JP6800645B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printer unit.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus (multifunction device) in which a printer unit and a scanner unit are integrated. This device is provided with a paper feed tray for the printer unit behind the scanner unit, and the user sets paper for printing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-73449

In Patent Document 1, when a user newly sets a paper in a paper feed tray, the size and type of the paper do not always match those registered in the control unit of the apparatus in advance. If the user forgets to reset the set paper information, printing may be performed under incorrect printing conditions.

An object of the present invention is to realize an image forming apparatus having a printer unit, which is excellent in usability and can appropriately set paper information when a user sets paper in a paper feed tray.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a printer unit that can record on a sheet, a unit that is provided on the printer unit and can be opened and closed with respect to the printer unit, and the printer unit. sheet used is placed, a paper feed tray for feeding the printer section the placed sheets from the sheet feeding port, a cover openably provided to the sheet feeding port, the cover When the open / closed state of the printer is changed, a control unit for setting information about a sheet placed on the paper feed tray is provided, and the control unit is used when the cover is opened in conjunction with the opening of the unit. Alternatively, when the cover is closed in conjunction with the closing of the unit, the information setting is not performed .

According to the present invention, the sheet information can be set by triggering the opening and closing of the cover covering the paper feed port of the paper feed tray, and a device having excellent usability is realized.

Perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus A perspective view showing the opening and closing of the inner cover with the paper feed tray pulled out. Perspective view showing a state in which a sheet is placed on a paper tray Cross-sectional view of the back side of the device when the paper feed tray is stored Cross-sectional view of the back side of the device when the paper tray is pulled out Cross-sectional view of the back side of the device with the sheet placed on the paper feed tray Cross-sectional perspective view of the back side of the device when the paper feed tray is stored Cross-sectional perspective view of the back side of the device with the paper feed tray pulled out Cross-sectional perspective view of the back side of the device during the operation of opening the scanner unit The figure for demonstrating the detail of the open / close sensor of a scanner part. System block diagram of the entire device including the control unit The figure which explains the opening and closing operation of a scanner part and an inner cover separately for each case Flowchart of sequence to be executed when the cover sensor changes from ON to OFF Flowchart of sequence to be executed when the scanner sensor changes from OFF to ON Display example of information input screen

As an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus (multifunction device) in which a printer unit and an image scanner unit are integrated will be described. In this specification, assuming that the device is installed on a horizontal plane, it is defined as front (or front) and back (or rear) along the direction in which the user faces, and is defined as up and down along the direction of gravity. Define.

<Overall configuration of equipment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus of the embodiment. The image forming apparatus is broadly provided with a printer unit P built in the housing of the apparatus main body and a scanner unit S provided on the printer unit P and reading the placed document by pressing it with a document pressure plate. The operation unit 1 has a display 11 and an input key, and is provided on the front surface of the device housing so as to face the user.

A paper feed tray 3 is provided on the back side of the device so as to cover the paper feed port described later. In FIG. 1A, the paper feed tray 3 is vertically housed on the back side of the device, and only the paper feed flap 3b forming a part of the paper feed tray is exposed as an outer cover on the upper surface of the device. When the user raises the paper feed flap 3b, pulls out the paper feed tray upward, and tilts it diagonally backward, the tray body 3a is exposed as shown in FIG. 1 (b), and the sheet mounting surface inclined with respect to the horizontal. Is formed. The tray body 3a can be slid and extended to widen the seat loading surface. Further, the paper feed flap 3b, which was the outer cover in the stored state, rotates with respect to the tray body 3a to form an expansion tray surface continuous with the sheet loading surface. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the tray body 3a is extended and further expanded by the paper feed flap 3b. A plurality of sheets to be printed by the printer unit can be stacked and placed on the inclined sheet loading surface of the paper feed tray 3, and the sheets are fed one by one from the paper feed port to the printer unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pickup roller 21 and separation rollers 22a and 22b for separating the set sheets 6 one by one and feeding them to the printing area of the printer unit are provided at the back of the paper feed port. Has been printed. Various sheets having different paper sizes and types can be placed on the paper feed tray 3, and the image generator prints according to the paper size and paper type to be used. The printer unit may be any of an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, a thermal method, and other printing methods.

The scanner unit 2 (scanner unit S) is a flatbed type scanner, and a document placed on a platen (transparent glass plate) is pressed by a document pressure plate 2a. Below the platen, a scanner unit including a sensor and a carriage for optically reading the document is provided. The document pressure plate 2a can be opened and closed with respect to the platen. Here, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the document pressure plate 2a and the paper feed flap 3b are both closed, the surface of the document pressure plate 2a and the surface of the paper feed flap 3b are substantially the same height. Then, a recess into which a user can insert a finger is formed between the front end of the paper feed flap 3b and the rear end of the document pressure plate 2a. The user can easily raise the paper feed flap 3b by inserting a finger into this recess. It should be noted that the opening / closing operation of the scanner unit 2 may be configured to be electrically performed using a drive source instead of manually.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the scanner unit S (scanner unit 2) rotates around the hinge unit (first hinge unit) on the back side of the device with respect to the printer unit P at the bottom of the device. The structure is such that the front side of the device can be opened. The rotation axis (rotation center) of the hinge portion is at the position shown as the support axis 2d in FIG. The hinge portion may be either a hinge structure in which the rotation shaft member actually exists on the support shaft 2 or a hinge structure in which the position of the support shaft 2 is a virtual rotation shaft. Further, a hinge structure may be used in which the support shaft 2 is displaced with rotation. At the time of maintenance work, the user holds the clues 2e, which are recesses provided on the left and right side surfaces of the device housing, and lifts the scanner unit 2 upward to rotate it. In this embodiment, the scanner unit 2 can be opened up to an angle of 30 degrees. The free stop mechanism of the hinge portion allows the scanner unit 2 to maintain its position even if the user releases his / her hand on the way. When the scanner unit 2 is opened, a part of the printer unit in the apparatus main body is exposed, and the user can perform maintenance work such as replacing the ink tank and removing the paper jammed with the paper jam.

<Inner cover>
In FIGS. 1 (b) and 2 to 9, an openable and closable inner cover 4 is provided below the sheet loading surface 3a of the paper feed tray 3 so as to cover the paper feed port when closed. .. The inner cover 4 is rotatable around a support shaft 4a (second hinge portion) provided on the scanner portion 2 as a rotation shaft (rotation center). The support shaft 4a is provided on the front side of the paper feed port with reference to the scanner unit 2, and the inner cover 4 opens and closes with respect to the paper feed port on the back side of the device. In this way, the inner cover 4 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the paper feed port.

The inner cover 4 has a rotatable roller 5 at a rotating outer end. The roller 5 is regarded as a part of the inner cover 4. In this example, one roller 5 is provided in the center, but a plurality of rollers may be provided in a dispersed manner in the sheet width direction. Here, in the depth direction of the device, the rotation axis of the hinge portion (first hinge portion) of the scanner portion 2 described above is located on the back side of the device with respect to the rotation axis of the hinge portion (second hinge portion) of the inner cover 4. ing. The arrangement of the rotation axes (rotation centers) contributes to miniaturization of the device in the depth direction. In addition, each hinge portion may have a hinge structure in which the rotation shaft is displaced with rotation. In that case, the region where the rotating shaft is displaced is regarded as the rotating shaft, and the positional relationship between the rotating shafts of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion satisfies the above-mentioned relationship.

1 (a), 4 (cross-sectional view), and 7 (cross-sectional perspective view) show a state in which the paper feed tray 3 is housed and the inner cover 4 is closed. In this state, the inner cover 4 is in a horizontal state and covers the paper feed port. A paper feed flap 3b further covers the inner cover 4 that closes the paper feed port as an outer cover, and the paper feed port is closed by a double sealing structure of the paper feed flap 3b and the inner cover 4.

1 (b), 2 (a), and 5 (a) show a state in which the paper feed tray 3 is pulled out by the user and the inner cover 4 is closed (the sheet is not placed). In this state, the inner cover 4 is in a horizontal state and covers the paper feed port. The tip (roller 5) of the inner cover 4 is barely touching the paper feed tray.

2 (b) and 8 (a) show a state in which the paper feed tray is pulled out and the user opens the inner cover 4. When the inner cover 4 is opened, the paper feed port (reference numeral O in FIG. 2B) that has been hidden until then appears. Then, when the user places the sheet bundle on the paper feed tray 3, the sheet is set with the tip end (lower end) of the sheet inserted into the paper feed port.

Then, when the inner cover 4 is returned in the closing direction, the tip (roller 5) of the inner cover 4 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet surface of the set sheet bundle. 3 (a), 6 (a), and 8 (b) show the state. The inner cover 4 is in a state in which the back side of the device is lifted and tilted with respect to the horizontal, that is, the inner cover 4 is leaning against the seat surface. The angle at which the inner cover 4 leans changes according to the number of sheets to be loaded (thickness of the sheet bundle). The paper feed port is partially blocked by the inserted sheet bundle, and the exposed part of the paper feed port is covered by the leaning inner cover 4, so that foreign matter is prevented from falling into the paper feed port. Will be done.

<Original pressure plate>
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the user opens the document pressure plate 2a. The document pressure plate 2a has arm portions extending to the back side at two locations on the left and right sides sandwiching the paper feed port and the inner cover 4, and a hinge portion 2b (third hinge portion) is provided near the tip of each arm portion. It is provided. The rotation axis of the hinge portion 2b (third hinge portion) of the document pressure plate 2a is located closer to the device than the rotation axis of the hinge portion 4a (second hinge portion) of the inner cover 4.

Since the document pressure plate 2a is supported by two arm portions, when the document pressure plate 2a is opened and closed with respect to the platen, the sheet is placed on the inner cover 4, the paper feed flap 3a or the paper feed tray 3. There is no physical interference. On the contrary, it does not interfere with the original pressure plate 2a when opening / closing the paper feed flap 3b or the inner cover 4, or when setting the sheet in the paper feed tray 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the hinge portion of the document pressure plate 2a is configured so that the document pressure plate 2a opens only to a position where it does not collide with the paper feed tray and the sheet placed on the paper feed tray.

<Two open / close sensors>
Here, a cover sensor (first sensor) that detects the opening / closing of the inner cover 4 will be described. By detecting the opening and closing of the inner cover 4 by this sensor, the device presumes that the user has loaded the sheet into the paper feed tray. As will be described later, based on this estimation, the user is urged to reset the paper information such as the paper size and the paper type.

In FIGS. 7 to 9, a cover sensor 7 (mechanical switch) for detecting the opening / closing of the cover is provided under the inner cover 4. An arm 4b for holding a position is provided at one end of the lower surface of the inner cover 4, and an arc-shaped contactor 4c is provided on the outer side thereof. When the inner cover 4 is opened, the contactor 4c and the lever 7a of the cover sensor 7 are separated from each other, and the switch is off (see FIG. 8A). When the inner cover 4 is closed here, the contactor 4c presses the lever 7a of the cover sensor 7 to turn on the mechanical switch, and it is detected that the inner cover 4 is changed from open (open) to closed (closed). (See FIG. 8 (b)). Even if the number of sheets placed on the paper feed tray 3 is the maximum number of sheets that can be placed on the tray, the sensor band is set so that the switch is turned off when the inner cover 4 is returned. There is. The cover sensor 7 is not limited to the mechanical switch, and an optical sensor (photointerruptor) or a magnetic sensor may be used to detect the proximity of the contacts.

Next, a scanner unit sensor (second sensor) that detects the opening / closing of the scanner unit 2 will be described. By detecting the opening and closing of the scanner unit 2 by this sensor, it is estimated that the user performs maintenance on the device. This estimation is used to determine whether to interrupt the printing or reading operation.

In FIG. 10, a scanner unit sensor 8 (mechanical switch) for detecting the opening / closing of the scanner unit 2 is provided in front of the main body of the printer unit 2. A rod-shaped contact 2f projecting downward is provided at the front end of the lower surface of the scanner unit 2. When the scanner unit 2 is open, the contact 2f and the lever 8a of the scanner unit sensor 8 are separated from each other, and the switch is off (see FIG. 10A). When the scanner unit 2 is closed here, it is detected that the contact 2f presses the lever 8a of the scanner unit sensor 8 to turn on the mechanical switch, and the scanner unit 2 is changed from open (open) to closed (closed). (See FIG. 10 (b)). The scanner unit sensor 8 is not limited to the mechanical switch, and an optical sensor (photointerruptor) or a magnetic sensor may be used to detect the proximity of the contacts. The scanner unit sensor 8 is provided in front of the device in order to promptly detect when the scanner unit 2 is slightly opened and to reliably detect that the scanner unit 2 is completely closed.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the scanner unit 2 is gradually opened, the contact 4c of the inner cover 4 is separated from the lever portion 7a of the cover sensor 7, and it is detected that the inner cover 4 is opened. On the other hand, the scanner unit sensor 8 of the scanner unit 2 is arranged on the front side of the scanner unit 2, and it is detected that the scanner unit 2 is opened before the opening detection of the inner cover 4. On the contrary, when the scanner unit 2 in the open state is gradually closed, it is detected that the inner cover 4 is closed first, and then the scanner unit 2 is detected to be closed. In this way, when the user opens and closes the scanner unit 2, the inner cover 4 also opens and closes in conjunction with each other, and the timing of detecting the opening and closing is in a predetermined order with a slight time difference. This order is used in the open / close determination algorithm described later.

<Control system block>
FIG. 11 is a control system block diagram of the entire image forming apparatus including these two sensors. The image forming apparatus 1700 (printing apparatus) largely includes a control unit 1701, a printer unit 1710 (including a scanner unit), an operation unit 1, and a sensor unit 1711, and the control unit 1701 is connected to a host computer 1712. The control unit 1701 is a central processing unit (CPU) 1702, a rewritable ROM 1703, a RAM 1704, and various interfaces. The interface includes a printer I / F1705, an operation unit I / F1706, a sensor I / F1707, a USBI / F1708, a network I / F1709, and the like, and is connected to the CPU 1702 by a system bus 1713. The sensor unit 1711 is the cover sensor 7, the scanner unit sensor 8, the sensor, and the like described above. The control unit 1701 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1700.

<Action effect 1>
As described above, in the device of the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 2b (first hinge portion) of the scanner unit 2 is located closer to the device than the rotating shaft 4a (second hinge portion) of the inner cover 4 in the device depth direction. positioned. In the direction of gravity, the rotation shaft 4a is provided at a position higher than the rotation shaft 2d. The miniaturization of the device is realized by the arrangement relationship of these two rotating shafts.

Here, since the hinge portion 4a is attached to the back side of the scanner portion 2 and is located on the front side of the device from the hinge portion 2b, when the scanner portion 2 is opened, the rotation shaft 4a draws a circumference upward and on the back side. To move closer to the paper feed tray 3. Since the inner cover 4 releases the force for pushing the paper feed tray, the inner cover 4 is configured to increase the opening angle following the inclined surface of the paper feed tray 3 as the opening angle of the scanner unit increases. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

At this time, a part of the inner cover 4 (roller 5 in this example) moves while touching the surface of the paper feed tray or the surface of the sheet placed on the paper feed tray. 1 (b) and 5 (b) show a state in which the scanner unit 2 is opened with no sheet loaded, and FIGS. 6 (b) and 9 show a state in which the scanner unit 2 is opened with a sheet loaded. Indicates the state. In the former, the roller 5 touches the surface of the paper feed tray 3a and moves upward while rotating, and in the latter, the roller 5 touches the surface of the sheet and moves upward while rotating. Since it is the rotating roller that comes into contact with the sheet 6, the printed surface of the sheet 6 is prevented from being scratched by sliding. It is not essential that the part of the inner cover 4 that comes into contact with the sheet is a roller, and if the sliding resistance is reduced by devising the material and surface finish of the part of the inner cover that comes into contact with the sheet, scratches will be given to the printed surface. It will be relaxed.

Further, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation shaft 2b (third hinge portion) of the document pressure plate 2a of the scanner unit 2 is connected to the rotation shaft 4a (second hinge portion) of the inner cover 4. Is located at the back of the device and at almost the same height. The rotation axis 2d of the scanner unit 2 and the rotation axis 2b of the document pressure plate 2a are located at substantially the same depth, and the rotation axis 2b is provided at a position higher than the rotation axis 2d in the direction of gravity. Due to this arrangement relationship, the image forming apparatus can be further miniaturized, especially in the depth direction.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the document pressure plate 2a has two thin arm portions on both sides of the paper feed port and the inner cover 4, and a rotation shaft 2b is provided near the tip of each arm portion. ing. Therefore, the opening and closing of the document pressure plate 2a and the opening and closing of the inner cover 4 can be performed independently and without mutual interference. Further, even if the paper feed flap 3 is opened and closed with the paper feed tray 3 housed in the apparatus, it does not interfere with the document pressure plate 2a. Further, since the document pressure plate 2a is opened only to a position where it does not collide with the paper feed tray 3 in the pulled-out state and the sheet placed on the paper feed tray, the sheet may be scratched when the document pressure plate 2a is opened. The paper feed tray 3 is not damaged.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 4, when the paper feed flap 3b is closed, the inner cover 4 covers and closes a part or most of the paper feed port, and the paper feed flap 3b covers the outer cover. It becomes. That is, it has a double sealing structure in which the paper feed port is closed by the inner cover 4 and the paper feed flap 3b (outer cover). This structure effectively prevents foreign matter from falling into the paper feed port when the device is not in use. Furthermore, this structure also contributes to miniaturization of the entire device in the height direction. Then, even when the device is used, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 6, the inner cover 4 leans against the sheet surface on the paper feed tray 3, and it does not change regardless of the number of sheets to be loaded. Therefore, even when the device is used, the paper feed port is less exposed and foreign matter is effectively suppressed from falling.

<Seat information setting triggered by opening and closing the inner cover>
When the user sets the sheet in the paper feed tray, the inner cover 4 is first opened, the sheet bundle is placed on the paper feed tray 3, and the lower end of the sheet is inserted into the paper feed port. Then, the inner cover 4 is closed. When the inner cover 4 is opened and closed in this way, it is highly possible that the seat is newly loaded. In order to obtain the print size and print quality that match the paper, the information about the sheet, such as the paper size (A4, B5, etc.) and the paper type (plain paper, glossy paper, etc.), is updated in the control unit. I need it. Therefore, the open / closed state of the inner cover 4 is detected by the cover sensor 7, and when the open / closed state changes, information regarding the sheet placed on the paper feed tray is set. In the present embodiment, the user is urged to set again through the UI display of the operation unit, and the user who sees this prompts the user to input the paper information through the UI. Then, the control unit sets the paper information input by the user.

The information setting is not limited to the form in which the user inputs the information, and the information may be acquired and automatically set by using the media sensor or the paper width sensor in the device. The paper type can be determined from the reflectance of the paper surface using a media sensor. Regarding the paper size, the size can be determined by detecting both ends of the sheet placed in the paper feed port with a paper width sensor mounted on the carriage or fixed in the device. As described above, the information setting in the present specification includes both a form in which the user is prompted to input information and a form in which the device automatically acquires and sets the information.

By the way, as described above, when the user opens and closes the scanner unit 2, the inner cover 4 also opens and closes in conjunction with it. Therefore, even when the scanner unit 2 is opened and closed for maintenance work, it is detected that the inner cover 4 is opened and closed. There is a possibility that the user mistakenly recognizes that the sheet is newly set and sets unnecessary information. Therefore, misidentification can be eliminated by using the detection of the scanner unit sensor 8 as well as the cover sensor 7.

The basic idea is that when the open / closed state of the inner cover changes, the information about the sheet placed on the paper feed tray is set by using it as a trigger. At this time, when the inner cover changes from closed to open, the information setting is executed if the scanner unit remains closed, and the information setting is not executed if the scanner unit is opened. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary information setting in both the form in which the user inputs information and the form in which the device automatically acquires and sets the information. A more detailed procedure and means for realizing the procedure will be described below.

12 (a) to 12 (d) are diagrams for explaining the two opening / closing timings of the scanner unit 2 and the inner cover 4 in each of the four cases. In the timing chart in the figure, the vertical axis represents the detection state of each of the cover sensor 7 and the scanner unit open / close sensor 8, and takes one of two states, ON and OFF. When the inner cover / scanner unit is opened, the corresponding sensor is turned “ON”, and when the inner cover / scanner unit is closed, the corresponding sensor is turned “OFF”. The horizontal axis of the timing chart represents time (unit: 100 msec). Note that this timing chart is a schematic diagram for facilitating the understanding of the determination procedure, and the actual time is not limited to this.

FIG. 12A is a timing chart showing changes in the output of each sensor when the user opens only the inner cover 4 without opening the scanner unit 2 and then closes it. This is a typical operation when a user sets a new sheet in the paper feed tray 3. The user opens the inner cover 4 for the seat set (see FIGS. 2 (b) and 8 (a)). Then, the detection output of the cover sensor 7 changes from OFF to ON (in this example, the timing of time 3). The user places a bundle of sheets in the paper tray and inserts the bottom edge of the sheet into the paper feed slot. The user then closes the inner cover 4 (see FIGS. 3 (a), 6 (a), 8 (b)). Then, the detection output of the cover sensor 7 changes from ON to OFF (in this example, the timing of time 8). During this period, the detection output of the scanner unit sensor 8 remains OFF and does not change.

The determination section A in the figure is a period for determining that the scanner unit 2 and the inner cover 4 are interlocked and opened substantially at the same time. The determination section A is set as a period (100 msec) of a predetermined length starting from the timing when the cover sensor 7 is turned ON. Depending on whether or not the scanner unit sensor 8 is ON within this period, it is determined that it is interlocked if it is ON and that it is not interlocked if it is OFF. In this example, the scanner unit sensor 8 remains OFF in the determination section A and does not change. Therefore, it can be determined that the cover operation was intentional by the user, and it is highly probable that the paper feed tray was loaded with sheets.

When the output of only the cover sensor 7 changes in this way, it is highly possible that a new sheet is set in the paper feed tray, and the device needs to update the information (paper size, paper type, etc.) about the sheet. is there. Therefore, information about the sheet placed on the paper feed tray is set. Specifically, in the case where only the cover sensor 7 changes in the order of ON and OFF as shown in FIG. 12A (regardless of the timing of the change to ON and OFF and the time interval thereof), the control unit (CPU1702) Execute a sequence for setting information about the sheet. In this example, the information input screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit 1 in order to prompt the user to input the "paper size" and "paper type" as the information of the sheet set. Note that this information input may be performed by the UI of the host PC connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 15A shows the paper size: A4 as the information currently set. Paper type: Plain paper is shown. When the user who sees this selects the information to be reset, a pull-down menu appears as shown in FIG. 15B, and the information can be updated. Here, the paper size is selected from the menu to be reset to B5. Then, when the registration button is pressed, the information is updated and set. If the newly set sheet is the same paper as before, the user simply presses the registration button without changing the contents. This paper information is stored in the memory of the control unit and used when executing printing.

FIG. 12B is a timing chart showing changes in the output of each sensor when the user opens and closes the scanner unit 2. This is a typical operation when the user opens the scanner unit 2 for maintenance of the print unit. The user does not intend to open the inner cover 4, but the inner cover is opened in conjunction with opening the scanner unit 2. In this case, the user opens the scanner unit 2 for ink replacement and jam processing (see FIGS. 1 (b), 5 (b), and 6 (b)). Then, the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from OFF to ON (in this example, the timing of time 3). Immediately after that, the detection output of the cover sensor 7 changes from OFF to ON (in this example, the timing is delayed from time 3 to several tens of msec). The user performs maintenance work on the print unit, and closes the scanner unit 2 when the work is completed. Then, the cover sensor 7 changes from ON to OFF first (in this example, the timing of time 8). Immediately after that, the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from ON to OFF (in this example, the timing is delayed from time 8 to several tens of msec). As described above, the inner cover 4 also opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the scanner unit 2, and there is a slight time lag in detecting the opening and closing of the two sensors. Therefore, the detection output of the cover sensor 7 changes with the detection output of the scanner unit sensor 8 with a slight time lag.

As described above, the determination section A is a period for determining that the scanner unit 2 and the inner cover 4 are interlocked and opened substantially at the same time. In this example, since the output of the scanner unit sensor 8 is ON in the determination section A, it is determined that the inner cover 4 is also opened in conjunction with the scanner unit 2.

On the other hand, the determination section B is a period for determining that the scanner unit and the cover sensor are closed at almost the same time. The determination section B is set as a period (100 msec) of a predetermined length starting from the timing when the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from ON to OFF. It is determined whether or not the cover sensor 7 is OFF within this period. Since it is OFF in this example, it is determined that the inner cover 4 is also closed in conjunction with closing the scanner unit 2. It is determined that both the determination section A and the determination section B are linked. The control unit is controlled by an algorithm that executes an information setting sequence if it is determined that at least one of the determination section A (open operation) and the determination section B (closed operation) is not linked (the user has individually operated). To do. In this case, neither opening nor closing is interlocked, so the control unit does not execute the above-mentioned information setting sequence regarding the seat. In this way, when the output changes of both the cover sensor 7 and the scanner unit sensor 8 occur with a slight time lag, it is highly possible that the user has opened and closed the scanner unit 2 for maintenance, and the control unit is described above. Do not execute the information setting sequence related to the sheet.

As described above, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the information regarding the seat is set only when the user opens and closes only the inner cover 4, depending on the case. That is, when the inner cover changes from closed to open, the information setting sequence is executed if the scanner unit remains closed, and the information setting sequence is not executed if the scanner unit is also opened. In reality, most of the cases are shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), but in the present embodiment, the following rare cases are also considered.

FIG. 12C is a timing chart when the user opens both the inner cover 4 and the scanner unit 2 in order. This case assumes a user operation in which the inner cover 4 is opened first and then the scanner unit 2 is opened. The user shall open the inner cover 4 for loading the sheet in the paper feed tray, and the user shall further open the scanner unit 2 for maintenance of the printer unit while the inner cover 4 is opened. In this case, the cover sensor 7 changes from OFF to ON at time 3, and the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from OFF to ON at time 5 after a considerable delay. When the scanner unit sensor 8 is turned ON outside the determination section A starting from the cover sensor 7 ON, it can be determined that the cover operation is intentional by the user, so it is presumed that the sheet has been loaded. Will be done. The user who has finished loading the seat closes the inner cover 4. However, since the scanner unit 2 is open, even if the inner cover 4 is closed, the cover sensor 7 does not turn off while maintaining ON (see FIG. 9). After that, the user finishes printer maintenance (ink tank replacement, etc.) and closes the scanner unit 2. Here, for the first time, the cover sensor 7 changes from ON to OFF. After that, the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from ON to OFF in the determination section B with a delay of several tens of msec. That is, it is determined that there is no interlocking in the determination section A, and it is determined that there is interlocking in the determination section B. In this case, both the sheet is loaded into the paper feed tray and maintenance is performed, so it is necessary to set information about the sheet. As described above, if it is determined that at least one of the determination section A and the determination section B is not linked, the control unit controls by an algorithm that executes the information setting sequence. Therefore, in this case, the control unit gives priority to the determination that there is no interlocking in the determination section A, and executes the sequence of inputting the paper information on the information setting screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 12D is a timing chart when the user closes the scanner unit 2 and the inner cover 4 in order. This case assumes a case in which the user operates in the reverse procedure of FIG. 12 (c). The user first opens the scanner unit 2. The scanner unit sensor 8 changes from OFF to ON (time 3). Along with this, the inner cover sensor 7 changes from OFF to ON with a slight delay. In the determination section A, it is determined that there is interlocking. The user then opens the inner cover 4 for sheet loading. The cover sensor 7 that has already been turned on remains ON as it is, and no change occurs. Next, the user finishes the printer maintenance and closes the scanner unit 2. The detection of the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from ON to OFF (time 8), but since the inner cover 4 remains open, the cover sensor 7 keeps ON. Therefore, it is determined that there is no interlocking in the determination section B. After this, the user loads the seat and closes the inner cover 4. At this point, the cover sensor 7 finally changes from ON to OFF (time 10). In this case as well, as in the case of FIG. 12 (c), both the sheet is loaded into the paper feed tray and the maintenance is performed, so it is necessary to set the information about the sheet. As described above, if it is determined that at least one of the determination section A and the determination section B is not linked, the control unit controls by an algorithm that executes the information setting sequence. Therefore, in this case, the control unit gives priority to the determination that there is no interlocking in the determination section B, and executes the sequence of inputting the paper information on the information setting screen shown in FIG.

In this example, both the determination section A and the determination section B are set to a predetermined period (100 msec), but this numerical value may be set according to the detection timing and accuracy of the sensor. There may be various methods for measuring the time of a predetermined period. For example, a method of counting up or down the counter of the control unit at regular intervals to measure the time, and a method of counting a predetermined period with a timer to generate an interrupt can be mentioned. As a further alternative, there is also a method of preparing a flag to be turned on when the counter is being updated or waiting for a timer interrupt and referencing the flag information.

The timing chart of FIG. 12 is based on the premise that when the scanner unit 3 is opened, the scanner unit sensor 8 is turned on first, and the cover sensor 7 is turned on with a slight delay. .. Depending on the arrangement of the two sensors, the two sensors may be detected at the same time or the order may be reversed. The determination order of FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d) and the length of the determination section may be changed according to such a form.

<Specific processing procedure>
The determination algorithm of the control unit described above is specifically realized by the processing procedure described below. The flowchart of FIG. 13 is a processing procedure executed when the cover sensor 7 changes from ON to OFF, and it is determined whether or not to set information by this procedure. This is performed at time 8 in all cases of FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (c) and at time 10 in the case of FIG. 12 (d).

In FIG. 13, in step S2001, it is determined whether or not the "interlocking flag" is ON. The interlocking flag is a flag indicating whether the inner cover 4 is opened in conjunction with opening the scanner unit 2 or is non-interlocked and independently opened by the user's operation. In the former case, the flag value is set to ON (1), and in the latter case, the flag value is set to OFF (0). The interlocking flag is set to OFF as an initial value.

If the determination in step S2001 is Yes (interlocking flag ON), the process proceeds to step S2003, and if the determination is No (interlocking flag OFF), the process proceeds to step S2002. The transition from step S2001 to step S2002 is when it is considered that the inner cover has been opened by the user operation (cases of FIGS. 12A and 12C). In step S2002, the control unit displays the information input screen shown in FIG. 15 on the operation unit, and prompts the user to input information about the sheet. The control unit sets information based on user input.

On the other hand, in step S2003, it is determined whether or not the scanner unit sensor 8 is OFF. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S2004. If the determination is No, it is considered that there is interlocking (case of FIG. 12B), and the sequence is terminated without setting the sheet information. In step S2004, it is determined whether or not the scanner unit sensor OFF has occurred within the range (100 msec) of the determination section A. This is the determination in the determination section A described above. If the determination in step S2004 is Yes (within the range), the sequence is terminated as if there was interlocking. When the determination in step S2004 is No (case in FIG. 12D), it is assumed that there is no interlocking, and the process proceeds to step S2002 to set the information.

The flowchart of FIG. 14 is a processing procedure to be executed when the scanner unit sensor 8 changes from OFF to ON, and the flag value of the above-mentioned “interlocking flag” (step S2001 in FIG. 13) is determined in advance by this procedure. .. This is not done in the case of FIG. 12 (a), at time 3 in the case of FIG. 12 (b), at time 5 in the case of FIG. 12 (c), and at time 3 in the case of FIG. 12 (d). Each is executed.

In FIG. 14, in step S2101, the flag value of the interlocking flag is initialized to OFF (0). In the following step S2102, it is determined whether or not the cover sensor 4 is ON. If the determination in step S2102 is Yes (cover sensor ON), the process proceeds to step S2104, and if the determination is No (cover sensor OFF), the process proceeds to step S2103. In step S2103, it is determined that there is no interlocking, the flag value of the interlocking flag is set to OFF (0), and the sequence ends. On the other hand, in step S2104, it is determined whether or not the cover sensor ON has occurred within the range of the determination section B (100 msec). This is the determination in the determination section B described above. If the determination in step S2104 is Yes (within the range), the process proceeds to step S2103, it is determined that there is interlocking, the flag value of the interlocking flag is set to ON (1), and the sequence ends. If the determination in step S2104 is No, the process proceeds to step S2105, it is determined that there is no interlocking, the flag value of the interlocking flag is set to OFF (0), and the sequence ends.

As described above, if it is determined that at least one of the opening operation (determination section A) and the closing operation (determination section B) of the inner cover 4 is not linked to the opening and closing of the scanner unit 2, the paper feed tray 3 Information about the sheet placed on the can be set. Conversely, if it is determined that both the opening and closing of the inner cover 4 are linked to the opening and closing of the scanner unit 2, the information is not set.

Since the cases of FIGS. 12 (c) and 12 (d) are rare, it is possible to distinguish between FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) by a simpler algorithm without assuming these cases. .. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the information is set by making a judgment only by the opening operation (determination section A) of the inner cover 4 or by making a judgment only by the closing operation (determination section B). In this case, the algorithm is such that the information is set if the opening operation (determination section A) or the closing operation (determination section B) of the inner cover 4 is not interlocked, and the information is not set if it is interlocked.

<Action effect 2>
According to the present embodiment, since the user is prompted to set the information of the sheet to be set in the paper feed tray by using the opening of the inner cover as a trigger, the apparatus can perform printing suitable for the paper size and the paper type. Then, the information setting is not prompted when the user does not intend to set the sheet in the paper feed tray, and the user is not confused, so that an easy-to-use image forming apparatus is realized. Further, even if the device automatically acquires and sets information, it is possible to prevent a decrease in device throughput due to unnecessary automatic setting operation. In this way, the sheet information can be set by triggering the opening and closing of the cover covering the paper feed port of the paper feed tray, and a device having excellent usability is realized.

In the embodiment described above, it is not essential that the scanner unit is a flatbed type, and a sheet-through type scanner unit that does not have a document pressure plate may be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the inner cover is opened in conjunction with opening the scanner unit, but has some unit that opens and closes with respect to the housing of the printing device, and the inner cover is opened in conjunction with the unit. It is also effective in the configuration. It is also effective in preventing erroneous determination even in a configuration in which the inner cover may move when strong vibration is applied to the device.

P Printer section S Scanner section O Paper feed port 2 Scanner section 2a Document pressure plate 2d Support shaft of scanner section (first hinge section)
3 Paper feed tray 3a Tray body 3b Paper feed flap 4 Inner cover 4a Support shaft of inner cover (second hinge part)
7 Cover sensor (second sensor)
8 Scanner sensor (first sensor)

Claims (10)

A printer unit that can record on a sheet and
A unit provided on the printer unit and openable / closable with respect to the printer unit,
Are sheets placed for use in the printer unit, a paper feed tray for feeding the printer section the placed sheets from the sheet feeding port,
A cover that can be opened and closed with respect to the paper feed port
When the open / closed state of the cover changes, a control unit for setting information about the sheet placed on the paper feed tray is provided.
The control unit is characterized in that the information setting is not performed when the cover is opened in conjunction with the opening of the unit or when the cover is closed in conjunction with the closing of the unit. Image forming apparatus. The control unit provides the information in at least one case, when the cover is opened without interlocking with the opening of the unit and when the cover is closed without interlocking with the closing of the unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting is executed. A printer unit that can record on a sheet and
A unit provided on the printer unit and openable / closable with respect to the printer unit,
Are sheets placed for use in the printer unit, a paper feed tray for feeding the printer section the placed sheets from the sheet feeding port,
A cover that can be opened and closed with respect to the paper feed port
The first sensor that detects the open / closed state of the cover and
A second sensor that detects the open / closed state of the unit,
When the open / closed state of the cover changes, a control unit for setting information about the sheet placed on the paper feed tray is provided.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the control unit determines whether or not to perform the information setting based on the detection of the first sensor and the second sensor . When the control unit detects that the cover has changed from the closed state to the open state by the first sensor, the control unit does not detect that the unit has been opened by the second sensor within the first period. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the information setting is executed, and if the second sensor detects that the unit has been opened within the first period, the information setting is not performed. The image according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit sets the first period starting from a timing when the first sensor detects that the cover has changed from the closed state to the open state. Forming device. When the second sensor detects that the unit has changed from the open state to the closed state , the control unit does not detect that the cover is closed by the first sensor within the second period. Any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the information setting is executed, and if the first sensor detects that the cover is closed within the second period, the information setting is not performed. The image forming apparatus according to. The image according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit sets the second period starting from a timing when the second sensor detects that the unit has changed from the closed state to the closed state. Forming device. Along with the operation of opening the unit, a part of the cover moves while touching the surface of the paper feed tray or the surface of the sheet placed on the paper feed tray, and the cover opens in conjunction with the movement. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The image according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information setting is such that the user inputs the paper information or obtains the paper information by using a sensor to set the information. Forming device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the unit includes a scanner unit that presses and reads a document with a document pressure plate.

Images