Conveying device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a medium is unintentionally slightly drawn into a conveyance path when a pickup roller is in a position of coming into contact with the medium on a document tray, in a power-off process of a conveyance device equipped with the pickup roller that picks up a medium.SOLUTION: A conveyance device includes: a table on which a medium is mounted; a sensor that detects whether or not the medium is placed on the table; a conveyance mechanism which makes the medium placed on the table displaceable between a conveyance position where the medium can be conveyed and a retreat position where the medium cannot be conveyed; and a processor. When the power is turned off, if the sensor detects the medium, the processor turns off the power while the conveyance mechanism is at the retreat position, and if the sensor does not detect the medium, the power is turned off while the conveyance mechanism is at the conveyance position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image reading device equipped with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the ADF, the document placed on the document tray is fed by a pickup roller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the power-off process of a conveying device equipped with a pickup roller for picking up a medium, when the pickup roller is in a position where it contacts the medium on the document tray, there is a problem that the medium is inadvertently slightly drawn into the conveying path.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The conveying device for solving the above problems includes a table for mounting a medium, a sensor for detecting whether the medium is placed on the table, a conveying mechanism displaceable between a conveying position where the medium placed on the table can be conveyed and a retracted position where it cannot be conveyed, and a processor. The processor, when transitioning to power-off, turns off the power with the conveying mechanism in the retracted position when the sensor detects the medium, and turns off the power with the conveying mechanism in the conveying position when the sensor does not detect the medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] Block diagram of an image reading device. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the transport mechanism in its retracted position. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the transport mechanism at the transport position. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the movement between the retraction position and the transport mechanism. [Figure 5] Flowchart for power-off process. [Figure 6] Flowchart for power-off process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. (1) Configuration of the image reading device: (2) Power off process: (3) Other embodiments:

[0008] (1) Configuration of the image reading device: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image reading device 100 as a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image reading device 100 comprises a reading unit 10, a processor 20, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 30, a communication unit 40, and a UI unit 50. The reading unit 10 comprises an image sensor, a light source, and an optical system. The light source irradiates light onto the medium transported by the ADF 30. The optical system includes one or more lenses, and the image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element receives reflected light from the medium via the optical system and converts it into an electrical signal. The image sensor is equipped with an analog front end. The analog front end includes a circuit that applies a gain to the signal output by the photoelectric conversion element according to the amount of light received and outputs it, as well as a circuit that performs A / D conversion. The reading unit 10 generates image data showing the reading result of the medium from the signal output from the image sensor and outputs it via the communication unit 40.

[0009] The communication unit 40 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with various removable memories installed in the image reading device 100 and other devices connected to the image reading device 100 by wire or wireless connection, according to various communication protocols. The UI unit 50 includes input units such as a power button and a read start button, and output units such as LEDs that indicate the status of the image reading device 100. When the power button or read start button is pressed, the UI unit 50 outputs a signal to the processor 20 indicating the pressed button. The processor 20 also lights up the LEDs in a manner that indicates the image reading device 100 is powered on.

[0010] The processor 20 controls the image reading device 100 by executing various programs stored in ROM, a storage medium, etc. The processor 20 may consist of a single chip or multiple chips. The processor 20 may consist of a CPU, an ASIC, or a CPU and an ASIC.

[0011] The ADF30 includes a tray 34 on which the medium to be scanned is placed, a sensor 33 that detects whether or not a medium is placed on the tray 34, a transport mechanism 31 that transports the medium, and a locking mechanism 32 for the transport mechanism 31.

[0012] Figures 2 and 3 show the configuration of the ADF 30. The transport mechanism 31 is a mechanism for transporting the medium M. In this embodiment, the sensor 33 is a contact-type sensor having a lever 33a, and is configured to detect the presence of the medium M on the base 34 by the medium M pushing up the lever 33a when the medium M is placed on the base 34. The transport mechanism 31 includes a pickup roller 31a. The transport mechanism 31 is displaceable between a transport position (Figure 3) in which the medium M on the base 34 can be transported and a retracted position (Figure 2) in which it cannot be transported. When the transport mechanism 31 is in the transport position, the pickup roller 31a contacts the medium M placed on the base 34. The retracted position is above the transport path of the medium M on the base 34, and when the transport mechanism 31 is in the retracted position, the pickup roller 31a does not contact the medium M placed on the base 34.

[0013] When the processor 20 is powered on but not transporting data, it maintains the transport mechanism 31 in a retracted position as shown in Figure 2, and displaces the transport mechanism 31 to the transport position as shown in Figure 3 in response to the start of reading (start of transport). The start of reading is instructed by pressing the start of reading button on the UI unit 50. Alternatively, the start of reading may be instructed from an external device via the communication unit 40.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, when the transport mechanism 31 is in the retracted position, the user can place the medium on the table 34. In response to the instruction to start reading, the processor 20 lowers the transport mechanism 31 to the transport position as shown in Figure 3, drives the pickup roller 31a with the help of a motor (not shown), and feeds the medium M. The processor 20 also drives the transport rollers 35a, 36a, etc., which are located on the transport path, with the help of a motor (not shown). As the medium M passes through the reading unit 10, the medium is read by the image sensor and image data is generated. The medium that has passed through the reading unit 10 is discharged from the transport path by the transport rollers 37a, 37b. If there is still medium M remaining on the table 34, the above process from feeding by the pickup roller 31a is repeated. Once all the medium M on the table 34 has been read, the processor 20 displaces and maintains the transport mechanism 31 in the retracted position.

[0015] When the image reading device 100 is powered on, if the user presses the power button, the processor 20 performs the power-off process described later to transition to the power-off state. To prevent the transition to the power-off state from occurring while media remains in the transport path, the processor 20 performs a paper ejection operation to eject the media M that is being transported. Here, the media M being transported is the media that has been picked up by the pickup roller 31a. "Being transported" means that the transport has progressed beyond the point where it can be returned to the stand 34 by the reverse rotation of the pickup roller 31a. Media in this state are ejected by rotating the transport rollers 35a, 36a, and 37a. No reading is performed at this time. After the paper ejection operation, the processor 20 positions the transport mechanism 31 at a position corresponding to the detection result of the sensor 33.

[0016] If the transport mechanism 31 is in the transport position and the medium M is present on the stand 34, the power will be turned off with the medium M slightly pulled into the transport path by the pickup roller 31a. In this case, if the user attempts to pull out the medium M, the medium M may be damaged. Also, if the user repeatedly turns the power on and off after the power has been turned off with the medium M slightly pulled into the transport path, the medium M may be damaged. Therefore, when the processor 20 transitions to the power-off state, if the sensor 33 detects the medium M, it raises the transport mechanism 31 and turns off the power with the transport mechanism 31 in the retracted position. In this way, during the power-off process, if the medium M is present on the stand 34, it is possible to prevent the medium M on the stand 34 from being unintentionally transported slightly and then transitioning to the power-off state.

[0017] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 32 (Figure 1) is a mechanism that locks the transport mechanism 31 in the retracted position. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the transport mechanism 31 when it is displaced between the retracted position and the transport position. When the transport mechanism 31 is raised from the transport position to the retracted position, that is, when it is displaced from the state shown in the lower part of Figure 4 to the state shown in the upper part, the component 313 rotates counterclockwise around axis C by the power of a motor (not shown). Component 311 is a component that is fixed to component 310 and is integrated with component 310, and component 310 and component 311 are rotatably attached to component 312 on axis B. Component 310 is hooked onto the cavity 314 of component 313 by axis A. When component 313 rotates counterclockwise, axis A moves along the inner wall of component 313 that forms the cavity 314 to the end 314a of the cavity 314. The distance K2 between axis A and axis C when axis A reaches end 314a is greater than the distance K1 between axis A and axis C when the conveying mechanism 31 is in the conveying position. Therefore, parts 310 and 311 rotate counterclockwise around axis B. Also, as axis A reaches end 314a, the entire conveying mechanism 31, including part 312, rotates counterclockwise, and the conveying mechanism 31 moves to the retracted position (upper diagram in Figure 4).

[0018] Inside the housing of the image reading device 100, a convex portion 300 is formed. When the transport mechanism 31 is in the retracted position, the corner portion 310a of the component 310 contacts the convex portion 300. Due to the weight of the transport mechanism 31, when it is in the retracted position, a clockwise rotational force acts on the transport mechanism 31. However, the convex portion 300 suppresses the clockwise rotation of the components 310 and 311 about the axis B, and the end portion 311a of the component 311 suppresses the clockwise rotation of the component 313. Such a locking mechanism 32 (components 310, 311, 313, convex portion 300) enables the transport mechanism 31 to maintain the retracted position.

[0019] When releasing the lock, that is, when displacing the transport mechanism 31 from the retracted position to the transport position (from the upper figure to the lower figure in FIG. 4), the component 313 is rotated clockwise about the axis C by the power of a motor (not shown). As a result, the axis A separates from the end portion 314a of the cavity 314, the distance between the axis A and the axis C becomes smaller than K2, and the axis A approaches the axis C, so that the corner portion 310a disengages from the convex portion 300. Therefore, the lock is released, and the component 313 rotates clockwise until it reaches the component 315. In the process of the component 313 reaching the component 315, the entire transport mechanism 31 rotates clockwise by a specified amount about the axis C, and the transport mechanism 31 is displaced to the transport position.

[0020] By the way, when changing the installation position of the image reading device 100 or the like, the image reading device 100 may be transported. Also, the image reading device 100 may fall during transportation. When the transport mechanism 31 is in the retracted position, that is, when in the locked state as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 4, if a dropping impact is applied to the image reading device 100, a clockwise rotational force acts on the entire transport mechanism 31 about the axis C. However, since the rotation of the corner portion 310a of the component 310 is suppressed by the convex portion 300, an instantaneous load is applied to the axis B. As a result, the axis B may be damaged.

[0021] Therefore, if the sensor 33 does not detect the medium M, the processor 20 turns off the power while the transport mechanism 31 is in the transport position. Thus, according to this embodiment, by setting the transport mechanism 31 to the transport position when the medium M is not remaining on the stand 34, the possibility of the axis B being damaged by impact from a fall can be reduced. In addition, since the medium M is not on the stand 34, it can be prevented from being pulled in. Furthermore, it can be prevented that the medium M will become jammed and be damaged if the power off / on operation is repeated.

[0022] In addition to the sensor 33 that detects the medium on the table 34, the transport path of the ADF 30 is equipped with multiple medium detection sensors. The processor 20 determines whether or not a jam error has occurred in the transport path based on the amount of rotation of the medium transport rollers and the output of each medium detection sensor. When the processor 20 transitions to power off, if there is a jam error, it does not displace the transport mechanism 31, and if there is no jam error, it displaces the transport mechanism 31 as described above according to the detection result of the sensor 33. By configuring the system so that the transport mechanism 31 is not displaced when a jam error occurs, the possibility of damage to the medium M can be reduced.

[0023] (2) Power off process: Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the power-off process. The power-off process is initiated when the power button is pressed while the image reading device 100 is powered on. The power-off processes in Figures 5 and 6 differ in whether the final position of the transport mechanism 31 is set to the retracted position or the transport position in the power-off mechanical operation (steps S100, S200) performed in response to the power-off instruction. Which is selected varies depending on the model. Figure 5 shows the power-off process performed in a model where the transport mechanism 31 ultimately ends up in the retracted position in the power-off mechanical operation, while Figure 6 shows the power-off process performed in a model where the transport mechanism ultimately ends up in the transport position.

[0024] First, referring to Figure 5, the power-off process for a model in which the final position of the transport mechanism 31 during the power-off mechanism operation is the retracted position will be explained. When the power-off process begins, the processor 20 performs the power-off mechanism operation (step S100). That is, the processor 20 rotates the transport rollers of the ADF 30 (excluding the pickup roller 31a) to discharge any remaining media in the transport path. During this process, the transport mechanism 31 is displaced between the retracted position and the transport position, and the process in step S100 is finally completed at the retracted position.

[0025] Next, the processor 20 determines whether or not an error has occurred (step S105). That is, the processor 20 determines whether or not a jam error has occurred based on the output of the media detection sensor. If no error is determined in step S105, the processor 20 performs media detection using the sensor 33 (step S110) and determines whether or not media is present (step S115). That is, it is determined whether or not media is present on the stand 34 based on the output of the sensor 33.

[0026] If it is not determined in step S115 that there is a medium, that is, if there is no medium on the platform 34, the processor 20 displaces the transport mechanism 31 to the transport position (step S120). As a result, the possibility of damage to the lock mechanism 32 components if the image reading device 100 falls is reduced. Also, since the medium M is not on the platform 34, the medium M will not be pulled into the transport path. If it is determined in step S115 that there is a medium, the processor 20 maintains the transport mechanism 31 in the retracted position without displacing it. As a result, it is possible to prevent the medium M on the platform 34 from being pulled slightly into the transport path.

[0027] If an error is detected in step S105, the processor 20 terminates the power-off process without displacing the transport mechanism in its retracted position. This reduces the possibility of damage to the media jammed in the transport path.

[0028] Next, referring to Figure 6, the power-off process for a model in which the final position of the transport mechanism 31 in the power-off mechanism operation is the transport position will be explained. When the power-off process is started, the processor 20 performs the power-off mechanism operation (step S200). That is, the processor 20 rotates the transport rollers of the ADF 30 to discharge the medium M remaining in the transport path. At this time, the transport mechanism 31 is displaced between the retracted position and the transport position, and the process of step S200 is finally completed at the transport position.

[0029] The processing in the following steps S205, S210, and S215 is the same as in steps S105, S110, and S115 in Figure 5. If it is determined in step S215 that there is a medium, the processor 20 displaces the transport mechanism 31 to the retracted position (step S220). As a result, it is possible to prevent the medium M on the stand 34 from being slightly pulled into the transport path. If it is not determined in step S215 that there is a medium, that is, if the medium M is not on the stand 34, the processor 20 does not displace the transport mechanism 31 from the transport position and terminates the power-off process. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the lock mechanism 32 components if the image reading device 100 falls. Also, since the medium M is not on the stand 34, the medium M will not be pulled into the transport path.

[0030] If an error is detected in step S205, the processor 20 terminates the power-off process without displacing the transport mechanism in its transport position. As a result, the possibility of damage to the jammed medium can be reduced.

[0031] (3) Other embodiments: The embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, the transport device can be any device capable of transporting a medium, and the present invention is not limited to the ADF of an image reader, but can be applied to various devices having a transport mechanism for transporting a medium, such as a printing device or a laminator.

[0032] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example where the retracted position of the transport mechanism is above the transport path of the medium, the retracted position of the transport mechanism may be configured to be somewhere other than above the transport path.

[0033] The sensor that detects whether or not a medium is present on the stand may be configured to detect the presence or absence of the medium mechanically, or it may be configured to detect the presence or absence of the medium optically.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable as a program or method executed by a computer. Moreover, such systems, programs, and methods may be implemented as a single device or by utilizing components from multiple devices, encompassing various embodiments. They can also be modified as appropriate, such as being partly software and partly hardware. Furthermore, the invention also functions as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in exactly the same way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10...Reading unit, 20...Processor, 31...Transport mechanism, 31a...Pickup roller, 32...Locking mechanism, 33...Sensor, 33a...Lever, 34...Base, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b...Transport rollers, 40...Communication unit, 50...UI unit, 100...Image reading device, 300...Protrusion, 310...Part, 310a...Corner, 311...Part, 311a...End, 312...Part, 313...Part, 314...Cavity, 314a...End, 315...Part, A...Axis, B...Axis, C...Axis, K1...Distance, K2...Distance, M...Medium

Claims

1. A stand for mounting media, A sensor for detecting whether or not the medium is placed on the stand, A transport mechanism that can displace the medium placed on the platform between a transport position where it can be transported and a retracted position where it cannot be transported, Equipped with a processor, When the processor transitions to power-off, if the sensor detects the medium, it powers off with the transport mechanism in the retracted position, and if the sensor does not detect the medium, it powers off with the transport mechanism in the transport position. Conveying device.

2. The system further includes a locking mechanism for locking the transport mechanism in the retracted position when the power is off. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. When the processor transitions to power-off mode, it discharges the medium that is being transported and then positions the transport mechanism according to the detection result of the sensor. The conveying device according to claim 1.

4. The processor maintains the transport mechanism in the retracted position when powered on but not transporting, and displaces the transport mechanism to the transport position when transport begins. The conveying device according to claim 1.

5. The transport mechanism includes a pickup roller. The aforementioned retraction position is above the transport path of the medium. The conveying device according to claim 1.

6. When the processor transitions to power-off, if there is a jam error, it does not displace the transport mechanism, and if there is no jam error, it displaces it according to the detection result of the sensor. The conveying device according to claim 1.

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