JP4970673B2

JP4970673B2 - Image reading apparatus, control method thereof, and program

Info

Publication number: JP4970673B2
Application number: JP2001272503A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 清志伊藤; 一夫大谷
Original assignee: Canon Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Canon Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2001-09-07
Filing date: 2001-09-07
Publication date: 2012-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-07
Also published as: JP2003087493A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、原稿を搬送して読取る機構を持つ画像読取装置及びその制御技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、載置された原稿を一枚づつ分離して給紙するような画像読取装置において、画像読取り中、次の原稿読取りを行わないように次のようにしていた。すなわち、給紙機構と排紙機構をそれぞれ別駆動で制御して、所定の紙間を保つようにしていたのである。これは、図２に示す様に、２つのモータ２０１，２０２、もしくは１つのモータと１つのクラッチにより構成される。２０３は原稿載置台、２０４は給紙センサ、２０５は給紙ローラ、２０６は表読取ユニット、２０７は裏読取ユニット、２０８は排紙ローラである。
【０００３】
この機構の制御を、図３のフローチャートに示す。ステップＳ３０１では、スキャン指示を待つ。ステップＳ３０２では、給紙センサで原稿を検知したか否かをチェックする。検知すればステップＳ３０３へ進み、検知しなければステップＳ３０１へ戻る。ステップＳ３０３では、原稿を給紙する。ステップＳ３０４では、原稿を読み取る。ステップＳ３０５では、排紙するまで原稿を搬送し、ステップＳ３０１へ戻る。
【０００４】
また、図２に示されたような画像読取装置より安価な装置を提供するために、２つのモータ２０１，２０２（もしくは１つのモータと１つのクラッチ）を、１つのモータにより構成することが提案されている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
この画像読取装置を利用した場合、例えば原稿載置台に１０枚の原稿を置いて原稿を読み取る場合には、次のようになる。すなわち、１０枚目を読み取った際に、１０枚目が搬送路内に留まるのである。排紙モータと給紙モータを別に持たず、１つのモータで紙送りを行なうからである。こういった場合、搬送路内に留まった原稿を搬送路内から取り出すことができないという不都合がある。
【０００６】
本発明の目的は、安価で、高速で、使い勝手の良い画像読取装置及びその制御技術を提供することである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の一観点によれば、読取りを行う前の原稿が原稿載置台に存在するか否かを検出する原稿検出手段と、読取り指示を受けると、搬送路上に存在する第１の原稿の排紙動作を行うとともに該排紙動作完了前に第１の原稿に続けて次の第２の原稿を前記原稿載置台から搬送路上に連続的に給紙可能なように、給紙動作を行う給紙部と排紙動作を行う排紙部とを同一駆動で実行する搬送手段と、原稿を搬送路上で搬送させながら原稿の画像を読取る読取手段と、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に読取り指示を受けていない原稿が存在することを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部の駆動を止めて、次の読取り指示があるまで前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせ、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に原稿が存在しないことを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部を同一駆動して前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせることなく排紙するように前記搬送手段を制御する制御手段とを有することを特徴とする画像読取装置が提供される。
【０００８】
本発明の他の観点によれば、読取りを行う前の原稿が原稿載置台に存在するか否かを検出する原稿検出手段と、読取り指示を受けると、搬送路上に存在する第１の原稿の排紙動作を行うとともに該排紙動作完了前に第１の原稿に続いて次の第２の原稿を原稿載置台から搬送路上に連続的に給紙可能なように、給紙動作を行う給紙部と排紙動作を行う排紙部とを同一駆動で実行する搬送手段と、原稿を搬送路上で搬送させながら原稿の表裏の両面を読取る際に、第１の原稿の一方の面の一部と第２の原稿の他方の面の一部を同時に読取る読取手段と、第１の原稿の読取り指示により第１の原稿の一面画像の一部と第２の原稿の他方面画像の一部を同時に読取って保持し、第２の原稿の読取り指示を受けると前記第２の原稿の他方面画像の一部を送出する送出手段とを有し、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に読取り指示を受けていない原稿が存在することを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部の駆動を止めて、次の読取り指示があるまで前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせ、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に原稿が存在しないことを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部を同一駆動して前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせることなく排紙するように前記搬送手段を制御することを特徴とする画像読取装置が提供される。
【０００９】
本発明のさらに他の観点によれば、読取りを行う前の原稿が原稿載置台に存在するか否かを検出する原稿検出手段と、読取り指示を受けると、搬送路上に存在する第１の原稿の排紙動作を行うとともに該排紙動作完了前に第１の原稿に続けて次の第２の原稿を原稿載置台から搬送路上に給紙可能なように、給紙動作を行う給紙部と排紙動作を行う排紙部とを同一駆動で実行する搬送手段と、搬送路上の原稿を読取る読取手段とを有する画像読取装置により、前記原稿を前記搬送路上で搬送させながら前記読取手段によって原稿の画像を読み取るに際し、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に読取り指示を受けていない原稿が存在することを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部の駆動を止めて、次の読取り指示があるまで前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせ、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に原稿が存在しないことを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部を同一駆動して前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせることなく排紙するように前記搬送手段を制御する制御ステップを有することを特徴とする画像読取装置の制御方法が提供される。
【００１０】
本発明のさらに他の観点によれば、読取りを行う前の原稿が原稿載置台に存在するか否かを検出する原稿検出手段と、読取り指示を受けると、搬送路上に存在する第１の原稿の排紙動作を行うとともに該排紙動作完了前に第１の原稿に続けて次の第２の原稿を前記原稿載置台から搬送路上に連続的に給紙可能なように、給紙動作を行う給紙部と排紙動作を行う排紙部とを同一駆動で実行する搬送手段と、搬送路上の原稿を読取る読取手段とを有する画像読取装置により、原稿を搬送路上で搬送させながら原稿の表裏の両面を読取るときに、第１の原稿の一方の面の一部と第２の原稿の他方の面の一部を同時に読取るに際し、第１の原稿の読取り指示により第１の原稿の一面画像の一部と第２の原稿の他方面画像の一部を同時に読取って保持し、第２の原稿の読取り指示を受けると前記第２の原稿の他方面画像の一部を送出する送出ステップを有し、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に読取り指示を受けていない原稿が存在することを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部の駆動を止めて、次の読取り指示があるまで前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせ、前記原稿検出手段により前記原稿載置台に原稿が存在しないことを検出した場合は、前記給紙部及び前記排紙部を同一駆動して前記搬送路上の原稿を該搬送路上に留まらせることなく排紙するように前記搬送手段を制御することを特徴とする画像読取装置の制御方法が提供される。
【００１１】
本発明によれば、給紙と排紙を同一駆動で制御して搬送中の原稿間距離を短くし、安価で、かつ高速な画像読取装置を実現することができる。また、読取画像メモリ上の無駄な隙間をなくすことができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
＜第１の実施形態＞
図５は本発明の第１の実施形態の画像読取装置の制御ブロック図、図６は本実施形態の画像読取装置の外観図、図７は本実施形態の画像読取装置の断面図、図８は本実施形態の画像読取装置の制御フローチャート、図９（Ａ）、（Ｂ）は本実施形態の画像読取装置の画像メモリマップを示している。また、図１は原稿１枚搬送時、次原稿の給紙待ちをしている際の原稿位置を示している。
【００１３】
本実施形態による画像読取装置は、図７に示すように、モータ８０４を１つにして、給紙ローラ８０２と排紙ローラ８０３を同一駆動で制御して搬送中の原稿同士の距離をなくし、読取画像メモリ上の無駄な隙間をなくすことで、安価で、かつ高速な画像読取装置を実現することができる。８００は原稿載置台、８０１は給紙センサ、８０２は給紙ローラ、８０３は排紙ローラ、８０５は表読取ユニット、８０６は裏読取ユニットである。
【００１４】
図５に示すように、画像読取装置６００は、周知のSCSI経由で接続された外部装置６１１としてのパーソナルコンピュータ（PC）を用いて制御し、PCを介して画像を読取ることを特徴とする画像読取り装置である。本装置６００は、表及び裏の画像読取りセンサ部６０１ｆ，６０１ｂ、表裏読取画像合成部６０２、画像処理制御部６０３、画像処理後画像データを保持するメモリ部６０４、駆動系制御部６０５、原稿検知センサ制御部６０６、CPUが実行するプログラムを保持するフラッシュ（Flash）メモリ６０７、本装置を制御するCPU６０８、駆動系制御部６０５を制御するタイミングの基となるタイマ６０９、画像データ等を送受信するSCSI制御部６１０から構成している。本装置６００は、SCSI制御部６１０を介して、外部装置６１１に接続される。
【００１５】
また、図７に示すように、本装置は、原稿載置台８００と、給紙部の原稿の有無を検知する給紙センサ８０１と、原稿を装置内に搬送する給紙ローラ８０２と、原稿を装置外に搬送する排紙ローラ８０３と、給紙ローラ８０２及び排紙ローラ８０３を回転させるメインモータ部８０４と、表読取りユニット８０５と、表読取りユニット８０５の対向位置からLだけ離れた位置に設置された裏読取りユニット８０６とから構成している。したがって、排紙ローラ８０３と給紙ローラ８０２のそれぞれの回転は、同一の制御駆動手段であるメインモータ部８０４の駆動により制御される。別言すれば、排紙ローラ８０３と給紙ローラ８０２のそれぞれの回転は、互いに関連付けられたものとなっている。
【００１６】
本装置はSCSI割り込みがSCSI制御部６１０（図５）経由で、PCから読取り開始を伝えられると、給紙センサ８０１で原稿があることを確認した後、メインモータ部８０４を回し原稿を給紙し始める。載置された原稿は周知の原稿分離機構により1枚づつ分離し、装置内部へと給紙され、一定時間後に画像読取りユニット８０５，８０６を制御して画像を読み始める。
【００１７】
本装置においては、給紙部と排紙部が同一駆動系からなる為、搬送された原稿後端が給紙ローラ８０２を通過直後、ついで、次原稿が連続して搬送される構造となっている。
【００１８】
図８は、本実施形態の画像読取装置の処理を示すフローチャートである。ステップＳ９０１では、スキャン指示を待つ。ステップＳ９０２では、給紙センサで原稿を検知したか否かをチェックする。検知すればステップＳ９０３へ進み、検知しなければステップＳ９０１へ戻る。ステップＳ９０３では、原稿を給紙する。ステップＳ９０４では、原稿を読み取る。ステップＳ９０５では、給紙センサで原稿を検知したか否かをチェックする。検知すればステップＳ９０７へ進み、検知しなければステップ９０６へ進む。ステップＳ９０７では、スキャン指示を待ち、その後、ステップＳ９０３へ戻る。ステップＳ９０６では、原稿を排紙するまで搬送し、その後、ステップＳ９０１へ戻る。
【００１９】
次に、両面読み取りモードの場合に読み取った画像処理の詳細を説明する。例えば、上述の図５の構成の場合、両面読取りモード時、図１に示すように、先行原稿８０７の片面読取りと後行原稿８０８の片面読取りを同時に読取る時間が存在する。
【００２０】
まず、PCからの読取り開始命令が、原稿１枚毎に入力され、給紙センサ８０１により、載置されている原稿があることを確認した場合、図１に示す様に、先行原稿８０７を読取り後、先行原稿８０７及び後行原稿８０８は、図中の位置で後行原稿８０８に対する読取り開始命令を待つようになる。この場合、読取った画像メモリマップは図９（Ａ）に示すような形となる。メモリ上には、先行原稿８０７の表のデータ１００１及び先行原稿８０７の裏のデータ１００２が記憶される。後行原稿８０８の一部を読取ったところで、後行原稿８０８に対する読取り開始命令が来るまで画像データを保持している。
【００２１】
この後、後行原稿８０８に対する読取り開始命令が来た場合、まず、後行原稿８０８の一部のデータ１００３を送り、メモリに記憶する。次いで後行原稿８０８の搬送を開始し、それと同時に、読取りユニット８０５，８０６を制御して、後行原稿８０８の残り画像を読取る。後行原稿８０８の画像データを送出する際は、図９（Ｂ）に示す様に、後行原稿８０８の残り画像データ１００４を送る。これにより、図９（Ａ）、（Ｂ）は画像メモリ上に無駄な隙間を作ることなく、マッピングすることが可能となる。すなわち、読取画像データを保持するメモリ上では、図４に示すような、表裏読取りユニット８０５，８０６の対向位置からのずれ量Ｌ分、画像メモリ上に無駄な隙間ができ、連続読取り速度の低下を引き起こしていた。４０１は、１枚目に対するスキャン命令後の書き込み位置である。４０２は、２枚目に対するスキャン命令後の書き込み位置である。こうした画像メモリ上に無駄な隙間を作ることなく、マッピングすることが可能となる。
【００２２】
後行原稿８０８の表の残りのデータ１００４及び後行原稿８０８の裏のデータ１００５がメモリに記憶される。１００６は、後行原稿８０８に対するスキャン命令後のデータ送出開始位置である。１００７は、後行原稿８０８に対するスキャン命令後の書き込み開始位置である。
【００２３】
また、給紙センサ８０１により、載置されている残りの原稿が無いことを確認した場合は、タイマ６０９から得た、所定時間後にメインモータ部８０４を停止させて、装置内から原稿を排出し切ってしまう。
【００２４】
これにより、給紙した原稿につづいて、次原稿が入ってしまう搬送系であっても、最終紙が搬送路内に留まることなく、取り出すことが可能となる。
【００２５】
上述の実施形態に拠れば、給紙機構と排紙機構をそれぞれ個別に制御することができず、給紙した原稿につづいて、次の原稿が入ってしまう、安価な搬送系であっても、読取りを行う前の原稿検知の有無を検出する検知手段により原稿を検出しなかった場合は読取り中の原稿を搬送路内に留まらせることなく、排紙することで、搬送中の原稿間の無い搬送系において装置内に原稿をとどめることなく、取り出せることができるようになる。
【００２６】
また、給紙機構と排紙機構をそれぞれ個別に制御することができず、両面読取りモード時、先行原稿の片面読取りと後行原稿の片面読取りを同時に読取る時間が存在してしまう場合でも、両面読取りモード時、読取り開始指示を受け取る以前に読取った、先の同時読取部分については、後にスキャン指示が来た際にデータを送り、それに引き続き、継続して先の同時読取部分以降の画像を読取り、送出することで、読取り画像メモリ上の隙間を作ることなく、先行原稿と後行原稿の画像データを分離して、送出することができるようになる。
【００２７】
また、読取りを行う前の原稿検知の有無を検出する検知手段により原稿を検出しない場合は読取り中の原稿を搬送路内に留まらせることなく、排紙することで、搬送中の原稿間距離の無い搬送系において装置内に原稿をとどめることなく、取り出せることができる。
【００２８】
また、両面読取りモード時、読取り開始指示を受け取る以前に読取った、先の同時読取部分については、後にスキャン指示が来た際にデータを送り、それに引き続き、継続して先の同時読取部分以降の画像を読取り、送出することで、搬送中の原稿間距離の無い搬送系において、読取り画像メモリ上の隙間を作ることなく、先行原稿と後行原稿の画像データを分離して、送出することができる。
【００２９】
なお、上記実施形態では、給紙センサ８０１により、載置されている残りの原稿が無いことを確認した場合は、タイマ６０９から得た、所定時間後にメインモータ部８０４を停止させて、装置内から原稿を排出し切ってしまう構成にした。この場合、SCSI制御部６１０経由で、PCから排紙指示を受け取っている場合のみ、排出し、排出指示が無い場合は搬送路内に留める構成であっても良い。このように搬送路内に留めるのは、続けて画像読み取りを再開した場合に、再開信号を受信してから実際の画像読み取りまでの時間を短くすることができるといった利点がある。
【００３０】
また、上記の実施形態では、排紙したタイミングをタイマ６０９から得ているが、排紙機構部の前に排紙センサを設置して排紙タイミングを得ても良いし、メインモータ８０４が、パルスモータである場合は、そのステップ数を計り、排紙タイミングを得ても良い。ここで、パルスモータとは、いわゆるステッピングモーター（Stepping Motors）であり、このモータは、回転子とその回りに生じる回転磁界をつくるいくつかの電磁石から構成さる。ステッピングモーターはある点から次の点へと段階的な駆動をするので精密位置決めに適している。したがって、原稿の搬送距離を産出することができる。つまり、ステッピングモーターは基本的にはオープンループなのでエンコーダは必要ない。なお、位置の確認のためにしばしばエンコーダを設けても良い。
【００３１】
＜第２の実施形態＞
上記の第１の実施形態では、図５で示したCPU６０８の制御により、上記のような画像読み取りを行なう構成とした。第２の実施形態では、CPU６０８ではなく、図１０に記載したような構成で実現する。
【００３２】
画像読取装置６００は、外部装置であるパーソナルコンピュータ１１００に接続される。パーソナルコンピュータ１１００は、画像読取装置６００と接続するためのインターフェース１１３１、CPU１１３６、ROM１１３７、RAM１１３８、マウス及びキーボードを含む入力装置１１３３、ディスプレイ１１３４を含む。画像読取装置６００を、パーソナルコンピュータ１１００のCPU１１３６で制御することができる。
【００３３】
このように外部装置のCPU１１３６により制御を行なうことにより、外部装置のCPU１１３６に制御処理の負荷を移管して画像読取装置６００の負荷を軽減することができる。
【００３４】
＜第３の実施形態＞
上記実施形態では、給紙センサ８０１から出力される信号によって、原稿の有無を検知する構成にした。すなわち、図６に示すように、原稿７０１は、給紙部７０２から給紙され、排紙部７０３から排紙される。原稿７０１の有無は、給紙センサ８０１により検知する。
【００３５】
第３の実施形態では、図１１に示すように、給紙センサ８０１のほかに、搬送路に紙センサ８１０を設ける構成とした。この構成により、紙センサ８１０からの出力信号により搬送路又は原稿台上の原稿の有無を検知してもよい。
【００３６】
上記実施形態によれば、給紙機構と排紙機構をそれぞれ個別に制御することができず、給紙した原稿につづいて、次の原稿が入ってしまう、安価な搬送系であっても、読取りを行う前の原稿検知の有無を検出する検知手段により原稿を検出しなかった場合は読取り中の原稿を搬送路内に留まらせることなく、排紙することで、搬送中の原稿間距離の無い搬送系において装置内に原稿をとどめることなく、取り出せることができるようになる。また、例えば原稿載置台に１０枚の原稿を置いて原稿を読み取る場合には、次のようになる。すなわち、１０枚目を読み取った際に、１０枚目が搬送路内に留まることを回避することができる。こういった場合、搬送路内に留まった原稿を搬送路内から取り出すことができないという不都合を解消することができる。
【００３７】
また、給紙機構と排紙機構をそれぞれ個別に制御することができず、両面読取りモード時、先行原稿の片面読取りと後行原稿の片面読取りを同時に読取る時間が存在してしまう場合でも、両面読取りモード時、読取り開始指示を受け取る以前に読取った、先の同時読取部分については、後にスキャン指示が来た際にデータを送り、それに引き続き、継続して先の同時読取部分以降の画像を読取り、送出することで、読取り画像メモリ上の隙間を作ることなく、先行原稿と後行原稿の画像データを分離して、送出することができるようになる。
【００３８】
これらにより、給紙と排紙を同一駆動で制御して搬送中の原稿間距離を無くし、読取画像メモリ上の無駄な隙間をなくすことで、安価で、かつ高速な画像読取装置を実現することができる。
【００３９】
なお、上記実施形態は、何れも本発明を実施するにあたっての具体化の例を示したものに過ぎず、これらによって本発明の技術的範囲が限定的に解釈されてはならないものである。すなわち、本発明はその技術思想、またはその主要な特徴から逸脱することなく、様々な形で実施することができる。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、給紙と排紙を同一駆動で制御して搬送中の原稿間距離を短くし、安価で、かつ高速な画像読取装置を実現することができる。また、読取画像メモリ上の無駄な隙間をなくすことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態による画像読取装置が２枚の原稿を搬送する図である。
【図２】従来技術による画像読取装置を示す図である。
【図３】従来技術による画像読取装置の処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】従来技術による画像読取装置の読取データを記憶するメモリを示す図である。
【図５】本発明の第１の実施形態による画像読取装置の構成を示す図である。
【図６】画像読取装置の外観図である。
【図７】第１の実施形態による画像読取装置の構成を示す図である。
【図８】第１の実施形態による画像読取装置の処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図９】第１の実施形態による画像読取装置の読取データを記憶するメモリを示す図である。
【図１０】本発明の第２の実施形態による画像読取装置の構成を示す図である。
【図１１】本発明の第３の実施形態による画像読取装置の構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
２０１，２０２メインモータ
２０３原稿載置台
２０４給紙センサ
２０５給紙ローラ
２０６表読取ユニット
２０７裏読取ユニット
２０８排紙ローラ
６００画像読取装置
６０１ｆ，６０１ｂ画像読取りセンサ部
６０２表裏読取画像合成部
６０３画像処理制御部
６０４メモリ部
６０５駆動系制御部
６０６原稿検知センサ制御部
６０７フラッシュメモリ
６０８ＣＰＵ
６０９タイマ
６１０ＳＣＳＩ制御部
６１１外部装置
７０１原稿
７０２給紙部
７０３排紙部
８００原稿載置台
８０１給紙センサ
８０２給紙ローラ
８０３排紙ローラ
８０４メインモータ
８０５表読取ユニット
８０６裏読取ユニット
８０７先行原稿
８０８後行原稿
８１０紙センサ
１１００パーソナルコンピュータ
１１３１インターフェース
１１３３入力装置
１１３４ディスプレイ
１１３６ＣＰＵ
１１３７ＲＯＭ
１１３８ＲＡＭ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a mechanism for conveying and reading a document and a control technique thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus that separates and feeds placed originals one by one, the following original reading is not performed during image reading. In other words, the paper feed mechanism and the paper discharge mechanism are controlled separately to maintain a predetermined paper interval. As shown in FIG. 2, this comprises two motors 201 and 202, or one motor and one clutch. Reference numeral 203 denotes a document placement table, 204 a paper feed sensor, 205 a paper feed roller, 206 a front reading unit, 207 a back reading unit, and 208 a paper discharge roller.
[0003]
The control of this mechanism is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In step S301, a scan instruction is awaited. In step S302, it is checked whether a document is detected by the paper feed sensor. If detected, the process proceeds to step S303, and if not detected, the process returns to step S301. In step S303, the document is fed. In step S304, the original is read. In step S305, the document is conveyed until it is discharged, and the process returns to step S301.
[0004]
Further, in order to provide an apparatus that is less expensive than the image reading apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, it is proposed that the two motors 201 and 202 (or one motor and one clutch) are configured by one motor. Has been.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When this image reading apparatus is used, for example, when 10 originals are placed on an original placement table and read, the following is performed. That is, when the 10th sheet is read, the 10th sheet stays in the conveyance path. This is because the paper feed motor and the paper feed motor are not provided separately, and the paper is fed by one motor. In such a case, there is an inconvenience that a document staying in the conveyance path cannot be taken out from the conveyance path.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, high-speed and easy-to-use image reading apparatus and its control technology.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, a document detection unit that detects whether or not a document before reading is present on a document placing table, and a first document existing on a conveyance path when a reading instruction is received. before the paper discharge operation is completed and performs the paper operation following the first document as the transport path of the second document follows from the document table capable continuously feeding, feeding of performing feeding operation a conveying means for performing a paper discharge unit for performing the discharging operation and the paper part of the same drive, the reading means reads an image of an original while conveying the original in the conveying path, the reading on the original table by the document detecting means When it is detected that there is a document that has not been instructed, the drive of the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit is stopped, and the document on the transport path is allowed to remain on the transport path until a next reading instruction is issued. , there is a document on the document table by the document detecting means If it finds no, and control means for controlling the conveying means so as to discharge without stay the document of the transport path of the sheet feeder and the sheet discharge unit in the same driven conveying path An image reading apparatus is provided.
[0008]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a document detection unit that detects whether or not a document before reading is present on a document placing table, and a first document existing on a conveyance path when a reading instruction is received. following the first document before the paper discharge operation is completed performs discharging operation so as to be continuously fed to the transport path of the second document follows from the document table, feeding performing feeding operation a conveying means for performing a paper discharge unit for performing the discharging operation and the paper part of the same drive, while conveying the document by the conveying path when reading the front and rear surfaces of the document, one surface of the first original one And a reading means for simultaneously reading a part of the other side of the second original and the second original, and a part of the one-side image of the first original and a part of the other-side image of the second original in response to a reading instruction of the first original Are simultaneously read and held, and when a second document reading instruction is received, a part of the other side image of the second document is Possess a sending means for output, when said original is not received a read instruction to the document table is the document detecting means detects that it exists, stop the driving of the paper feed unit and the sheet discharge unit When the original on the transport path is kept on the transport path until the next reading instruction is issued and the original detection unit detects that there is no original on the document mounting table, the paper feed unit and the paper discharge An image reading apparatus is provided that controls the conveying unit to drive the same unit and discharge a document on the conveying path without staying on the conveying path .
[0009]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a document detection unit that detects whether or not a document before reading is present on a document placing table, and a first document that exists on a conveyance path when a reading instruction is received. paper feeding unit of the following the first document before the paper discharge operation is completed performs discharging operation so as to be fed to the transport path from the document table of the second document of the next, performs the feeding operation And a paper discharge unit that performs a paper discharge operation by the same drive, and an image reading apparatus that includes a reading unit that reads the original on the conveyance path, while the original is being conveyed on the conveyance path by the reading unit. When reading an image of a document, if the document detection unit detects that there is a document that has not received a reading instruction on the document table, the drive of the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit is stopped, and the next the transfer until there is of reading instruction The document above allowed to remain in the conveying path, wherein when the document on the document mounting table by the document detecting unit detects that there are no, the conveying path of the sheet feeder and the sheet discharge portion by the same drive There is provided a control method for an image reading apparatus, comprising a control step for controlling the transport unit so that a document is discharged without staying on the transport path.
[0010]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a document detection unit that detects whether or not a document before reading is present on a document placing table, and a first document that exists on a conveyance path when a reading instruction is received. continue performs the discharging operation to the first document before the paper discharge operation is completed as the conveying path for the next second document from the document table capable continuously feeding, the sheet feeding operation An image reading apparatus having a conveying unit that executes the paper feeding unit and a paper discharging unit that performs a paper discharge operation with the same drive and a reading unit that reads a document on the conveyance path while conveying the document on the conveyance path. When reading both sides of the front and back, simultaneously reading a part of one side of the first document and a part of the other side of the second document, one side of the first document is instructed by a first document reading instruction. Read and hold part of the image and part of the image on the other side of the second document at the same time Sending step of sending the portion of the other surface image of the second original and receiving a read instruction of the second original possess, document receiving no reading instruction to the document table is present by said document detecting means If it is detected, the drive of the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit is stopped, and the original on the conveyance path is allowed to remain on the conveyance path until the next reading instruction is issued. When it is detected that there is no document on the mounting table, the transport unit is configured to drive the paper feeding unit and the paper discharge unit in the same manner so as to discharge the document on the transport path without staying on the transport path. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus is provided.
[0011]
According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an inexpensive and high-speed image reading apparatus by controlling paper feeding and paper ejection with the same drive to shorten the distance between documents being conveyed. In addition, useless gaps on the read image memory can be eliminated.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment>
5 is a control block diagram of the image reading apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an external view of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. Is a control flowchart of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 9A and 9B show an image memory map of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the original position when waiting for feeding the next original when one original is conveyed.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 7, the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a single motor 804 and controls the paper feed roller 802 and the paper discharge roller 803 with the same drive to eliminate the distance between the documents being conveyed. By eliminating unnecessary gaps on the read image memory, an inexpensive and high-speed image reading apparatus can be realized. Reference numeral 800 denotes a document placement table, 801 a paper feed sensor, 802 a paper feed roller, 803 a paper discharge roller, 805 a front reading unit, and 806 a back reading unit.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 5, an image reading device 600 is controlled using a personal computer (PC) as an external device 611 connected via a well-known SCSI, and reads an image via the PC. It is a reader. The apparatus 600 includes front and back image reading sensor units 601f and 601b, front and back read image combining units 602, an image processing control unit 603, a memory unit 604 that stores image data after image processing, a drive system control unit 605, and document detection. Sensor control unit 606, flash memory 607 for holding a program executed by the CPU, CPU 608 for controlling the apparatus, timer 609 as a timing base for controlling the drive system control unit 605, SCSI for transmitting / receiving image data, etc. The control unit 610 is configured. The apparatus 600 is connected to the external apparatus 611 via the SCSI control unit 610.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, this apparatus includes a document placement table 800, a paper feed sensor 801 that detects the presence or absence of a document in a paper feed unit, a paper feed roller 802 that transports a document into the apparatus, and a document. Installed at a position L apart from the facing position of the sheet discharge roller 803 transported outside the apparatus, the main motor unit 804 that rotates the sheet feed roller 802 and the sheet discharge roller 803, the table reading unit 805, and the table reading unit 805. The back reading unit 806 is configured. Accordingly, the rotations of the paper discharge roller 803 and the paper feed roller 802 are controlled by driving of the main motor unit 804 which is the same control driving means. In other words, the rotations of the paper discharge roller 803 and the paper feed roller 802 are associated with each other.
[0016]
In this device, when a SCSI interrupt is transmitted from the PC via the SCSI control unit 610 (FIG. 5), the feed sensor 801 confirms that there is a document and then turns the main motor unit 804 to feed the document. Begin to. The placed originals are separated one by one by a known original separation mechanism, fed into the apparatus, and after a predetermined time, the image reading units 805 and 806 are controlled to start reading an image.
[0017]
In this apparatus, since the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit have the same drive system, the structure is such that the rear end of the conveyed document passes immediately after the paper feed roller 802, and then the next document is continuously conveyed. Yes.
[0018]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S901, a scan instruction is awaited. In step S902, it is checked whether a document is detected by the paper feed sensor. If detected, the process proceeds to step S903, and if not detected, the process returns to step S901. In step S903, the document is fed. In step S904, the original is read. In step S905, it is checked whether a document is detected by the paper feed sensor. If detected, the process proceeds to step S907, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step 906. In step S907, the process waits for a scan instruction, and then returns to step S903. In step S906, the document is conveyed until it is discharged, and then the process returns to step S901.
[0019]
Next, details of the image processing read in the double-sided reading mode will be described. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 5 described above, in the double-sided reading mode, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a time for simultaneously reading one side of the preceding document 807 and one side of the subsequent document 808.
[0020]
First, when a reading start command from the PC is input for each original and when it is confirmed by the paper feed sensor 801 that there is a placed original, the preceding original 807 is read as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the preceding document 807 and the succeeding document 808 wait for a read start command for the succeeding document 808 at the position in the drawing. In this case, the read image memory map has a form as shown in FIG. In the memory, data 1001 on the front of the preceding document 807 and data 1002 on the back of the preceding document 807 are stored. When a part of the subsequent original 808 is read, the image data is held until a read start command for the subsequent original 808 is received.
[0021]
Thereafter, when a read start command for the succeeding document 808 is received, first, a part of the data 1003 of the succeeding document 808 is sent and stored in the memory. Next, conveyance of the subsequent original 808 is started, and at the same time, the reading units 805 and 806 are controlled to read the remaining image of the subsequent original 808. When sending the image data of the succeeding document 808, the remaining image data 1004 of the succeeding document 808 is sent as shown in FIG. 9B. Accordingly, FIGS. 9A and 9B can be mapped without creating a useless gap on the image memory. That is, on the memory holding the read image data, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a useless gap on the image memory by the amount L of deviation from the facing position of the front and back reading units 805 and 806, and the continuous reading speed is reduced. Was causing. Reference numeral 401 denotes a writing position after a scan command for the first sheet. Reference numeral 402 denotes a writing position after the scan command for the second sheet. Mapping can be performed without creating a useless gap on the image memory.
[0022]
The remaining data 1004 in the front of the succeeding document 808 and the data 1005 on the back of the succeeding document 808 are stored in the memory. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a data transmission start position after a scan command for the succeeding document 808. Reference numeral 1007 denotes a writing start position after a scan command for the succeeding document 808.
[0023]
If it is confirmed by the paper feed sensor 801 that there is no remaining document placed, the main motor unit 804 is stopped after a predetermined time obtained from the timer 609, and the document is completely discharged from the apparatus. End up.
[0024]
As a result, even if the transport system in which the next document is placed after the fed document, the final sheet can be taken out without staying in the transport path.
[0025]
According to the above-described embodiment, it is not possible to individually control the paper feed mechanism and the paper discharge mechanism, and even an inexpensive transport system in which the next original enters after the supplied original. If the original is not detected by the detection means for detecting whether or not the original is detected before reading, the original being read is discharged without being kept in the conveyance path, so The document can be taken out without remaining in the apparatus in the absence of the conveyance system.
[0026]
In addition, the paper feed mechanism and the paper discharge mechanism cannot be controlled individually, and even when there is time to simultaneously read one side of the preceding document and one side of the subsequent document in the duplex scanning mode, In the reading mode, for the previous simultaneous reading part that was read before receiving the reading start instruction, data is sent when the scanning instruction comes later, and then the image after the previous simultaneous reading part is continuously read. Thus, the image data of the preceding document and the succeeding document can be separated and transmitted without creating a gap on the read image memory.
[0027]
In addition, when the detection means for detecting whether or not the document is detected before reading is not detected, the document being read is discharged without staying in the conveyance path, thereby reducing the distance between the documents being conveyed. Documents can be taken out without remaining in the apparatus in a transport system without them.
[0028]
Also, in the double-sided reading mode, for the previous simultaneous reading portion that was read before receiving the reading start instruction, data is sent when the scanning instruction comes later, and subsequently, the subsequent simultaneous reading portion and the subsequent portion are continuously transmitted. By reading and sending an image, it is possible to separate and send the image data of the preceding document and the succeeding document without creating a gap on the read image memory in a conveyance system having no distance between the documents being conveyed. it can.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, when it is confirmed by the paper feed sensor 801 that there is no remaining document placed, the main motor unit 804 obtained from the timer 609 is stopped after a predetermined time, and The document is discharged from the machine. In this case, it may be configured to discharge only when a discharge instruction is received from the PC via the SCSI control unit 610, and to remain in the transport path when there is no discharge instruction. Thus, staying in the conveyance path has an advantage that when the image reading is resumed, the time from the reception of the restart signal to the actual image reading can be shortened.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, the discharge timing is obtained from the timer 609. However, the discharge timing may be obtained by installing a discharge sensor in front of the discharge mechanism, or the main motor 804 In the case of a pulse motor, the number of steps may be counted to obtain the discharge timing. Here, the pulse motors are so-called stepping motors, and the motor includes a rotor and several electromagnets that generate a rotating magnetic field generated around the rotor. Stepping motors are suitable for precision positioning because they drive stepwise from one point to the next. Therefore, it is possible to produce a document transport distance. In other words, the stepping motor is basically an open loop, so no encoder is required. An encoder may often be provided for position confirmation.
[0031]
<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the above-described image reading is performed under the control of the CPU 608 shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the CPU 608 is used instead of the configuration shown in FIG.
[0032]
The image reading device 600 is connected to a personal computer 1100 that is an external device. The personal computer 1100 includes an interface 1131 for connecting to the image reading apparatus 600, a CPU 1136, a ROM 1137, a RAM 1138, an input device 1133 including a mouse and a keyboard, and a display 1134. The image reading apparatus 600 can be controlled by the CPU 1136 of the personal computer 1100.
[0033]
By controlling the CPU 1136 of the external device in this way, the control processing load can be transferred to the CPU 1136 of the external device and the load on the image reading device 600 can be reduced.
[0034]
<Third Embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of a document is detected by a signal output from the paper feed sensor 801. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the document 701 is fed from the paper feed unit 702 and discharged from the paper discharge unit 703. The presence or absence of the document 701 is detected by a paper feed sensor 801.
[0035]
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the paper feed sensor 801, a paper sensor 810 is provided in the conveyance path. With this configuration, the presence / absence of a document on the conveyance path or the document table may be detected based on an output signal from the paper sensor 810.
[0036]
According to the above-described embodiment, the sheet feeding mechanism and the sheet discharging mechanism cannot be individually controlled, and the next document enters after the fed document. If the document is not detected by the detection means that detects whether or not the document has been detected before reading, the document being read is discharged without staying in the transport path, thereby reducing the distance between the documents being transported. The document can be taken out without remaining in the apparatus in the absence of the conveyance system. Further, for example, when 10 originals are placed on the original placement table and the original is read, the following is performed. That is, when the 10th sheet is read, it can be avoided that the 10th sheet stays in the conveyance path. In such a case, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the document staying in the conveyance path cannot be taken out from the conveyance path.
[0037]
In addition, the paper feed mechanism and the paper discharge mechanism cannot be controlled individually, and even when there is time to simultaneously read one side of the preceding document and one side of the subsequent document in the duplex scanning mode, In the reading mode, for the previous simultaneous reading part that was read before receiving the reading start instruction, data is sent when the scanning instruction comes later, and then the image after the previous simultaneous reading part is continuously read. Thus, the image data of the preceding document and the succeeding document can be separated and transmitted without creating a gap on the read image memory.
[0038]
As a result, it is possible to realize a low-cost and high-speed image reading apparatus by controlling the paper feeding and paper discharging with the same drive, eliminating the distance between the originals being conveyed, and eliminating the useless gap on the read image memory. Can do.
[0039]
The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.
[0040]
【Effect of the invention】
As described above, it is possible to realize a low-cost and high-speed image reading apparatus by controlling the paper feed and the paper discharge with the same drive to shorten the distance between the documents being conveyed. In addition, useless gaps on the read image memory can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for conveying two originals by an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image reading apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of an image reading apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a memory that stores read data of an image reading apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an external view of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory that stores read data of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
201, 202 Main motor 203 Document placement table 204 Paper feed sensor 205 Paper feed roller 206 Front reading unit 207 Back reading unit 208 Paper discharge roller 600 Image reading device 601f, 601b Image reading sensor unit 602 Front / back reading image composition unit 603 Image processing control Unit 604 memory unit 605 drive system control unit 606 document detection sensor control unit 607 flash memory 608 CPU
609 Timer 610 SCSI control unit 611 External device 701 Document 702 Paper feed unit 703 Paper discharge unit 800 Document placement table 801 Paper feed sensor 802 Paper feed roller 803 Paper discharge roller 804 Main motor 805 Table reading unit 806 Back reading unit 807 Preceding document 808 Back document 810 Paper sensor 1100 Personal computer 1131 Interface 1133 Input device 1134 Display 1136 CPU
1137 ROM
1138 RAM

Claims

A document detection means for detecting whether or not a document before reading is present on the document table ;
Upon receiving the reading instruction, the transport path of the second document before the paper discharge operation is completed following the first document of the next performs discharging operation of the first document that exists on the transport path from the document table conveying means for running on the same drive continuously to allow feeding and a discharge unit which performs discharging operation and the paper feeding unit for performing sheet feeding operation,
Reading means for reading an image of a document while conveying the document on a conveyance path;
When it is detected by the document detection means that there is a document that has not received a reading instruction on the document mounting table, the driving of the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit is stopped, and the document reading unit is stopped until the next reading instruction is received. When the original on the conveying path is kept on the conveying path and the original detecting unit detects that no original is present on the original placing table, the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit are driven in the same manner so that the original on the conveying path is An image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the transport unit so that the original is discharged without staying on the transport path.

The conveying means has one driving means for conveying an original, and when the control means detects that no original is present by the original detecting means, the driving means drives the driving means on the conveying path. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document is discharged, and the driving unit is stopped when the document is discharged.

The transport unit has one drive unit that outputs a transport drive signal, and discharges the first document and feeds the second document by one signal output of the drive unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

The control means stops driving of the driving means when a paper discharge is detected by a paper discharge sensor or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the original detection means detects that no original is present. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising transport distance measuring means for measuring the transport distance of the document, wherein the control means stops driving of the driving means in accordance with a measurement result by the transport distance measuring means. Image reading apparatus.

The control unit detects that the document does not exist by the document detection unit, and when receiving a discharge instruction, the control unit discharges the document on the conveyance path without staying on the conveyance path. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus controls the means.

A document detection means for detecting whether or not a document before reading is present on the document table;
Upon receiving the reading instruction, the transport path from the first first followed on the document placement document a second document of the next stage before the paper discharge operation is completed performs discharging operation of the document present in the conveying path manner to allow feeding continuous, a conveying means for performing a paper discharge portion by the same drive that performs discharging operation and the paper feeding unit for performing sheet feeding operation,
A reading means for simultaneously reading a part of one side of the first original and a part of the other side of the second original when reading both sides of the original while conveying the original on the conveyance path;
A part of the one-side image of the first document and a part of the other-side image of the second document are simultaneously read and held by the first document reading instruction, and when the second document reading instruction is received, the second document is read. of it possesses and sending means for sending a portion of the other surface image of the document, the case of detecting that the document has not received a read instruction to the document table is present by the document detecting unit, the paper feeding unit And when the drive of the paper discharge unit is stopped, the original on the conveyance path is kept on the conveyance path until the next reading instruction is issued, and the original detection unit detects that no original exists on the original table. The image reading apparatus controls the conveying unit so that the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit are driven in the same manner so that the original on the conveying path is discharged without staying on the conveying path .

When receiving the second document reading instruction, the sending means sends a part of the other side image of the second document, and continuously reads and sends the remaining part of the other side image of the second document. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7 .

Further, the image reading apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the having a memory for storing image data for said delivery means to deliver.

Document detecting means for detecting whether or not a document before reading is present on the document placing table, and when receiving a reading instruction, the first document existing on the conveying path is discharged and the discharge operation is performed. following the first document before completion so as to be fed to the transport path of the second document follows from the document table, and a discharge unit which performs discharging operation and the paper feeding unit for performing sheet feeding operation When reading an image of a document by the reading unit while transporting the document on the transport path by an image reading apparatus having a transport unit that executes with the same drive and a reading unit that reads the document on the transport path,
When it is detected by the document detection means that there is a document that has not received a reading instruction on the document mounting table, the driving of the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit is stopped, and the document reading unit is stopped until the next reading instruction is received. When the original on the conveying path is kept on the conveying path and the original detecting unit detects that no original is present on the original placing table, the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit are driven in the same manner so that the original on the conveying path is A control method for an image reading apparatus, comprising: a control step for controlling the transport unit so that the original is discharged without staying on the transport path.

The conveying means has one driving means for conveying an original, and when the control step detects that no original is present by the original detecting means, the driving means drives the driving means on the conveying path. 11. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a document is discharged, and driving of the driving unit is stopped when the document is discharged.

The transport unit has one drive unit that outputs a transport drive signal, and discharges the first document and feeds the second document by one signal output of the drive unit. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 .

The control step is characterized in that when the paper discharge sensor detects paper discharge or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the document detection means detects that there is no document, the drive means is stopped. 13. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 12 .

Further comprising a conveying distance measuring step of measuring a conveyance distance of the document, the control step in response to the measurement result of the transport distance measuring step, according to claim 12, wherein stopping the driving of said driving means Method for controlling the image reading apparatus.

The control step detects the absence of a document by the document detection means and, when receiving a discharge instruction, discharges the document on the transport path without staying on the transport path. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14 , wherein the means is controlled.

Document detecting means for detecting whether or not a document before reading is present on the document placing table, and when receiving a reading instruction, the first document existing on the conveying path is discharged and the discharge operation is performed. Before the completion, the first original and the next second original can be continuously fed onto the conveyance path from the original table , and the paper feeding unit that performs the paper feeding operation and the discharge that performs the paper ejection operation. When reading both front and back sides of a document while the document is being transported on the transport path by an image reading apparatus having a transport unit that executes the paper unit with the same drive and a reading unit that reads the document on the transport path, When simultaneously reading a part of one side of the original and a part of the other side of the second original,
A part of the one-side image of the first document and a part of the other-side image of the second document are simultaneously read and held by the first document reading instruction, and when the second document reading instruction is received, the second document is read. It has a delivery step of the sending part of the other surface image of the document,
When it is detected by the document detection means that there is a document that has not received a reading instruction on the document mounting table, the driving of the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit is stopped, and the document reading unit is stopped until the next reading instruction is received. When the original on the conveying path is kept on the conveying path and the original detecting unit detects that no original is present on the original placing table, the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit are driven in the same manner so that the original on the conveying path is A control method for an image reading apparatus , wherein the transport unit is controlled so that the original is discharged without staying on the transport path .

In the sending step, when a reading instruction for the second document is received, a part of the other side image of the second document is sent, and the remaining part of the other side image of the second document is continuously read and sent. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 16 .

Program for executing the control method according to the computer in any one of claims 10-17.