JP4883767B2 - Image forming apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and method to which an optional paper feeding device or an optional paper discharge device is connected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer system in which an optional paper feeding device or an optional paper ejection device is connected to an image forming apparatus, unnecessary residual paper may exist on the paper transport path when the power is turned on or before jam recovery is started. In consideration of such a case or a case where residual paper remains between the devices, the paper transport operation of each device is simultaneously performed to start automatic discharge of unnecessary residual paper. In this way, there has been proposed a technique for automatically discharging the remaining paper out of the apparatus accurately without causing unnecessary damage to the apparatus and the remaining paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-011559 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-104141

  However, in the conventional technology, when there is residual paper at a position where the paper presence sensor on the transport path of each device cannot detect the residual paper, even though the device spans between devices, each device performs the transport operation. There are times when it will not start simultaneously. In such a case, the residual paper is pulled or pushed in between the devices, damages both the residual paper and the device, and the automatic paper discharge operation cannot be performed smoothly. For this reason, there is a problem that the user has to remove the remaining paper to be automatically discharged as jammed paper.

  In addition, since the start and end of the residual paper check operation and automatic paper discharge operation are not synchronized between the devices, the transport path of each device is driven more than necessary, or the residual paper is reliably removed from the machine. There is a problem that paper cannot be ejected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and optimizes the timing of the in-machine residual paper detection process at the time of power-on or jam recovery, and the start / end process of automatic paper discharge, thereby initializing the apparatus. The purpose is to achieve the improvement of usability by realizing the shortening.

  In order to achieve such an object, an image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system including a paper feeding device that supplies a recording material and an image forming device that forms an image on the recording material. Recording material detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a recording material on the conveyance path of the apparatus, and when the recording material detection means detects the recording material, instruct the sheet feeding device and the image forming apparatus to start operation to discharge the recording material A first control unit that starts a recording material conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus in response to an instruction to start an operation by the instruction unit, and a recording material conveyance operation of the sheet feeding device in response to an instruction to start the operation by the instruction unit And a second control unit that transmits an operation end signal of the sheet feeding device to the instruction unit when the transport operation is completed. The instruction unit instructs the operation start and then ends the operation from the second control unit. When a signal is received The first control unit transmits an operation end signal to the first control unit, and the first control unit stops the recording material conveying operation of the image forming apparatus after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction unit. Features.

  The image forming method of the present invention is a control method of an image forming system including a paper feeding device that supplies a recording material and an image forming device that forms an image on the recording material, and includes a conveyance path of the paper feeding device. In response to the first notification step of notifying the instruction unit of the image forming apparatus that the recording material has been detected in step, the instruction step of instructing the operation start of the sheet feeding device and the image forming apparatus by the instruction unit, and the operation start instruction The first control step for starting the recording material conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus, the second control step for starting the recording material conveyance operation of the paper feeding device in response to the operation start instruction, and the recording material conveyance operation of the paper feeding device. A second notifying step of notifying the instruction means of an operation end signal when it has been completed, and a determination step of determining the end of the recording material transport operation of the image forming apparatus based on the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction means; The And wherein the door.

  According to the present invention, the first control unit determines the end of the recording material conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus based on the operation end signal of the sheet feeding device transmitted from the instruction unit. For this reason, it is possible to optimize the timing of the in-machine residual paper detection process and the automatic paper discharge start / end process performed at the time of power-on or jam recovery. Thereby, the initialization time of the apparatus can be shortened and the usability can be improved.

Hereinafter, a recording material discriminating apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an optional paper feeder 101 includes a lower deck 104 and an upper deck 105, and paper feed rollers 108 and 109 for feeding paper stacked on each deck. A paper exit sensor 111 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 110 that feeds paper fed from the decks 104 and 105 into the printer 102.

  A lower deck 106 and an upper deck 107 are installed in the printer, and have sheet feeding rollers 112 and 113, respectively. A paper feed sensor 114 in the printer detects paper fed from the optional paper feeder 101 and paper fed from the lower deck 106 or the upper deck 107. A paper feeding / conveying roller 115 that further conveys the fed paper feeds the paper until a predetermined loop is created by the registration roller 117. A paper sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as a pre-registration sensor) 116 for detecting the leading edge of the conveyed paper is for creating the loop. The timing for starting the rotation of the registration roller 117 is determined based on the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the pre-registration sensor 116.

  In order to accurately transfer the image formed on the photosensitive drum 118 onto the sheet, the rotation start timing of the registration roller 117 is controlled. A state in which the registration roller 117 is not driven is maintained for a predetermined time after the paper sensor 116 detects the leading edge of the paper, and a loop is formed on the paper when the paper is conveyed by a predetermined amount. When the registration roller 117 is rotationally driven after a predetermined time, the sheet is conveyed and the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet onto which the image has been transferred is conveyed through the fixing device 119 and the fixing discharge roller 120 and is discharged from the printer. A sensor 121 located on the most downstream side of the paper conveyance path of the printer 102 monitors the conveyance state of the discharged paper.

  When the paper discharged from the printer 102 is detected by the entrance sensor 122, the optional paper discharge device 103, which is a recording material paper discharge device, picks up and conveys the paper with the conveyance roller 123, and any of the designated paper discharge bins 124. Eject paper.

  FIG. 2 is an electric circuit block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is premised on a configuration in which a video controller that manages an image forming apparatus, which will be described later, controls the operations of the optional sheet feeding apparatus 101 and the optional sheet discharging apparatus 103. According to this configuration, the printer controller that controls the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus does not need to manage the optional paper feeding device and the optional paper discharging device, so that there is an advantage that the processing load is reduced. In addition, when a new optional device is provided, if the control software on the video controller is updated, the optional device can be attached to the image forming apparatus, and the degree of freedom of adding the optional device is increased. There is also a merit. In FIG. 2, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 201 mounted on a video controller that manages the image forming apparatus performs processing of image data sent from the host and processing of commands. In addition, control is performed by communicating with a microcomputer 202 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 202) that controls the optional sheet feeding apparatus 101. Communication such as serial communication is performed with a microcomputer 203 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 203) mounted on a printer controller that controls the printer 102 and a microcomputer 204 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 204) that controls the optional paper discharge device 103. This controls each device.

  The sensor input circuit 205 inputs the detection signal output of the exit sensor 111 of the optional paper feeding device 101 that is a recording material carry-in device to the CPU 202. A drive circuit 206 of a motor 216 that rotates the transport rollers 108, 109, and 110 of the optional sheet feeder 101 is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 202. The CPU 202 feeds and transports paper from a desired deck by executing a paper feed command and a transport command sent from the CPU 201.

  Input circuits 207, 208, and 209 input detection signals of the paper feed sensor 114, the pre-registration sensor 116, and the fixing paper discharge sensor 121 located on the conveyance path in the printer to the CPU 203. A drive circuit 210 of a main motor 220 that drives all rollers and photosensitive drums in the printer is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 202. A drive circuit 211 for the clutch 221 that transmits the rotation of the main motor 220 to the sheet feed roller 115 is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 203. A drive circuit 212 of the clutch 222 that transmits the rotation of the main motor 220 to the registration roller 117 is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 203. The CPU 203 conveys the sheet to the optional paper discharge device 103 in accordance with a conveyance command sent from the CPU 201.

  The sensor input circuit 213 inputs a detection signal of the entrance sensor 122 of the optional paper discharge device 103 to the CPU 204. The drive circuit 214 of the motor 224 that rotates the transport roller 123 of the optional paper discharge device 103 is controlled to turn on / off the clutch by a drive signal output from the CPU 204. The CPU 204 conveys the paper from the printer 102 in accordance with a conveyance command sent from the CPU 201.

  FIG. 3 is a control flow diagram showing a flow of control between the CPU 201 and the CPU 202 and between the CPU 201 and the CPU 203 regarding initialization at the time of power-on or after jam processing in the present embodiment. It is also a control flow diagram showing a flow of control between the CPU 201 and the CPU 204 and between the CPU 202, the CPU 203 and the CPU 204.

In this embodiment, a case where there is no unnecessary residual paper in the image forming apparatus will be described.
3, in step S301, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 201 that it is waiting for a residual paper check start instruction because none of the conveyance sensors 114, 116, and 121 in the printer detects the residual paper. Similarly, in step S302, the CPU 202 informs the CPU 201 that it is waiting for a residual paper check start instruction because the conveyance path sensor 111 in the optional paper feeder 101 does not detect residual paper.

  In step S <b> 303, the CPU 204 notifies the CPU 201 that it is waiting for a residual paper check start instruction because the entrance sensor 122 of the optional paper discharge device 103 has not detected the residual paper. The CPU 201 confirms that all the apparatuses are waiting for the start of the in-machine residual paper check, and then instructs all the apparatuses to start the residual paper check simultaneously.

  In step S <b> 305, the CPU 202 instructed to start the remaining sheet check drives the conveyance roller 110 for a predetermined time, and when remaining upstream from the sheet exit sensor 111, conveys the sheet to the sheet exit sensor and detects the remaining sheet. If the paper exit sensor does not detect residual paper even after the conveyance roller 110 has been driven for a predetermined time, the CPU 201 notifies the CPU 201 that the residual paper check has been completed in step S306 and stops driving the conveyance roller 110, and in S307. Execute the initialization process. In step S308, the CPU 201 is notified that the initialization has been completed. Here, the initialization process refers to, for example, a lift-up operation of a lifter (not shown) for holding a recording material provided in the lower deck 106 and the upper deck 107 of the optional sheet feeder 101, and the sheet feeding of the sheet feeder. It is a preparation process.

  The CPU 203 instructed to start the residual paper check from the CPU 201 drives the main motor 220 to detect the residual paper between the paper exit sensor 111 and the paper feed sensor 114 of the optional paper feeder 101 (S309). Further, the main motor 220 is driven. Then, the remaining paper between the lower deck 106, the upper deck 107 and the paper feed sensor 114, the residual paper between the paper feed sensor 114 and the pre-registration sensor 116, and between the pre-registration sensor 114 and the fixing paper ejection sensor 121. The remaining paper is detected by a downstream sensor. In step S310, when the CPU 201 informs that the residual paper check of the optional paper feeder 101 has been completed, it is confirmed that there is no residual paper even if the main motor 220 is driven for a predetermined time, and the CPU 201 checks the residual paper. Is notified (S311). In step S312, the CPU 203 performs initialization processing such as activation of the fixing device and initialization of an electrophotographic process for performing image formation after the residual paper check is completed.

  In step S <b> 304, the CPU 204 instructed by the CPU 201 to start the residual paper check starts a residual paper check for checking whether there is any residual paper between the fixing paper discharge sensor 121 and the inlet sensor 122 in step S <b> 313. Further, the conveyance roller 123 is driven to discharge all the paper remaining between the inlet sensor 122 and the paper discharge bin 124 to the paper discharge bin.

  In step S311, when the CPU 203 informs the printer 101 that the remaining paper check has been completed, the CPU 201 informs the CPU 204 of the optional paper discharge device 103 in step S314. When the CPU 201 informs that the residual paper check of the printer 102 is completed in the process S314, it is confirmed that no residual paper is detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the residual paper check, and the CPU 201 is informed in the process S315. Notify that the residual paper check has been completed. At the same time, in step S316, initialization of the paper discharge bin 124 (for example, processing for moving the paper discharge bin to the home position) is started.

When the initialization processing of the paper discharge bin 124 is completed, the CPU 204 stops driving the optional paper discharge device 103 and notifies the CPU 201 in step S317. When the printer initialization process S312 ends, the CPU 203 stops driving the printer and notifies the CPU 201 in step S318.
The CPU 201 confirms the completion of initialization of all the devices, determines that the system is ready, and sets a state in which a printing operation is possible.

  As described above, the CPU 201 instructs the printer 102, the optional paper feeding device 101, and the optional paper ejection device 103 to start the residual check all at once. Thereafter, the remaining sheet check operation is finished in the order of the optional sheet feeding device 101 → the printer 102 → the optional sheet discharging device 103. The initialization process of each apparatus is sequentially performed after the remaining sheet check operation in each apparatus is completed. These operations are performed based on an instruction from the CPU 201, and are performed while recognizing that the remaining sheet check is completed between the apparatuses. As a result, the remaining paper check and initialization operation can be optimally performed in the printer 102 to which the optional paper feeding device 101 and the optional paper discharge device 103 are connected. As a result, useless operations such as driving the motor more than necessary for the residual paper check and the initialization operation are eliminated.

  Further, it is possible to detect the residual paper reliably and in a short time, and it is possible to prevent the detected residual paper from being damaged. For this reason, usability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where there is no unnecessary residual paper in the image forming apparatus has been described. However, in this embodiment, the paper exit sensor 111 of the optional paper feeder detects residual paper at the time of power-on or initialization after jam processing. Therefore, a case where automatic paper discharge is performed will be described. The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the electric circuit block diagram of the image forming apparatus is as shown in FIG. Therefore, the description regarding FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is omitted because it has been described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows a control flow showing communication commands and status between the CPU 201 and the CPU 202 regarding initialization at the time of power-on or after jam processing in the present embodiment, and the control flow of the CPU 202, CPU 203 and CPU 204.

  4, in step S401, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 201 that it is waiting for a residual paper check start instruction so that none of the conveyance sensors 114, 116, and 121 in the printer detects the residual paper. In process S402, since the CPU 202 detects the remaining sheet by the sheet exit sensor 111, the CPU 201 notifies the CPU 201 that there is a remaining sheet that can be automatically discharged. In step S <b> 403, the CPU 204 notifies the CPU 201 that there is no residual paper in the optional paper discharge apparatus and that there is a residual paper check start instruction.

  The CPU 201, which has confirmed that there is a remaining sheet that can be automatically discharged from all apparatuses or is waiting for a remaining sheet check start instruction, In step S404, an automatic paper discharge preparation is instructed simultaneously. All devices that are instructed to prepare for automatic paper discharge in step S404 prepare for automatic paper discharge in step S405, and that preparations for automatic paper discharge have been completed in steps S406, S407, and S408 when the preparation is completed. Is notified to the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 confirming that the automatic paper discharge preparation of all the devices is completed instructs the start of the automatic paper discharge operation simultaneously to all the devices in step S409. Instructed to start automatic paper discharge, the CPU 202 starts driving the conveyance path roller in step S410, and causes the printer 102 to convey the paper remaining on the paper exit sensor. When the paper exit sensor 111 is driven for a predetermined time and the paper presence / absence state of the paper exit sensor 111 changes from the presence of paper to the absence of paper, it is determined that the delivery of the remaining paper to the printer is completed at the timing when the rear end of the paper leaves the optional paper feeding device. In step S411, the CPU 201 is notified that automatic paper discharge has been completed. At the same time as the automatic paper discharge is completed, the drive of the optional paper feeding device is stopped, the initialization process is executed in step S412, and the CPU 201 is notified of the completion of the initialization in step S413. Here, the initialization process refers to, for example, a lift-up operation of a lifter (not shown) for holding a recording material provided in the lower deck 106 and the upper deck 107 of the optional sheet feeder 101, and the sheet feeding of the sheet feeder. It is a preparation process.

  The CPU 203 instructed to start automatic paper discharge in step S409 drives the main motor 220 to start automatic paper discharge in step S414. In step S415, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 201 that the optional sheet feeder 101 has completed automatic paper discharge, and then all the sensors continuously detect the absence of paper for a predetermined time. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, it is determined that the automatic paper discharge has been completed, and the CPU 201 is notified of the completion of the automatic paper discharge in step S416. Thereafter, in step S417, the CPU 203 starts initialization such as driving of the fixing device and initialization of the electrophotographic process.

  In step S409, the CPU 204 instructed to automatically discharge paper from the CPU 201 drives the transport roller 123 in step S418 to start an automatic paper discharge operation. In step S419, the CPU 204 notifies the CPU 201 that the automatic discharge of the printer 102 has been completed, and then determines that the automatic discharge has been completed when the entrance sensor continuously detects the absence of paper for a predetermined time. In step S420, the CPU 201 is notified that automatic paper discharge has been completed. Subsequently, in step S421, the CPU 204 starts initialization of the optional paper discharge device 103 (for example, processing for moving the paper discharge bin to the home position).

  The CPU 201 determines that the automatic paper discharge operation is completed when the automatic paper discharge end is notified from all the apparatuses. When the initialization process S421 of the optional paper discharge device 103 ends, the CPU 204 notifies the CPU 201 of the end of initialization in process S422. When the initialization processing S417 of the printer 102 is completed, the CPU 203 notifies the CPU 201 of the completion of initialization in processing S423. The CPU 201 confirms the completion of initialization of all apparatuses, determines that the preparation for the system is completed, and sets the state in which the printing operation is possible.

  That is, for example, when the optional paper feeding apparatus 101 detects that there is residual paper, the CPU 201 instructs the printer 102, the optional paper feeding apparatus 101, and the optional paper ejection apparatus 103 to prepare for automatic paper ejection all at once. Then, it recognizes that all the devices are ready for automatic paper discharge, and also instructs each device to start automatic paper discharge all at once. The automatic paper discharge operation is completed in order.

  These operations are performed based on an instruction from the CPU 201, and are performed while recognizing that automatic paper discharge has been completed between the devices, so that an optional paper feeding device or a printer to which the optional paper discharge device is connected is used. Thus, the automatic paper discharge operation can be performed optimally. This eliminates a useless operation of driving the motor more than necessary for the automatic paper discharge operation.

It is a block diagram explaining the mechanism which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the sequence which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the mechanism which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 optional paper feeder 102 printer 104 lower deck 105 upper deck 106 lower deck 107 upper deck 108, 109 paper feed roller 110 transport roller 111 paper exit sensor 112, 113 paper feed roller 114 paper feed sensor 115 paper feed transport roller 116 Front sensor 117 Registration roller 118 Photosensitive drum 119 Fixing device 120 Fixing discharge roller 121 Sensors 201, 202, 203, 204 CPU
205, 213 Sensor input circuit 206, 210, 211, 212 Drive circuit 207, 208, 209 Input circuit 216, 224 Motor 220 Main motor 221, 222 Clutch clutch

Claims (10)

An image forming system comprising a paper feeding device for supplying a recording material and an image forming device for forming an image on the recording material,
A recording material detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a recording material on a conveyance path of the paper feeding device;
Instructing means for instructing the paper feeding device and the image forming apparatus to start operation when the recording material is detected by the recording material detection means;
First control means for starting a recording material conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus in response to an operation start instruction by the instruction means;
Second control means for starting a recording material conveyance operation of the paper feeding device in response to an operation start instruction by the instruction means and transmitting an operation end signal of the paper feeding device to the instruction means when the conveyance operation is completed And the instruction means transmits an operation end signal to the first control means when receiving the operation end signal from the second control means after instructing the start of operation, and the first control The image forming system is characterized in that the recording material conveying operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction means. A second recording material detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a recording material on the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus;
The first control unit detects the recording material by the second recording material conveying unit in response to the operation end signal, and after a predetermined time has elapsed after the recording material is no longer detected, the recording of the image forming apparatus The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the material conveying operation is stopped. A paper discharge device for discharging the recording material;
And third control means for stopping the recording material conveyance operation of the paper discharge device,
When the recording material conveying operation of the image forming apparatus is completed, the first control unit transmits an operation end signal of the image forming apparatus to the instruction unit.
The instruction means includes
When the recording material is detected by the recording material detection means, the paper feeding device, the image forming device, and the paper discharge device are instructed to start operation,
When the operation end signal is received from the first control means after instructing the operation start, the operation end signal is transmitted to the third control means,
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third control unit stops the recording material conveyance operation of the paper discharge device after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction unit. Image forming system. A third recording material detection means for detecting the recording material conveyed to the conveyance path of the paper discharge device;
The third control means detects the recording material by the third recording material detection means after a certain time has elapsed after receiving the operation completion signal transmitted from the instruction means, and after the recording material is no longer detected The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the paper discharge device is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. The second control unit causes the recording material detection unit to detect the presence or absence of the recording material on the conveyance path of the paper feeding device, and when the recording material is detected, the instruction unit displays information indicating that the recording material has been detected. Send
When receiving the information indicating the detection, the instruction unit instructs the sheet feeding device and the image forming apparatus to start operation for discharging the recording material on the assumption that the recording material is detected. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the second control unit executes an initialization operation of the sheet feeding device after the conveyance operation is completed.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the first control unit executes an initialization operation of the image forming apparatus after the operation of the image forming apparatus is completed.   The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the third control unit executes an initialization operation of the paper discharge device after the operation of the paper discharge device is completed. A control method of an image forming system comprising a paper feeding device for supplying a recording material and an image forming device for forming an image on the recording material,
A first notification step of notifying the instruction unit of the image forming apparatus that the recording material detection unit has detected the recording material in the conveyance path of the sheet feeding device;
An instruction step for instructing the start of operation of the sheet feeding device and the image forming apparatus by the instruction means;
A first control step of starting a recording material conveying operation of the image forming apparatus in response to the operation start instruction by a first control unit;
Thus the second control unit starts recording material conveying operation of the sheet feeding apparatus in accordance with an instruction of the operation start, if the recording material conveying operation of the sheet feeding apparatus has been completed, the operation end signal to the instruction unit A second control step to notify;
A step of transmitting an operation end signal to the first control means when receiving the operation end signal from the second control means after instructing the operation start by the instruction means;
And a step of stopping the recording material conveying operation of the image forming apparatus after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction means. The image forming system includes a paper discharge device that discharges the recording material,
The third control step further includes a third control step of stopping the recording material conveyance operation of the paper discharge device by the third control means. The first control step is performed when the recording material conveyance operation of the image forming device is completed. Sending an operation end signal to the instruction means;
The instruction step includes
Instructing the paper feeding device, the image forming device, and the paper discharge device to start operation from the instruction unit;
When the operation end signal is received from the first control means after instructing the operation start, the operation end signal is transmitted to the third control means,
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the third control step stops the recording material conveyance operation of the paper discharge device after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the operation end signal transmitted from the instruction means.

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