Medium conveying device, medium feeding method, and control program

Abstract

A medium conveying apparatus includes a feed roller to feed a medium, a separation roller located to face the feed roller, a regulating guide provided to be movable between a first position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is regulated and a second position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is not regulated, and a processor to control the feed roller, the separation roller, and the regulating guide. When feeding of a medium is started, the processor controls the feed roller, the separation roller, and the regulating guide such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medium conveying apparatus comprising:
 a feed roller to feed a medium;   a separation roller located to face the feed roller;   a regulating guide provided to be movable between a first position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is regulated and a second position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is not regulated; and   a processor to control the feed roller, the separation roller, and the regulating guide,   wherein, when feeding of a medium is started, the processor controls the feed roller, the separation roller, and the regulating guide such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         2 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first motor to drive the feed roller;   a second motor to drive the separation roller; and   a third motor to move the regulating guide, wherein   when feeding of a medium is started, the processor controls the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         3 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor operates the first motor after operating the second motor and the third motor when feeding of a medium is started. 
     
     
         4 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a torque limiter to define a maximum torque exerted on the separation roller. 
     
     
         5 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a cam provided to be rotatable by the third motor, wherein
 the regulating guide is provided to move by rotation of the cam.   
     
     
         6 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a conveyance roller located on a downstream side of the feed roller and the separation roller in a medium conveying direction, wherein
 the conveyance roller is provided to be driven by the third motor.   
     
     
         7 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein, when feeding of a second or subsequent medium out of media set on the regulating guide is started, the processor controls the first motor and the second motor such that the feed roller rotates after the separation roller rotates. 
     
     
         8 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor controls the first motor or the second motor to rotate the feed roller or the separation roller while the regulating guide is located at the first position to move substances adhered to the feed roller or the separation roller when not feeding a medium. 
     
     
         9 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first motor to drive the feed roller; and   a second motor to drive the separation roller and move the regulating guide,   wherein, when feeding of a medium is started, the processor controls the first motor and the second motor such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         10 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor operates the first motor after operating the second motor when feeding of a medium is started. 
     
     
         11 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a torque limiter to define a maximum torque exerted on the separation roller. 
     
     
         12 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cam provided to be rotatable by the second motor, wherein
 the regulating guide is provided to move by rotation of the cam.   
     
     
         13 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein, when feeding of a second or subsequent medium out of media set on the regulating guide is started, the processor controls the first motor and the second motor such that the feed roller rotates after the separation roller rotates. 
     
     
         14 . The medium conveying apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor controls the first motor or the second motor to rotate the feed roller while the regulating guide is located at the first position to move substances adhered to the feed roller or the separation roller when not feeding a medium. 
     
     
         15 . A method for feeding a medium, the method comprising:
 when feeding of a medium is started, controlling the feed roller to feed a medium, a separation roller located to face the feed roller, and a regulating guide provided to be movable between a first position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is regulated and a second position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is not regulated such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 when feeding of a medium is started, controlling a first motor for driving the feed roller, a second motor for driving the separation roller, and a third motor for moving the regulating guide such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first motor is operated after operating the second motor and the third motor when feeding of a medium is started. 
     
     
         18 . A computer-readable, non-transitory medium storing executable instructions for feeding a medium, the executable instructions comprising:
 when feeding of a medium is started, controlling the feed roller for feeding a medium, a separation roller located to face the feed roller, and a regulating guide provided to be movable between a first position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is regulated and a second position where contact of the medium with the feed roller and the separation roller is not regulated such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts the medium.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable, non-transitory medium according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 when executed, when feeding of a medium is started, a first motor for driving the feed roller, a second motor for driving the separation roller, and a third motor for moving the regulating guide are controlled such that the feed roller feeds the medium after the regulating guide moves from the first position toward the second position and the separation roller contacts a medium.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable, non-transitory medium according to  claim 19 , wherein when executed, the first motor is operated after operating the second motor and the third motor when feeding of a medium is started.