SWING CONTROLLER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-013130, filed on Jan. 31, 2023, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND
Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a swing controller.

Related Art

In the related art, apparatuses such as scanners that include a feed roller and a separation roller to feed multiple recording media placed on a table (i.e., a sheet table) while separating the media have been used. In some of such apparatuses, the separation roller is swingably supported to enable the feeding of media of various thicknesses. Further, in order to determine whether a medium is placed on the media table, some of such apparatuses include an arm that pivots or swings depending on the presence of the medium. These apparatuses perform a control operation to allow components such as the separation roller or the arm to swing appropriately.

For example, a sheet conveying apparatus including a separation roller attached to a separation roller shaft is known in the art. Such a sheet conveying apparatus known in the art includes, for example, an arm member that holds the separation roller shaft, an intermediate shaft that holds the arm member swingably, a coil spring that biases the arm member in the direction of the axis of the swing, and a regulating portion to regulate the position of the arm member biased by the coil spring.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a swing controller includes a swing member including a swing shaft on which the swing member swings and a contact portion, and a torsion coil spring. The torsion coil spring includes a rotation support shaft on which the torsion coil spring rotates, a fixed first arm; and a second arm on which the contact portion slides. The rotation support shaft is at a position different from a position of the swing shaft. When the swing member swings in a predetermined direction, a reaction force in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction is applied to the swing member by a friction force between the contact portion and the second arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a media conveying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance passage inside the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a separation roller of the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram for explaining the separation roller of the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a media conveying apparatus according to a comparative example;

FIG. 6 is another schematic diagram illustrating the media conveying apparatus according to the comparative example;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams each illustrating the feeding of media by the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams each illustrating the feeding of media by the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 9A is a graph illustrating an example of changes in position of a separation roller in the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 9B is a graph illustrating changes in position of the separation roller in the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematic diagram used for explaining a first media sensor of the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is another schematic diagram used for explaining a first media sensor of the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the media conveying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a storage device and a processing circuit of the media conveying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a medium reading process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing circuit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

A description is given below of a swing controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present disclosure, however, is not limited to the embodiments described below but includes the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a media conveying apparatus 100, which is an image scanner, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The media conveying apparatus 100 serves as a swing controller. The media conveying apparatus 100 conveys media that are documents and captures images of the media. The media are, for example, sheets of plain paper, sheets of thick paper, or cards. Alternatively, the media conveying apparatus 100 may be, for example, a facsimile machine, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP). An MFP may be also called a multifunction printer. The media to be conveyed may be, for example, printing material (e.g., paper sheets) instead of documents. In this case, the media conveying apparatus 100 may be, for example, a printer.

In FIG. 1, arrow A1 indicates the substantially vertical direction (may be referred to as the height direction A1 in the following direction), and arrow A2 indicates the direction in which media are conveyed (may be referred to as the media conveyance direction A2 in the following description). Further, arrow A3 indicates the direction in which the media are ejected (may be referred to as the medium ejection direction A3 in the following description), and arrow A4 indicates the width direction of the media conveying apparatus 100 (may be referred to as the width direction A4 in the following description) orthogonal to the media conveyance direction A2 or the media ejection direction A3. In the following description, “upstream” refers to “upstream” in the media conveyance direction A2 or the media ejection direction A3, and “downstream” refers to “downstream” in the media conveyance direction A2 or the media ejection direction A3.

The media conveying apparatus 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a media table 103, an output table 104, an operation device 105, and a display device 106.

The second housing 102 is disposed inside the first housing 101. The second housing 102 is rotatably hinged to the first housing 101 to open and close for removing a jammed medium or cleaning the inside of the media conveying apparatus 100.

The media table 103 has a table face 103a and is engaged with the first housing 101 such that the media to be conveyed can be placed on the table face 103a. The media table 103 is disposed on a side of the first housing 101 from which the media are fed into the first housing 101. The media table 103 is movable in the height direction A1. When no media are conveyed, the media table 103 is positioned at the lower end of the movable range to facilitate the placement of media thereon. When a medium is conveyed, the media table 103 is raised to the position at which the medium on the top of the media table 103 contacts a pick roller described later. The output table 104 is formed on the second housing 102. The output table 104 receives the media ejected from the ejection ports of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102.

The operation device 105 includes an input device such as buttons and an interface circuit that receives signals from the input device. The operation device 105 receives an input operation performed by a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation performed by the user. The display device 106 includes a display and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display and displays the image data on the display. Examples of the display include a liquid crystal and an organic electro-luminescence (EL). The display device 106 may be a liquid crystal display with a touch panel function. In this case, the operation device 105 includes an interface circuit that receives input signals from the touch panel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance passage inside the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The media conveying apparatus 100 includes, along a media conveyance passage, a first media sensor 111, a pick roller 112, a feed roller 113, a separation roller 114, an encoder 115, first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f, first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117f, a second media sensor 118, and first and second image-capturing devices 119a and 119b (may be collectively referred to as the image-capturing devices 119 in the following description).

The number of each of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f, and the first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117f is not limited to one, and may be two or more. When one or more of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, the first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f, and the first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117f are formed of multiple rollers, the multiple rollers are arranged at intervals in the width direction A4.

The first housing 101 has a face that faces the second housing 102 and serves as a first guide 101a of the media conveyance passage. The second housing 102 has a face that faces the first housing 101 and serves as a second guide 102a of the media conveyance passage. The first guide 101a and the second guide 102a define a so-called U-turn path.

The pick roller 112 is disposed in the second housing 102. The pick roller 112 contacts the medium on the media table 103 raised to substantially the same height as the height of the media conveyance passage, and feeds the medium downstream in the media conveyance passage.

The feed roller 113 is disposed downstream from the pick roller 112 in the second housing 102, and feeds the medium fed from the media table 103 by the pick roller 112 further downstream in the media conveyance passage. The separation roller 114 is disposed in the first housing 101, opposite to the feed roller 113. The separation roller 114 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller and is rotatable in the direction opposite to the rotation direction for conveying the media (may be referred to as a feeding direction in the following description). Alternatively, the separation roller 114 is stoppable.

The media conveying apparatus 100 further includes a torque limiter disposed between the separation roller 114 and a motor that applies a driving force to the separation roller 114. The torque limiter defines the limit value of the torque applied to the separation roller 114. The torque limiter has a limit value to satisfy the following conditions. When there is one medium, the rotational force via the torque limiter is cut off, and when there are multiple media, the rotational force via the torque limiter is transmitted.

As a result, when only one medium is conveyed, the separation roller 114 is rotated by the feed roller 113, without receiving the driving force from the motor. By contrast, when multiple media are conveyed, the separation roller 114 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A7 (may be referred to as the opposite direction A7 in the following description) opposite to the feeding direction, and separates the medium in contact with the feed roller 113 from the other media so as to prevent the occurrence of multiple feeding. At this time, instead of rotating in the opposite direction A7, the separation roller 114 may be kept stationary such that the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 114 applies, to the media, the force in the opposite direction A7 to the feeding direction.

The feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 perform the above-described operation to separate the media and convey the media one by one. The feed roller 113 is disposed above the separation roller 114, and the media conveying apparatus 100 feeds media from the top.

The encoder 115 is a sensor disposed on a shaft 114a that is a rotation shaft of the separation roller 114. The encoder 115 detects the rotation and the rotation direction of the separation roller 114. The encoder 115 includes a disk, a light emitter, and a light receiver. The light emitter and the light receiver face each other with the disk interposed therebetween. In the disk, a large number of slits (light transmission holes) are formed. The disk rotates, driven by the rotation of the separation roller 114. The light emitter is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) and emits light toward the disk (more specifically, toward the light receiver). The light receiver is, for example, a photodiode and receives the light from the light emitter through the disk.

The light receiver detects the number of changes within a predetermined period from a state where the slits are located between the light emitter and the light receiver to a state where the slits are not located therebetween and the light is blocked by the disk. The light receiver multiplies the detected number of changes by the distance moved by the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 114 while the disk rotates the distance between two adjacent slits. In this way, the light receiver detects the distance by which the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 114 has moved (i.e., the movement distance). Between the light emitter and the light receiver, a fixed slit is present to convert the output signals (pulses) to the pulse signals of two phases, and the light receiver detects the rotation direction of the disk based on the respective rising timings of the pulse signals of the two phases. The encoder 115 generates and outputs rotation signals indicating the detected movement distance and the rotation direction of the disk. The rotation direction of the disk is one of stop, forward direction, and reverse direction. The encoder 115 is not limited to an optical encoder but may be any encoder such as a mechanical encoder, a magnetic encoder, or an electromagnetic induction encoder.

The first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f and the first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117f are disposed downstream from the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114. The first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f are disposed opposite to the first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117, respectively, and convey the media fed by the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 downstream in the media conveyance passage.

The second media sensor 118 is disposed downstream from the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114 and upstream from the image-capturing devices 119 in the media conveyance direction A2, and detects a medium conveyed to the position where the second media sensor 118 is disposed. More specifically, the second media sensor 118 is disposed downstream from the second conveyance roller 116b and the second driven roller 117b. The second media sensor 118 includes a light emitter and a light receiver disposed on one side of the media conveyance passage, and a light guide disposed opposite to the light emitter and the light receiver with the media conveyance passage in between. The light emitter is, for example, an LED and emits light toward the media conveyance passage. By contrast, the light receiver is, for example, a photodiode and receives the light that is emitted by the light emitter and guided by the light guide. The second media sensor 118 generates and outputs a second media signal based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. The second media signal changes in signal value depending on whether or not a medium is located at the position of the second media sensor 118.

The second media sensor 118 may include a reflector such as a mirror instead of the light guide. In the second media sensor 118, the light emitter and the light receiver may be disposed facing each other with the media conveyance passage in between. The second media sensor 118 which detects the presence of the medium may be a contact detection sensor similar to the first media sensor 111.

The image-capturing devices 119 are disposed downstream from the first and second conveyance rollers 116a and 116b in the media conveyance direction A2, and capture images of the medium conveyed by the first and second conveyance rollers 116a and 116b and the first and second driven rollers 117a and 117b. The first image-capturing device 119a and the second image-capturing device 119b face each other with the media conveyance passage in between.

The first image-capturing device 119a includes, as a line sensor, an equal-magnification contact image sensor (CIS) including, as imaging elements, complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOSs) arranged linearly in the main-scanning direction. The first image-capturing device 119a further includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter amplifies the electrical signals output from the imaging elements and performs analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. The first image-capturing device 119a captures an image of the front side of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image.

Similarly, the second image-capturing device 119b includes, as a line sensor, an equal-magnification CIS including, as imaging elements, CMOSs arranged linearly in the main-scanning direction. The second image-capturing device 119b further includes a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements and an A/D converter. The A/D converter amplifies the electrical signals output from the imaging elements and performs A/D conversion. The second image-capturing device 119b captures an image of the back side of the medium being conveyed, generates an input image, and outputs the input image.

The media conveying apparatus 100 may include only one of the first image-capturing device 119a and the second image-capturing device 119b to read only one side of the medium. Further, the line sensor may be, instead of the equal-magnification CIS including CMOSs as imaging elements, an equal-magnification CIS including charge-coupled devices (CCDs) as imaging elements. Alternatively, a line sensor employing a reduction optical system and including, as imaging elements, CMOSs or CCDs may be used.

The media placed on the media table 103 are conveyed between the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a in the media conveyance direction A2 as the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 113 rotate in the feeding directions indicated by arrows A5 and A6, respectively. The media conveying apparatus 100 has two feeding modes: a separation mode in which media are fed while being separated and a non-separation mode in which media are fed without being separated. The feeding mode is set by the user using the operation device 105 or an information processing device connected to the media conveying apparatus 100 for communication. When the feeding mode is set to the separation mode, the separation roller 114 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A7 opposite to the feeding direction or stops. This operation prevents the feeding of a medium other than the separated medium (prevents multiple feeding). By contrast, when the feeding mode is set to the non-separation mode, the separation roller 114 rotates in the feeding direction (opposite to the direction indicated by arrow A7).

The medium is fed to the imaging-capturing position of the image-capturing devices 119 by the first and second conveyance rollers 116a and 116b rotating in the directions indicated by arrows A8 A9 while being guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a. Then, the images of the medium are captured by the image-capturing devices 119. Further, the medium is ejected onto the output table 104 by the third to sixth conveyance rollers 116c to 116f rotating in the directions indicated by arrows A10 to A13, respectively.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams each used for explaining the separation roller 114 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the media conveying apparatus 100 further includes a first swing member 121, a first torsion coil spring 122, an elastic member 123, and a plate 124.

The first swing member 121 serves as a swing member. The first swing member 121 extends in the media conveyance direction A2. The first swing member 121A is swingable in the height direction A1 on a swing shaft 121a disposed in a downstream end portion in the media conveyance direction A2. The first swing member 121 has an upstream end portion to which the shaft 114a of the separation roller 114 is attached. Thus, the first swing member 121 supports the separation roller 114 such that the separation roller 114 swings together with the first swing member 121.

The first swing member 121 supports the separation roller 114 such that the separation roller 114 is separated from the feed roller 113 when the first swing member 121 swings downward in the height direction A1 and such that the separation roller 114 presses the feed roller 113 when the first swing member 121 swings upward in the height direction A1. The downward direction in the height direction A1 is an example of a predetermined direction, and the upward direction in the height direction A1 is an example of a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. In the following description, the position at which the first swing member 121 supports the separation roller 114 to be in contact with the feed roller 113 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be referred to as a contact position. By contrast, the position at which the first swing member 121 supports the separation roller 114 to be separated from the feed roller 113 as illustrated in FIG. 4 may be referred to as a non-contact position. The first swing member 121 includes a contact portion 121b that contacts the first torsion coil spring 122.

The first torsion coil spring 122 serves as a torsion coil spring that is rotatable on a rotation support shaft positioned different from the swing shaft of the swing member. The first torsion coil spring 122 is rotatable on a rotation support shaft 122a which is a coil center shaft.

The first torsion coil spring 122 includes a first arm 122b and a second arm 122c.

The first arm 122b is fixed to the first housing 101. The second arm 122c is swingable on the rotation support shaft 122a so as to generate an elastic force in a direction away from the first arm 122b (the upward direction in the height direction A1 in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4).

The contact portion 121b of the first swing member 121 contacts the second arm 122c. The second arm 122c presses the first swing member 121 via the contact portion 121b in a direction away from the first arm 122b (the upward direction in the height direction A1). Receiving the elastic force from the first torsion coil spring 122, the first swing member 121 applies force toward the feed roller 113 to the separation roller 114.

The rotation support shaft 122a of the first torsion coil spring 122 is positioned different from the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121. For example, the first torsion coil spring 122 is disposed such that the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121 is positioned outside the coil portion. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the first swing member 121 swings, the contact portion 121b moves (swings) in the direction different from the direction in which the second arm 122c moves (swings). Accordingly, when the first swing member 121 swings, the position on the second arm 122c contacted by the contact portion 121b changes. In other words, a distance D1 (see FIG. 3) between the rotation support shaft 122a and the contact portion 121b when the first swing member 121 is positioned at the contact position is different from a distance D2 (see FIG. 4) between the rotation support shaft 122a and the contact portion 121b when the first swing member 121 is positioned at the non-contact position. Accordingly, when the first swing member 121 swings, the contact portion 121b slides on the second arm 122c.

In this way, the second arm 122c is disposed to allow the contact portion 121b to slide while being in contact with the second arm 122c. Accordingly, when the first swing member 121 swings downward in the height direction A1, a reaction force in the upward direction in the height direction A1 is applied to the first swing member 121 by a friction force generated between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c. The friction force generated between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c includes a dynamic friction force, generated by the sliding between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c, and a static friction force, generated before the contact portion 121b slides on the second arm 122c.

The elastic member 123 is a spring such as a tension coil spring. The elastic member 123 and the first torsion coil spring 122 are separate components. The clastic member 123 has an upstream end 123a fixed to the first housing 101, and a downstream end 123b attached to an upstream end of the first swing member 121. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” used herein refer to those in the media conveyance direction A2.

With this structure, the elastic member 123 applies an upward force in the height direction A1 to the first swing member 121. Note that the elastic member 123 may be other springs such as a compression coil spring or, for example, a rubber member.

The plate 124 is disposed at a position upstream from the separation roller 114 and facing the surface of the separation roller 114. The plate 124 is urged downstream by a spring 124a such as a torsion coil spring and is stopped by a stopper 124b. The plate 124 is disposed to satisfy the following conditions. The plate 124 does not contact the surface of the separation roller 114 when the first swing member 121 is positioned at the contact position, and contacts the surface of the separation roller 114 when the first swing member 121 is positioned at the non-contact position. As a result, when the first swing member 121 swings downward in the height direction A1, the plate 124 contacts the surfaces of the separation roller 114 and prevents or reduces the rotation of the separation rollers 114.

A description is given below of the technical significance of positioning the rotation support shaft 122a of the first torsion coil spring 122 different from the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams each illustrating a media conveying apparatus according to a comparative example. In the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation support shaft of the first torsion coil spring is located at the same position as that of the swing shaft of the first swing member.

The media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes the feed roller 13, the separation roller 14, a first swing member 21, and a first torsion coil spring 22. The feed roller 13, the separation roller 14, and the first swing member 21 have configurations similar to those of the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, and the first swing member 121 of the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, respectively. The first swing member 21 is swingable on a swing shaft 21a and includes a contact portion 21b. The first torsion coil spring 22 is rotatable about the rotation support shaft 22a and includes a fixed first arm 22b and a second arm 22c contacted by the contact portion 21b. However, the rotation support shaft 22a of the first torsion coil spring 22 is disposed at the same position as that of the swing shaft 21a of the first swing member 21.

Since the rotation support shaft 22a and the swing shaft 21a are disposed at the same position, when the first swing member 21 swings, the direction in which the contact portion 21b moves (swings) matches the direction in which the second arm 22c moves (swings). Accordingly, when the first swing member 21 swings, the position on the second arm 22c contacted by the contact portion 21b does not change. In other words, a distance D3 (see FIG. 5) between the rotation support shaft 22a and the contact portion 21b when the first swing member 21 is positioned at the contact position does not change from a distance D4 (see FIG. 6) between the rotation support shaft 22a and the contact portion 21b when the first swing member 21 is positioned at the non-contact position. Accordingly, when the first swing member 21 swings, the contact portion 21b does not slide on the second arm 22c.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B are schematic diagrams each illustrating the feeding of media by the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, according to the comparative example. In FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, multiple media P are placed on the media table, and a medium P1 on the top of the media P is being fed. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a pick roller 12 similar to the pick roller 112 of the media conveying apparatus 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, as the pick roller 12 contacting the medium P1 rotates in the feeding direction A5, the medium P1 is fed into the nip between the feed roller 13 and the separation roller 14. When only the medium P1 is located in the nip between the feed roller 13 and the separation roller 14, the separation roller 14 is driven by the feed roller 13 and rotates in the feeding direction indicated by arrow A7′ (may be referred to as the feeding direction A7′). The media P under the medium P1, placed on the media table are referred to as standby media P2. The standby media P2 receive friction force with the medium P1, generated by the pressing force of the pick roller 12 and the feed roller 13, and the inertia force due to the gravity of the standby media P2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, these forces cause standby media P2 to move downstream, and the leading end of standby media P2 collides with the separation roller 14. The separation roller 14 is pressed by the standby media P2 and is pushed downward in the height direction A1 against the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 22. At this time, the driving force from a motor is transmitted to the separation roller 14, and the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 14 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A7 opposite to the feeding direction. Accordingly, the standby media P2 receive the force due to the reverse rotation of the separation roller 14, the back load of the separation roller 14, and the rubber repulsive force of the separation roller 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, these forces push back the standby media P2 to the upstream side.

As a result, the standby media P2 are separated from the separation roller 14 and no longer press the separation roller 14. Then, the separation roller 14 is pushed back upward in the height direction A1 by the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 22. As a result, the separation roller 14 is driven again by the feed roller 13 and rotates in the feeding direction A7′.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, after separated from separation roller 14, the standby media P2 move again downstream due to the friction force with the medium P1 and the inertia force due to the gravity of the standby media P2. Then, the standby media P2 collide with the separation roller 14. The separation roller 14 is pressed by the standby media P2 again and is pushed downward in the height direction A1 against the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 22. At this time, the driving force from the motor is transmitted to the separation roller 14, and the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller 14 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A7 opposite to the feeding direction. After that, the separation roller 14 moves up and down and vibrates in the height direction A1 while repeating the movement illustrated in FIG. 8A and the movement illustrated in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9A is a graph illustrating an example of changes in position of the separation roller 14 when media are fed by the media conveying apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 9A, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of feeding of media, and the vertical axis indicates the position of the separation roller 14 in the height direction A1 relative to the initial position at the start of feeding of media. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, each time the standby media P2 collide with the separation roller 14, the separation roller 14 is pushed down. Each time the separation roller 14 moves up and down (self-excited vibration), the amount by which the separation roller 14 is pushed down increases. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9A, when a time T has elapsed from the start of feeding of media, the separation roller 14 is below a position S at which the separation roller 14 contacts the feed roller 13 forming the nip therebetween. As a result, the standby media P2 flow downstream from the separation roller 14 and the feed roller 13, resulting in the occurrence of the multiple feeding of media.

By contrast, as described above, in the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the first swing member 121 swings, the reaction force is applied to the first swing member 121 by the friction force generated between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c. The reaction force reduces the amount of movement of the separation roller 114 (the first swing member 121) when the separation roller 114 is pushed down by the standby media P2 and when the separation roller 114 is pushed up by the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 22.

FIG. 9B is a graph illustrating an example of changes in position of the separation roller 114 when media are fed by the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 9B, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of feeding of media, and the vertical axis indicates the position of the separation roller 114 in the height direction A1 relative to the initial position at the start of feeding of media. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the amounts by which the separation roller 114 is pushed down and pushed up are reduced by the reaction force applied to the first swing member 121, and the separation roller 114 is kept above the position S at which the separation roller 114 contacts the feed roller 13 forming the nip therebetween. As a result, the standby media P2 are prevented from flowing downstream from the separation roller 114 and the feed roller 113, and the occurrence of the multiple feeding of the media is prevented.

A description is given below of the friction force generated between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c of the first torsion coil spring 122.

When the standby media P2 collide with the separation roller 114, force M1 calculated by the following Equation 1 is applied to the collision point between the standby media P2 and the separation roller 114.

$\begin{matrix} M 1 = N 1 \times L 1 & Equation 1 \end{matrix}$

Referring to FIG. 3, in Equation 1, N1 represents a load (vertical load) applied to the collision point between the standby media P2 and the separation roller 114 in the swing direction (tangential direction) of the separation roller 114 (the first swing member 121) (indicated by arrow N1 in FIG. 3). Further, L1 represents the distance between a straight line passing through the collision point between the standby media P2 and the first swing member 121 and extending in the swing direction of the separation roller 114 and the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121 (see FIG. 3).

By contrast, the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 122 applies force M2 calculated by the following Equation 2 to the contact portions 121b of the first swing members 121.

$\begin{matrix} M 2 = N 2 \times L 2 & Equation 2 \end{matrix}$

In Equation 2, N2 represents a load (vertical load) applied to the contact position between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c in the swing direction (tangential direction) of the second arm 122c (see FIG. 3). Further, L2 represents the distance between the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121 and a straight line (indicated by an alternate long and short dashed line in FIG. 3) passing through the contact position between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c and extending in the swing direction of the second arm 122c (see FIG. 3).

Further, due to the friction between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c, force M3 calculated by the following Equation 3 is applied to the contact portion 121b of the first swing member 121.

$\begin{matrix} M 3 = μ \times N 2 \times L 3 & Equation 3 \end{matrix}$

In Equation 3, μ represents the friction coefficient between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c, and μ×N2 represents the friction force between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c (see FIG. 3). Further, L3 represents the distance between the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121 and a straight line passing through the contact position between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c and extending in the direction in which the second arm 122c extends (the sliding direction of the contact portion 121b) (see FIG. 3).

The first swing member 121 and the first torsion coil spring 122 are designed to reduce the vibration of the first swing member 121 due to the forces M1 and M2 with the force M3.

Further, due to the friction force between the contact portion 121b and the second arm 122c, force F1 calculated by the following Equation 4 is applied to the separation roller 114.

$\begin{matrix} F 1 = M 3 / L 4 = N 2 \times μ \times L 3 / L 4 & Equation 4 \end{matrix}$

In Equation 4, L4 represents the distance between the swing shaft 121a of the first swing member 121 and a straight line passing through the rotation axis of the separation roller 114 and extending in the swing direction of the separation roller 114 (see FIG. 3).

The separation roller 114 further receives force F2 calculated by the following Equation 5 due to the elastic force of the first torsion coil spring 122 (see FIG. 3).

$\begin{matrix} F 2 = M 2 / L 4 = N 2 \times L 2 / L 4 & Equation 5 \end{matrix}$

As presented in Equations 4 and 5, the force F1 varies depending on the distance L3, but the force F2 does not depend on the distance L3. In the media conveying apparatus 100, adjusting the force L3 enables the adjustment of the force F1 for reducing the vibration of the separation roller 114 while the force F2 applied to the separation roller 114 by the elastic force of the first torsion coil springs 122 is kept constant.

The distance L3 is set to a distance that does not to cause multiple feeding of media in a preliminary experiment.

Further, as described above, the elastic member 123 applies the force to the first swing member 121 to press the separation roller 114 against the feed roller 113. Accordingly, the media conveying apparatus 100 can increase the upward reaction force applied to the first swing member 121 when the first swing member 121 swings downward. Accordingly, the media conveying apparatus 100 can reduce the vibration of the separation roller 114, thereby preventing the occurrence of multiple feeding of media.

As described above, when first swing member 121 swings downward in the height direction A1, the plate 124 stops the rotation of the separation roller 114, and the standby media P2 are not pushed back by the separation roller 114. With this configuration, the media conveying apparatus 100 can reduce the vibration of the separation roller 114 and prevent the occurrence of multiple feeding of media.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams used for explaining the first media sensor 111.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first media sensor 111 is disposed on the table face 103a of the media table 103, i.e., upstream side of the feed roller 113 and the separation roller 114. The first media sensor 111 detects the state of the media placed on the media table 103.

The first media sensor 111 includes a second swing member 131, a second torsion coil spring 132, a stopper 133, and an optical unit 134.

The second swing member 131 serves as the swing member. The second swing member 131 extends in the media conveyance direction A2 and is swingable in the height direction A1 on a swing shaft 131a positioned in a central portion of the second swing member 131 in the media conveyance direction A2. In particular, the second swing member 131 is disposed to allow the downstream end portion thereof swings in the height direction A1. In the following description, the upward direction in the height direction A1 in which the downstream end portion moves may be referred to as a first direction, and the downward direction in the height direction A1 in which the downstream end portion moves may be referred to as a second direction. The first direction is an example of the predetermined direction, and the second direction is an example of the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Further, in the following description, the position of the second swing member 131 illustrated in FIG. 10 at which the downstream end portion is positioned upward may be referred to as a first position, and the position of the second swing member 131 illustrated in FIG. 11 at which the downstream end is positioned downward may be referred to as a second position. The second swing member 131 includes a contact portion 131b that contacts the second torsion coil spring 132.

The second torsion coil spring 132 serves as the torsion coil spring. The second torsion coil spring 132 is rotatable on a rotation support shaft 132a which is a coil center shaft.

The second torsion coil spring 132 includes a first arm 132b and a second arm 132c.

The first arm 132b is fixed to the inside of the media table 103. The second arm 132c is swingable on the rotation support shaft 132a so as to generate an elastic force in a direction away from the first arm 132b (downstream in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11). The contact portion 131b of the second swing member 131 contacts the second arm 132c. The second arm 132c presses the second swing member 131 via the contact portion 131b in a direction (the downstream direction) away from the first arm 132b. Due to the elastic force from the second torsion coil spring 132, the second swing member 131 is applied with force that moves the downstream end portion upward.

The rotation support shaft 132a of the second torsion coil spring 132 is disposed at a position different from the swing shaft 131a of the second swing member 131. For example, the second torsion coil spring 132 is disposed such that the swing shaft 131a of the second swing member 131 is positioned outside the coil portion thereof. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the second swing member 131 swings, the contact portion 131b moves (swings) in the direction that is different from the direction in which the second arm 132c moves (swings). Accordingly, when the second swing member 131 swings, the position on the second arm 132c contacted by the contact portion 131b changes. In other words, a distance D5 between the rotation support shaft 132a and the contact portion 131b with the second swing member 131 positioned at the first position is different from a distance D6 between the rotation support shaft 132a and the contact portion 131b with the second swing member 131 positioned at the second position. Accordingly, when the second swing member 131 swings, the contact portion 131b slides on the second arm 132c.

In this way, the second arm 132c is disposed to allow the contact portion 131b to slide while being in contact with the second arm 132c. Accordingly, when the second swing member 131 swings in the first direction, a reaction force in the second direction is applied to the second swing member 131 by a friction force generated between the contact portion 131b and the second arm 132c. The friction force generated between the contact portion 131b and the second arm 132c includes a dynamic friction force generated by the sliding of the contact portion 131b on the second arm 132c, and a static friction force generated before the contact portion 131b slides on the second arm 132c.

The stopper 133 is fixed to the inside of the media table 103, accommodated in a hole 131c formed in the second swing member 131. The second swing member 131 is positioned at the first position as the lower end of the rim surrounding the hole 131c contacts the lower end of the stopper 133, and is positioned at the second position as the upper end of the rim surrounding the hole 131c contacts the upper end of the stopper 133.

The optical unit 134 includes a light emitter and a light receiver disposed facing each other across the second swing member 131 positioned at the first position. The light emitter is, for example, an LED and emits light toward the light receiver. The light receiver is, for example, a photodiode and receives the light from the light emitter. The light receiver generates and outputs a first media signal which is an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. When the media are placed on the media table 103, the second swing member 131 is pushed down to the second position by the weight of the media and is not located between the light emitter and the light receiver. By contrast, when no media are placed on the media table 103, the second swing member 131 is pushed up to the first by the elastic force of the second torsion coil spring 132 and is located between the light emitter and the light receiver.

When the second swing member 131 is not located between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light receiver receives the light emitted from the light emitter. By contrast, when the second swing member 131 is located between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light emitted from the light emitter is blocked by the second swing member 131. Accordingly, the signal value of the first media signal changes depending on the position of the second swing member 131, which differs depending on whether or not media are placed on the media table 103.

The first media sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor. The first media sensor 111 may be any other sensor such as an optical detection sensor having the capability of detecting the presence of a medium.

The second swing member 131 and the second torsion coil spring 132 have a relation similar to that between the first swing member 121 and the first torsion coil spring 122. If the rotation support shaft 132a of the second torsion coil spring 132 is disposed at the same position as that of the swing shaft 131a of the second swing member 131, the contact portion 131b does not slide on the second arm 132c when the second swing member 131 swings. Accordingly, when all the media placed on the media table 103 are fed and the second swing member 131 moves from the second position to the first position, the second swing member 131 repeatedly moves up and down and vibrates.

By contrast, as described above, in the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the second swing member 131 swings, the friction force generated between the contact portion 131b and the second arm 132c applies the reaction force to the second swing member 131. When all the media placed on the media table 103 are fed, the reaction force reduces the amount by which the second swing member 131 is pushed up by the elastic force of the second torsion coil spring 132 and the amount by which the second swing member 131 is pushed down by its own weight. This reduction can prevent the erroneous determination of the presence of media on the media table 103 even though no medium is on the media table 103, caused by the vibration of the second swing member 131.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The media conveying apparatus 100 further includes a motor 141, an interface device 142, a storage device 150, and a processing circuit 160 in addition to the above-described components.

The motor 141 includes one or more motors. According to a control signal from the processing circuit 160, the motor 141 rotates the pick roller 112, the feed roller 113, the separation roller 114, and/or the first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f to convey the media and further move the media table 103. The first to sixth driven rollers 117a to 117f may rotate by receiving the driving force of the motor 141, instead of being rotated by the first to sixth conveyance rollers 116a to 116f.

The interface device 142 includes an interface circuit in compliance with a serial bus such as a universal serial bus (USB) and is electrically connected to an information processing device (for example, a personal computer or a mobile information processing terminal) to transmit and receive an input image and various kinds of information to and from the information processing device. The interface device 142 may be substituted by a communication unit including an antenna to transmit and receive radio signals and a wireless communication interface circuit to transmit and receive the signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol.

The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN) communication protocol. The communication unit may include a wired communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wired communication line according to, for example, a wired LAN communication protocol.

The storage device 150 includes memories such as a random-access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM); a fixed disk device such as a hard disk; or a portable memory such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The storage device 150 stores, for example, computer programs, databases, and tables used for various processes performed by the media conveying apparatus 100. The computer programs may be installed in the storage device 150 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using, for example, a known setup program. The portable recording medium is, for example, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM).

The processing circuit 160 operates according to a program stored in the storage device 150 in advance. The processing circuit 160 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, as the processing circuit 160, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a large-scale integration (LSI), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) may be used.

The processing circuit 160 is connected to, for example, the operation device 105, the display device 106, the first media sensor 111, the encoder 115, the image-capturing device 119, the motor 141, the interface device 142, and the storage device 150, and controls these components. The processing circuit 160 controls, for example, the driving of the motor 141 and the image capturing by the image-capturing device 119 according to the media signals received from the media sensors and the rotation signals received from the encoder 115. The processing circuit 160 acquires an input image from the image-capturing device 119 and transmits the input image to the information processing device via the interface device 142.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the storage device 150 and the processing circuit 160 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the storage device 150 stores, for example, a control program 151, a determination program 152, and a detection program 153. These programs are functional modules implemented by software operating on the processor. The processing circuit 160 reads the programs from the storage device 150 and operates according to the read programs. Thus, the processing circuit 160 functions as a control unit 161, a determination unit 162, and a detection unit 163.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a medium reading process performed by the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

A description is given below of a medium reading process performed by the media conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14. The operation process described below is executed, for example, by the processing circuit 160 in cooperation with the components of the media conveying apparatus 100 based on the program prestored in the storage device 150.

In step S101, the control unit 161 waits for an operation signal instructing the reading of media, received from the operation device 105 or the interface device 142. The operation signal is output when the user inputs an instruction to read media using the operation device 105 or the information processing device.

In step S102, the determination unit 162 receives the first media signal from the first media sensor 111 and determines whether media are placed on the media table 103 based on the first media signal.

In this way, the determination unit 162 determines whether media are on the media table 103 based on the position of the second swing member 131, i.e., based on whether the second swing member 131 is positioned at the first position or the second position. As described above, the first media sensor 111 reduces the amount of swing of the second swing member 131. This configuration can prevent the erroneous determination by the media conveying apparatus 100 about whether media are on the media table 103. When no media are placed on the media table 103, the control unit 161 ends the series of steps.

By contrast, when media are placed on the media table 103, in step S103, the control unit 161 drives the motor 141 to raise the media table 103 to the position where the media can be fed, and rotates the rollers to feed the media.

In step S104, the detection unit 163 receives the rotation signal from the encoder 115, and detects the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 based on the rotation signal. The detection unit 163 stores the detected rotation direction in the storage device 150.

In step S105, the detection unit 163 reads the history of the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 stored in the storage device 150, and calculates the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114. Specifically, the detection unit 163 reads the rotation directions of the separation roller 114 stored in the storage device 150 in a predetermined period, and calculates the number of times the rotation direction changes within the predetermined period as the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114. The predetermined period is, for example, one second immediately preceding step S105. The predetermined period may be the entire period from the start of the feeding of the medium being fed to the current time.

In step S106, the control unit 161 determines whether the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 calculated by the detection unit 163 is equal to or greater than a threshold. For determining the threshold of the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114, an experiment in which various types of media are fed is preliminarily performed. The threshold is set to a value between a frequency of changes resulting in multiple feeding of media in the experiment and a frequency of changes not resulting in multiple feeding of media in the experiment. When the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 is smaller than the threshold, the control unit 161 proceeds to step S108.

By contrast, when the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 161 controls the motor 141 to stop the separation roller 114 in step S107. In this way, the control unit 161 stops the rotation of the separation roller 114 based on the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114. Accordingly, the media conveying apparatus 100 can prevent the occurrence of multiple feeding of media due to the vibration of the separation roller 114 caused by the standby media P2 as illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B.

In step S108, the determination unit 162 receives the second media signal from the second media sensor 118 and determines whether the trailing end of the medium has passed through the image-capturing position of the image-capturing device 119 based on the second media signal. The determination unit 162 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed through the position of the second media sensor 118 when the signal value of the second media signal changes from the value indicating the presence of medium to the value indicating the absence of the medium. The determination unit 162 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed through the image-capturing position of the image-capturing device 119 after the elapse of a predetermined time from when the leading end of the medium reaches the position of the second media sensor 118. The predetermined time is set to the time for the medium to move from the position of the second media sensor 118 to the image-capturing position of the image-capturing device 119.

In this way, the determination unit 162 determines whether the medium is present at the position of the second media sensor 118 based on the second media signal from the second media sensor 118. When the second media sensor 118 is a contact detection sensor similar to the first media sensor 111, the determination unit 162 determines that whether the medium is present at the position of the second media sensor 118 based on the position of the second swing member 131.

In this case, the media conveying apparatus 100 can reduce errors in the determination of whether a medium is present at the position of the second media sensor 118. Alternatively, the determination unit 162 may determine that the trailing end of the medium has passed through the image-capturing position after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the feeding of the medium. If the trailing end of the medium has not yet passed the image-capturing position of the image-capturing device 119, the control unit 161 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the process from step S104.

By contrast, when the trailing end of the medium has passed the image-capturing position of the image-capturing device 119, the control unit 161 acquires the input image from the image-capturing device 119, and transmits (i.e., outputs) the acquired input image to the information processing device via the interface device 142 in step S109.

In step S110, the control unit 161 acquires the first media signal from the first media sensor 111 in the manner similar to that of step S102, and determines whether media remain on the media table 103 based on the first media signal.

When the media remain on the media table 103, the control unit 161 determines whether the separation roller 114 has been stopped in step S107 in step S111. When the separation roller 114 has not been stopped in step S107, the control unit 161 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the process from step S104.

By contrast, when the separation roller 114 has been stopped, the motor 141 is controlled to again rotate the separation roller 114 in step S112. Subsequently, the control unit 161 returns the process to step S104 and repeats the process from step S104.

By contrast, when no media remain on the media table 103, the control unit 161 controls the motor 141 to stop the rollers in step S113, and ends the series of steps.

As described above in detail, in the media conveying apparatus 100, the swing shaft of the swing member (e.g., the first swing member 121 or the second swing member 131) is shifted from the rotation support shaft of the torsion coil spring (e.g., the first torsion coil spring 122 or the second torsion coil spring 132) that applies force to the swing member, to reduce the amount of swing of the swing member with the frictional force generated between the swing member and the torsion coil spring when the swing member receives force in the predetermined direction.

As a result, the media conveying apparatus 100 can reduce the vibration of the swing member and appropriately control the swing of the swing member.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing circuit 260 of a media conveying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The processing circuit 260 substitutes for the processing circuit 160 of the media conveying apparatus 100, and executes, for example, the medium reading process instead of the processing circuit 160. The processing circuit 260 includes, for example, a control circuit 261, a determination circuit 262, and a detection circuit 263. These circuits may be implemented by, for example, independent integrated circuits, microprocessors, or firmware; or a combination thereof.

The control circuit 261 an example of a control unit to stop the rotation of the separation roller and functions similarly to the control unit 161. The control circuit 261 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105 or the interface device 142, the result of determination of the presence of the medium from the determination circuit 262, and the result of detection of the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 from the detection circuit 263. The control circuit 261 controls the motor 141 based on the received information, acquires an input image from the image-capturing device 119, and outputs the input image to the interface device 142.

The determination circuit 262 an example of a determination unit to determine whether a medium is present and functions similar to the determination unit 162. The determination circuit 262 receives the first medium signal from the first media sensor 111 and the second medium signal from the second media sensor 118.

The determination circuit 262 determines the presence of the medium based on the received signals and outputs the determination result to the control circuit 261.

The detection circuit 263 is an example of a detection unit to detect the rotation direction of the separation roller and functions similar to the detection unit 163. The detection circuit 263 receives the rotation signals from the encoder 115. The detection circuit 263 detects the rotation direction of the separation roller 114 and the frequency of changes in the rotation direction based on the received rotation signals, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 261.

As described above, the media conveying apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can appropriately control the swing of the swing member even when the processing circuit 260 is used.

Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the media conveying apparatus may include a so-called straight path to feed the media on the media table in order from the bottom. In this case, the feed roller is disposed below the separation roller, opposite to the separation roller.

Further, the swing member and the torsion coil spring according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to not only the media conveying apparatus but also other devices. The swing member and the torsion coil spring according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any object that swings, such as a hinged door of a storage or a room, or an opening-closing portion of a foldable laptop computer or a foldable cellular phone. In these cases, the vibration of the swing member is reduced, and the swing of the swing member is appropriately controlled.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.

The functionality of the elements disclosed herein may be implemented using circuitry or processing circuitry which includes general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), conventional circuitry and/or combinations thereof which are configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functionality. Processors are considered processing circuitry or circuitry as they include transistors and other circuitry therein. In the disclosure, the circuitry, units, or means are hardware that carry out or are programmed to perform the recited functionality. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or otherwise known which is programmed or configured to carry out the recited functionality. When the hardware is a processor which may be considered a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or units are a combination of hardware and software, the software being used to configure the hardware and/or processor.

SWING CONTROLLER

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