CN100413305C - Paper front edge detection and optical scanning module homing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a paper leading edge detection and optical scanning module homing device, wherein a sensing light source is arranged at the exit end of a paper feeding track to correspond to an image sensor of an optical scanning module. The sensing light source can project a sensing light for the image sensor to receive. By judging whether the sensing light is received by the image sensor, it is detected whether the paper leading edge is located above the image sensor, or it is confirmed whether the optical scanning module has been homed to a preset starting position.

Description

Paper leading edge detection and optical scanning module return device

technical field

The invention relates to a scanning machine, in particular to a paper leading edge detection and optical scanning module reset device, which uses the optical scanning module to perform detection and positioning operations.

Background technique

Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, scanning machines 1 such as multi-function business machines (Multi-Function Peripheral, MFP), scanners, copiers, etc. all have an optical scanning function for image scanning and copying of images It can be converted into electronic data for storage, or printed out via paper. The scanning machine 1 has a transparent scanning platform 2 , an optical scanning module 3 is arranged under the scanning platform 2 , and a moving platform 4 is used to slide the optical scanning module 3 back and forth. When performing an image scanning operation on a single sheet of paper, the side of the paper to be scanned is placed on the scanning platform 2 , and the optical scanning module 3 is driven to slide back and forth by the moving platform 4 to scan the image on the paper.

If a large number of papers must be scanned at the same time, an automatic document feeder 5 (Automatic Document Feeder, ADF) is used to feed the papers to be processed into the scanning machine 1 in sequence, and scan them through the top of the optical scanning module 3. At this time, the position of the optical scanning module 3 is fixed, but the automatic paper feeding device 5 is used to drive the paper 6 to move.

The optical scanning module 3 is usually in a standby state, and is turned on for scanning when the leading edge 6a of the paper is about to reach above the optical scanning module 3 . The purpose is to save power consumption, prolong the life of the optical scanning module 3 , and at the same time prevent the optical scanning module 3 from scanning areas other than the paper 6 and occupy the temporary storage space of the buffer memory. Traditionally, a plurality of paper feeding rollers 5a are used to push the paper 6 to move, and at the same time, an elastic piece 5b is used to detect the position of the paper leading edge 6a of the paper 6. The continuous rotation of the paper feeding rollers 5a drives the paper 6 to pass through a paper feeding track 7 Moving towards the optical scanning module 3, before the paper 6 reaches the optical scanning module 3, the leading edge 6a of the paper will first push the elastic piece 5b to generate a trigger signal, and at this time the control circuit of the scanning machine 1 will be based on the elastic piece 5b The distance from the optical scanning module 3, and the stroke produced by the paper feed rollers 5a rotating once to drive the paper 6, start to count the number of rotations of the paper feed rollers 5a, when the paper feed rollers 5a rotate When the moving stroke of the paper generated by the number of turns is approximately equal to the distance between the elastic piece 5 b and the optical scanning module 3 , the optical scanning module 3 is activated to scan the paper 6 . However, the elastic piece 5b is a mechanical structure with low precision, so that when the elastic piece 5b is pushed by the paper 6 to generate a trigger signal, the actual position of the leading edge 6a of the paper will have an error, and the paper feed rollers 5a will drive The stroke error generated by the paper 6 causes when the optical scanning module 3 starts, the leading edge 6a of the paper may not have actually reached the top of the optical scanning module 3, or may have exceeded the optical scanning module 3, resulting in distortion of the scanning effect .

When the automatic paper feeding device 5 is not used, and a single sheet of paper is manually scanned, a paper is directly placed above the scanning platform 2, the side to be scanned faces down, and one side edge of the paper is moved closer to the A starting line (not shown in the figure), the starting line corresponds to the starting position of the optical scanning module 3 . When performing a scanning operation, the mobile platform 4 will drive the optical scanning module 3 to move, starting from the starting position to scan until the other side of the paper is scanned. After the scanning operation is completed, the mobile platform 4 will drive the optical scanning module 3 to move towards the initial position. When the optical scanning module 3 reaches the initial position, the mobile platform 4 will stop operating, so that the optical scanning module 3 Stop at the starting position and wait for the next scan job to start. In order to ensure that the optical scanning module 3 is positioned at the initial position, a group of first sensors 8a and second sensors 8b corresponding to each other are generally arranged in the optical scanning module 3 and the scanning machine 1. The first sensor 8a corresponds to this starting position. When the optical scanning module 3 is at the initial position, the first sensor 8a and the second sensor 8b can sense each other and send out a detection signal to stop the mobile platform 4 from operating. Both the optical scanning module 3 and the scanning machine 1 must be equipped with sensing components, which increases assembly time and costs.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above problems, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a paper leading edge detection and optical scanning module reset device, thereby providing accurate paper leading edge detection, and can be applied to the optical scanning module homing at the same time, simplifying the The type and number of components of the scanning machine.

To achieve the above object, the present invention discloses a paper leading edge detection device, which is installed in a scanning machine equipped with an automatic paper feeding mechanism to detect the position of the paper leading edge, wherein the paper leading edge detection device includes:

An optical scanning module, including an image sensor and a scanning light source;

A paper feeding track has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end is used for feeding paper into the paper feeding track in sequence, and the outlet end corresponds to the optical scanning module; and

A sensing light source, corresponding to the image sensor of the optical scanning module, to emit a sensing light to be received by the image sensor;

In this way, when the leading edge of the paper reaches between the image sensor and the sensing light source, the sensing light will be blocked by the paper, and the optical scanning module is activated to make the scanning light source start to emit light for scanning operation.

In the above paper leading edge detection device, the scanning machine includes a casing, the upper surface of the casing is a transparent scanning platform, and the optical scanning module is arranged under the scanning platform.

In the above paper leading edge detection device, the paper feeding track is close to a side of the scanning platform to form an open image reading window, and the position of the image reading window corresponds to the optical scanning module.

The above-mentioned paper leading edge detection device further includes a conveying module disposed under the scanning platform for driving the optical scanning module to move back and forth under the scanning platform.

In the above paper leading edge detection device, the conveying module includes a motor and a conveying component, and the conveying component is used to connect the motor and the optical scanning module.

The above paper leading edge detection device further includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the optical scanning module and the motor.

The above-mentioned paper leading edge detection device further includes a plurality of paper feeding rollers, which are respectively arranged on two sides of the paper feeding track, and push a paper to move from the inlet end of the paper feeding track toward the outlet end.

In the above paper leading edge detection device, a sensing window corresponding to the image sensor is defined in the upper center of the paper feeding track, and the sensing light source is disposed in the sensing window.

In addition, in order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention discloses a scanning machine equipped with an optical scanning module reset device, which includes:

A housing, the upper surface of which is a scanning platform;

An optical scanning module is arranged under the scanning platform, and the optical scanning module includes an image sensor and a scanning light source;

a conveying module, used to drive the optical scanning module to move back and forth under the scanning platform from a starting position; and

A sensing light source is arranged above the scanning platform, corresponding to the initial position of the optical scanning module, for emitting a sensing light to be received by the image sensor.

In the scanning machine with the optical scanning module resetting device, the conveying module includes a motor and a conveying component, and the conveying component is used to connect the motor and the optical scanning module.

The aforementioned scanning machine with the optical scanning module reset device includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the optical scanning module and the motor.

In addition, in order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention discloses an automatic paper feeding mechanism, which is characterized in that it includes:

a paper feed track having an inlet end and an outlet end; and

A sensing light source is arranged at the exit end of the paper feeding track for emitting a sensing light.

The above-mentioned automatic paper feeding mechanism further includes a plurality of paper feeding rollers, which are respectively arranged on the two sides of the paper feeding track, so as to rotate on the two sides of the paper respectively, and push a paper from the entrance end of the paper feeding track toward The outlet port moves.

In the above-mentioned automatic paper feeding mechanism, a sensing window is opened in the upper center of the paper feeding track, and the sensing light source is arranged in the sensing window.

In order to further understand the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, the detailed description is as follows in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a known automatic paper feeding device and a scanning machine;

2A and 2B are partially enlarged schematic views of a known automatic paper feeding device;

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of some components of an embodiment of the present invention;

5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention applied to paper leading edge detection; and

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention applied to homing and positioning of an optical scanning module.

Among them, reference signs:

1 scan machine

2 scanning platform

3 Optical scanning module

4 mobile platform

5 Automatic paper feeding device

5a Feed roller

5b Shrapnel

6 paper

6a Paper leading edge

7 paper feed track

8a First sensor

8b Second sensor

100 body

110 shell

111 scanning platform

120 delivery modules

121 motor

122 conveying components

130 optical scanning module

131 image sensor

132 scanning light source

200 Automatic paper feeding mechanism

210 paper feed seat

220 paper feed track

221 Entry port

222 exit port

223 image reading window

224 sensing window

230 Feed roller

240 output seat

250 sensing light source

300 sheets

S Sensitive light

Detailed ways

A paper leading edge detection and optical scanning module reset device, which is installed in a scanning machine with an automatic paper feeding mechanism, to detect the position of the paper leading edge, and provide the optical scanning module for positioning, so as to return to the starting point correctly Location. The scanning machine may be a scanning machine for scanning a large amount of paper, such as a Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP), a flatbed scanner, or a copier.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the scanning machine is divided into two parts, one is the main body 100 of the scanning machine, and the other is an automatic paper feeding mechanism 200 .

The main body 100 of the scanning machine includes a housing 110 , and the upper surface of the housing 110 is a transparent scanning platform 111 for placing the paper 300 to be scanned. A conveying module 120 and an optical scanning module 130 are arranged below the scanning platform 111. The conveying module 120 is used to drive the optical scanning module 130 to start from a starting position, move back and forth under the scanning platform 111, and scan the paper placed on the scanning platform 111 300. The conveying module 120 includes a motor 121 and a conveying component 122. The motor 121 can be a stepping motor or a DC motor; the conveying component 122 can be a combination of a screw, a belt or a gear and a rack for connecting the motor 121 and the optical scanning module 130 , driven by the motor 121 to drive the optical scanning module 130 to move. The main body 100 further includes a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the optical scanning module 130 and the motor 121 .

The optical scanning module 130 includes at least an image sensor 131 and a scanning light source 132. The image sensor 131 is composed of a photosensitive component (such as CCD, CIS, etc.) with a lens and a reflector, which can receive external light and convert it into an electronic signal. The scanning light source 132 It can be a long tube-shaped fluorescent tube for projecting light onto the surface of the paper 300 to be scanned to form reflected light for the image sensor 131 to receive. The image sensor 131 and the scanning light source 132 are known technologies, and their construction details and operating principles will not be repeated here.

The automatic paper feeding mechanism 200 is disposed on one side of the top of the main body 100 , and includes a paper feeding seat 210 , a paper feeding track 220 , a plurality of paper feeding rollers 230 and a paper output seat 240 . Wherein, the paper feeding seat 210 is used to carry a plurality of papers 300 to be scanned, so as to feed the papers 300 into the paper feeding track 220 sequentially. The paper feeding track 220 has an inlet port 221 and an outlet port 222. The inlet port 221 is connected to the paper feeding seat 210 for the paper 300 to enter the paper feeding track 220 sequentially. The outlet port 222 is connected to one side of the scanning platform 111. It is connected with the paper output seat 240 , and the paper feeding track 220 is close to one side of the scanning platform 111 , forming an open image reading window 223 . The position of the image reading window 223 corresponds to the initial position of the optical scanning module 130 . The optical scanning module 130 can scan the paper 300 above the image reading window 223 through the image reading window 223 at the initial position. The paper feeding rollers 230 are respectively disposed on two sides of the paper feeding track 220 to rotate on two sides of the paper 300 to push the paper 300 to move from the inlet end 221 of the paper feeding track 220 to the outlet end 222 .

A sensing window 224 is provided in the upper center of the paper feeding track 220, and a sensing light source 250 is arranged in the sensing window 224. The position of the sensing window 224 corresponds to the image reading window 223. When the optical scanning module 130 is located at the initial The position can correspond to the sensing light source 250, and the sensing light source 250 can emit a sensing light S to be received by the image sensor 131 in the optical scanning module 130, so that the optical scanning module 130 maintains a potential level.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the automatic paper feeding device 200 is used to transport the paper 300 to be scanned, the optical scanning module 130 is located at the initial position and scans the paper through the image reading window 223 . The paper 300 to be scanned is placed in a stack on the paper feeding seat 210, and the paper 300 is sequentially drawn in by the paper feeding roller 230 from the inlet end 221 of the paper feeding track 220, pushed to the outlet end 222, so that the paper 300 passes through the image Above the reading window 223 is scanned by the optical scanning module 130 . Before the paper 300 reaches the image reading window 223, the optical scanning module 130 is in a standby state, so as to prevent the scanning light source 132 from continuously operating to reduce life and consume energy, and to prevent the image sensor 131 from reading a large amount of blank information from occupying the buffer memory of the scanning machine.

When the leading edge of the paper 300 reaches the image reading window 223 , the sensing light S will be blocked by the paper 300 , so that the image sensor 131 cannot receive it and the potential level of the optical scanning module 130 will be changed. At this time, the control circuit can send a trigger signal to start the optical scanning module 130, so that the scanning light source 132 starts to emit light, which is projected onto the paper 300 passing through the image reading window 223, and the image sensor 131 receives the reflected light to scan the paper 300. scanning. When the paper 300 completely passes through the image reading window 223 and leaves through the exit end 222 of the paper feeding track 220, the optical scanning module 130 interrupts the scanning operation again, turns off the scanning light source 132, and enters the standby state again. At this time, the sensing light source 250 The emitted sensing light S can be continuously received by the image sensor 131 in the optical scanning module 130, waiting for the next scanning operation to be started. When the leading edge of the paper 300 reaches the top of the image sensor 131, the sensing light S is blocked, and the optical scanning module 130 is activated to improve the accuracy of the paper leading edge detection operation.

When the automatic paper feeding device 200 is not used, the single paper 300 can be directly placed on the scanning platform 111 , and the optical scanning module 130 can be driven by the conveying module 120 to scan the paper 300 forward and backward from the starting position. At this time, the optical scanning module 130 must start the scanning operation from the initial position, otherwise the scanning range of the optical scanning module 130 will be smaller than the actual range of the paper 300, so that some information will be missed, or the scanning range will be larger than the actual range of the paper 300, and the image will be captured. Fetch a lot of useless information, occupying buffer memory space.

The present invention has the positioning function of the optical scanning module 130 at the same time, so that the optical scanning module 130 is surely positioned at the initial position.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B , when the optical scanning module 130 is not at the initial position, the image sensor 131 cannot receive the sensing light S emitted by the sensing light source 250 , so that the optical scanning module 130 maintains another potential level. After the previous scanning operation of the optical scanning module 130 is completed, the scanning light source 132 will be turned off, and then the conveying module 120 will start to push the optical scanning module 130 to gradually move from the other side of the scanning platform 111 toward the starting position. When the optical scanning module 130 reaches the initial position, the image sensor 131 can just receive the sensing light S emitted by the sensing light source 250, so that the potential level of the optical scanning module 130 is changed, and a homing signal is sent to make the scanning machine The control circuit stops the conveying module 120, makes the optical scanning module 130 stay at the initial position, and completes homing and positioning operations.

Certainly, the present invention also can have other multiple embodiments, without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention, but these corresponding Changes and deformations should belong to the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. a paper front edge checkout gear is arranged at one and possesses in the scanning machine of automatic sheet feed mechanism, in order to detect the position of paper front edge, it is characterized in that this paper front edge checkout gear includes:

One optic scan module includes an image sensor and one scan light source;

One paper feed track has an arrival end and a port of export, and this arrival end enters in this paper feed track in order to paper supply Zhang Yixu, and this port of export is corresponding to this optic scan module; And

One sensing light source corresponding to the image sensor of this optic scan module, is received by this image sensor to launch an induction light, makes this optic scan module keep a current potential position standard;

Whereby, before the leading edge of paper is passed through between this image sensor and this sensing light source, this optic scan module is in holding state, when the leading edge of paper arrives between this image sensor and this sensing light source, this induction light can be subjected to paper and cover, this image sensor can't receive this induction light and change the current potential position standard of this optic scan module, thereby starts this optic scan module, makes this scanning light source begin to emit beam and carries out scanning operation.

2. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this scanning machine includes a housing, and the surface, top of this housing is a transparent scanning platform, and this optic scan module is arranged at this scanning platform below.

3. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 2 is characterized in that, this paper feed track is close to a side of this scanning platform, forms an open image reading window, and the position of this image reading window is corresponding to this optic scan module.

4. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 2 is characterized in that, more includes a conveyor module, is arranged at this scanning platform below, moves forward and backward in this scanning platform below in order to drive this optic scan module.

5. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 4 is characterized in that, this conveyor module includes a motor and a conveying assembly, and this conveying assembly is in order to connect this motor and this optic scan module.

6. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 5 is characterized in that, more includes a control circuit, in order to control the running of this optic scan module and this motor.

7. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 1 is characterized in that, more includes a plurality of paper-feeds, is arranged at the two side faces of this paper feed track respectively, promotes a paper and is moved towards this port of export by the arrival end of this paper feed track.

8. paper front edge checkout gear according to claim 1 is characterized in that, going up of this paper feed track is central, offers a sensing window corresponding to this image sensor, and this sensing light source is arranged in this sensing window.

9. a scanning machine that possesses optic scan module homing device is characterized in that, includes:

One housing, the surface, top of this housing is the one scan platform;

One optic scan module is arranged at this scanning platform below, and this optic scan module includes an image sensor and one scan light source;

One conveyor module is set out by an initial position in order to drive this optic scan module, moves forward and backward in this scanning platform below; And

One sensing light source is arranged at this scanning platform top, corresponding to the original position of this optic scan module, is received by this image sensor in order to launch an induction light;

When this optic scan module has left this original position, this image sensor does not receive this induction light, make this optic scan module keep a current potential position standard, when this optic scan module arrives this original position, this image sensor receives this induction light again, thereby change the current potential position standard of this optic scan module, send a playback signal, make this optic scan module stay in this original position.

10. the scanning machine that possesses optic scan module homing device according to claim 9 is characterized in that this conveyor module includes a motor and a conveying assembly, and this conveying assembly is in order to connect this motor and this optic scan module.

11. the scanning machine that possesses optic scan module homing device according to claim 10 is characterized in that, includes a control circuit, in order to control the running of this optic scan module and this motor.

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