JPH054761A - Document feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Improves operability when manually feeding multiple documents by displaying the document detection information and teaching the manual document setting procedure according to the transition of the detection information. An object of the present invention is to provide a document feeder. [Structure] The status display unit 31 includes the first to third sensors 16
The detection states in 18 are displayed. The message display unit 32 displays the next manual feeding document setting procedure by character data or the like according to the transition of the detection state displayed on the state display unit 31. The voice output means 34 is, for example, a speaker, and notifies the set procedure by voice.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document feeder for separating and transporting a plurality of documents set one by one, and more particularly to a document transport device for transporting a manually fed document set one by one together with the separation and transport. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a facsimile machine, a copying machine or the like, a document feeder for automatically feeding a document to be handled is often used.
Is configured to separate and convey the set originals one by one. Examples of conventional document feeders of this type include, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-83037 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63.
No. 104361, etc.
As shown.

In FIG. 1, a separating mechanism 11 is composed of a separating roller 12 and a feed roller 13, and separates and conveys a plurality of originals set one by one. The original P1 separated by the separating mechanism 11 is conveyed to the reading unit 15 by the reading roller 14. In order to detect the leading and trailing edges of the document P1, the first sensor 1 is provided upstream of the separating mechanism 11.
6, a second sensor 17 is provided between the separating mechanism 11 and the reading roller 14, and a third sensor 18 is provided between the reading roller 14 and the reading unit 15. For this reason, the positions of the originals P1 and P2 that are sequentially separated and conveyed are detected on the sheet passing path R, as shown in FIGS.

Further, the separation rollers 12 are attached to a separation bracket 19 as a releasing mechanism, and when carrying a manually fed document set by one by one,
As shown in FIG. 4C, the separating mechanism 11 is released by being flipped up. Separate roller 12 feed roller 13
After separating from the
Set up. In this way, the manually fed document is conveyed by the reading roller 14 to the downstream reading unit 15 without separating the document. According to this manual document feeding function, even a document folded in two, for example, can be fed without being separated. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 21 is a pickup roller, and 22 is a document pressing plate.

By the way, the separating bracket 19 shown in FIG.
Is a system in which a counterclockwise direction is simply rotated manually to provide a gap in the separation portion between the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 13. When the hand that rotates the separation bracket 19 is released, The feed rollers 13 come into contact with each other and return to the separable state. In addition to the above method, there is a method that has a gap detection sensor and a lock mechanism to lock the separation bracket 19, but in this method, a manual feed standby state (a gap between the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 13 is generated). It must be configured so that the user can determine that it is in a certain state. Because, if you cannot distinguish the manual feed standby state, you will set multiple documents without noticing that it is in the manual feed standby state.
This is because even if an attempt is made to perform automatic separation, a problem of double feeding that cannot be separated (the paper is fed to the reading unit 15 without being separated) occurs. However, it is easy to determine if the upper part of the ADF is the exterior immediately, but it is difficult to determine if it is the operating part. Further, the cost is increased due to the lock mechanism and the like.

Therefore, as described above, a manual release mechanism is often used. In this case, in order to sequentially convey a plurality of originals by hand, an operation satisfying the following conditions is required. (1) The next original P2 is set by the end of the reading of the preceding original P1 and is detected by the first sensor 16.
If it is not detected, the apparatus determines that there is no original to be transmitted in the case of a facsimile machine, and the transmission is cut off.

(2) On the other hand, in the separation roller 12, the front end of the original P1 is located downstream of the reading roller 14 (that is, the third sensor 18).
If it is in the detection position), the hand may be released to return to the separable state. That is, when the document P1 is detected by the third sensor 18, the electromagnetic clutch 20 that drives the feed roller 13 is turned off, and the one-way clutch integrated with the electromagnetic clutch 20 and the feed roller 13 causes the feed roller 13 to move. It becomes rotation-free. As a result, the document P1 conveyed by the reading roller 14
As a result, the feed roller 13 is rotated together, and the document is not separated. Therefore, even if the separation roller 12 is returned to the separable state, no trouble occurs.

(3) Further, the electromagnetic clutch 20 is used for the original P1.
When the rear end is detected by the second sensor 17, it turns on and drives the feed roller 13. This feed roller 1
When the original P2 is already set, the separation bracket 19 is flipped up to feed the separation roller 12 before the rear end of the original P1 is detected by the second sensor 17. It is necessary to provide a gap between the rollers 13 (separation part).

Otherwise, the document P2 is separated by the separating mechanism 11, and if the document P2 is a folded document, wrinkles may occur, or in the worst case, a conveyance failure such as a jam may occur. (4) Therefore, the original P2 must be inserted into the reading roller 14 section after the rear end of the original P1 is located downstream of the reading roller 14. Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 4C, there occurs a problem that the trailing edge of the document P1 and the leading edge of the document P2 are overlapped and conveyed.

[0010]

However, in such a conventional document conveying apparatus, since the front and rear end positions of the document P1 are not visible from outside the apparatus, the above condition is satisfied.
It was difficult to operate according to (1) to (4). In particular,
Under the condition (2), the separation roller 12 is returned to the separable state, and the original P2 is abutted against the separation roller 12 and set, as described in the condition (3).
The problem that the original P2, which is a half-folded original, is unnecessarily separated due to the rotation of is likely to occur.

As a countermeasure against this, if the separation bracket 19 is constantly flipped up and a gap is provided in the separation part, it is not possible to set the original P2 at any timing and at which position, so that the original P2 is set too early. And conditions (4)
If the double feed described in 1 occurs or is set too late, the transmission cut described in condition (1) will occur. As described above, in the above-described conventional document conveying apparatus, even if the document P2 is manually conveyed after the preceding document P1, it is difficult to understand the timing for setting the document P2, so that substantially only one sheet can be fed. However, there is a problem that it cannot be conveyed continuously.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the operation for manually feeding a plurality of originals is performed by displaying the detection information of the originals and teaching the setting procedure of the manual originals along with the transition of the detection information. An object of the present invention is to provide a document feeder that improves the property. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an original document feeding device for surely preventing the double feeding of the manual insertion original document by regulating the front end of the manual insertion original document by the lower shutter interlocking with the release of the separating mechanism. There is.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original document feeding device for surely preventing the double feeding of the manually inserted original document by regulating the leading edge of the manually inserted original document by the upper shutter which is interlocked with the release of the separating mechanism. It is an object.

[0014]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, a separation mechanism that separates and conveys a plurality of set originals one by one, a reading roller that conveys the originals separated by the separation mechanism to a reading unit, and a document upstream of the separation mechanism. Sensor for detecting the leading and trailing edges of the document, a second sensor for sensing the leading and trailing edges of the document between the separating mechanism and the reading roller, and a leading and trailing edge of the document between the reading roller and the reading unit. In a document transport device including a third sensor and a release mechanism that releases the separation mechanism when transporting a manually-fed document that is set one by one manually, the detection states of the first to third sensors Is displayed, a message display section that displays the procedure for setting the next manual feed original according to the transition of the detection status displayed on this status display section, and a voice output that notifies this setting procedure by voice. Characterized by comprising a means.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 sets the leading edge setting position of the manually fed document from the lower side of the paper feeding path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. It is characterized in that it is provided with a lower shutter which regulates and releases the regulation of the leading edge in association with the release of the separating mechanism when the trailing edge of the preceding document is detected by the second sensor.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention sets the position of the leading edge of a manually fed document set from the upper side of the sheet passing path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. However, when the leading edge of the preceding document is detected by the third sensor, an upper shutter that releases the regulation of the leading edge in association with the release of the separating mechanism is provided.

[0017]

In the invention according to claim 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, the state display section displays the detection states of the first to third sensors, and a message is displayed according to the transition of the detection state displayed on the state display section. The procedure for setting the next manually fed document is displayed on the display unit, and the voice output means notifies this setting procedure by voice.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2 having the above-mentioned configuration, the position for setting the leading edge of the manually fed document is regulated from the lower side of the paper feeding path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. A shutter is arranged, and the front end regulation by the lower shutter is released in association with the release of the separation mechanism when the rear end of the preceding document is detected by the second sensor.

Further, in the invention of the third aspect having the above-mentioned structure, the upper shutter which regulates the position of the leading edge of the manually fed document from the upper side of the sheet passing path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. Is disposed, and the regulation of the leading edge by the upper shutter is released in conjunction with the release of the separation mechanism when the leading edge of the preceding document is detected by the third sensor.

[0020]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same components as those of the conventional example described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the structure will be described. In FIG. 1, the state display unit 31 indicates the detection states of the first to third sensors 16 to 18 by, for example, LED (Light-emitting Dio).
de) and so on. The message display 32 is
Depending on the transition of the detection state displayed on the state display unit 31,
The next manual feeding document setting procedure is displayed by character data and the like. For this reason, the predetermined image and character data relating to the method of setting the original are stored in the image memory 33,
The image and character data in the image memory 33 are read and a message is displayed.

The voice output means 34 is, for example, a speaker and notifies the set procedure by voice. For this reason, predetermined voice data relating to the method of setting the original is stored in the voice memory 35, and the voice data in the voice memory 35 is converted into an audible voice by the D / A converter 36 and output. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Reference numeral 37 controls the entire document feeder based on a predetermined control program, and controls the operation of each section shown in FIG.

In the above structure, after the separation bracket 19 is flipped up to release the separation mechanism 11, one document is manually set up to the reading roller 14. When the original is set, the first sensor 16 and the second sensor 17 detect the presence of the original, and a drive motor (not shown) is activated. The reading roller 14 is rotated by the drive motor, and the document is conveyed toward the downstream side, that is, the reading unit 15.

Next, when the leading edge of the document is detected by the third sensor 18, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 indicate that "the separation mechanism may be returned to the normal position". Next, when the second sensor 17 detects the trailing edge of the document, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 are displayed.
Instructing to "release the separation mechanism again and set the document to be conveyed next to a position where the first sensor 16 can detect it and the second sensor 17 cannot detect it".

Next, when the third sensor 18 detects the trailing edge of the preceding document, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 indicate "Next while the separation bracket is flipped up to release the separation mechanism. Insert the document to be conveyed to the position where it comes into contact with the reading roller 14 ”.
In this way, by teaching the procedure for setting a manually fed document by the message display unit 32 and the voice output means 34, even when a special document such as a folded document is manually fed, the user can set the timing of the document accurately. You can figure it out. Of course, when setting a document, the position of the document can be confirmed by the status display section 31 along with the teaching of the setting procedure. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the manually-fed document.

Next, the operation will be described. When normal automatic separation is performed, a plurality of set originals are detected by the first sensor 16 and are conveyed by the pickup roller 21 and the original pressing plate 22 to a separation unit composed of the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 13. Then, only the lowest one is separated and conveyed downstream.

Next, when the leading edge of the document is detected by the third sensor 18, the electromagnetic clutch 20 is turned off and the drive of the shaft of the feed roller 13 is stopped. However, since the one-way clutch is integrated with the feed roller 13,
The feed roller 13 starts rotating along with the document conveyed by the reading roller 14. The reading accuracy is ensured by the reading roller 14. In addition, the third sensor 18
By detecting the leading and trailing edges of the document, the timing up to the reading unit 15 downstream thereof is measured to start and end the reading of the document.

Second sensor 17 or third sensor 18
However, by detecting the trailing edge of the original, the electromagnetic clutch 20 is turned on to start separation and conveyance of the next original.
If the first sensor 16 does not detect the setting of the original at the time when the reading is completed, the above operation is ended and the original setting standby state is set. On the other hand, in the case of manual feeding, the user rotates the separation bracket 19 counterclockwise by pushing a lever (not shown),
A space is provided between the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 13, and the document is set up to the reading roller 14. Therefore, the first sensor 16 and the second sensor 17 do not have to be driven by the drive motor.
Turns on, and the device determines that it is being used in the manual feed mode. After that, the drive motor is activated and the reading roller 14
The document is conveyed downstream by the rotation of the.

Next, the position of the leading edge of the document is set to the third sensor 18
When it is detected at, the information is transmitted to the CPU 37. CP
The U 37 causes the status display unit 31 to display a series of document positions, and causes the message display unit 32 and the voice output unit 34 to perform display and voice notification according to the transition of the document positions. Here, for example, the data “Please return the separating mechanism to the original” is read from the image memory 33 and the voice memory 35, and displayed and notified by the message display unit 32 and the voice output means 34.

Next, the rear end position of the document is set to the second sensor 17
When the document is detected by the first sensor 16 in the same manner as described above, for example, “After releasing the separation mechanism, the document to be conveyed next is conveyed by the first sensor 16”.
Please set it to a position where it can be detected by and the second sensor 17 cannot. ”Is displayed and notified. At this time, ON / OF of the first sensor 16 and the second sensor 17
The F state is displayed on the state display section 31. Also, the second
It is more effective if the sound output means 34 outputs a regulation sound, for example, a "buzz sound", when the sensor 17 is turned on.

Further, the rear end position of the document is set to the third sensor 1
When it is detected by 8, the reading roller 1 reads, for example, "a document to be conveyed next while the separation mechanism is released, in the same manner as described above.
Please insert it to the position where it hits 4 ”. As described above, in the present embodiment, in the manual feed mode in which the user sets and inserts the originals one by one, the state of each sensor that detects the leading and trailing edges of the original is displayed,
Furthermore, the position of the document being conveyed is detected, and the user indicates the timing for setting and inserting the next document on the display unit or voice output means. In addition, the operability of the manual continuous feeding can be improved and facilitated.

The invention according to claim 2 will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-mentioned example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. First, the configuration will be described.
In FIG. 2, the lower shutter 41 is located downstream of the first sensor 16 and upstream of the separating mechanism 11, and regulates the leading edge set position of the manually fed document from the lower side of the sheet passing path R, so that When the edge is detected by the second sensor 17, the tip regulation is released in conjunction with the release of the separation mechanism 11.

In this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the following items are changed from the embodiment according to the invention described in claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first embodiment). That is, when setting a document, the document is first abutted against the lower shutter 41, then the separating mechanism 11 is released, the lower shutter 41 is retracted downward, and the reading roller 14 is inserted. As described above, in the present embodiment, the document setting is completed by the two-stage operation, and the lower shutter 41 prevents the next document from entering until the manual feedable state is set, so that the first and second sheets are set. By clearly separating the timing of the original document conveyance,
Prevents double feed. Although the lower shutter 41 is also interlocked when the separating mechanism 11 is released, it is not necessary to synchronize the separating mechanism 11 and the lower shutter 41.

Next, the operation will be described. Separation bracket 1
9 is flipped up to release the separating mechanism 11 and the lower shutter 41, and then one original is set up to the reading roller 14, whereby the first sensor 16 and the second sensor 17 are set.
Detects the presence of a document, a drive motor (not shown) is activated, the reading roller 14 rotates, and the document is conveyed to the downstream side.

Next, when the leading edge of the document is detected by the third sensor 18, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 are instructed that "the separation mechanism and the lower shutter may be returned to the normal position". To do. Next, when the second sensor 17 detects the trailing edge of the document, the message display unit 32 and the voice output unit 34 are instructed to "set the document to be conveyed next until it hits the lower shutter".

Next, when the third sensor 18 detects the trailing edge of the preceding document, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 indicate that "the separation mechanism and the lower shutter are released, Insert the document to be conveyed to the position where it abuts on the reading roller 14 ”. in this way,
In this embodiment, when setting the second and subsequent pages of the document, the setting position is confirmed by the status display section 31, the message display section 32, and the voice output means 34, and the lower side of the sheet feeding path R is set. By controlling the leading edge of the original document by the shutter 41, the leading edge position of the set original document can be mechanically regulated in accordance with the setting procedure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent double feeding when the manually fed original document is conveyed, and It is possible to improve the operability of setting a document.

The invention according to claim 3 will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-mentioned example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. First, the configuration will be described.
In FIG. 3, the upper shutter 51 is located downstream of the first sensor 16 and upstream of the separation mechanism 11, and regulates the leading edge set position of the manually fed document from above the sheet passage R so that the leading edge of the preceding document is When detected by the third sensor 18, the tip regulation is released in conjunction with the release of the separation mechanism 11.

In this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the following items are changed from the embodiment according to the invention described in claim 2 (hereinafter referred to as the second embodiment). That is, when setting a document, the document is first abutted against the upper shutter 51, then the separation mechanism 11 is released, the upper shutter 51 is retracted upward, and the reading roller 14 is inserted. As described above, in the present embodiment, the document setting is completed by the two-stage operation, and the upper shutter 51 prevents the next document from entering until the manual feed becomes possible, and the first and second sheets By clearly separating the timing of the original document conveyance,
Prevents double feed.

Further, in the return timing of the upper shutter 51 in this embodiment, the leading edge of the preceding original is the third sensor 18
The timing is detected by. This is the second
The return timing of the lower shutter 41 in the embodiment, that is, the timing when the trailing edge of the preceding document is detected by the second sensor 17 is advanced. The change of the shutter return timing will be described. Lower shutter 4
If the timing of returning 1 is early, the preceding document passes over the restored lower shutter 41 so as to get over it. If the next original is set in this state, the next original will pass through the lower shutter 41 along with the preceding original. For this reason, the lower shutter 41 cannot regulate the leading edge of the next original without waiting for the passage of the preceding original. On the other hand, the upper shutter 51 returns to press the preceding document from above. For this reason, the next original cannot pass through the upper shutter 51, and early return timing is possible. When the separation mechanism 11 is released, the upper shutter 51 is also released in association with the separation mechanism 11.
It is not necessary to synchronize the upper shutter 51 with.

Next, the operation will be described. Separation bracket 1
9 is flipped up to release the separating mechanism 11 and the upper shutter 51, and then one original is set up to the reading roller 14 so that the first sensor 16 and the second sensor 17 detect the presence of the original. A drive motor (not shown) is activated, the reading roller 14 is rotated, and the document is conveyed to the downstream side.

Next, when the leading edge of the document is detected by the third sensor 18, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 are instructed that "the separation mechanism and the upper shutter may be returned to the normal position". To do. Further, the user is instructed to "set the next document to be conveyed until it hits the upper shutter".

Next, when the third sensor 18 detects the trailing edge of the preceding document, the message display section 32 and the voice output means 34 indicate "after releasing the separating mechanism and the upper shutter, Insert the document to be conveyed to the position where it abuts on the reading roller 14 ”. in this way,
In this embodiment, the timing for setting the second and subsequent pages of the document is set by the status display section 31 and the message display section 3.
2. While confirming by the audio output means 34, the return timing of the upper shutter 51 is advanced, so that the time allowed for setting the next original after the return of the upper shutter 51 can be made longer and the time for teaching the setting procedure can be increased. Since a margin is created, it is possible to reduce setting mistakes due to inexperienced operation and improve the operability of document setting.

In the above embodiment, the message display section 32
Although the teaching of the setting procedure by the voice output means 34 and the voice output means 34 are performed at the same time, the teaching may be made by either one of them by appropriately switching. Further, the teaching contents of the setting procedure by the message display unit 32 and the voice output unit 34 do not have to be the same, and for example, the voice output unit 3
4 may output a signal sound.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment is not limited with respect to the following constitution and contents. (A) Driving method of the feed roller 13 (B) Release method of the separation roller 12 (C) Various display and audio notification contents

[0045]

As described above, according to the document conveying apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the state display section displays the detection states of the first to third sensors, and the state display section displays the detection states. Depending on the transition of the detected state, the next manual document set procedure is displayed on the message display section, and the voice output means notifies this set procedure by voice. You can
In addition, the operability of the manual continuous feeding can be improved and facilitated.

According to the document feeder of the second aspect of the present invention, the leading edge set position of the manually fed document is regulated from the lower side of the paper feeding path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. A lower shutter is arranged, and the leading edge regulation by the lower shutter is released in conjunction with the release of the separating mechanism when the trailing edge of the preceding document is detected by the second sensor. It is possible to mechanically regulate the front end position of the sheet, prevent double feeding when the manually fed document is conveyed, and improve the operability of setting the manually fed document.

According to the document feeder of the third aspect of the present invention, the leading edge setting position of the manually fed document is regulated from the upper side of the paper feeding path downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separating mechanism. Since the upper shutter is arranged and the leading edge regulation by the upper shutter is released in association with the release of the separating mechanism when the leading edge of the preceding document is detected by the third sensor, the next original set after the return of the upper shutter is set. Since a longer time is allowed and more time is given to teach the setting procedure, it is possible to reduce setting mistakes due to inexperienced operation and improve the operability of document setting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of a conventional document feeding device, FIG. 4A is a configuration diagram showing a facsimile device as an application example thereof, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a separating mechanism thereof; (C)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a released state of the separation mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Separation mechanism 14 Reading roller 16-18 First to third sensors 19 Separation bracket (release mechanism) 31 Status display 32 Message display 34 Audio output means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/00 108 H 4226-5C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A separating mechanism that separates and conveys a set of originals one by one, a reading roller that conveys the originals separated by the separating mechanism to a reading unit, and a front and rear end of the original upstream of the separating mechanism. A first sensor for detecting the front and rear edges of the original between the separating mechanism and the reading roller, and a third sensor for detecting the front and rear edges of the original between the reading roller and the reading section. In a document feeder including a sensor and a release mechanism that releases the separation mechanism when a manually fed document set by hand one by one, a detection state of the first to third sensors is displayed. A status display section, a message display section for displaying a next manual-feed document setting procedure according to the transition of the detection status displayed on the status display section, and a voice output means for notifying the setting procedure by voice. Document feeder, characterized in that the. 2. A front end set position of a manually fed document is regulated from a lower side of a paper feed path downstream of a first sensor and upstream of a separation mechanism, and a rear end of a preceding document is detected by a second sensor. 2. The document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a lower shutter that releases the regulation of the leading end in association with the release of the separation mechanism when the original is conveyed. 3. The leading edge setting position of a manually fed document is regulated from the upper side of the sheet passage, which is downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the separation mechanism, and the leading edge of the preceding document is detected by the third sensor. The document feeder according to claim 1, further comprising an upper shutter that releases the regulation of the leading end in association with the release of the separation mechanism.