JPH04356066A - Automatic document feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer an image processor utilizing an automatic document feeder device which can execute the image processing of a document whose pages are reversed every one sheet according to the order of the pages. CONSTITUTION:The documents placed on the document tray 101 of a DADF 2 are successively copied from the document on the lowest stage in a document alternate feeding mode. However, the copying order is that the even numberth document is copied before the odd numberth document. The trailing edge of the even numberth document of two documents carried to a document registration part in a so-called 2 in 1 mode is set at a document registration position and the trailing edge of the odd numberth document is set at the registration position by the reverse carrying after the copying processing of only the even numberth document is executed. Then, the copying processing of the odd numberth document is executed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus using an automatic document feeder.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic document feeder ADF is known as an automatic document feeder used when copying a document in an image processing apparatus, such as a copying machine. The ADF is installed on the platen of the copying machine, and transports the original on the original tray from the original input path to the original registration section (hereinafter referred to as the original registration section) with an endless belt, and after reading the original, ejects the original. This is to eject the original from the copy.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Image processing of various originals is performed using the above-mentioned ADF, but the method for transporting the originals is simply to sequentially transport the originals from the original tray of the automatic document feeder to the original register section. It was something. Therefore, the order in which the sheets are subjected to image processing is also sequentially performed starting from the lowest document on the document tray.

However, depending on the original, each page may be reversed, as shown in FIG. For example, there is a so-called continuous page copying function that copies either the left or right page of a double-page book first and then copies the opposite page. Even-numbered pages may be copied before odd-numbered pages. Then, the copy sheets are arranged in the order shown in the original document 103 in FIG. Further, when copying a double-sided original onto only one side of the paper, if copying starts from an even page, the copy paper will be set in an arrangement like the original 103 in FIG. 10.

[0005] Furthermore, when two documents are combined in parallel and bound together, there are left binding and right binding. Japanese binding, which is an ancient Japanese custom, is right binding, and documents submitted to judicial offices are also right binding, but Western documents and recent books are often left binding. In this way, depending on the document, there are right binding and left binding, so it would be very convenient if both the left and right binding could be done when image processing the same document.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to use an automatic document feeder to process an image of a document whose pages are reversed one by one according to the order of the pages, and to make it possible to perform image processing on a document in which the pages are reversed one by one. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that uses an automatic document feeder that can perform binding.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by the following main configuration. That is, an original tray is used to set originals for image processing in the image processing apparatus, an original carry-in section is provided with a carry-in path for carrying the originals in the original tray, and the originals from the document carry-in part are conveyed onto the platen of the main body of the image processing apparatus. A document registration section for reading the surface of the document, a document discharge section having a discharge path for discharging the document image-processed by the document registration section, and a discharge tray for storing the document ejected from the document discharge section. In the automatic document feeder, there is a document detecting means for detecting the size of the document provided in the document feed path, and a document detecting means that is provided in the document feed path to transport the document to the document registration section via the document feed path in the opposite direction. A duplex conveyance path for turning over the original and conveying it again to the document registration section via the document input path, and a document detection means in the document input path that detects odd-numbered and even-numbered originals in response to a start command. Based on the original detection in , the odd-numbered originals and even-numbered originals are conveyed in parallel to the original registration section.
The even-numbered originals are transported to the registration position, and after image processing of the even-numbered originals, the even-numbered originals and odd-numbered originals are transported in opposite directions a set distance, and the even-numbered originals are transported in duplex mode. a document registration position conveyance means for conveying the odd-numbered document to the registration position; and when the odd-numbered document and the even-numbered document are conveyed in parallel to the registration position, the even-numbered document An image processing command for only the second original is sent to the image processing apparatus main body, and after the image processing of the even-numbered original is carried out in the reverse direction, and the odd-numbered original is carried to the registration position, the odd-numbered original is an image processing command means for transmitting an image processing command for only the first original to the main body of the image processing apparatus; and an original for sequentially ejecting the odd-numbered originals and the even-numbered originals from the original registration section to the ejection tray via the ejection section. The image processing apparatus is an automatic document feeder equipped with a discharge means, or an image processing apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder. The main configuration of the present invention is shown in Figure 1.
Shown in Figure 2.

[0008]

[Operation] With the start command, the odd-numbered originals and even-numbered originals are registered in a parallel state based on the original detection of the original detection means in the original transport path. Transport to the ration department. First, the even-numbered originals are transported to the registration position, and after image processing of the even-numbered originals, the even-numbered originals and the odd-numbered originals are transported in opposite directions a set distance, and then the even-numbered originals are transported to the registration position. The originals are transported to a duplex transport path, odd-numbered originals are transported to a registration position, and then image processing is performed on the odd-numbered originals.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 10, image processing can be performed on the even-numbered originals from the bottom of the originals on the original tray of the automatic original feeder before the odd-numbered originals. In addition, with this document conveyance method, image processing is first performed on one side of the even-numbered document, and then this paper is passed through the intermediate paper supply tray (DDM) of the image processing device main body, and then the image is processed again on the odd-numbered document. If image processing is performed on the odd-numbered original sheet, where the original sheet is set at the register position, on one side of the paper and on the other side, the image processing can be performed for parallel composition of the originals as shown in the copy paper on the right side of Figure 11. . Of course, in the conventional parallel document composition in which images are processed in the order in which the documents are conveyed, image processing can be performed as in the case of the copy paper on the left side of FIG. 11.

Here, the rear end of the even-numbered original is set in the registration position as follows. That is, first, the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document is conveyed a set distance based on the detection of the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document by the document detection means in the carry-in path, and the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document is brought to the registration position of the document image processing section. set. Then, when the leading edge of the even-numbered sheet subsequently sent to the document loading section reaches the document detection means,
The set distance is based on the detection of the leading edge of the even-numbered document.
The odd-numbered originals are transported in the opposite direction. Then, the odd-numbered original and the even-numbered original are conveyed a set distance in parallel based on the detection of the trailing edge of the even-numbered original by the original detection means, so that the trailing edge of the even-numbered original is The document is transported so that it is set at the registration position in the document registration section. Here, first, image processing is performed on even-numbered originals. Next, the parallel originals are transported in opposite directions, the even-numbered originals are sent to the duplex transport path, and the trailing edges of the odd-numbered originals are set at the registration position. By setting this reverse conveyance distance to the length of the even-numbered documents, the trailing edge of the odd-numbered documents can be set at the registration position (see FIG. 12).

[0011] The original is ejected as follows. That is, the document ejection roll drive motor and the ejection roll drive motor are started to be driven by the image processing end signal, and when the ejection document detection means detects that an odd-numbered document has arrived, only the document transport roll drive motor is stopped. let Then, the odd-numbered original is ejected from the original ejection section. At this time, the even-numbered original remains in the original registration area, but the original surface of that original is facing upward. Therefore, in order to turn the document surface downward, an operation is performed to turn the document over in the duplex conveyance path. Therefore, when the odd-numbered document has been ejected, the document transport roll drive motor is driven in reverse,
The even-numbered originals in the original registration section are conveyed in the opposite direction and are conveyed to the original transport path via the duplex transport path. Then, after a set time has elapsed after reaching the registration position at the rear end of the even-numbered document, the document transport roll drive motor is driven in normal rotation to transport the even-numbered document to the document ejection section. , the even-numbered document with the document surface facing downward is discharged by the discharge roll that has resumed driving (see FIG. 13).

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is applied to a copying machine, which is constructed by combining a base machine with accessory devices such as a double-sided automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DADF) and a sorter. Here, the base machine is a device that is equipped with one or more paper trays and a manual feed tray for manual feeding, and that can manually set originals on the platen and execute jobs under the copy conditions set on the console panel. be.

As shown in FIG. 3, the copying machine has a base machine 1 equipped with a DADF 2 and a sorter 3, and this base machine 1 has a mechanical section including attached devices according to a job set by a console panel 4. DA
After image processing is performed on the specified size paper supplied from the paper tray section 5 based on the image processing read from the document sent by the DF 2, the paper is discharged and the image is processed in the sorter 3. It is configured to sort the paper that has been collected.

[0014] Also, the outline of the copying machine will be explained using FIG. A photosensitive drum 7 is arranged inside the base machine 1. In the figure, the photoreceptor 8 is formed in a layered manner on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 7. This photosensitive drum 7 is connected to a drive device (not shown) so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow. A charge corotron 9, a charge removing device 10, developing devices 11 and 12, a transfer corotron 13, and a cleaning device 15 are arranged around the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 7. Note that the charge removing device 10 removes the charge on a part of the photoreceptor 8 charged by the charge corotron 9 in order to erase the unnecessary copy image so that it is not transferred to the paper.

In this copying machine, as the photosensitive drum 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the photosensitive member 8 is uniformly charged by the charge corotron 9, and then is irradiated with light at the exposure point 16, forming an electrostatic latent image. is formed. The exposure point 16 includes a platen glass 1 placed on the top surface of the base machine 1.
A light image of a document (not shown) placed on the light source 7 is made incident thereon. For this purpose, an exposure lamp 19 and a plurality of mirrors 20 and optical lenses 21 that transmit reflected light from the surface of the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 19 are arranged. It is now possible to do so. Photoreceptor 8 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed
is then developed in developing units 11 and 12. Here, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 8 is transferred to the transfer corotron 13.
The image is transferred onto the paper, thermally fixed between the heat roll 23 and the pressure roll 24, and then discharged. on the other hand,
The photoreceptor 8 is cleaned by a cleaning device 15 and is reused.

On the other hand, the paper 27 contained in the paper supply tray 25 disposed in the base machine 1 or the paper 27 manually fed along the manual feed tray 28
is sent out by the feed roll 29 or 31,
The photosensitive drum 7 is guided by a transport roll 32 and passes between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer corotron 13 . At this time, the toner image is
7. The paper 27 after transfer is transferred to the heat roll 2
3 and pressure roll 24 to be thermally fixed. Then, it passes between the transport rolls 32 and is discharged to the sorter 3, which is a discharge tray.

Note that the intermediate tray 33 is used for double-sided or multiple copying.

As shown in FIG. 5, the console panel 4 is used to perform operations such as setting/inputting paper size, magnification, number of copies, etc., starting, stopping, interrupting, and confirming settings. buttons 35 as hard keys and a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 3.
The display section 6 includes buttons (not shown) as touch keys provided in the display portion corresponding to the functions displayed on the screen. Further, on the console panel 4, the status of selections and settings made when the hard keys 35 are operated is displayed by LED lamps 37 and the like. The functions of the buttons on the console panel 4 will be described later.

FIG. 6 shows the hardware configuration of the copying machine. A user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) 39 executes settings/input data processing by operating buttons on the console panel 4, and connects the MAINPWBA (hereinafter referred to as ``MAIN system'') 40 that manages the system of this machine. It sends input data and displays it to the user. The DADF controller 41 performs control to convey the original onto the platen glass 17 in accordance with the reading timing in order to read image information from both sides of the original. Optical reader (OPT) controller 42
performs optical reading control of image information designated by the user from the document conveyed onto the platen glass 17.

Static eliminator (ISIL) controller 4
3 controls editing processing such as erasing unnecessary parts from the image information of the original, frame erasing processing for erasing the periphery of the original, and drawing specific information from the image information of the original. An image recording device (IOT) controller 44 manages conveyance control of the paper 27, paper jam detection, and development process control around Zero when performing image processing based on image information read from a document.

[0021] The specific tray (DDM/TRAY [X]) controller 45 inverts the sheet 27 on which image processing has already been performed on one side based on a command regarding double-sided image processing from the IOT controller 44, and prints an image on the back side of the sheet 27. In order to perform processing, the intermediate tray 33 is controlled to temporarily wait until the next zero timing, and a special tray operation command from the IOT controller 44 is used to control the intermediate tray 33 separately from other trays due to the paper path. The special tray [X] to be handled, for example, the bottom tray 25, is controlled.

The sorter controller 46 controls, for example, to drive a 20-bin sorter in response to a sorting command from the IOT controller 44, and to store the image-processed paper 27 discharged from the base machine 1 in a designated bin. The stipple sorter controller 47 performs control for stapling after collating the sheets 27 stored in the bins in response to a binding and sorting command from the IOT controller 44 . A light lens manager (hereinafter referred to as LLM) 48 centrally manages the entire system, and mainly performs system timing control to temporally match document image processing and conveyance of paper 27, and controls settings made by the user. Perform job management such as copy mode.

[0023] Serial data communication processor (hereinafter referred to as S
It's called CP. )49 is UI39, DADF2, OPT
It transmits and receives data to and from the ISIL 10 by serial communication, and also performs data processing for exchanging data with the LLM 48 by parallel communication. Especially SC
Data exchange between P49 and LLM48 is performed using SCP4.
This is done through a dual port RAM (not shown) built into 9. That is, the LLM48 reads/writes the dual port RAM of the SCP49 allocated on its own address map, and uses this RAM as the SCP49 dual port RAM.
49 transmits information by reading/writing. The above hardware has independent CPUs for each function.
The electric circuit board P is equipped with this CPU and peripheral LSI.
WBA is configured. Here, LLM48, SCP
49 and the IOT controller 44 form the core of the control system of the base machine 1, and the main control circuit board 40 is composed of a CPU and peripheral LSIs that share each function.

The features of this embodiment will be explained below. First, the structure of the DADF 2 of this embodiment will be briefly explained. Note that the DADF 2 in this embodiment is an ADF that can automatically feed both sides of a document.

FIG. 7(a) shows a cross-sectional view of the DADF2. A document tray 101 is located at one end of the central portion of the DADF 2, and a document discharge tray 102 is located at the other end. The document input section includes a document input path 106 for feeding the document 103 into the conveyance path, a pull-in conveyance path 108 for pulling the document 103 toward the platen 17 following the feed conveyance path 106, and a manual feed path. SADH: semi auto document transport path
nt handler) transport path 107 and a duplex transport path 109 which is a document transport path for double-sided copying. A belt drive motor (not shown) is installed in the document register section.
An endless belt 111 made of rubber is provided which is driven by a belt drive roll 110 whose power source is a belt drive roll 110. This belt 111 moves the rear end of the original 103 sent from the original transport unit to the registration position (FIG. 8) on the platen 17.
), and after the document reading process, the output tray 10 is
Send the document to the document output section marked 2. In Figure 7(b), DADF2
This is a top view of the SEF (Short Edge
LEF (Long Edge Feed), which transports the document 103 with its long side in the front-back direction
, a jam of the original 103 , and a set of the original 103 , respectively. The arrangement positions of the document size sensors 117 and 118 and the registration sensor 119 shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the top surface of the DADF 2 are indicated by dotted lines. Also, on the upper surface of the DADF 2, there is a document 1 in the feed conveyance path 107.
A sada slot 121 for carrying in 03 is provided.

Further, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged sectional view of the document carrying section. A document sensor 122 is disposed at one end of the document tray 101 and detects the set state of a document 103 (not shown). Further, a nudger roll 125 having a half-moon cross section is arranged near the entrance 123 of the document carrying path.

Note that this nudger roll 125 is
This is a roll for starting the document to send out the document 03 to the feed conveyance path 106, and a home sensor 126 detects the home position in the illustrated state. Further, the in-gate 127 is driven in the vertical direction by an in-gate solenoid 129, and at its raised position is used to set the leading edge of the insertion position of a sheet of original 103 inserted from the original tray 101. Further, a nudger 130 having a rotating shaft on the entrance side of the pre-feed conveyance path 106 is provided above the nudger roll 125. Nudger 130 is manuscript 10
3 is placed on the document tray 101, the nudger solenoid 131 is driven to push down the document 103,
At the same time, the rotation of the nudger roll 125 begins,
Among the documents 103 sandwiched between the nudger 130 and the nudger roll 125, the lowest document 103 is sequentially fed into the feed conveyance path 106. A feed roller 132 and a retard roll 133 are provided in the feed carry-in path 106, and the document 103 carried in by the nudger roll 125 is continuously conveyed toward the document register section. Note that the upper retard roll 133 rotates in the opposite direction to the document conveyance direction so that two or more documents 103 are not conveyed at the same time. Document size sensors 117 and 118 and a registration sensor 119 are arranged in the carry-in path 108 . A pair of registration rolls 13 are installed near the registration sensor 119 provided in the document pull-in conveyance path 108.
4, and a belt drive roll 110 that rotates in the same direction and at the same linear speed in synchronization with the registration roll 134 is provided. Further, a plurality of belt pinch rolls 135 are arranged to smoothly drive the belt 111.

The document pull-in conveyance path 108 of the carry-in path also serves as a pull-in conveyance path for the feed conveyance path 107 having the feed slot 121 arranged in parallel with the feed conveyance path 106 . A filler roll 137 is provided near the slot 121 of the filler conveyance path 107.

Further, a duplex conveyance path 109 is provided which has a registration gate 138 on the exit side of the feed conveyance path 106 and whose exit communicates with the feed conveyance path 107 . Two pairs of duplex rolls 139 are arranged in the duplex conveyance path 109. This duplex roll 139 runs in the same direction as the belt drive roll 110.
It rotates at the same linear speed. In addition, the end of the registration gate 138 opposite to the rotation axis (not shown) is connected to the platen 17.
(FIG. 7) Located at the registration position of the upper document registration section. The registration gate 138 is driven by a registration gate solenoid 141, and in the case shown in the figure, the document 103 conveyed from the feed conveyance path 106 to the document registration section is rotated up and down about the rotation axis, thereby moving the document 103 to the duplex conveyance path 109.
This enables reverse conveyance of the original 103 to. The registration gate 138 is a plate-shaped member having a substantially triangular cross section, has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the belt drive roll 110, and has approximately the same width as the platen 17.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the document discharge section of the DADF 2. Rubber endless belt 11 driven by belt drive roll 110 and belt pinch roll 135
1, the original 103 is conveyed from the original register section by the first ejection roll 142 and the second ejection roll 143 in the original ejection path, and then the original 103 is transported to the ejection tray 10.
2. The document 103 in the document discharge path 145 is detected by a discharge sensor 146 . In addition, the output tray 102
A discharge interlock 147 is disposed at the end of the document tray 102 to prevent collision and jamming of the discharge tray 102 and discharged documents. Although not shown, the retard roll 133 and the feed roll 137 for feeding the original in the original carrying path are DC.
Driven by a motor. However, the document pull-in registration roll 134 in the document entry section, the belt drive roll 110 in the document registration section, and the discharge roll 142 in the document discharge section,
143 is driven by a stepping motor that can be controlled with high precision. Note that the registration roll 134 and the belt drive roll 110 are driven at the same linear speed.

The DADF 2 having the above structure has the following six running modes. First, there is a transport mode for copying only one side of originals 103 of the same size, which is called a simplex mode. This simplex mode is a mode in which high-speed copying is possible by transporting the next original 103 to the registration position before the original 103 that has been read has not been completely ejected.

In addition, in the duplex mode, which is a transport mode for copying both sides of the original 103, the original 103 that has been set at the registration position from the feed transport path 106 and whose copying operation has been completed is transferred to the duplex transport path 10.
In this mode, the back side of the original is set at the registration position on the platen 17. Therefore, after one-sided copying of the original 103 in the original registration section, the drive motor (not shown) of the belt drive roll 110 is reversed, and at the same time, the registration gate 138 is rotated upward to open the duplex conveyance path 109. is transported to the duplex transport path 109. Then, when the trailing edge of the document is set again at the registration position on the platen 17 via the duplex conveyance path 109 and the feed conveyance path 106, the back side of the document 103 can be copied.

Furthermore, the third running mode of the DADF 2 is called the mixed size mode, and is a mode for sequentially copying only one side of a plurality of originals 103 of different sizes, and is operated by selecting the mix copying function of the base machine main body. Ru.

The fourth running mode of the DADF 2 is called a pre-count mode, and is a mode in which the original 103 is transported in the same manner as the simplex mode and the number of original sheets can be counted. This pre-count mode can be set when only documents 103 of the same size are transported.

Further, the fifth running mode is a document parallel composition mode, so-called 2-in-1 mode. So-called 2in
Mode 1 is a mode in which two originals 103 of the same size are successively conveyed onto the platen 17 and the two originals 103 are copied at the same time. The size of the original to be copied sent to the base machine 1 is, in principle, the size of two originals of the same size arranged in parallel.

The sixth running mode is an alternate original feed mode. In this original alternating feed mode, the originals placed on the original tray 101 of the DADF 2 are copied sequentially starting from the bottom original, but the copy order is as shown in FIG. There are characteristics in what you do. After setting the trailing edge of the even-numbered original of the two originals transported to the original registration unit in the so-called 2-in-1 mode described above at the original registration position, and performing copy processing on only the even-numbered original, In this mode, the trailing edge of the odd-numbered original is set at the registration position by reverse conveyance, and the odd-numbered original is copied.

Next, the operation of the so-called alternate original feed mode will be explained. FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the procedure for pulling in and conveying a document, and FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a procedure for discharging and conveying a document.

At least two originals 103 are set on the original tray 101 of the DADF 2 with the originals facing upward (face-up) (FIG. 12(a)). Next, a feed motor (not shown) provided on the feed conveyance path 106 or the feed conveyance path 107 is used.
the bottom original (odd-numbered original) 103.
The document is pre-fed until a certain distance passes after the leading edge of the document 103 reaches the registration sensor 119 (
Figure 12(b)). Then, by driving the belt motor for a certain period of time, the document is transported so that the trailing edge of the document is placed at the registration position, and then the document transport is temporarily stopped (
Figure 12(c)). Next, the next original, an even-numbered original 103, is pre-fed in the same manner as the odd-numbered original 103 (FIG. 12(d)). Next, the odd-numbered original 103 is reversed to the duplex conveyance path 109 by a certain distance (FIG. 12(e)). Then, the pre-fed even-numbered original 103 becomes the odd-numbered original 103.
3, when the belt motor is driven so that the rear end is placed at the registration position (Fig. 12(f)
)), the even-numbered original 10 after the odd-numbered original 103
3 is set on the platen without any gaps (Fig. 12(g)
). At this time, only the even-numbered originals 103 are copied. Copying only the even-numbered originals is performed by adjusting the scanning width of the carriage lamp 19 (FIG. 4) as usual. After this copying process, these two originals 10
Perform step 3 discharge.

Next, the parallel originals 103 are transported in opposite directions, the even-numbered originals 103 are sent to the duplex transport path 109 (FIG. 12(h)), and the odd-numbered originals 10
Set the rear end of 3 to the registration position. By setting this reverse conveyance distance to the length of the even-numbered document measured by the registration sensor 119, the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document can be set at the registration position (FIG. 12(i))
. In the state shown in FIG. 12(i), odd-numbered originals are copied.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 10, even-numbered originals can be image-processed in order from the bottom of the originals on the original tray of the automatic document feeder before odd-numbered originals,
Documents whose pages have been reversed every other page can be rearranged to their original order.

[0041] In addition, in this document conveying method, image processing of the even-numbered documents is first performed on one side of the paper, and this paper is transferred to the intermediate paper supply tray (DDM) of the main body of the image processing apparatus.
), and the odd-numbered original is set at the register position again. If the image processing of the odd-numbered original is performed on one side of the paper on the other side, the parallel composition of the original will be the copy on the right side of Figure 11. Image processing can be done just like paper. Of course, in the case of copying in the so-called 2-in-1 mode in which images are processed in the order in which originals are conveyed, image processing can be performed as in the case of the copy paper on the left side of FIG. 11. In this way, you can freely select either left or right bag binding.

Next, the procedure for discharging the original will be explained with reference to FIG. When the document ejection roll drive motor and the ejection roll drive motor are started based on the scan end signal,
Odd-numbered documents 103 in the document registration section and even-numbered documents 103 in the duplex conveyance path 109 are conveyed toward the document discharge section (FIG. 13(a)). When the ejection sensor 146 detects the arrival of the odd-numbered original 103, only the belt motor is stopped, and the odd-numbered original 103 is ejected from the original ejection unit (FIG. 13(b)). At this time, the even-numbered original 103 remains in the original register area, but
The original surface of the original 103 is facing upward (Fig. 13
(c)). Therefore, in order to turn the original surface of the original 103 downward, an operation is performed to turn the original 103 upside down in the duplex transport path 109. Therefore, when the ejection of the odd-numbered originals 103 is completed, the belt motor is driven in reverse, and the even-numbered originals 103 in the original registration section are transported in the opposite direction and transported through the duplex transport path 109. (FIGS. 13(d) to 13(f)). Then, after a set time has elapsed after reaching the registration position of the trailing edge of the even-numbered document, the belt motor is driven to rotate in the normal direction (FIG. 13(g)). Then, the even-numbered documents 103 are conveyed toward the document discharge section (FIG. 13(h)). At this time, the even-numbered originals with their original surfaces facing downward are ejected by the ejection rolls that have resumed driving (FIG. 13(i)). In this way, documents can be stacked face-up on the discharge tray 102 (FIG. 13(j)).

Next, FIG. 14 shows a time chart of the document pull-in operation of the DADF 2 in the alternating document feed mode, FIG. 15(a) shows a time chart of the document exchange operation of the DADF 2, and FIG. 15(b) shows a time chart of the document ejection. show.

First, as shown in FIG. 14, when a document 103 is set on the document tray 101 of the DADF 2, the document sensor 122 transmits to the base machine 1 that the document 103 has been set. Next, when the document alternate feed mode is set using the function button (not shown) for selecting document alternate feed on the LCD screen 36 (FIG. 5) of the DADF2,
The signal to start ADF2 is D from base machine 1.
Sent to ADF2. After receiving the start signal, the DADF 2 performs ejection processing of the original document 103 left behind on the platen 17 in a mode similar to the simplex mode. and,
The nudger solenoid 131 is driven for a certain period of time, and the set original 103 is sandwiched between the nudger 130 and the nudger roll 125, so that odd-numbered originals 103 are sent out to the conveyance path 106. Nudger solenoid 13
When the drive of the feed motor (not shown) for driving the retard roll 133 is started 50 ms after the drive start of step 1, the document 103 is conveyed through the feed conveyance path 106, and the registration sensor 119 detects the leading edge of the document 103 and is turned on. Ru. After 30 ms has passed after the registration sensor 119 detects the leading edge of the odd-numbered document 103, the drive of the feed motor is stopped, thereby causing the leading edge of the document to butt against the registration roll 134 driven by a belt motor (not shown). At this time, the cash register roll 134 does not operate. And register sensor 1
19 starts driving the belt motor 200 ms after detecting the leading edge of the document, and draws the odd-numbered document 103 onto the platen 17. In order to keep the document conveyance distance constant, the belt motor steps up to increase the rotational speed as shown in FIG. 14, and then maintains the constant conveyance speed. Then, the conveyance speed is decelerated by stepping down.

At this time, the feed motor is also temporarily driven to help transport the odd-numbered document 103 in the feed transport path 106. And the cash register sensor 119
After detecting the trailing edge of the odd-numbered original 103, after a certain period of time (T1) has elapsed, the belt motor is decelerated and its drive is stopped, and the trailing edge of the original 103 is set at the registration position on the platen 105. Ru.

Next, in order to prefeed the even-numbered original 103, the feed motor is restarted 50 ms after the belt motor is stopped. Then, similarly to the odd-numbered original 103, the registration sensor 119 detects the original 103.
3. When the tip is detected, the drive of the feed motor is stopped after 30 ms. At this time, the duplex conveyance path 109
In order to convey the odd-numbered originals 103 on the platen 17 toward
The register gate 138 is opened so that the document 103 on the paper 7 is transported to the duplex transport path 109. Furthermore, 150
After ms, the belt motor is reversed for a certain period of time (T2). Then, 200 ms after the belt motor stops in the reverse direction, when the belt motor is rotated in the forward direction again, a portion of the document is transferred to the odd-numbered document 103 located in the duplex conveyance path 109 and the leading edge of the document to the pull-in conveyance path 108. The even-numbered originals 103 that have arrived are conveyed onto the platen 17 without any gaps. At this time, the rear end of the even-numbered original 103 is set at the registration position on the platen 105. Here, the settings of the times T1 and T2 are DAD
Because there are variations in component parts such as the document loading section and the document register section of the F2, it is necessary to make fine adjustments for each DADF2. Also, at times T1 and T2, the rear end of the even-numbered original 103 of the two originals arranged in parallel is set at the original registration position, and the rear end of the even-numbered original 103 of the two originals arranged in parallel is This is used as a reference for the transport distance of the originals 103 to prevent gaps between the even-numbered originals 103, and the transport distance of the originals 103 can be accurately controlled instead of the times T1 and T2. The control may be based on any standard.

In this embodiment, a method was adopted in which the above-mentioned times T1 and T2 were fine-tuned using the DADF2 control software, and the fine-tuning data was stored in the NVM (not shown) of the LLM of the base machine. Then, by receiving the fine adjustment data from the base machine to DADF2 via serial communication, NVMRAM is installed in DADF2.
There is no need to adjust the mechanism at the time of shipment or install parts such as rotary switches. In this way, when the registration sensor 119 detects the trailing edge of the even-numbered document 103, a command to start scanning the lamp 19 (FIG. 4) of the base machine 1 is sent to D.
ADF2 transmits.

Further, after copying the even-numbered original, when the DADF 2 receives an even-numbered scan end signal from the base machine 1 as shown in FIG. 15(a), the belt motor starts copying the odd-numbered original. The reverse rotation is started for the distance that the rear end reaches the registration position (=the length of the even-numbered document can be detected by the registration sensor 119), and the setting of the odd-numbered document is completed. Note that while the odd-numbered document 103 is being pulled onto the platen 17 by the belt motor, the document sensor 122
When detecting that there is no document 103 in the document tray 101, the belt motor is not driven in constant speed reverse rotation, and upon detection of the rear end of the odd-numbered document 103, a scan start command for the lamp 19 is sent to the base machine 1.

Next, the document ejecting procedure will be explained using the time chart shown in FIG. 15(b). When the DADF 2 receives the completion of scanning of the carriage lamp 19 from the base machine 1, the drive of the ejection motor (not shown) and the belt motor starts. Then, when the ejection sensor 146 detects the leading edge of the odd-numbered document 103, the drive of the belt motor is stopped. Then, the odd-numbered document 103 continues to be transported by the ejection motor, but the even-numbered document 103 in the document register area continues to be transported.
03 remains in the same position, both originals 103 can be separated. Then, when the ejection sensor 146 detects the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document 103, the ejection rolls 142 and 1
After reducing the rotation speed of 43, the rotation is stopped. This reduction in rotational speed is to prevent the originals 103 from flying out if the originals 103 are ejected too quickly, and to stack the originals 103 in an orderly manner on the ejection tray 102. The purpose of separating the odd-numbered originals 103 from the even-numbered originals 103 is to prevent the originals 103 from flying out at the original ejection section.
This is to ensure that the

5 after stopping the drive of the discharge rolls 142 and 143
After 0 ms, the discharge rolls 142 and 143 and the belt drive roll 110 are restarted, and the belt motor is started to be driven in reverse. Then, after the trailing edge of the even-numbered document transported in the reverse direction reaches the registration position (this is calculated as the distance between the registration position and the ejection sensor 146 - the even-numbered document + the step-down distance of the belt motor) ), the belt motor is decelerated and stopped after a certain period of time, and after 20 ms, the belt motor is changed to normal rotation drive, and the even-numbered document 103 is ejected.

[0051] Here, the feed motor, belt motor,
20 to 200ms to determine the drive timing of the discharge motor
is a design value in the DADF 2 of this embodiment, and is a value determined by, for example, the pulse width/time of the stepping motor and the conveyance distance, and can be changed as appropriate.

Next, flowcharts of the document alternate feeding function shown in FIGS. 17 to 27 will be explained. Figures 16 and 17 are
2 is a flowchart outlining a so-called document alternate feed function. The flow of this flow is as explained in the above-mentioned schematic explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 12 and 12 and the time charts of FIGS. 14 and 15. That is, the first manuscript 103 is DA
When it detects that the document is set in the document tray 101 of the DF2, it waits for the user to turn on the start button, and when the start button is pressed, the remaining documents in the conveyance path of the DADF2 are ejected, and the odd-numbered document is first processed. The original 103 is transported. Next, the even-numbered original 103 is transported, and when the trailing edge of the even-numbered original 103 is set at the registration position, this original is copied, and then the odd-numbered original 103 is transferred to the registration position. Set and make the odd numbered copy. Then, each document 103 is sequentially placed on the ejection tray 10.
Discharge to 2. This operation is performed over the entire document 103.

Next, details of each routine shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 will be explained. First, FIG. 18 shows the first document 103
In this detection flow, when the DADF 2 is ready for operation and the document sensor 122 detects the document 103 on the document tray 101, it waits for the user to press the start button. Next, when the user presses the start button while waiting for a start request as shown in FIG. 19, the document parallel composition mode is set, and the DADF 2 shifts to an operating state corresponding thereto. Next, the process moves to the flow of the remaining document ejection process shown in FIG. In the remaining document ejection processing mode, the belt motor and ejection motor are activated. In this way, when the preparation for entering the so-called alternating document feed mode is completed, the odd-numbered document conveyance control shown in FIG. 21 begins. Here, for the first document 103, the feed motor is started while driving the nudger 130 and the nudge roll 125 to facilitate the start of document conveyance. The subsequent document transport control is as described above. At this time, if the registration sensor 119 cannot detect the document even after a certain period of time, the nudger roll 125 and the like are driven again. Still, cash register sensor 11
If the document 9 cannot be detected, it is determined that the document 103 has jammed. The odd-numbered original 103 is fed into the conveyance path 10
When the document 6 is conveyed and touches the registration sensor 119, the belt motor starts to start, and the document 103 is pulled into the conveyance path 10.
8, during which the document length is detected by document sensors 117, 118 and registration sensor 119. A method for detecting the document length will be described later. Then, when the registration sensor 119 detects the rear end of the document 103, the driving of the belt motor is stopped after a time T1, as shown in FIG. Then, the process moves to the even-numbered original document conveyance control. FIG. 23 shows a flowchart for controlling the conveyance of even-numbered documents. Here, the reversal of the belt motor corresponding to the document gap is a conveyance control that reverses the odd-numbered document toward the duplex conveyance path 109. The even-numbered originals 103 fed to the feed-in conveyance path 106 are then transferred to the pull-in conveyance path 1 in FIG.
The retracting conveyance is performed at 08. This even-numbered manuscript 1
By conveying for T1 time based on the detection of the rear edge of the registration sensor 119 of 03, the rear edge of the even-numbered original 103 is aligned with the platen 17
It is transported to the upper registration position. At this time,
When the odd-numbered document 103 is in the forward transport position and there is no gap between the odd and even-numbered documents, the platen 17
set on top. At this point, the setting of the even-numbered original is completed, and a copy of this even-numbered original 103 is made. Next, the process moves on to setting the odd-numbered original 103 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, when the belt motor is driven in reverse and the rear end of the odd-numbered original 103 reaches the registration position, the setting of the odd-numbered original is completed, and this original 103 is set.
Make a copy of 3. Then, the process moves to the document ejecting process shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

In response to a document exchange request from the base machine 1, the belt motor and discharge motor are activated to discharge the remaining document 103 on the platen 17. The driving of the motor is based on the detection of the original 103 by the original 103 ejection sensor 146, and controls the transport roll drive motor for ejecting only odd-numbered originals as shown in the time chart of FIG. 15(b). . Then, upon completion of ejection of the odd-numbered originals, the belt motor is driven in reverse, and the even-numbered originals 103 are ejected to the original ejection unit via the duplex transport path 109.

In this way, it is possible to copy the originals 103 in a different order from the way they are set on the DADF 2.

First, a method for detecting the size of the original 103 including SEF and LEF will be briefly explained. The width of the document 103 is detected as follows. As shown in FIG. 28, there are document size sensors 117 and 118, so depending on the combination of on/off of these two size sensors, it can be determined that the manuscript belongs to one of the "documents" shown in the left column of the tables 1 to 3. .

Next, the document length is determined by reading the value of the timer of the CPU of DADF 2 when the registration sensor 119 detects the leading edge of the document and the trailing edge of the document.
The distance between the register sensor 119 and the register roll 134 and the moving distance during the step-up of the rotational speed of the belt motor can be determined by multiplying the detection reference length of the stepping motor corresponding to s) and subtracting from the obtained value. can.

(Table 1) Size sensor OFF Size sensor ON original
Original length Detected original length 8.5 x 14
SEF 355.6 292.82A4
SEF 297 234.
228.5×11SEF 279.4
216.62B5SEF 257
194.22A5SEF 21
0 147.22A5LEF
148 85.22 (Table 2) Size sensor ON, size sensor OFF original
Original length Detected original length B4SEF
364 301.228.5×1
1LEF 215.9 153.12B
5LEF 182 119.
22 (Table 3) Size sensor ON, size sensor ON original
Original length Detected original length A3SEF
420 357.22A4LEF
210 147.22B5L
EF 182 119.22

In this embodiment, the carry-in path document detection means of the present invention is the register sensor 119 and hardware, software, etc. for each detection target, and the document registration position conveyance means of the present invention is the feed-in conveyance path in this embodiment. 106, pull-in conveyance path 108, sada conveyance path 107, duplex conveyance path 109, document conveyance rolls, etc. of each conveyance path, endless belt 111 of document register section, belt drive roll 110
, belt pinch roll 135, these roll drive motors (not shown), and hardware and software for operating the motors. In this embodiment, the original image processing command means of the present invention is a transmitting device (not shown) for issuing a copy command to the base machine 1, and hardware, software, etc. therefor. Further, in this embodiment, the document ejecting means of the present invention includes a document ejecting path 145, a document ejecting roll 142,
143 and hardware, software, etc. for its operation, and the discharge document detection means of the present invention is the discharge sensor 14.
6 and the hardware, software, etc. for its operation.

[0060]

According to the present invention, even if the pages of a document are reversed one by one, image processing is performed on the pages in the correct order.

[0061] Furthermore, when documents are combined in parallel using this document conveyance method, either left or right bag binding can be freely selected.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a control panel of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view and a top view of an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the document input section of the automatic document feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the document ejection section of the automatic document feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of an alternate document feeding function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of an alternate document feeding function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for pulling in documents in the alternate document feed function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for discharging originals in the alternate original feeding function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a time chart of conveyance control for even-numbered originals to the registration position according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a time chart of original exchange conveyance control and ejection control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of the alternate document feeding function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of the alternate document feeding function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for detecting an initial document according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of waiting for a start request according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of remaining document ejection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of odd-numbered document feed processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of odd-numbered document pull-in processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of even-numbered document feed processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of even-numbered document pull-in processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of odd-numbered document setting completion processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of document ejection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of document ejection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a layout diagram of a document sensor of an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 DADF 101 Original tray 102 Ejection tray 106 Original feed conveyance path 107 Sada conveyance path 108 Original drawing conveyance path 109 Deplex conveyance path 117 Original sensor 118 Original sensor 119 Cash register sensor 146 Emission sensor

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: A document tray for setting a document for image processing in an image processing apparatus; a document input section including an input path for loading the document in the document tray; A document registration section that conveys the document upward and reads the surface of the document; a document discharge section that includes a discharge path that discharges the document image-processed by the document registration section; and an output tray that accommodates the document discharged from the document discharge section. In the automatic document feeder equipped with the document feeder, the document detection means is provided in the document feed path and is capable of detecting the size of the document, and the document is transported in the opposite direction to the document registration section via the document feed path. , turn the manuscript over,
A duplex transport path for transporting the original to the original registration unit again via the original transport path, and a document detection unit in the original transport path that detects odd-numbered and even-numbered originals in response to a start command. Based on Afterwards, the even-numbered originals and the odd-numbered originals are transported in opposite directions a set distance, the even-numbered originals are transported to the duplex transport path, and the odd-numbered originals are transported to the registration position. When the conveying means and the odd-numbered and even-numbered originals are conveyed in parallel to the registration position, an image processing command for only the even-numbered originals is sent to the image processing apparatus main body, and the even-numbered originals are image processing command means for transmitting an image processing command for only the odd-numbered originals to the image processing apparatus main body when the odd-numbered originals are transported in a reverse direction after image processing of the originals and are transported to a registration position; An automatic document feeder comprising: a document ejecting means for sequentially ejecting odd-numbered originals and even-numbered originals from the document registration section to an ejection tray via an ejection section. 2. The document registration position conveying means conveys the document a set distance based on the detection of the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document by the document detecting means in the carry-in path, and detects the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document. The document is set at the registration position of the document image processing unit, and then, after the odd numbered document is conveyed in the opposite direction for a set distance based on the detection of the leading edge of the even numbered document, the even numbered document is set in the registration position of the document image processing unit. Based on the detection of the trailing edge of the second original, the odd-numbered original and even-numbered original are conveyed in parallel over a set distance, and the trailing edge of the even-numbered original is placed at the registration position in the original registration section. 2. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is set to . 3. When the total number of originals is an odd number, the original registration position transport means transports the original a set distance based on the detection of the trailing edge of the first original by the original detection means in the original transport path, and Set the rear edge of the document at the registration position of the document registration section,
When the first original is set at the registration position, the image processing command means instructs the main body of the image processing apparatus to perform image processing on only the first original, and the original ejection means ejects only the image-processed original. 3. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is configured to eject the document to an ejection tray through a plurality of sections. 4. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the document tray document detecting means provided in the document tray and the document detection device of the document tray document detecting device are not provided, and When the document detection means detects an odd-numbered document, the document is transported a set distance based on the detection of the trailing edge of the last odd-numbered document by the document detection device in the carry-in path, and the trailing edge of the document is detected. A registration position conveyance means for setting the last odd-numbered document at the registration position of the document registration section, and when the last odd-numbered document is conveyed to the registration position, image processing is performed only on the document. The image processing apparatus is characterized by being provided with: a last odd-numbered original image processing command means for instructing the main body of the image processing apparatus; and a last odd-numbered original ejection means for ejecting the image-processed original onto an ejection tray. automatic document feeder. 5. The document ejection means includes a document transport roll drive motor provided in the document registration section, a discharge roll drive motor provided in the document discharge path, and a document discharge roller drive motor provided in the document discharge path of the document discharge section. A document detection means and an image processing end signal start driving a document discharge roll drive motor and a discharge roll drive motor, and when the discharged document detection means detects the discharged document, only the drive of the document transport roll drive motor is stopped; The discharge roll drive motor is stopped when the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document is detected by the discharge document detection means, and after the discharge roll drive motor is stopped, the discharge roll drive motor starts driving again, and at the same time, the document transport roll is driven. The motor is driven in reverse to transport the even-numbered originals in the original registration section in the opposite direction, through the duplex transport path, and into the original transport path.
After a set time has elapsed based on reaching the registration position of the rear edge of the even-numbered document, the document transport roll drive motor is driven in forward rotation to transport the even-numbered document to the document ejection section. 5. The automatic document feeder according to claim 4, further comprising a discharge control means for stopping the document discharge roll drive motor and the discharge roll drive motor based on detection of the trailing edge. 6. An image processing apparatus comprising the automatic document feeder according to claim 1.