S will be in a position that blocks the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M.

[0062] In addition, in the multifunction device 10 of this embodiment, in the reading mechanism 11, the first angle θ1, which is the angle of the first discharge direction D1 of the document at the document discharge outlet 64 relative to the horizontal direction, is larger than the second angle θ2, which is the angle of the second discharge direction D2 of the recording medium M at the medium discharge outlet 58 relative to the horizontal direction, in the recording mechanism 12. That is, the multifunction device 10 equipped with the reading mechanism 11 and the recording mechanism 12 is not configured to eject and hold the original S horizontally, but is configured to hold the original S facing downward, thereby preventing the original S from being damaged or bent. On the other hand, when the document S holding operation is being performed, that is, when the document S hangs down from the document discharge port 64, the leading edge of the document S is positioned below the intersection position CP, and as shown in Fig. 7, the held document S blocks the medium discharge port 58 through which the recording medium M is discharged, blocking the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M. In this way, when the recording medium M is discharged to the medium discharge port 58 with the document S blocking the medium discharge port 58, the leading edge of the discharged recording medium M abuts against the document S. Then, since the discharge operation of the recording medium M is performed in a state in which the movement of the recording medium M in the +Y direction is hindered by the document S, the recording medium M becomes stuck inside the housing 20, causing a transport jam.

[0063] Therefore, the control unit 100 of the multifunction device 10 of this embodiment controls the reading mechanism 11 and the recording mechanism 12 to prevent such transport troubles. Specifically, when the control unit 100 discharges the leading edge of the recording medium M from the medium discharge outlet 58 in a stopped state in which the discharge of the original S from the original discharge outlet 64 is stopped at a position where the original S blocks the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M discharged from the medium discharge outlet 58, the control unit 100 executes a predetermined operation to cancel the stopped state before the leading edge of the recording medium M reaches the crossing position CP. The stopped state is, for example, a state in which the holding operation for holding the original S discharged from the original discharge outlet 64 is continued. Furthermore, the position in which the original S discharged from the original discharge outlet 64 blocks the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M is a state in which the leading edge of the original S discharged from the original discharge outlet 64 includes the crossing position CP but is positioned below the crossing position CP. In other words, the position in which the original S discharged from the original discharge outlet 64 blocks the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M is a position in which the original S blocks the medium discharge outlet 58 when viewed in the -Y direction. Therefore, if the leading edge of the recording medium M is discharged toward the medium discharge port 58 while the document S is stopped, a transport jam may occur.

[0064] A specific control method will be described below. Note that steps S101 to S106 in Fig. 9 are the same as steps S11 to S16 in Fig. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. 9, in step S107, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M is ejected from the medium ejection opening 58. More specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recorded recording medium M is near the medium ejection opening 58. Specifically, the control unit 100 detects the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M based on the detection data of the medium position detection unit 45. Note that since the position of the medium ejection opening 58 is known, it is possible to easily determine whether the leading edge of the recording medium M is near the medium ejection opening 58 by detecting the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M. 10, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is near the medium discharge port 58 while the document S is stopped (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is not near the medium discharge port 58 (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S106 and continues the recording operation.

[0065] In step S108, when the trailing edge of the document S is nipped by the second drive roller 78, the control unit 100 causes the second drive roller 78, which serves as an ejection roller, to eject the document S as a predetermined operation for resolving the stopped state. Specifically, the control unit 100 drives the transport motor 62M. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 , the second drive roller 78 is driven to rotate, and the document S that was clamped at the clamping position N2 of the second drive roller pair 73 is released, and the entire document S is ejected from the document ejection opening 64. This releases the stopped state and opens the medium ejection opening 58. Then, as shown in FIG. 12 , the recording operation continues, and the recording medium M is ejected from the medium ejection opening 58. Note that the recording operation for ejecting the recording medium M also includes the operation of simply transporting the recording medium M.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, the stopped state of the original S is released before the leading edge of the recording medium M reaches the intersection position CP. Specifically, the stopped original S is discharged by driving the second drive roller 78, and the stopped state is released. As a result, the original S does not block the second path MD2 of the recording medium M, and the recording medium M does not collide with the original S, allowing the recording medium M to be discharged smoothly. In this embodiment, the stopped state is resolved by driving the second drive roller 78, but this is not limited to this. For example, the distance between the second drive roller 78 and the second driven roller 79 in the second drive roller pair 73 may be configured to be displaceable between a clamping position N2 where the document S is clamped and an open position where the clamped state of the document S is released, and the stopped state may be resolved by displacing the clamped state of the document S to the open position where the clamped state of the document S is released.

[0067] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0068] 13 illustrates a control method for the multifunction peripheral 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the contents of steps S201 to S207 are the same as steps S101 to S107 (FIG. 9) in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] 13, in step S207, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is near the medium discharge port 58 while the document S is stopped (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is not near the medium discharge port 58 (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S206 and continues the recording operation.

[0070] In step S208, the control unit 100 transports the original S in the direction opposite to the first discharge direction D1 to a position where it does not block the second path MD2 of the tip of the recording medium M, as a predetermined operation to eliminate the stopped state before the tip of the recording medium M discharged from the medium discharge outlet 58 reaches the intersection position CP. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the transport motor 62M is driven from a stopped state in which the discharge of the original S is stopped at a position where the leading edge of the recording medium M blocks the second path MD2. In this embodiment, the transport motor 62M is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the upstream drive roller 74, the first drive roller 76, and the second drive roller 78 rotate in the reverse direction, and the original S is transported in the direction opposite to the first discharge direction D1. For example, when the trailing edge of the original S reaches the first detection position DP1, which is the detection position by the first sensor 651, the control unit 100 stops driving the transport motor 62M. This cancels the stopped state and opens the medium discharge port 58. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the recording operation continues, and the recording medium M is discharged from the medium discharge port 58. In addition, the control unit 100 may be configured to detect the position of the leading edge of the document S by detecting the motor rotation amount of the transport motor 62M, and transport the document S in the direction opposite to the first discharge direction D1 until the leading edge of the document S is positioned so that it does not obstruct the second path MD2 of the leading edge of the recording medium M.

[0071] In step S209, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M has been ejected from the medium ejection opening 58. More specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M on which data has been recorded has been ejected to the outside from the medium ejection opening 58. Specifically, the control unit 100 detects the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M based on the detection data of the medium position detection unit 45. Note that since the position of the medium ejection opening 58 is known, it is possible to easily determine whether the leading edge of the recording medium M is outside the medium ejection opening 58 by detecting the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M.

[0072] If the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recorded recording medium M has been discharged to the outside from the medium discharge port 58 (YES), then in step S210, the control unit 100 drives the transport motor 62M to rotate in the forward direction, causing the document S to be discharged along the first discharge direction D1, as shown in Fig. 16. Note that if the leading edge of the recording medium M has already passed the intersection position CP, the leading edge of the recording medium M will be discharged along the second path MD2 even if the document S is discharged, so the risk of a transport jam is low.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the original S is transported in the direction opposite to the first discharge direction D1 before the leading edge of the recording medium M reaches the intersection position CP, so the original S does not block the second path MD2 of the recording medium M. This allows the recording medium M to be discharged smoothly. Furthermore, since the original S does not fall from the document discharge port 64, damage to the original S can be suppressed. The user can select between this embodiment and the first embodiment as appropriate.

[0074] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0075] 17 illustrates a control method for the multifunction peripheral 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the contents of steps S301 to S308 are the same as steps S101 to S108 (FIG. 9) of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] In this embodiment, when the recording medium M is discharged from the medium discharge port 58 in an ejection state in which the original document S is being ejected, the control unit 100 ejects the recording medium M toward the intersection position CP even if the original document S is blocking the second path MD2 of the tip of the recording medium M. The specific details will be explained below.

[0077] In step S304, the control unit 100 determines whether the count value of the counter has exceeded a predetermined value, and if it has determined that the count value of the counter has exceeded the predetermined value (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if it has determined that the count value of the counter has not exceeded the predetermined value (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S309. Here, the determination by the control unit 100 in step S304 is regarded as a determination of whether or not the trailing edge of the document S has passed through the clamping position N1. In other words, when the count value by the counter does not exceed the predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 18, the trailing edge of the document S is located upstream of the clamping position N1 on the transport path FR, and the document S is being transported downstream of the transport path FR until it is determined that the count value by the counter has exceeded the predetermined value. In other words, the document S is in a discharge state. Note that the discharge state may be when the document S is being read, or may simply be when the document S is being discharged.

[0078] In step S309, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M is ejected from the medium ejection opening 58. More specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recorded recording medium M is near the medium ejection opening 58. Specifically, the control unit 100 detects the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M based on the detection data of the medium position detection unit 45. Then, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is near the medium ejection opening 58 while the document S is stopped (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M is not near the medium ejection opening 58 (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S303.

[0079] In step S310, the control unit 100 continues the transport of the recording medium M. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the recording mechanism 12 to perform the recording operation on the recording medium M and transport the recording medium M. 19, in step S310, the document S and the recording medium M are discharged simultaneously. In this case, as the document S is discharged, the document S passes through the intersection position CP and blocks the medium discharge opening 58, and in this state, the recording medium M comes into contact with the document S. However, because the recording medium M comes into contact with the document S moving downward along the first path MD1, the driving force accompanying the downward movement of the document S urges the recording medium M to be discharged downward, and the recording medium M is discharged downward together with the document S.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, after the recording medium M collides with the original document S, it is discharged together with the original document S. Therefore, transport jams of the recording medium M can be reduced, and the discharge of the original document S and the recording medium M can be performed simultaneously, thereby improving the throughput of the recording process.

[0081] 4. Fourth embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0082] 20 illustrates a control method for the multifunction peripheral 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the contents of steps S401 to S408 are the same as steps S101 to S108 (FIG. 9) of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] In this embodiment, if the leading edge of the recording medium M passes the intersection position CP before the original S reaches a position that blocks the medium outlet 58, the control unit 100 causes the original S and the recording medium M to be ejected simultaneously. The specific details will be explained below.

[0084] In step S404, the control unit 100 determines whether the count value of the counter has exceeded a predetermined value, and if it determines that the count value of the counter has exceeded the predetermined value (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if it determines that the count value of the counter has not exceeded the predetermined value (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S409. Here, the determination by the control unit 100 in step S404 is regarded as a determination of whether or not the trailing end of the document S has passed through the clamping position N1. In other words, when the count value by the counter does not exceed the predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 21, the trailing end of the document S is located upstream of the clamping position N1 on the transport path FR, and the document S is transported downstream of the transport path FR until it is determined that the count value by the counter has exceeded the predetermined value. In other words, this is the state before the document S reaches a position that blocks the medium discharge port 58. Note that this state may be when the document S is being read, or may simply be being discharged. Alternatively, the document S may be stopped.

[0085] In step S409, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M has been ejected from the medium ejection port 58. More specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the recording medium M on which data has been recorded has been ejected to the outside from the medium ejection port 58. Specifically, the control unit 100 detects the position of the leading edge of the recording medium M based on the detection data of the medium position detection unit 45. If the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M has been ejected from the medium ejection port 58 (YES), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S410. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the recording medium M has not been ejected from the medium ejection port 58 (NO), the control unit 100 proceeds to step S403.

[0086] In step S410, the control unit 100 continues the transport of the recording medium M. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the recording mechanism 12 to perform the recording operation on the recording medium M and transport the recording medium M. 22, in step S410, the discharge of the original S and the discharge of the recording medium M are continued. In this case, as the original S is discharged, the original S passes through the intersection position CP and blocks the medium discharge opening 58, but the leading edge of the recording medium M has already been discharged from the medium discharge opening 58. Therefore, the leading edge of the recording medium M does not collide with the original S, and the recording medium M is discharged downward together with the original S.

[0087] As described above, according to this embodiment, the leading edge of the recording medium M does not collide with the original document S, thereby reducing transport jams of the recording medium M and enabling the ejection of the original document S and the recording medium M to be performed simultaneously, thereby improving the throughput of the recording process.

[0088] 5. Other embodiments When the original S is stopped at a position where the leading edge of the recording medium M blocks the second path MD2, the control unit 100 may cause the operation unit 15 to notify the user that the original S should be removed from the reading mechanism 11, as a predetermined operation for resolving the stopped state. The notification means may, for example, display a warning on a display panel of the operation unit 15, or may generate a warning sound from the operation unit 15. In this way, the stopped original S can be removed by the notification from the operation unit 15 before the leading edge of the recording medium M reaches the intersecting position CP, and the recording medium M can be smoothly discharged without blocking the second path MD2 of the recording medium M.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, when the document S is jammed and stopped in the transport path FR, the control unit 100 may maintain the state in which the document S is stopped from being discharged from the document discharge port 64, and may cause the operation unit 15 to notify the user that a document has jammed. In this way, damage to the document S can be prevented.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, if the original S stops midway through reading on the transport path FR due to a transport malfunction or the like, the control unit 100 may resume reading of the original S before the leading edge of the recording medium M being discharged from the medium discharge port 58 reaches the intersection position CP. In this way, if the original S does not stop when reading is resumed, the risk of a transport jam can be reduced even if the recording medium M collides with the original S. Note that in this case, before resuming reading of the stopped original S, the control unit 100 transports the original S a predetermined distance in the direction opposite to the first discharge direction D1, and then resumes reading of the original S. This ensures that the original S can be read reliably. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...multifunction device, 11...reading mechanism, 12...recording mechanism, 15...operation unit, 20...casing, 30...feeding unit, 40...media transport unit, 44, 44a, 44b...transport rollers, 45...media position detection unit, 46...media detection sensor, 50...recording unit, 51...head, 52...carriage, 58...media discharge port, 61...document feed port, 62...document transport unit, 62M...transport motor, 63...reading unit, 64...document discharge port, 65...sensor unit, 71...upstream drive roller pair, 72...first drive roller pair, 73...second drive roller pair, 74...upstream drive roller, 75...upstream driven roller, 76...first drive roller, 77...first driven roller roller, 78...second drive roller, 79...second driven roller, 80...CIS module, 80A...first CIS module, 80B...second CIS module, 85...pressure mechanism, 85A...pressure mechanism, 85B...pressure mechanism, 86...pressure plate, 88...discharge guide section, 100...control section, 651...first sensor, 652...second sensor, D1...first discharge direction, D2...second discharge direction, DP1...first detection position, DP2...second detection position, FD1...first conveying direction, FD2...second conveying direction, MD1...first path, MD2...second path, CP...intersection position, θ1...first angle, θ2...second angle, S...original, M...recording medium.

Claims

1. a reading mechanism having a reading unit that reads information from a document and a document discharge port through which the read document is discharged; a recording mechanism having a recording unit that records information on a recording medium and a medium discharge port through which the recorded recording medium is discharged; a control unit, the document discharge outlet is disposed vertically above the medium discharge outlet, and a path along which the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge outlet passes and the document discharged from the document discharge outlet intersect at an intersecting position; The reading mechanism can read the document and the recording mechanism can record the document onto the recording medium simultaneously, The control unit A multifunction device characterized in that, when the leading edge of the recording medium is discharged from the media discharge outlet in a stopped state in which the document discharged from the document discharge outlet has been stopped at a position where the document obstructs the path of the leading edge of the recording medium being discharged from the media discharge outlet, a predetermined operation is executed to resolve the stopped state before the leading edge of the recording medium reaches the intersection position.

2. The composite device according to claim 1 , a discharge roller that discharges the document at a position downstream of the reading unit in a document transport direction; In the stopped state, if the rear end of the read document is nipped by the discharge roller, The multifunction device is characterized in that the control unit causes the discharge roller to discharge the document as the predetermined operation before the leading edge of the recording medium reaches the intersecting position.

3. The composite device according to claim 1 , The control unit, as the specified operation, transports the document in a direction opposite to the ejection direction to a position that does not obstruct the path of the leading edge of the recording medium before the leading edge of the recording medium being ejected from the medium ejection outlet reaches the intersection position.

4. The composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When the recording medium is discharged from the medium discharge port in the discharge state in which the document is discharged, The control unit ejects the recording medium toward the intersection position even if the document is in the ejection state, even if the document blocks the path of the leading edge of the recording medium.

5. The composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, If the leading edge of the recording medium passes the intersecting position before the document reaches a position blocking the medium discharge port, The control unit continues ejection of the document and ejection of the recording medium.

6. The composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A first angle, which is an angle of the discharge direction of the document at the document discharge port with respect to the horizontal direction, is a second angle that is an angle of the ejection direction of the recording medium at the medium ejection port relative to the horizontal direction;

7. a reading mechanism having a reading unit that reads information from a document and a document discharge port through which the read document is discharged; a recording mechanism having a recording unit that records information on a recording medium and a medium ejection port through which the recorded recording medium is ejected, the document discharge outlet is disposed vertically above the medium discharge outlet, and a path along which the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge outlet passes and the document discharged from the document discharge outlet intersect at an intersecting position; A control method for a multifunction device capable of simultaneously reading the document by the reading mechanism and recording on the recording medium by the recording mechanism, comprising: A control method for a multifunction device, characterized in that, when the leading edge of the recording medium is discharged from the media discharge outlet in a stopped state in which the document discharged from the document discharge outlet has been stopped at a position where the document blocked the path of the leading edge of the recording medium being discharged from the media discharge outlet, a predetermined operation is performed to resolve the stopped state before the leading edge of the recording medium reaches the intersection position.

Images