JPH04329059A - portable image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the read scanning of lots of originals by using a self- running means so as to carry an original of a read object through an original carrying path. CONSTITUTION:An operating sheet feed guide 15 is removed from a housing upper part and a roll 16 is set to the side of an original read face in contact with a drive roller 1 and a driven roller 4 and the entire reader is placed while an original read face is directed upward. In this case, the direction of revolution of a motor 3 is in a direction (c) opposite to the direction at manual scanning. In this state, when a sheet original 17 is loaded from a side notch of a sheet feed guide 15, the original 17 is carried in the direction of the arrow (e) through the driven roller 4 and drive roller 1. In the case of reading, since the direction of rotation of the roller 1 is reverse to that at self-running, after a data of one line is once stored in a buffer by one line, the CPU 31 reads the data reversely. Moreover, an encoder disk 5 is driven to obtain a read pulse.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable image reading device, and more particularly to a self-propelled portable image reading device.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Image reading devices have also become smaller in recent years, and various types have appeared in addition to the document-mounting type. Among these, manual portable image reading devices (handy scanners) have the advantage of not being restricted by the shape of the document and being suitable for miniaturization. On the other hand, with manual handheld scanners, sub-scanning is performed by the operator's hand, which tends to cause unstable running, such as uneven speed or meandering, poor operability, and the scan size is relatively small. Limited.

[0003] Therefore, in order to stabilize the sub-scanning and thereby enable the scanning size to be about the width of A4 paper, a traveling mechanism is installed inside the handy scanner, and the sub-scanning is carried out by self-propelling or a combination of manual and self-propelling. Handheld scanners that perform scanning have been proposed.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional structure of a self-propelled handy scanner.

In FIG. 5, a dust-proof bottom glass 10, an LE
A rod lens array 8 is provided to form an image illuminated on the D array 9 onto the one-dimensional line sensor 7. Further, a running roller 1 is arranged parallel to these optical system members, and a portion of its outer peripheral surface is exposed from the bottom surface of the housing 11.

The motor 3 is connected via a reduction gear 2 to a gear (not shown) provided on the shaft of the running roller 1. Also,
A driven roller 4 is disposed on the opposite side of the running roller 1 with the optical system member in between, and like the running roller 1, a part of its outer peripheral surface is exposed from the bottom surface of the housing 11.

The encoder disk 5 is connected by an encoder gear and a driven roller gear, and is also provided with a photoelectric converter 6 for detecting rotational output pulses generated by the rotation of the encoder disk 5.

The operation is performed by the operator placing the device in his hand on the surface of the document he wants to read and pressing a switch (not shown) provided on the housing, the LED array 9 lights up and the one-dimensional image is read. The line sensor also becomes operational.

At the same time, the motor 3 rotates, the traveling roller 1 rotates via the reduction gear 2, and the entire apparatus moves at a predetermined sub-scanning speed to read the original.

At this time, the driven roller 4 also rotates, the encoder disk 5 connected to it rotates, and the photoelectric converter 6 generates a movement pulse (sub-scanning synchronization signal) for the device in the sub-scanning direction. Reading is performed in synchronization with the main scanning reading timing of the one-dimensional line sensor 7.

[0011]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, when the sheet-like originals to be read are stacked, the operator must place the handy scanner at the reading start position while turning over the originals, which makes the operation complicated. Conventional self-propelled handheld scanners had this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of this point, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable image reading device that can simplify reading and scanning of a large number of originals.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a self-propelled means for performing sub-scanning by self-propelling a device main body relative to a stationary document surface; A document conveying means that is removably attached to the document reading surface and other parts of the document reading surface, and when attached to the document reading surface, forms a document conveying path between the document conveying means and the document reading surface. The apparatus is characterized in that the document to be read can be conveyed by the self-determining means through the document conveyance path.

[0014]

[Operation] In the present invention, a document conveying means is attached to the document reading surface of the main body of the apparatus, and the document is conveyed for sub-scanning. Therefore, the operator only needs to carry out the operation of loading the original.
There is no need to move the main body of the apparatus to the original reading start position for each original. Furthermore, by attaching the document conveyance means to a location other than the document reading surface of the main body of the apparatus, the document conveyance means can be carried along with the document even during self-propelled reading.

[0015]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the structure for sheet feeding scanning, and FIG. 2 shows the structure for self-scanning. Note that the same components as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 are represented by the same reference numerals.

Here, reference numeral 12 denotes a pulley fixed to the shaft of the drive roller 1 for transmitting the rotational force of the drive roller 1 to the driven roller 4. A transmission belt 14 is suspended between the pulley 13 of the driven roller 4. There is.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a removable sheet feeding guide (original conveyance means) according to the present invention, which is attached to the original reading surface of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 for sheet feeding scanning. At that time, in order to achieve smoother feeding, the drive roller 1
, a roller 16 that rotates while contacting the driven roller 4 is attached to the sheet feeding guide 15.

In the self-propelled state, the sheet feed guide 15 is housed in the upper surface of the housing 11 so as to fit as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, a one-way clutch (not shown) is provided between the driven roller 4 and the driven pulley 13 so that the rotation of the drive roller 1 is not transmitted through the pulley when the motor 3 rotates in reverse.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, a central processing unit (CPU
) 31 inputs each signal of the photoelectric converter 6, the scan changeover switch 32, and the document leading edge detection sensor 33, and the motor 3, L
The ED array 9 and one-dimensional line sensor 7 are operated. Further, the image data read by the one-dimensional line sensor 7 is sent to the external device 34.

A pulse counter 35 counts the number of output pulses from the photoelectric converter 6 combined with the encoder disk 5 and sends out a count value N. 36 is a read switch.

FIG. 4 shows a control processing procedure of the CPU 31 shown in FIG.

The original reading operation in the self-propelled mode and the original reading operation in the paper feeding mode will be described with reference to FIG.

When sub-scanning is performed in the manual+self-running mode, the following processing procedure is executed.

S100: The CPU 31 detects the instruction from the scan changeover switch 32 and shifts to the manual+self-propelled mode procedure.

S101: The operator places the portable image reading device on the document in his hand and presses the reading (start) switch 36. When the CPU 31 detects that the reading (start) switch 36 is pressed, the CPU 31 advances the procedure.

S102: The LED array 9 is turned on according to instructions from the CPU 31.

S103: The motor 3 is turned on by the CPU 31.
Drive N. As a result, reading begins.

S104: Every time the sub-scanning synchronization signal is generated, one line of the output image signal of the one-dimensional line sensor 7 is sent to the CPU.
31 internal memory. Thereafter, the CPU 31 repeats this process until the reading (end) switch 36 is pressed.

S107: After the reading is completed, the CPU 31 turns off the LED array 9.

S108: The motor 3 is turned off by the CPU 31.

During such an operation, the sheet feeding guide 1
5 is integrally attached to the upper part of the housing as shown in FIG.

Further, the rotating direction of the motor 3 at this time is the direction a in FIG. 2, corresponding to the instruction mode of the scan changeover switch 32, and sub-scanning is performed by moving the entire device in the direction of arrow b. , the original is read.

At this time, the moving direction is the direction in which the one-way clutch provided on the driven roller 4 is disengaged, so the rotation of the driving roller 1 is not transmitted to the driven roller 4, and the driven roller 4 is in a free state. Therefore, the driven roller 4
rotates as the device moves, so the read pulses obtained from the encoder disk 5 and photoelectric converter 6 connected to the driven roller 4 are not affected by the slip of the drive roller 1, and are not affected by the relative movement between the device and the document. It will follow the speed and accuracy.

Furthermore, even if an operator lifts up the device during reading, moves it to another location, and then tries to combine the images, the reading is temporarily interrupted while the operator is moving, resulting in an error in the combined image. No cuts occur.

Next, when sub-scanning is performed in the sheet feeding scan, the CPU 31 executes the following processing procedure.

S100: When it is detected that the instruction of the scan changeover switch 32 is the sheet feed scan mode, the procedure is switched to the sheet feed scan procedure.

S202: The motor 3 is turned on to rotate the traveling roller 1.

[0041] S203: Reflection type document leading edge detection sensor 3
The output signal No. 3 is monitored, and the leading edge of the document is detected by detecting a level change.

S204: The counter value N is set to "0" in accordance with the leading edge of the document.

S205: The LED array 9 is turned on.

S206: The movement of the original from the original leading edge detection sensor 33 to the reading position is detected by the number of pulses (N=36) corresponding to the original feeding amount.

S207: The original image is read from the time when the leading edge of the original reaches the reading position.

S208: The trailing edge of the document is detected by turning off the document leading edge detection sensor.

S209: After detecting the trailing edge of the document, the counter value N is reset to "0".

S210: The number of pulses (N=36
) is detected by counting.

S211: Reading ends when the trailing edge of the document reaches the reading position.

S212: The LED array 9 is turned off.

S213: The motor is turned off when the number of pulses N=60 (original discharge position), that is, when the original arrives.

During this operation, the sheet feeding guide 15 is removed from the upper part of the housing, and the roller 16 is set on the document reading surface side in contact with the driving roller 1 and the driven roller 4, as shown in FIG. The document is placed with the scanning side facing up.

At this time, the motor 3 rotates in the opposite direction to that during manual scanning, that is, in the direction of arrow c in FIG. Therefore, the drive roller 1 is rotating in the direction of arrow d via the reduction gear 2. At this time, since the one-way clutch provided on the driven roller 4 is in the locking direction, the rotational force of the driving roller 1 is also transmitted to the driven roller 4, and as a result, the driven roller also rotates in the direction of arrow d.

In this state, when the sheet original 17 is inserted through the notch on the side of the sheet feeding guide 15, it passes through the rotating driven roller 4 and the driving roller 1 and follows the arrow e.
The sheet-like original 17 is conveyed in the direction. In this case of reading, since the rotational direction of the roller is opposite to that when the roller is free-running, after one line of data is once stored in the one line buffer, the CPU 31 reads the data from the opposite direction.

Further, the encoder disk 5 rotates due to the rotation of the driven roller 4, and a read pulse is obtained by the photoelectric converter 6.

In addition to this embodiment, the following example can be implemented.

1) In this embodiment, a pulley and a belt are used to transmit the rotational force between the driving roller 1 and the driven roller 4, but any other mechanism such as a gear mechanism may be used.

2) In this embodiment, the rollers 16 are attached to the sheet feed guide 15, but instead of the rollers 16, a guide plate may be used to guide the document in the conveyance direction.

3) In this embodiment, reading in the self-propelled mode is performed by fitting the sheet feeding guide 15 onto the top surface of the apparatus main body 15. However, the sheet feeding guide 15 in the self-propelled mode can be stored in the form of storage in the apparatus main body 15. It may be stored by an engaging member on the side surface, or an example of storing the device body by using a hinge plate and bringing it into contact with the side surface of the device main body from the state shown in FIG. 4 is conceivable.

4) In this embodiment, the operator instructs the self-scanning mode and the paper feeding mode using the scanning changeover switch 32, but the following switches can be used to instruct both of the above-mentioned reading modes. That is, 2 detects the fitting of the sheet feeding guide 15 in each reading mode.
A mechanical switch is provided, and the read mode is identified by the signal generated by the switch.

[0061]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
In addition to being able to read images by self-propulsion as in the past, it is also possible to read images by placing a portable image reading device and carrying in a document. Therefore, the operator's operations regarding a large number of sheet-like originals are simplified. Furthermore, by attaching the document conveying means to the document reading surface, an effect can be obtained in that the self-propelled means can be protected when not in use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure executed by the CPU 31 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Travel roller 2 Reduction gear 3 Motor 4 Driven roller 5 Encoder disk 6 Photoelectric converter 7 One-dimensional line sensor 8 Rod lens array 9 LED array 11 Housing 12,13 Pulley 14 Transmission belt 15 Sheet feed guide 16 Koro 17 Manuscript 31 CPU 32 Scanning switch 33 Original detection sensor 34 External device 35 Pulse counter 36 Reading (start/end) switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A self-propelled means for performing sub-scanning by self-propelling a device main body relative to a stationary document surface, and a document transport device that can be attached to and detached from the document reading surface and other parts of the device main body, respectively. , a document conveyance means that forms a document conveyance path with the document reading surface when mounted on the document reading surface, and the document to be read is conveyed by the self-determining means through the document conveyance path. A portable image reading device characterized by being transportable.