Medium transport device, image reading device, and control method for medium transport device

Abstract

It includes a storage section 32 that stores a cleaning interval, a feed roller that feeds a medium, a counting section 33 that counts the number of sheets of the medium fed by the feed roller, a determination section 34 that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller has occurred, a comparison section 35 that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section 33 with the cleaning interval, a notification section 36 that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller based on a comparison result from the comparison section 35, and an update section 37 that updates the cleaning interval, wherein the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

Description

[0001] The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2025-008526, filed Jan. 21, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device.2. Related Art

[0003] For example, as disclosed in JP-A-2022-102443, there is a medium transport device that transports medium one sheet at a time. The medium transport device includes a feed roller, a transport roller, and a notification section. The feed roller feeds the medium. The transport roller is located downstream of the feed roller. The transport roller transports the medium fed by the feed roller. The notification section notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction or a replacement instruction about the feed roller in a case where the medium is not correctly fed by the feed roller, and a transport abnormality occurs.

[0004] The medium transport device described in JP-A-2022-102443 notifies a cleaning instruction or a replacement instruction about the feed roller with the occurrence of a transport abnormality as a starting point. However, it is desirable that the notification of the cleaning instruction or the replacement instruction about the feed roller be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.SUMMARY

[0005] A medium transport device that solves the above problem

[0006] includes a storage section that stores a cleaning interval; a feed roller that feeds a medium; a counting section that counts a number of sheets of the medium that were fed by the feed roller; a determination section that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; a comparison section that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section with the cleaning interval; a notification section that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result from the comparison section; and an update section that updates the cleaning interval, wherein the update section updates the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

[0007] In order to overcome the above concern, an image reading device includes the medium transport device having the above configuration and a reading section that reads an image of a medium transported by the medium transport device.

[0008] A control method that solves the above problem is for a medium transport device that has a storage section that stores a cleaning interval and a feed roller that feeds a medium, the control method for the medium transport device including counting a number of sheets of medium fed by the feed roller; determining whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; updating the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets of medium exceeds the cleaning interval; comparing the counted number of sheets to the cleaning interval; and notifying, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result of the comparison between the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image reading device

[0010] according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control section.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a notification routine.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSEmbodiments

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device will be described with reference to the drawings. The image reading device is, for example, a sheet-feed type scanner that reads an image recorded on a medium such as a paper sheet or a film transported by a medium transport device.

[0014] In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by a Z-axis, and the horizontal directions are indicated by an X-axis and a Y-axis, assuming that an image reading device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.Image Reading Device

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image reading device 11 may include a housing 12, a reading section 13, and a medium transport device 14.

[0016] The housing 12 houses various components of the image reading device 11. A transport path 16 indicated by single-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is formed in the housing 12. The transport path 16 is a path in which a medium 18 is transported. The transport path 16 extends inside the housing 12.

[0017] The reading section 13 is configured to read an image of the medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14. The reading section 13 is installed along the transport path 16 between start and end point. The reading section 13 reads the medium 18 being transported by the medium transport device 14. The reading section 13 may read the plural sheets of medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14 one after another. The reading section 13 may be configured to read one side of the medium 18 being transported, or may be configured to read both sides of the medium 18. The reading section 13 includes an image sensor. The reading section 13 includes, for example, a CISM. The reading section 13 may be configured to read the medium 18 in full color or may be configured to read the medium 18 in grayscale.Medium Transport Device

[0018] The medium transport device 14 may include a display section 20, a supply tray 21, a discharge tray 22, a feed mechanism 23, a transport roller pair 24, a detection section 25, and a control section 26. The medium transport device 14 may include a plurality of transport roller pairs 24.

[0019] The display section 20 can display a message and the like. The display section 20 may be an operable touch panel.

[0020] One or more medium 18 before reading can be set on the supply tray 21. For example, plural sheets of medium 18 are stacked on the supply tray 21.

[0021] The discharge tray 22 receives the medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14. The plural sheets of medium 18 that have been read are stacked on the discharge tray 22.

[0022] The feed mechanism 23 feeds the medium 18 stacked on the supply tray 21 one sheet at a time to the transport path 16. The feed mechanism 23 may include a pickup roller 28, a feed roller 29, and a separation roller 30.

[0023] The pickup roller 28 is provided upstream from the feed roller 29 and the separation roller 30 in the feed direction D. The pickup roller 28 can contact, for example, the uppermost medium 18 among the plural sheets of medium 18 loaded on the supply tray 21. The pickup roller 28 rotates in contact with the medium 18 to feed the medium 18 to the feed roller 29. The pickup roller 28 sequentially feeds the plural sheets of medium 18 stacked on the supply tray 21.

[0024] The feed roller 29 feeds the medium 18. The feed roller 29 rotates in a state where the medium 18 is pinched between the feed roller 29 and the separation roller 30, thereby feeding the medium 18 in the feed direction D.

[0025] The separation roller 30 separates the medium 18 one sheet at a time when plural sheets of medium 18 are sent in an double-fed manner by the pickup roller 28.

[0026] The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 are provided along the transport path 16. The transport roller pair 24 may consist of a drive roller that is rotationally driven and a driven roller that is driven to rotate passively. The transport roller pair 24 transports the medium 18 by the drive roller rotating in a state in which the medium 18 is pinched therebetween. The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 transport the medium 18 along the transport path 16. The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 transport the medium 18 sent by the feed mechanism 23 toward the discharge tray 22.

[0027] The detection section 25 may detect the medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29. The detection section 25 may detect the medium 18 transported along the transport path 16. A plurality of detection sections 25 may be provided along the transport path 16.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control section 26 integrally controls driving of each mechanism in the medium transport device 14, and controls various operations executed in the medium transport device 14. The control section 26 may control the reading section 13. The control section 26 may control each main operation executed by the image reading device 11.

[0029] The control section 26 can be configured as a circuit including α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes, or γ: a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and a memory, such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer readable medium includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0030] The control section 26 includes, for example, a storage section 32 such as the above-described RAM and ROM. The storage section 32 stores a cleaning interval. The storage section 32 may store an update threshold value and a replacement threshold value.

[0031] The storage section 32 may store various programs. The control section 26 may function as a counting section 33, a determination section 34, a comparison section 35, a notification section 36, and an update section 37 by executing a program stored in the storage section 32. Therefore, it can be said that the medium transport device 14 includes the counting section 33, the determination section 34, the comparison section 35, the notification section 36, and the update section 37.

[0032] The counting section 33 counts the number of sheets of medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29. The counting section 33 may count the number of times the detection section 25 detects the rear end of the medium 18. The counting section 33 stores the counted number of sheets in the storage section 32. The counted number of sheets is held even when the power of the image reading device 11 is turned off.

[0033] The determination section 34 determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29 has occurred. The determination section 34 may determine that a transport abnormality has occurred when the drive load of the transport roller pair 24 or the like is larger than a predetermined value. The determination section 34 may determine that a transport abnormality has occurred when the rear end of the medium 18 is not detected until a predetermined time elapses after the detection section 25 detects the front end of the transported medium 18.

[0034] The comparison section 35 compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section 33 with the cleaning interval. The cleaning interval in the present embodiment is indicated by a number of sheets. The comparison section 35 may compare the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval stored in the storage section 32.

[0035] The notification section 36 notifies the user of an instruction. The notification section 36 may send an instruction to a device capable of notifying the user. For example, the notification section 36 may send the instruction to the display section 20. The display section 20 may display the received instruction. The notification section 36 may send an instruction to a device that is different from the image reading device 11, such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet.

[0036] The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval. The update section 37 overwrites the cleaning interval stored in the storage section 32 with the updated value. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval to an update value smaller than the current value. At this time, the update section 37 may set the difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be greater than that in the previous update. The update section 37 may increase the reduction rate each time the update is performed. The update section 37 may calculate the update value by multiplying the current value of the cleaning interval by a coefficient smaller than 1. The storage section 32 may store a plurality of cleaning intervals that are ranked. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval to the next cleaning interval.

[0037] Next, a control method for the medium transport device 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3. The control section 26 may execute the notification routine illustrated in FIG. 3 at a timing when reading of the medium 18 is started in a state where the medium 18 is placed on the supply tray 21.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in step S101, the control section 26 drives various rollers such as the pickup roller 28, the feed roller 29, and the transport roller pair 24 to transport the medium 18 placed on the supply tray 21 one sheet at a time. The reading section 13 sequentially reads images of the medium 18 in accordance with the timing at which the medium 18 is transported.

[0039] In step S102, the control section 26 causes the determination section 34 to determine whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium 18 has occurred. If a transport abnormality occurred, the result of step S102 is YES, and the control section 26 proceeds to step S103.

[0040] In step S103, the control section 26 stops the various rollers driven in step S101.

[0041] In step S104, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify that a transport abnormality has occurred in the transport of the medium 18. The notification section 36 may cause the display section 20 to display a message prompting the user to resolve the transport abnormality.

[0042] In step S105, the control section 26 judges whether or not the transport abnormality has been resolved. When the transport abnormality is not resolved, the result of step S105 is NO, and the control section 26 waits until the transport abnormality is resolved. When the transport abnormality is resolved, the result of step S105 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S106.

[0043] In step S106, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the counted number of sheets with the update threshold value. When the counted number of sheets is equal to or less than the update threshold value, the result of step S106 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S101. When the counted number of sheets is larger than the update threshold value, the result of step S106 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S107.

[0044] In step S107, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the number of cleaning instructions with the replacement threshold value. The number of cleaning instructions is the number of times the notification section 36 notified a cleaning instruction from the start of use of the feed roller 29 to the present time. When the number of cleaning instructions is smaller than the replacement threshold value, the result of step S107 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S108.

[0045] In step S108, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify a cleaning instruction for the feed roller 29. In step S109, the control section 26 causes the update section 37 to update the cleaning interval. In step S110, the control section 26 resets the counted number of sheets stored in the storage section 32, and ends the process.

[0046] In step S107, if the number of times a cleaning instruction has been notified exceeds the replacement threshold value, the result of step S107 becomes NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S111. In step S111, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify a replacement instruction for the feed roller 29. The notification section 36 notifies, to the user, a replacement instruction of the feed roller 29 when the number of times of notification of the cleaning instruction reaches the replacement threshold value. The control section 26 may wait until the feed roller 29 is replaced.

[0047] In step S112, the control section 26 causes the update section 37 to initialize the cleaning interval, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S110. The initialization of the cleaning interval may be performed after the replacement of the feed roller 29 is confirmed.

[0048] In step S102, when a transport abnormality has not occurred, the result of step S102 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S113.

[0049] In step S113, the control section 26 judges whether the detection section 25 has detected the rear end of the medium 18. When the detection section 25 has not detected the rear end, the result of step S113 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S102. When the detection section 25 detects the rear end, the result of step S113 becomes YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S114.

[0050] In step S114, the control section 26 causes the counting section 33 to increment the counted number of sheets. The counting section 33 may count the number of sheets of medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29 by adding 1 to the counted number of sheets stored in the storage section 32 at the timing when the rear end of a sheet of medium 18 is detected.

[0051] In step S115, the control section 26 judges whether or not there is still medium 18 placed on the supply tray 21. If there is medium 18 on the supply tray 21, the result of step S115 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S102. When there is no medium 18 on the supply tray 21, the result of step S115 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S116.

[0052] In step S116, the control section 26 causes the plurality of images of the medium 18 read by the reading section 13 to be output to a storage medium or a device other than the image reading device 11.

[0053] In step S117, the control section 26 stops drive of the various rollers in the same manner as in step S103.

[0054] In step S118, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the counted number of sheets with the cleaning interval. When the counted number of sheets is larger than the cleaning interval, the result of step S118 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S107. When the counted number of sheets is equal to or less than the cleaning interval, the result of step S118 is YES, and the control section 26 ends the process.Operation of the Present Embodiment

[0055] The operation of the present embodiment will be explained.

[0056] The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value.

[0057] The notification section 36 notifies, to the user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller 29 based on the comparison result by the comparison section 35. The notification section 36 notifies of a cleaning instruction when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval. In other words, the notification section 36 may notify the cleaning instruction at the timing when the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval.Effects of the Present Embodiment

[0058] Effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0059] (1-1) A transport abnormality is more likely to occur as the total number of fed sheets of medium 18 increases. In this regard, when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value. Since the cleaning instruction is notified by comparing the updated cleaning interval with the counted number of sheets, the notification can be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.

[0060] (1-2) The update section 37 sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update. Therefore, the cleaning interval can be easily coordinated with the occurrence frequency of a transport abnormality.

[0061] (1-3) The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. In other words, when a transport abnormality occurs before the cleaning instruction is notified, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a smaller value. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a transport abnormality continuously occurs.

[0062] (1-4) For example, in a case where the medium 18 is electrically charged, a transport abnormality may occur due to a factor other than the dirt of the feed roller 29. In that regard, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value. Therefore, when a transport abnormality occurs due to a factor other than the feed roller 29, it is possible to make the cleaning interval less likely to be updated.

[0063] (1-5) The notification section 36 notifies the replacement instruction about the feed roller 29 in a case where the number of times of notifying the cleaning instruction reaches the replacement threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the feed roller 29 at an appropriate timing.Modifications

[0064] The present embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The present embodiments and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0065] The timing at which the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval and the timing at which the notification section 36 notifies the cleaning instruction may be shifted.

[0066] The notification section 36 may notify the cleaning instruction about the feed roller 29 regardless of the number of times of notifying the cleaning instruction.

[0067] The notification section 36 may notify the replacement instruction about the feed roller 29 when the cleaning interval is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0068] The update section 37 may not update the cleaning interval when a transport abnormality occurs.

[0069] The update section 37 may set the difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be equal to or less than the difference between the current value and the update value in the previous update.

[0070] The image reading device 11 may also serve as a recording device by replacing the reading section 13 with a recording section. The medium transport device 14 may be provided in the recording device. The recording section may perform recording on the medium 18 being transported by the medium transport device 14. The recording section may perform recording by ejecting, for example, liquid onto the medium 18.Definitions

[0071] As used herein, the expression “at least one” means “one or more” of the desired options. As an example, the phrase “at least one” as used herein means “only one option” or “both of two options” if the number of options is two. As another example, the expression “at least one” as used herein means “only one option”, “a combination of two optional options”, or “a combination of three or more optional options” when the number of options is three or more.Appendix

[0072] Hereinafter, technical ideas grasped from the above-described embodiment and modifications, and operations and effects thereof will be described.

[0073] [1] The medium transport device includes a storage section that stores a cleaning interval; a feed roller that feeds a medium; a counting section that counts a number of sheets of the medium that were fed by the feed roller; a determination section that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; a comparison section that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section with the cleaning interval; a notification section that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result from the comparison section; and an update section that updates the cleaning interval, wherein the update section updates the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

[0074] A transport abnormality may be more likely to occur as the total number of sheets of fed medium increases. In this regard, according to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval. Since the cleaning instruction is notified by comparing the updated cleaning interval with the counted number of sheets, the notification can be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.

[0075] [2] The medium transport device according to [1] may be such that the update section sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update.

[0076] According to this configuration, the update section sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update. Therefore, the cleaning interval can be easily coordinated with the occurrence frequency of a transport abnormality.

[0077] [3] The medium transport device according to [1] or [2] may be such that the update section updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality.

[0078] According to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. That is, when a transport abnormality occurs before the cleaning instruction is notified, the update section updates the cleaning interval to a smaller value. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a transport abnormality continuously occurs.

[0079] [4] The medium transport device according to any one of to [3] may be such that the update section updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value.

[0080] For example, in a case where the medium is electrically charged, a transport abnormality may occur due to a factor other than the dirt of the feed roller. In this regard, according to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value. Therefore, in a case where a transport abnormality occurs due to a factor other than the feed roller, it is possible to make the cleaning interval less likely to be updated.

[0081] [5] The medium transport device according to any one of to [4] may be such that the notification section notifies, to a user, of a replacement instruction about the feed roller when the number of times that the cleaning instruction was notified reaches a replacement threshold value.

[0082] According to this configuration, the notification section notifies of a replacement instruction about the feed roller when the number of times that the cleaning instruction was notified reaches a replacement threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the feed roller at an appropriate timing.

[0083] [6] An image reading device includes the medium transport device according to any one of [1] to [5] and a reading section that reads an image of a medium transported by the medium transport device.

[0084] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the medium transport device can be achieved.

[0085] [7] A control method for a medium transport device that has a storage section that stores a cleaning interval and a feed roller that feeds a medium, the control method for the medium transport device including counting a number of sheets of medium fed by the feed roller; determining whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; updating the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets of medium exceeds the cleaning interval; comparing the counted number of sheets to the cleaning interval; and notifying, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result of the comparison between the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval.

[0086] According to this method, the same effects as those of the medium transport device can be achieved.

Examples

embodiments

[0013]Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device will be described with reference to the drawings. The image reading device is, for example, a sheet-feed type scanner that reads an image recorded on a medium such as a paper sheet or a film transported by a medium transport device.

[0014]In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by a Z-axis, and the horizontal directions are indicated by an X-axis and a Y-axis, assuming that an image reading device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.

Image Reading Device

[0015]As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image reading device 11 may include a housing 12, a reading section 13, and a medium transport device 14.

[0016]The housing 12 houses various components of the image reading device 11. A transport path 16 indicated by single-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is formed in the housing 12. The t...

[0001] The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2025-008526, filed Jan. 21, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device.2. Related Art

[0003] For example, as disclosed in JP-A-2022-102443, there is a medium transport device that transports medium one sheet at a time. The medium transport device includes a feed roller, a transport roller, and a notification section. The feed roller feeds the medium. The transport roller is located downstream of the feed roller. The transport roller transports the medium fed by the feed roller. The notification section notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction or a replacement instruction about the feed roller in a case where the medium is not correctly fed by the feed roller, and a transport abnormality occurs.

[0004] The medium transport device described in JP-A-2022-102443 notifies a cleaning instruction or a replacement instruction about the feed roller with the occurrence of a transport abnormality as a starting point. However, it is desirable that the notification of the cleaning instruction or the replacement instruction about the feed roller be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.SUMMARY

[0005] A medium transport device that solves the above problem

[0006] includes a storage section that stores a cleaning interval; a feed roller that feeds a medium; a counting section that counts a number of sheets of the medium that were fed by the feed roller; a determination section that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; a comparison section that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section with the cleaning interval; a notification section that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result from the comparison section; and an update section that updates the cleaning interval, wherein the update section updates the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

[0007] In order to overcome the above concern, an image reading device includes the medium transport device having the above configuration and a reading section that reads an image of a medium transported by the medium transport device.

[0008] A control method that solves the above problem is for a medium transport device that has a storage section that stores a cleaning interval and a feed roller that feeds a medium, the control method for the medium transport device including counting a number of sheets of medium fed by the feed roller; determining whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; updating the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets of medium exceeds the cleaning interval; comparing the counted number of sheets to the cleaning interval; and notifying, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result of the comparison between the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image reading device

[0010] according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control section.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a notification routine.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSEmbodiments

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device will be described with reference to the drawings. The image reading device is, for example, a sheet-feed type scanner that reads an image recorded on a medium such as a paper sheet or a film transported by a medium transport device.

[0014] In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by a Z-axis, and the horizontal directions are indicated by an X-axis and a Y-axis, assuming that an image reading device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.Image Reading Device

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image reading device 11 may include a housing 12, a reading section 13, and a medium transport device 14.

[0016] The housing 12 houses various components of the image reading device 11. A transport path 16 indicated by single-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is formed in the housing 12. The transport path 16 is a path in which a medium 18 is transported. The transport path 16 extends inside the housing 12.

[0017] The reading section 13 is configured to read an image of the medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14. The reading section 13 is installed along the transport path 16 between start and end point. The reading section 13 reads the medium 18 being transported by the medium transport device 14. The reading section 13 may read the plural sheets of medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14 one after another. The reading section 13 may be configured to read one side of the medium 18 being transported, or may be configured to read both sides of the medium 18. The reading section 13 includes an image sensor. The reading section 13 includes, for example, a CISM. The reading section 13 may be configured to read the medium 18 in full color or may be configured to read the medium 18 in grayscale.Medium Transport Device

[0018] The medium transport device 14 may include a display section 20, a supply tray 21, a discharge tray 22, a feed mechanism 23, a transport roller pair 24, a detection section 25, and a control section 26. The medium transport device 14 may include a plurality of transport roller pairs 24.

[0019] The display section 20 can display a message and the like. The display section 20 may be an operable touch panel.

[0020] One or more medium 18 before reading can be set on the supply tray 21. For example, plural sheets of medium 18 are stacked on the supply tray 21.

[0021] The discharge tray 22 receives the medium 18 transported by the medium transport device 14. The plural sheets of medium 18 that have been read are stacked on the discharge tray 22.

[0022] The feed mechanism 23 feeds the medium 18 stacked on the supply tray 21 one sheet at a time to the transport path 16. The feed mechanism 23 may include a pickup roller 28, a feed roller 29, and a separation roller 30.

[0023] The pickup roller 28 is provided upstream from the feed roller 29 and the separation roller 30 in the feed direction D. The pickup roller 28 can contact, for example, the uppermost medium 18 among the plural sheets of medium 18 loaded on the supply tray 21. The pickup roller 28 rotates in contact with the medium 18 to feed the medium 18 to the feed roller 29. The pickup roller 28 sequentially feeds the plural sheets of medium 18 stacked on the supply tray 21.

[0024] The feed roller 29 feeds the medium 18. The feed roller 29 rotates in a state where the medium 18 is pinched between the feed roller 29 and the separation roller 30, thereby feeding the medium 18 in the feed direction D.

[0025] The separation roller 30 separates the medium 18 one sheet at a time when plural sheets of medium 18 are sent in an double-fed manner by the pickup roller 28.

[0026] The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 are provided along the transport path 16. The transport roller pair 24 may consist of a drive roller that is rotationally driven and a driven roller that is driven to rotate passively. The transport roller pair 24 transports the medium 18 by the drive roller rotating in a state in which the medium 18 is pinched therebetween. The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 transport the medium 18 along the transport path 16. The plurality of transport roller pairs 24 transport the medium 18 sent by the feed mechanism 23 toward the discharge tray 22.

[0027] The detection section 25 may detect the medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29. The detection section 25 may detect the medium 18 transported along the transport path 16. A plurality of detection sections 25 may be provided along the transport path 16.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control section 26 integrally controls driving of each mechanism in the medium transport device 14, and controls various operations executed in the medium transport device 14. The control section 26 may control the reading section 13. The control section 26 may control each main operation executed by the image reading device 11.

[0029] The control section 26 can be configured as a circuit including α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes, or γ: a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and a memory, such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer readable medium includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0030] The control section 26 includes, for example, a storage section 32 such as the above-described RAM and ROM. The storage section 32 stores a cleaning interval. The storage section 32 may store an update threshold value and a replacement threshold value.

[0031] The storage section 32 may store various programs. The control section 26 may function as a counting section 33, a determination section 34, a comparison section 35, a notification section 36, and an update section 37 by executing a program stored in the storage section 32. Therefore, it can be said that the medium transport device 14 includes the counting section 33, the determination section 34, the comparison section 35, the notification section 36, and the update section 37.

[0032] The counting section 33 counts the number of sheets of medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29. The counting section 33 may count the number of times the detection section 25 detects the rear end of the medium 18. The counting section 33 stores the counted number of sheets in the storage section 32. The counted number of sheets is held even when the power of the image reading device 11 is turned off.

[0033] The determination section 34 determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29 has occurred. The determination section 34 may determine that a transport abnormality has occurred when the drive load of the transport roller pair 24 or the like is larger than a predetermined value. The determination section 34 may determine that a transport abnormality has occurred when the rear end of the medium 18 is not detected until a predetermined time elapses after the detection section 25 detects the front end of the transported medium 18.

[0034] The comparison section 35 compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section 33 with the cleaning interval. The cleaning interval in the present embodiment is indicated by a number of sheets. The comparison section 35 may compare the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval stored in the storage section 32.

[0035] The notification section 36 notifies the user of an instruction. The notification section 36 may send an instruction to a device capable of notifying the user. For example, the notification section 36 may send the instruction to the display section 20. The display section 20 may display the received instruction. The notification section 36 may send an instruction to a device that is different from the image reading device 11, such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet.

[0036] The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval. The update section 37 overwrites the cleaning interval stored in the storage section 32 with the updated value. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval to an update value smaller than the current value. At this time, the update section 37 may set the difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be greater than that in the previous update. The update section 37 may increase the reduction rate each time the update is performed. The update section 37 may calculate the update value by multiplying the current value of the cleaning interval by a coefficient smaller than 1. The storage section 32 may store a plurality of cleaning intervals that are ranked. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval to the next cleaning interval.

[0037] Next, a control method for the medium transport device 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3. The control section 26 may execute the notification routine illustrated in FIG. 3 at a timing when reading of the medium 18 is started in a state where the medium 18 is placed on the supply tray 21.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in step S101, the control section 26 drives various rollers such as the pickup roller 28, the feed roller 29, and the transport roller pair 24 to transport the medium 18 placed on the supply tray 21 one sheet at a time. The reading section 13 sequentially reads images of the medium 18 in accordance with the timing at which the medium 18 is transported.

[0039] In step S102, the control section 26 causes the determination section 34 to determine whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium 18 has occurred. If a transport abnormality occurred, the result of step S102 is YES, and the control section 26 proceeds to step S103.

[0040] In step S103, the control section 26 stops the various rollers driven in step S101.

[0041] In step S104, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify that a transport abnormality has occurred in the transport of the medium 18. The notification section 36 may cause the display section 20 to display a message prompting the user to resolve the transport abnormality.

[0042] In step S105, the control section 26 judges whether or not the transport abnormality has been resolved. When the transport abnormality is not resolved, the result of step S105 is NO, and the control section 26 waits until the transport abnormality is resolved. When the transport abnormality is resolved, the result of step S105 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S106.

[0043] In step S106, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the counted number of sheets with the update threshold value. When the counted number of sheets is equal to or less than the update threshold value, the result of step S106 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S101. When the counted number of sheets is larger than the update threshold value, the result of step S106 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S107.

[0044] In step S107, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the number of cleaning instructions with the replacement threshold value. The number of cleaning instructions is the number of times the notification section 36 notified a cleaning instruction from the start of use of the feed roller 29 to the present time. When the number of cleaning instructions is smaller than the replacement threshold value, the result of step S107 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S108.

[0045] In step S108, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify a cleaning instruction for the feed roller 29. In step S109, the control section 26 causes the update section 37 to update the cleaning interval. In step S110, the control section 26 resets the counted number of sheets stored in the storage section 32, and ends the process.

[0046] In step S107, if the number of times a cleaning instruction has been notified exceeds the replacement threshold value, the result of step S107 becomes NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S111. In step S111, the control section 26 causes the notification section 36 to notify a replacement instruction for the feed roller 29. The notification section 36 notifies, to the user, a replacement instruction of the feed roller 29 when the number of times of notification of the cleaning instruction reaches the replacement threshold value. The control section 26 may wait until the feed roller 29 is replaced.

[0047] In step S112, the control section 26 causes the update section 37 to initialize the cleaning interval, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S110. The initialization of the cleaning interval may be performed after the replacement of the feed roller 29 is confirmed.

[0048] In step S102, when a transport abnormality has not occurred, the result of step S102 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S113.

[0049] In step S113, the control section 26 judges whether the detection section 25 has detected the rear end of the medium 18. When the detection section 25 has not detected the rear end, the result of step S113 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S102. When the detection section 25 detects the rear end, the result of step S113 becomes YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S114.

[0050] In step S114, the control section 26 causes the counting section 33 to increment the counted number of sheets. The counting section 33 may count the number of sheets of medium 18 fed by the feed roller 29 by adding 1 to the counted number of sheets stored in the storage section 32 at the timing when the rear end of a sheet of medium 18 is detected.

[0051] In step S115, the control section 26 judges whether or not there is still medium 18 placed on the supply tray 21. If there is medium 18 on the supply tray 21, the result of step S115 is YES, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S102. When there is no medium 18 on the supply tray 21, the result of step S115 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S116.

[0052] In step S116, the control section 26 causes the plurality of images of the medium 18 read by the reading section 13 to be output to a storage medium or a device other than the image reading device 11.

[0053] In step S117, the control section 26 stops drive of the various rollers in the same manner as in step S103.

[0054] In step S118, the control section 26 causes the comparison section 35 to compare the counted number of sheets with the cleaning interval. When the counted number of sheets is larger than the cleaning interval, the result of step S118 is NO, and the control section 26 advances the process to step S107. When the counted number of sheets is equal to or less than the cleaning interval, the result of step S118 is YES, and the control section 26 ends the process.Operation of the Present Embodiment

[0055] The operation of the present embodiment will be explained.

[0056] The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. The update section 37 may update the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value.

[0057] The notification section 36 notifies, to the user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller 29 based on the comparison result by the comparison section 35. The notification section 36 notifies of a cleaning instruction when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval. In other words, the notification section 36 may notify the cleaning instruction at the timing when the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval.Effects of the Present Embodiment

[0058] Effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0059] (1-1) A transport abnormality is more likely to occur as the total number of fed sheets of medium 18 increases. In this regard, when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value. Since the cleaning instruction is notified by comparing the updated cleaning interval with the counted number of sheets, the notification can be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.

[0060] (1-2) The update section 37 sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update. Therefore, the cleaning interval can be easily coordinated with the occurrence frequency of a transport abnormality.

[0061] (1-3) The update section 37 updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. In other words, when a transport abnormality occurs before the cleaning instruction is notified, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval to a smaller value. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a transport abnormality continuously occurs.

[0062] (1-4) For example, in a case where the medium 18 is electrically charged, a transport abnormality may occur due to a factor other than the dirt of the feed roller 29. In that regard, the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value. Therefore, when a transport abnormality occurs due to a factor other than the feed roller 29, it is possible to make the cleaning interval less likely to be updated.

[0063] (1-5) The notification section 36 notifies the replacement instruction about the feed roller 29 in a case where the number of times of notifying the cleaning instruction reaches the replacement threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the feed roller 29 at an appropriate timing.Modifications

[0064] The present embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The present embodiments and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0065] The timing at which the update section 37 updates the cleaning interval and the timing at which the notification section 36 notifies the cleaning instruction may be shifted.

[0066] The notification section 36 may notify the cleaning instruction about the feed roller 29 regardless of the number of times of notifying the cleaning instruction.

[0067] The notification section 36 may notify the replacement instruction about the feed roller 29 when the cleaning interval is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0068] The update section 37 may not update the cleaning interval when a transport abnormality occurs.

[0069] The update section 37 may set the difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be equal to or less than the difference between the current value and the update value in the previous update.

[0070] The image reading device 11 may also serve as a recording device by replacing the reading section 13 with a recording section. The medium transport device 14 may be provided in the recording device. The recording section may perform recording on the medium 18 being transported by the medium transport device 14. The recording section may perform recording by ejecting, for example, liquid onto the medium 18.Definitions

[0071] As used herein, the expression “at least one” means “one or more” of the desired options. As an example, the phrase “at least one” as used herein means “only one option” or “both of two options” if the number of options is two. As another example, the expression “at least one” as used herein means “only one option”, “a combination of two optional options”, or “a combination of three or more optional options” when the number of options is three or more.Appendix

[0072] Hereinafter, technical ideas grasped from the above-described embodiment and modifications, and operations and effects thereof will be described.

[0073] [1] The medium transport device includes a storage section that stores a cleaning interval; a feed roller that feeds a medium; a counting section that counts a number of sheets of the medium that were fed by the feed roller; a determination section that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; a comparison section that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section with the cleaning interval; a notification section that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result from the comparison section; and an update section that updates the cleaning interval, wherein the update section updates the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

[0074] A transport abnormality may be more likely to occur as the total number of sheets of fed medium increases. In this regard, according to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval to a value smaller than the current value when the counted number of sheets becomes larger than the cleaning interval. Since the cleaning instruction is notified by comparing the updated cleaning interval with the counted number of sheets, the notification can be performed before a transport abnormality occurs.

[0075] [2] The medium transport device according to [1] may be such that the update section sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update.

[0076] According to this configuration, the update section sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update. Therefore, the cleaning interval can be easily coordinated with the occurrence frequency of a transport abnormality.

[0077] [3] The medium transport device according to [1] or [2] may be such that the update section updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality.

[0078] According to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality. That is, when a transport abnormality occurs before the cleaning instruction is notified, the update section updates the cleaning interval to a smaller value. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a transport abnormality continuously occurs.

[0079] [4] The medium transport device according to any one of to [3] may be such that the update section updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value.

[0080] For example, in a case where the medium is electrically charged, a transport abnormality may occur due to a factor other than the dirt of the feed roller. In this regard, according to this configuration, the update section updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value. Therefore, in a case where a transport abnormality occurs due to a factor other than the feed roller, it is possible to make the cleaning interval less likely to be updated.

[0081] [5] The medium transport device according to any one of to [4] may be such that the notification section notifies, to a user, of a replacement instruction about the feed roller when the number of times that the cleaning instruction was notified reaches a replacement threshold value.

[0082] According to this configuration, the notification section notifies of a replacement instruction about the feed roller when the number of times that the cleaning instruction was notified reaches a replacement threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the feed roller at an appropriate timing.

[0083] [6] An image reading device includes the medium transport device according to any one of [1] to [5] and a reading section that reads an image of a medium transported by the medium transport device.

[0084] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the medium transport device can be achieved.

[0085] [7] A control method for a medium transport device that has a storage section that stores a cleaning interval and a feed roller that feeds a medium, the control method for the medium transport device including counting a number of sheets of medium fed by the feed roller; determining whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred; updating the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets of medium exceeds the cleaning interval; comparing the counted number of sheets to the cleaning interval; and notifying, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result of the comparison between the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval.

[0086] According to this method, the same effects as those of the medium transport device can be achieved.

Examples

embodiments

[0013]Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medium transport device, an image reading device, and a control method for a medium transport device will be described with reference to the drawings. The image reading device is, for example, a sheet-feed type scanner that reads an image recorded on a medium such as a paper sheet or a film transported by a medium transport device.

[0014]In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by a Z-axis, and the horizontal directions are indicated by an X-axis and a Y-axis, assuming that an image reading device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.

Image Reading Device

[0015]As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image reading device 11 may include a housing 12, a reading section 13, and a medium transport device 14.

[0016]The housing 12 houses various components of the image reading device 11. A transport path 16 indicated by single-dot chain line in FIG. 1 is formed in the housing 12. The t...

Claims

1. A medium transport device comprising:a storage section that stores a cleaning interval;a feed roller that feeds a medium;a counting section that counts a number of sheets of the medium that were fed by the feed roller;a determination section that determines whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred;a comparison section that compares the counted number of sheets that were counted by the counting section with the cleaning interval;a notification section that notifies, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result from the comparison section; andan update section that updates the cleaning interval, whereinthe update section updates the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets exceeds the cleaning interval.

2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, whereinthe update section sets a difference between the current value and the update value in the current update to be larger than a difference between the current value and the update value in a previous update.

3. The medium transport device according to claim 1, whereinthe update section updates the cleaning interval in response to the detection of a transport abnormality.

4. The medium transport device according to claim 3, whereinthe update section updates the cleaning interval when the counted number of sheets at the time of occurrence of a transport abnormality is larger than an update threshold value.

5. The medium transport device according to claim 1, whereinthe notification section notifies, to a user, of a replacement instruction about the feed roller when the number of times that the cleaning instruction was notified reaches a replacement threshold value.

6. An image reading device comprising:the medium transport device according to claim 1 anda reading section that reads an image of a medium transported by the medium transport device.

7. A control method for a medium transport device that includes a storage section that stores a cleaning interval and a feed roller that feeds a medium, the control method for the medium transport device comprising:counting a number of sheets of medium fed by the feed roller;determining whether or not a transport abnormality of the medium fed by the feed roller occurred;updating the cleaning interval to an updated value smaller than a current value when the counted number of sheets of medium exceeds the cleaning interval;comparing the counted number of sheets to the cleaning interval; andnotifying, to a user, of a cleaning instruction about the feed roller, based on a result of the comparison between the counted number of sheets and the cleaning interval.

Images